We parents have quite the challenge on our hands these days. When it comes to drug use, no longer can we concern ourselves with simply teaching kids about the dangers of illicit substances and how to avoid them.
Now we have to dive headfirst down the rabbit hole to pro-actively inform them about legal drugs that they (and ourselves) may benignly encounter under legitimate, seemingly safe, scenarios. Kratom is one such substance that is proliferating like wildfire, threatening unsuspecting consumers – and children – with its little known addictive effects in the process.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia. It contains the substance mitragynine, which is a powerful psychoactive alkaloid.
Not surprisingly, in this part of the world, kratom is popular as a recreational drug.
Kratom Tea
Prepared as a dried and ground herb, kratom tea is a deep green powder that looks strikingly similar to matcha. It is promoted as helpful for anxiety and pain, making those seeking a lifestyle boost particularly vulnerable.
Fans of kratom say it is safe because it has been used in Asia as natural medicine for centuries. Further, they claim that dangerous side effects only potentially occur when mixed with alcohol or drugs.
Here in the North America, this herb is unregulated with dried and crushed versions commonly taken in pill form or brewed into tea.
Even more worrisome, many places that serve kratom tea spike it with CBD oil, increasing the synergistic dangers for a psychotic episode.
One of the first to address the problem, New York City recently banned edibles and drinks containing CBD in bars and restaurants. As of this writing, however, it has taken no action on kratom. (1, 2)
Popular at tea bars where young people like to hang out, kratom is popular for triggering an opioid-like effect. Depending on the dose, those who consume it may experience stimulant like effects or even mild euphoria. Hence the aggressive marketing to “naturally” treat anxiety and pain.
Kratom is Unregulated
Currently, there are no age restrictions on kratom use. This means a minor can order it on their own, and it is frequently available in places where no alcohol is served giving the false impression of safety.
This substance is already the subject of at least one lawsuit, by the parent of a teenager in my local area.
Kratom is suspected of causing brain damage in a 19 year old who drank it frequently starting at age 15 at several tea cafes near her home.
Then, out of the blue, the young woman began to suffer from “psychotic episodes and hallucinations so severe that she was confined” to a nursing home. Her physician made the connection between kratom and her brain injury. The suit alleges that the tea bars failed to warn about its dangerous side effects, making them liable for damages. (3)
Disability from kratom seems to be the tip of the iceberg.
The Food and Drug Administration has linked kratom to dozens of deaths in the United States over a nine-year period. To date, however, the agency has taken no action on prohibiting or regulating its use, saying only that:
There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency has received concerning reports about the safety of kratom. FDA is actively evaluating all available scientific information on this issue and continues to warn consumers not to use any products labeled as containing the botanical substance kratom or its psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. FDA encourages more research to better understand kratom’s safety profile, including the use of kratom combined with other drugs. (4)
Kratom Effects
Fans of kratom claim that its effects are beneficial and can help wean people off deadly opioid abuse. While potentially true (more research is needed though – see below), it doesn’t justify easy kratom availability to minors.
What about people who don’t or have never even used opioids?
According to the FDA, kratom “affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, [and] appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.” (5)
Does this seem like a substance that a 15 year old girl as described above should be able to freely consume at a local tea bar?
Short Term Symptoms
One or more symptoms typically appear within 5-10 minutes of consuming kratom. They usually last between 2-5 hours. The complete list of short term side effects from consuming kratom in tea or capsule form include: (6)
- Skin: Itching, sweating, dry mouth
- Excretory: Constipation, diarrhea, increased urination
- Cardiovascular: Fast or fluttering heartbeat, panic attacks
- Neurological: Feelings of agitation, irritability, or uneasiness, drowsiness, loss of muscle coordination in arms or legs, hallucinations, seizures
- Gastrointestinal: Loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, liver damage
Long Term Dangers
Kratom dependency is documented in the scientific literature in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependency. More than half of users who consumed kratom for six months or longer develop severe dependency problems. The other half show moderate addiction.
Did you get that?
Nearly 100% of people using kratom for 6 months or longer were addicted – either moderately or severely.
Those who consumed 3 or more glasses per day had a higher risk of developing severe addiction. These individuals were also likely to experience uncontrollable kratom cravings and withdrawal symptoms which included: (7)
Physical
- Muscle spasms
- Pain
- Insomnia
- Watery eyes/nose
- Hot flashes
- Fever
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
Psychological
- Restlessness
- Tension
- Anger
- Sadness
- Nervousness
The journal Addiction Biology also warns of the “evidence for an addiction potential with cognitive impairments for mitragynine [kratom], which suggest its classification as a harmful drug”. (8)
The Effects of Kratom – Bottom Line
The current scientific literature on kratom summarized above is certainly ominous.
However, much more research needs to be done on the effects of kratom.
The best information we have at present is what doctors have observed about dependence in a clinical setting from individual patients experiencing addiction and/or withdrawal symptoms.
In the meantime, savvy parents will take the initiative to warn their children to avoid this herb when frequenting cafes and restaurants with their friends.
I certainly love a good natural remedy as much as anyone, but just because something is natural does not make it safe!
