Mitragyna speciosa, also known as ketum or kratom,[2] is a tropical deciduous and evergreen tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Southeast Asia in the Indochina and Malaysia phytochoria (botanical regions). M. speciosa is indigenous to Thailand where it has been used in traditional medicine.[3]
Though not an opiate itself, kratom is thought to behave similarly to a μ-opioid receptor agonist like morphine.[4] It is not deemed to have any legitimate medical uses.[5] Some people use it for managing chronic pain as well as recreationally.[6] Effects last for between two and five hours.[5] Kratom use is not detected by typical drug screening tests, but its metabolites can be detected by more specialized testing.[7][8] Its efficacy and safety are not well-studied.[4]
Minor side effects may include itchiness, vomiting, and constipation.[5]
More severe side effects may include a decreased effort to breathe, seizure, addiction, psychosis, or death.[5][9][10] Naloxone may be used to treat an overdose that results from opioid exposure which can reduce the effort of breathing.[5]
DEA to ban Kratom
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Originally Posted by MBasic
