The pharmacology and toxicology of kratom: from traditional herb to drug of abuse

Summary: Kratom, a tropical tree with traditional uses in Africa and Southeast Asia, has gained global popularity as a recreational drug but raises safety concerns due to reported hospital visits and deaths linked to its extracts. While it shows both stimulant and sedative effects, its potential for misuse and lack of standard screening techniques have prompted local and international discussions about possible regulations.

Link: PubMed

Kratom use disorder: a primer for primary care physicians

Summary: Kratom, a legal opioid-like substance used for its euphoric effects, is increasingly being used by millions in the United States but often goes undetected in routine drug tests. This study reviews kratom’s prevalence, effects, and provides guidance for primary care physicians to recognize and treat kratom use disorder.

Link: PubMed

Kratom’s Emergence and Persistence Within the US Polydrug Epidemic

Summary: This study reviews self-reported data on the use of kratom, a botanical product, as a substitute for opioids and for self-managing substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms, highlighting the lack of controlled human studies and the need for more research. It also notes that kratom use among individuals with polydrug histories is common, though details about the timing and extent of this use remain unclear.

Link: PubMed

Kratom use and mental health: A systematic literature review and case example

Summary: This review analyzed existing studies and found that kratom use may worsen psychotic and manic symptoms in individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions, with most cases involving long-term male users. It underscores the importance of clinical evaluation for kratom use and calls for further research into its mental health impacts.

Link: ScienceDirect

The Potential for Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic

Summary: Kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia, has compounds that act on the same receptors as some opioids and antipsychotics, showing potential for treating depression and anxiety. Although more research is needed, surveys suggest many users find relief from these symptoms, highlighting the importance of further investigation into kratom’s effects.

Link: PubMed

Beneficial and adverse health effects of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): A critical review of the literature

Summary: Kratom, derived from Mitragyna speciosa, has gained popularity for its stimulant, analgesic, and opioid-like effects, but it also carries risks of tolerance and addiction, especially among individuals using multiple substances. A review of existing research suggests that while kratom may have therapeutic benefits with typical use, further studies are necessary to determine safe dosage levels and better understand its risks and benefits.

Link: ScienceDirect

Characterization of kratom use and knowledge at a rural, Oregon community health center

Summary: This study found that in a rural, underserved population in Oregon, about 1 in 10 surveyed had used kratom, mainly for pain and mental health reasons, but overall knowledge about kratom was low. Future research should investigate kratom use trends in underserved areas, address knowledge gaps, and evaluate the implications for patient safety and health equity.

Link: ScienceDirect

Extraction and detection of mitragynine in Kratom leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary: This study focused on creating an efficient method to extract mitragynine, the main active compound in Kratom leaves, which interacts with opioid receptors and raises international concerns. Using a liquid-liquid extraction method and HPLC detection, the researchers accurately measured mitragynine levels in different Kratom strains, revealing highly precise results.

Link: ScienceDirect

Kratom addiction per DSM-5 SUD criteria, and kratom physical dependence: Insights from dosing amount versus frequency

Summary: This study found that both the frequency and amount of kratom used were linked to withdrawal and kratom-use disorder (KUD) symptoms, with frequency having a stronger association. Additionally, men reported more intense acute effects, withdrawal symptoms, and KUD symptoms than women.

Link: ScienceDirect

Effects of kratom on driving: Results from a cross-sectional survey, ecological momentary assessment, and pilot simulated driving Study

Summary: The study examined the effects of kratom on driving behaviors among regular users and found that most participants reported driving under the influence of kratom but perceived little to no impairment in their driving abilities. Additionally, simulated driving tests showed no significant changes in performance after kratom consumption, suggesting that typical doses do not significantly impair driving; however, further research is needed.

Link: ScienceDirect