Just Say No … to Kratom!
References
(1) New York City bans CBD in bars and restaurants
(2) Legality of Kratom in New York
(3) Lawsuit says Kratom Tea Caused Teen’s Brain Damage
(4, 5) FDA and Kratom
(6) Kratom Side Effects
(7) Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users
(8) Abuse potential and adverse cognitive effects of mitragynine
A lawyer had written to decriminalize the cannibus plant- NOT LEGALIZE it . He said that when one “LEGALIZES ” a plant, then the price or cost to buy it is exponentially increased hundreds of times. A license to sell it becomes expensive. Obtained illegally puts one in the for- profit prisons. To plant a cannibus seed , and then harvest the plant or the essential oil from leaves or bud ( CBD OIL or even THC essential oil ), or even just to eat the plant itself would only cost PENNIES. Just like, for example, the oregano plant, if it were “LEGALIZED ” , its essential oil could cost thousands of dollars more just like CBD oil now. Same with the Kratom plant, if it is ” LEGALIZED”, it will cost thousands of times more money. Plus, sellers become rich– with consumers impoverished. A plant itself should never be “legalized”, and people should just be able to consume any plant desired. Poison ivy can give quite a rash and reaction, yet good thing that it is not illegal. People have the brains to use the good plants like oregano, and stay away from the harmful plants like poison ivy. Most of the other comments have praised the virtues of Kratom, that has been used for thousands of years for good health reasons. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY – for drug sellers and for profit prisons.
Absolutely, I have suffered from back spasms which have had disabling effects regarding my 9-5 job in construction as well as imposing harsh limitations
To my workout regiment (I am a competitive athlete)
Kratom has limited these back spasms to maybe 1-3 pr year and their severity are no longer disabling to the degree which they used to be, I have not missed any days of work since I began kratom ingestion one and half years ago.
Other side effects have included, but are not limited to 1. Reduced morning sickness
2. Increase of bowel regularity
The one negative side effect is that in a larger dose, taken later in the evening it may keep you up at night like caffeine in coffee. I also like taking kratom with coffee as it will make you more tired, when a larger dose is taken.
Well said, and can’t forget the big killer no one talks about Tylenol. 450 deaths occur each year from acetaminophen-associated overdoses
A common misconception about Kratom is that people use it to get high. There is no big euphoria feeling from pure Kratom. At best, some strains cause a mild warm fuzzy feeling similar to a half a glass of wine or melatonin tea. This leaf is misunderstood and hyped as evil by people who haven’t used it or *fully* researched it.
For people who live with chronic pain, in the case of my 50 year old mother whose spine is twisted, who has had almost two dozen major surgeries in her lifetime, lives with bone grafts and replacements, Kratom is the only reason she can get out of bed. She doses responsibly and in return has relief from pain without the horrible side effects she had for decades with dangerous opioids like opana, fentynal, and vicodin. While Kratom acts on opioid receptors, *unlike opioids it doesn’t cause respiratory depression* As for other opioid side effects like itching and extreme energy? Kratom causes none of that. The pain just disappears and that’s that. She’s used Kratom for 7 years with no ill health effects on her organs as are usually seen in patients with long-term narcotic use. Once a year, she stops using Kratom for four weeks because she like a lot of people have heard horror stories of getting addicted to it, and she’s wary enough not to let this happen to her. But never has she had any withdrawal effects–except untreated pain. I will also mention that we as a family did extensive research on it before she replaced her pain medication with Kratom. I have a masters in criminal justice,my sister is a licensed PA, and my mother is a retired BSN.
Open-minded research will lead to thousands of these testimonials. It is used successfully to treat anxiety in lieu of medications with scary warnings. It has helped alcoholics stop drinking and cigarette smokers put their cancer sticks down for good. Negative testimonials of Kratom almost always are traced to using some other substance in addition or mixed with it. Responsible Kratom users–just like responsible users of herbal supplements, or any ingestible substance–use reputable vendors, use pure and undiluted powder *not concentrated forms*, and don’t chase some mythical high. Most users are chronic pain or anxiety patients who chose to use it instead of prescription drugs that are pushed on them one day then named in class action lawsuits the next.
