What Are The Risks vs. Health Benefits of Kratom?

A nutritional supplement called kratom may give users a calm or energizing feeling. Be aware that several government agencies have issued advisories against using kratom before you give it a try.

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The FDA in the United States claims that kratom has the potential to be addicted. It has been suggested that kratom may lead to both physiological and psychological dependency by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Since kratom is thought to interact with opioid brain receptors, there are a lot of worries about it. According to some study, regular kratom use produces the same withdrawal symptoms as opioids.

Michele Scasserra, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, a social worker and director of Substance Use Counseling Services at Blake Recovery Center, states that there has been an increasing number of admissions for kratom detox in recent years. “Kratom has been shown to cause dependence, leading to withdrawal symptoms,” she adds.

What is Kratom?

The plant known as kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is native to Southern Asia. The leaves are used by people to manufacture drugs that are smokeable or swallowed.

You may buy kratom in the United States in the following forms:

Tablets

capsules

powder

Tea

uncooked foliage

Fluid extract

“It is also very concerning that kratom is becoming more and more accessible,” Michele continues. “Those who are 18 or 21 years old can purchase the substance in local smoke shops, online, and even at convenience stores, depending on the state.”

While some individuals smoke the leaves, others eat on the raw leaves. Foods and drinks can be enhanced with powdered or liquid extract.

People that use kratom may do so to become more energized, to reduce discomfort, or to sedate themselves. The magnitude of the dosage might affect the effects of kratom.

But consuming kratom in any quantity could not be safe. Because it may be misused, kratom is classified by the DEA as a “drug of concern.”

Kratom’s Potential Health Benefits

Some individuals search for kratom after learning about its numerous potential advantages. However, not much study has been done, therefore there may not be enough evidence to support purported advantages.

The FDA lacks the jurisdiction to certify dietary supplements as safe and effective. Therefore, it’s unclear if using kratom to treat certain ailments will be beneficial.

For for than a century, people have been using kratom throughout Asia, the region where it is cultivated. They think it improves libido, lessens pain, helps with opiate withdrawal, and reduces diarrhea.

Many Americans searching for kratom hold out hope that it might:

Boost your energy levels

Reduce discomfort

bolster mental health issues

elicit pleasurable or euphoric sensations

Reduce the desire for opiate drugs

Experts in health are worried about kratom’s potential to hurt those who take opioid drugs. Experts think that instead of helping with opiate withdrawal, it may lead to addiction.

Potential Health Hazards Linked to Kratom

Because kratom is derived from plants, some individuals believe it is safe to try. However, certain plant-based drugs, such as opium and cocaine, are dangerous.

Because kratom hasn’t been well researched, scientists are unsure of its possible long-term repercussions. Kratom has the potential to have several negative short-term impacts.

It might be fatal to combine kratom with alcohol, caffeine, or other substances, including opioids.

Among the symptoms of kratom are:

Perspiration

mouth dryness

accelerated heart rate

Itching

elevated urination

Constipation

vomiting and nausea

appetite decline

Loss of weight

Lack of sleep

Feeling sleepy

Perplexity

Illusions

Convulsions

Delusions

Why is kratom used by people?

Although kratom has been used for hundreds of years in Asia to treat cough, diarrhea, opiate withdrawal, chronic pain, and to increase energy and sexual drive, the DEA argues that kratom has no medicinal advantages or applications. Recently, there has been a surge in the usage of kratom in the US among those looking for non-prescription medicine options and self-treating acute withdrawal symptoms from opiates and chronic pain. These kratom-based therapy methods have not been thoroughly investigated as safe or effective, despite a vociferous community of advocates and several anecdotal reports of efficacy.

When using kratom for pain relief or to lessen withdrawal symptoms, a patient may run into a number of issues, not all of which are related to the plant’s inherent qualities.

First of all, it is being threatened by the DEA to be classified as a Schedule 1 restricted narcotic, placing it in the same category as heroin and methamphetamine. This would make it harder to get and probably increase the overall hazard of the supply. Using anything for pain or addiction is generally not a smart idea since it will soon become less safe and available.

Second, using kratom may be risky due to the total absence of supervision or quality control in its manufacture and distribution.

Thirdly, kratom’s supporters assert that it has been thoroughly investigated for all of these purposes; yet, as they argue, “absence of evidence of benefit isn’t evidence of absence of benefit.”

One may argue that expanding the use of another potentially addictive opiate-like substance in the middle of an opiate crisis is the last thing we need. Another issue is that kratom does not up on drug tests.