Kratom

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