As a chronic pain patient.. who ended up self medicating after losing insurance and my ability to work cause I was in withdrawals after my pain clinic refused to see me until I paid them a significant amount of money, this natural botanical alternative has saved my life!! I ended up in the streets buying whatever I could find, which ended up being heroin because it was so cheap! I lost years of my life in active addiction to heroin.. as a legitimate pain patient! I come from a good family, I only mention this because so often the people in the media try to stereotype the people who drink it! I soon found myself actively involved with criminal activity JUST to stay well!! I’ll leave out the results of such action, and only mention I had the lady overdose and pass in my bathroom from a heroin overdose a couple yrs after she introduced me to heroin after I’d met her at a methadone clinic I’d been turned away from that told me “ we don’t treat chronic pain “….people are in a bad situation… doctors are not prescribing opiates for chronic pain or they’re tapering them off as fast as they can in fear of the DEA! Then… we have suboxone and methadone… that’s highly abused! I find it quite disheartening that you did not do more research before writing this article! The kratom community is full of some of the most extraordinary stories of beautiful life transformation!! I would ask first what pharmaceuticals this young girl you mentioned was taking? Pharmaceuticals kill 100k people EVERY day!! Statistics prove this… every death related to kratom.. has been linked to the individual using a plethora of drugs, both illicit and pharmaceutical… other’s were linked to even less convincing scenarios… I suggest you take the time to research these facts? The consumers who rely on this natural botanical alternative, are directly affected by misinformation like the “ facts” you provided?? I’m now months from graduating with a BS in Human Services, something that would never would have been possible without this life changing tea! I gave up on that dream 20 yrs ago with my chronic pain diagnosis! I plead with you to research it further, reach out to the people with the American Kratom Association… and even us… those of us who drink it multiple times a day… going on yrs!? I plead with you to approach this topic next time more educated. I pray that take a good look at the fact the FDA and big pharmaceutical companies have profited for YEARS from the suffering of our people, globally…. not just here in the U.S.?? If one can mindfully make the decision to accept the side effects that come from pharmaceuticals.. I think we definitely have the right to this natural botanical alternative that’s been used for centuries!!
This is exactly right!
Why not the way recreational marijuana is regulated? I think this country is trending toward all marijuana being recreational anyway, and although I personally don’t indulge, I see no harm in letting others! As far as kratom goes, when I see people writing things like this, it makes me uneasy. As many others, I am now 7 years clean from heroin, and after several years of costly and inconvenient suboxone treatment, I found out about kratom. It is better in every way than suboxone (for me, at least), and it would not be good for me if it were suddenly banned. Getting doctors involved would almost certainly make it more expensive and more inconvenient, as well as prohibiting recreational users from its use (which may or may not be negative, depending on your perspective). In short: regulation is good, ban/medicinal use only is not good. Thanks for writing this and replying to my comment, it’s great to hear other people’s perspective!
You are looking for a high, not relief. Just as many people who regularly take opiates as prescribed do not become addicted many taking kratom for relief do not become addicted. Often people confuse dependence with addiction which leads to ridiculous solutions such as the “war on drugs”. Its clear from your comnent you are chasing the high, take too much of a lot of things and you’ll alter your state of mind. Use cold medicine as directed and when needed and it works, take it for the effects and become addicted. Now i have to show ID to get many cold products, just like the restrictions on opiods and the proposed restrictions on kratom the people affected are and will be those that are using them responsibly and for intended purposes, the addicts and junkies will just find a new high.
Well you arent very smart to make that assumption so quickly and broadly. ive been withdrawing from suboxone for 3 weeks nd I still suffer through as much as possible before dosing kratom for RELIEF.
CBD oil, to intensify a psychotic episode? Maybe I haven’t made it to the wrong side of the tracks enough, but I haven’t ever seen a CBD oil with enough or any thc in it to get a kite high. As for a “psychotic episode,” if CBD oil can cause that coupled with kratom then for goodness sake get pot off the market, and stress too, and all antidepressants, and on and on. Listen I take kratom for severe arthritic pain, and migrain headaches. I don’t take it everyday, I don’t have too. I will not take what they want me to take for the RA and the migraines. They freaking want me to let myself be injected with bocholizum! Are you kidding me? I have 5 boys, I am a stay at home mom, have been for 24 years. This is my job. My job is to raise 5 amazing, beautiful men who someday will be fathers and husbands. Do you have any idea what it is like to try to do what I have to do when your body ,mind and spirit feels like it’s being crushed by all the demons in hell? I also deal with depression and anxiety. All these problems are linked to autoimmune disease. Kratom saved my life. It saved my boys childhoods. It saved their futures. I do not want any child or teen to get ahold of this. I also don’t want them smoking pot or tobacco. I don’t want them exposed to half the crud that’s on tv, and 9/10ths of what’s on the internet. Lets outlaw tv and internet too. I really don’t want them to drink alchohol. Lets try proabition again, that went well in the past. Kratom works infinitely better than than the junk the pharmaceutical companys hand out like candy. It works better, longer cheaper and cleaner than that junk and to my knowledge doesn’t have a history of psychotic episodes or death like 100% of all the drugs doctors have tried to pump me with. I don’t take enough to get any “high” from it, I don’t need to, but let me tell you some of those pain meds they would put me on, wow wee, holy cow, the amount I would have to take to get relief, no way could I be responsible for my kids. I am 47, People say I’m an adult. I believe anyone who is an adult, who needs it or wants it should be able to get it. I would like to know for sure that what’s in the supply doesn’t have wired stuff in it like uranium or worm eggs, but that’s another matter. No, kids shouldn’t have this stuff and they shouldn’t be able to get evasive surgerys ether without a parent knowing but I guess that is okay too, even though someone is going to die.
I fully concur and completely agree! Keep Kratom legal, especially unregulated.
So many people die from Alcohal and tobacco and they are only legal due to taxes added.
Kratom helps me minimize my use of strong opiate drugs as a result of multiple spinal fractures with nerve damages.
Pain is daily and so is my own Kratom uses. Moderation is essential with everything! People can overdose or abuse anything including water!