For many centuries Kratom has been defined as an ideal plant to relieve pain through relaxation and to control the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. This comes from Thailand and other regions of Southwest Asia and is a tree belonging to the coffee family.
Currently in the United States it is legal in 43 states and is considered an alternative to some medications, however, the US agency responsible for drug regulation (FDA) warns that kratom consumption exposes consumers to the risk of addiction, of abuse and dependency.
Warnings
The World Health Organization’s expert committee on drug dependence found in 2021 that there was insufficient evidence to move towards an international ban on kratom, however, it was recommended that it be kept under surveillance, citing adverse effects including hallucinations, heart racing, abdominal pain and vomiting, therefore some countries have chosen to ban it anyway.
Some research warns that the potential for addiction to kratom is less than for other opioids. It can even be used to reduce anxiety and depression or to overcome addiction to other substances. Occasional consumption should not pose great risks. However, its consumption, even if it is low, can be a great threat when mixing it with other substances, such as alcohol, antidepressants or benzodiazepines.
Pain relief is one of the main reasons people use it, explained Marc Swogger, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, who published a study last year that focuses on why people use kratom.