Kratom Use: Safe?

[WeGotTheWay]

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The recreational drugs that are mentioned in mainstream media outlets are ones that have already been in the streets for enough time to build a reputation. Other substances that are being introduced and sold as a “brand new thing” may actually be older than we think. Earlier this year, a New Jersey Assemblyman was making waves by trying to enact yet another drug ban, this time on a coffee-like plant.. Ron Dancer, the assemblyman in question, is worried about kratom use. According to Dancer, kratom use causes a heroin-like high and is highly addictive, and so the herb must be removed from our society.

The plant does indeed have psychoactive herbs, and kratom use has similar effects to other drugs. Known scientifically as mitragyna speciosa, kratom comes from a tropical tree commonly found in Southeast Asia. The plant is from a similar family to coffee plants. Since it behaves as a mu-opioid receptor in the same way that morphine does, kratom use is beneficial to manage chronic pain in patients. The plant is also used recreationally amongst people. The herb can be steeped in tea, smoked, or inhaled. However, there is not enough data to determine with certainty the actual effect kratom has on humans.

From consumers reports, kratom use has its share of negative side effects. Users claim strong withdrawal symptoms if they go without taking kratom. Kratom use can cause strong addiction, which can explain the uncertainty that some lawmakers have with the herb. If taken for longs periods of time, according to some sources, kratom can cause bowel obstruction. In isolated cases, kratom also has the potential to cause psychosis, convulsion, body shakes, nausea and vomiting.

With better awareness in general, and smarter people doing the necessary research, kratom may perhaps achieve a similar popularity as some of the opiates. It is relatively easy to take, and there are no residues that would show up on a drug screening. However, it is important to keep in mind that there is no such thing as absolute knowledge when it comes to recreational susbtances.

 

[StudebakerHawk]

I think they may be winding this one up also , as they tend to do when confronted with something they don't fully understand .....

I actually found kratom to quite mild in effects , and certainly did not experience any type of withdrawal symptoms after using it a few times a week for a month or so .
[ Maybe I was not dosing high enough , Idk ... ]

 

[JackARoe]

I actually found kratom to quite mild in effects , and certainly did not experience any type of withdrawal symptoms after using it a few times a week for a month or so.

That's because it basically is pretty mild. If it weren't over the last 10 years we would have had way more hospital visits and even deaths. But if for sure has a withdrawal. It took me several months of daily use to feel the withdrawal but it eventually happened. Also both effect and withdrawal seem to have a ceiling effect so it only goes so far. I guess that would explain why some people can utilize kratom and be satisfied where as someone looking for a strong opioid usually thinks it is not worth it.

My wife shoveled in as much kratom as she wanted daily from 2006 till 2012. She stopped cold turkey, had a few days of light classic opioid withdrawal, another two weeks of lethargy and then she was her normal self and has stayed off since. She also took a lot of kava at that time. Liver function tests were normal.

I have been daily for the last few years, recently had a physical and came out in tip top shape. I also used it from 2005 and on. I really do think some of the dangers are on an individual level, as I have read about people purporting liver problems while others have no problem. Either that or some vendors are putting other things in it, who knows. From what I see I would say on the whole kratom is pretty safe for the most part for most people. Anyone that has had some of the problems written about should just stop as kratom may be effecting them in a bad way.

I do find it amusing that we have all these class action lawsuits against Pharm companies due to the FDA pushing through so many new meds that turned out to not be so safe. Yet with things like this tree leaf, and add cannabis in there too, the long history of cultures using it without too much incident besides addiction is sort of a testimony to the safety of some natural products.

 

[blowpipe]

Seems like classic fear mongering to me...

Compare to a popular infamous drug, in this case heroin? check
Say it is highly addictive when it is actually not that addictive? check
Put emphasis on the bad possible side effects of (ab)use, while going into little detail regarding the possible benefits? check

From personal experience using it to treat pain, as well as the numerous opinions of other people, I would say that it is of moderate strength at best, perhaps even mild. Heroin-like? As if! I've only encountered a handful of people who stated that they could nod off on kratom, majority of whom were otherwise opioid-naive. As for withdrawals, I've only ever experienced a complex of flu-like symptoms after cessation of daily use - nothing that cannot be shaken. In terms of addictive potential, I'd probably put it next to coffee (giggles), but then again everyone's different! Most of the bad effects listed are inherent of the mu-opioid activity and avoidable with sensible use and proper measures.

Now I haven't dug around the raw scientific data for this one, but many pro-kratom websites list quite a few health benefits from the use of this plant, such as improved immune system, positive mental stimulation (hence the fact that Thai manual laborers use kratom to get through their dull lives and stay productive), as well as the classic anti-stress/depression/anxiety effects common to opioids. Personally, it has also been a great aid in managing high blood pressure.

It is mind-boggling for me to see that in this day and age such misinformation continues to thrive. It also saddens me greatly that kratom has recently been banned in my country without proper reasoning or whatever, but hey... we all know how that works. Who cares about the science right? Ban the plants!

 

[Daniel96]

I wouldn't take it as coke or heroin, but it should be treated as any opiate. If you use it and develop a high tolerance; you'll have withdrawals. So whenever i get an ounce of it i take 7 grams and don't take it again until another 24 hours has at least gone by. Saves money by not building a tolerance, makes it last longer, teaches you discipline with drugs.

 

[SiCc]

When I take too much kratom I puke. I don't go unconscious and stop breathing like heroin would do. So comparable to heroin? That's false. I was a IV heroin user for years, kratom has never got me high like a pharmacy or street opiate. I used it for withdrawal. Stay away from extracts if you decide to open the kratom door. If anything the government should replace methadone and sub clinics with a natural source like kratom!