Q. What is kratom? Is it some sort of plant? Is it legal?
Kratom is an evergreen tree, native to Southeast Asia, and a member of the coffee family. Its leaves can be chewed, crushed and smoked, made into tea, or dried and put into capsules. Kratom exhibits a sort of hybrid pharmacology depending on dosage. At low doses, it is a stimulant with effects similar to caffeine. At higher doses, it acts as a sedative with opiate-type effects. It has the potential for both psychological and physiological dependence, which is why it is currently listed by the DEA as a Drug or Chemical of Concern. It is not currently controlled under federal law, but will probably fall under Schedule I or II in the future.
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The herb has many active compounds, but the two that are of most interest are mitragynine and 7-OH-mitragynine since they react with opioid receptors in the brain. Kratom has been used to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms but, like heroin and other morphine relatives, is itself highly addictive at higher doses.
Kratom use can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, itching, excessive sweating, dry mouth, constipation, excessive urination, tachycardia (fast heart rate), vomiting, and loss of appetite. It can eventually lead to liver and/or kidney failure and psychosis.
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Many problems have arisen from consumption of adulterated products. Processed kratom has been contaminated by lead, other drugs, and even salmonella. If you purchase kratom in capsule form, there’s no way of knowing the potency or true origin of the contents.
If you are looking for a quick, safe pick-me-up, grab a cup of coffee. If you want something to calm down, have a cup of chamomile tea. Never take a sketchy herbal medicine, legal or not.
Q. Do you consider herbal medicines safe? Why or why not?
Some herbal remedies may be safe, but I would advise caution. Many people equate “all natural” with “safe.” Unfortunately, this is not true. As a researcher, some of the most toxic substances I worked with were “all natural.”
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Herbs used as medicine can vary greatly depending on the conditions they are grown in, age of the plant, pest pressure, or variety. Of course, many modern medicines originated from plant sources (aspirin, digitalis, atropine, to name a few), but current manufacturing practice ensures that the final product is consistent in quality and potency.
If you use any type of herbal medicine or remedy, please notify your doctor and/or pharmacist since many herbs can cross-react badly with other medicines.