Kratom
What is Kratom
Kratom is a deciduous, evergreen tree coming
from the coffee family, also known as ketum or kratumum and scientifically
named as Mitragyna speciosa . It is found growing in Southeast Asia, especially in
the Indochina and Malaysia floristic
regions, Indonesia, Bornea and Thailand. Kratom leaves
are
dark green in colour, ovate-acuminate in shape,ie. Round and heart shape
at the base and opposite in growth pattern. It has round yellow flowers which
tend to grow in clusters at the end of the branches. Kratom leaves have almost
40 active ingredients in it.
Though addictive in nature, it’s leaves are used for it’s several medical
properties. Leaves when chewed acts as a mood enhancer. The most important
closely related tryptamine alkaloid in kratom is 7-hydroxymitragynine which
actually is responsible for the sedative and euphoric effect post consumption.
Benefits
Kratom , just like other
opiates works wonderfully well for pain management especially in the management
of chronic pain. Certain tribes of Thailand have been chewing the leaves since
ages and have been healing themselves for pain. In low doses it acts as a
stimulant and acts as a sedative on high dosage. t is also used as a
recreactional drug and in the treatment of diarrhoea. It is also known to
increase sleep, heighten sociability, enhance sexual energies and promotes good
health.
Legal Status
As per the Kratom Act
several countries have strict legal regulations. The Thailand Government has
passed the Kratom Act 2468 and finds it illelgal to posess kratom leaves or to
plant kratom trees. Similarly in Malayasia, kratom locally known as, ‘ketum’ is prohibited under Section 30 (3) Poisons Act 1952 and the user may be
penalized on possession or usage. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has
termed kratom as a drug and chemical of concern.
Side effects
Very interestingly,
kratom doesn’t have much side affects apart from the fact that it is habit
forming, thus addictive in nature. However in certain cases, loss of appetite,
darkening of skin colour of the face, delayed ejaculation, constipation, psychosis, convulsions, hallucinations, sweating,
nausea, vomiting, chest pain, dizziness and confusion have also been reported,
though rare.On chronic use, it might lead to chronic bowel obstruction.
Dosage
In the native regions,
kratom is consumed raw, ie. Fresh leaves are chewed, each leaf weighing
approximately 2gm. People consume 10-60 leaves a day. Males consume higher than
the females. Following are the dosage pattern of premium quality kratom, if
taken orally.
Threshold – 2- 4 gms
Mild – 3 – 5 gms
Moderate – 4- 10 gms
Strong – 8 – 15 gms
Very Strong – 12 – 25
gms
Effects
Kratom
acts as as a μ-opioid receptor agonist, like opiates for eg. morphine, though there is a difference in it’s effects as compared to other opiates. Kratom used in low to moderate dosage acts as
a stimulant and a potent sedative on high dosage. The alkaloids in kratom have
both stimulant and sedative properties. The alkaloids acts as opiate receptor
agonists thus works similar to other opiates like morphine does.
Long term use
Kratom on long term use
has several side effects, like the addict loses weight and becomes thin, the
skin colour darken, particularly the facial skin and cheeks, thus appears like
hepatic face. Dryness of mouth is a very common including frequent micturition
and constipation, leading to chronic bowel obstruction. Withdrawal symptoms
include hostility, aggression, runny nose, aches and pains in bones and muscle
and irregular, jerky movement of limbs. These are all symptoms of kratom
addicts on long term use.
Short term use
On short term use, it
acts as a wonderful mood enhancer and also activates the metabolism of a human
being. The ability to do monotonous work increases, thus the consumption is
high in the lower income group or in the labour class.
Research
More than 150 studies
have been done worldwide on kratom to reverse the ban that has been imposed on
kratom by several countries. Most of the countries have classifies it as a
dangerous street drug. As per the latest studies, kratom has been stated as a
beneficial drug with vast beneficial medical properties. Kratom and it’s
constituents have not shown much toxicity rather it acts as a potent
antioxidant and antibacterial. It helps manage withdrawal symptoms of drug and
alcohol. The powerful alkaloids in kratom also have certain anti-cancer
properties. In short, kratom is not a danger drug to humanity, if utilized
properly. The mis use of kratom has over powered the potential of this natural
wonder.
Use for opiate withdrawal
South east Asian
countries, especially people from Thailand have used kratom leaves as an opium
substitute in absence of Opium.It has also been used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms by chronic
opioid users. Opiate addiction is a worldwide problem that we have been dealing
since ages. As the alkaloids in kratom acts as an opiate receptor agonist,
people have often said that, switching over to kratom for a while have reduced
their level of addiction to opiates and thus they did not have to suffer or undergo
difficult withdrawal symptoms of opiums. It is always recommended to seek
medical advice before using kratom as an alternative for opiate withdrawals.
Dangers
Kratom when taken by
itself without mixing with water, juices or other drugs has great risks, like
falling asleep while doing hazardous work. It is advised not to drive under the
influence of kratom even if one feels stimulated. Pregnant and lactating women
need to stay away from kratom consumption as it might cause birth defects and
might also lead to fetal death.
What strands are best
There are several
strains of kratom. The best usually depends on the user’s expectation on the
following parameters, like potency, duration, quality of effects and overall
experience. There are other factors too which govern the supremacy of one
strain to the other. Few would like to include tolerance, calibre of product,
dosage and body chemistry as other factors. Thus the best strain of kratom
could be Maeng da kratom with it’s best stimating effect, mood enhancing
properties and moderate pain relieving properties. Followed by Maenf Da kratom
comes it’s other cousins, Ultra E. Indo kratom, white Bornea kratom, Red Thai
kratom and many more.
Final thoughts
Kratom, the much hyped
and talked about drug, might not be as bad as it has been projected worldwide
by several governing bodies. Kratom have
been used as a cheap and easily available drug for sedation and mood enhancer by
the lower income group of the society and certain tribal belt of Thailand since
ages, thus it has been labelled as an addictive and a poor man’s drug. If
looked at it from a medical or pharcalogical point of view, the extracts of
kratom leaves could be used constructively and could bring a revolution in the
medical fraternity. It is a known fact that, over usage or long term use of
anything could cause harm, so is the case with kratom. Thus the various
Governments and medical bodies should reverse the rules of the various Acts
imposed on kratom use and plunge deep into action for handeling the drug with
care and go for a greater good to the society.
Ssanchita Dutta Sen
