I’ve been hearing about and reading about Kratom for a while now. But what is it? What does it do? Is it a good, legal, medical or recreational substance or another human mass experiment into the unknown?

As to legal, that’s easy. It varies all over the place so local and state investigation is essential.

The Mitragyna speciosa tree with Kratom-containing leaves. They Grow To 80′ or 25 Meters

What about Kratom? It is ubiquitous, even available at the gas station next to the Snickers bars and power drinks. But what is it? What do we really know? PubMed list 880 mostly recent peer reviewed studies on kratom. That is a relatively small number of studies, and they are contradictory.  So for kratom, it is safer and reasonable to say “more study is needed.”

Kratom is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its leaves contain compounds that can have stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses. Kratom is often used for its potential pain-relieving properties, mood enhancement, and as a substitute for opioids in some cases. Please remember that the argument that a substance is safe because it occurs naturally is sheer nonsense. MANY natural substances and MANY plant-derived substances are dangerous, even deadly. Many are also magically good.

Does Kratom Belong Next To The Chewing Gum At The Gas Station Or Locked Up At The Pharmacy?

Benefits claimed by some and supported by some of the research include:
1. Pain Relief: Some users find kratom effective for managing pain, especially chronic pain.
2. Mood Enhancement: It may help with mood improvement and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
3. Energy Boost: At lower doses, kratom can act as a stimulant, increasing alertness and energy.
4. Opioid Withdrawal: Some use kratom to mitigate withdrawal symptoms from opioids, although this is controversial and not universally recommended.

The claimed-by-some benefits, with some actual scientific support, are promising. BUT!!!

Risks:
1. Dependence and Addiction: Kratom can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, similar to opioids.
2. Side Effects: Common side effects include nausea, constipation, dizziness, and itching. Higher doses can lead to more severe effects like hallucinations and delusions. Death is a reported risk in some cases. Intubation to treat severely depressed breathing is reported in the literature.
3. Drug Interactions: Kratom can interact with other medications and substances, potentially leading to dangerous side effects. The research is young and limited.
4. Legal Issues: The legality of kratom varies by country and region, with some places banning its use due to concerns about safety and abuse potential.

Next Steps: The OFFICIAL POSITION of this bloggster is “do not try Kratom based upon this blog! I am still not an MD, and still do NOT give medical or drug advice regarding Kratom or anything else. My personal opinion is that we avoid it at present.

1. Research: If you’re considering experimenting with kratom, research its effects thoroughly and consult reputable sources. PubMed is always a good resource for the state of current serious research. Both positive and negative studies are appearing rapidly. The results are contradictory, with the downside risk is addiction and death.
2. Consult a Healthcare Professional: Speak with a doctor or healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. If you are unwilling to talk to your doctor, either you are seeing the wrong doctor or you have enough reservations to skip the self-experimentation entirely! Your doc should say either “I don’t know enough,” or “not a good idea for you because of your health condition” or “it’s a dangerous health experiment” OR “here’s a relatively safe way to try it.” Your MD may simply and honestly say “I don’t know.” “I don’t know” is often a brilliant answer to a question.
3. Start with Caution: If you decide to try kratom, CONTRARY TO MY STRONG CLEAR RECOMMENDATION, start with a low dose to assess your body’s reaction and avoid potential adverse effects. And DO NOT BE ALONE!
4. Stay Informed: Keep up with current research and legal status changes regarding kratom to make informed decisions.

A HUGE RISK and challenge is knowing whether or not the product is what is on the label. If you don’t see the leaves picked off the tree you don’t know what this unregulated drug you think is kratom really contains.

I hate to say it but laboratory testing and legal regulation might be a brilliant idea for this relatively new to our western-world substance. As to regulation, let’s at least know if the product really is kratom, and that no impurities are present. We need confidence in the dose labeling. High and low doses behave very differently and present different lists. Additionally, an answer which I am not fond of, is that this might be a plant worthy of “normal” pharmaceutical regulation and dispensing. The benefits are promising and the risks are truly serious. This is just not your grandmother’s aspirin and caffeine. Consider the difference between how Colombians chew coca leaves and how other snort processed coca leaves; cocaine. It’s not the same thing!

CERTAINLY, if you are going to try kratom, and I’m suggesting that you do NOT, please at a minimum do not be alone! If you stop breathing or have another adverse reaction, at least have a “guide” present to call 911 for a possible life-saving intervention. Even overdose risks which may cause cessation of breathing is a problem with uncontrolled products containing unknown quantities of untested ingredients.

Personally, with my complex health history, if I were to try Kratom, I’d try to arrange the experiment to be performed IN my MD’s office with at least a PA present. I suspect they’d say “no thanks Lenny.” I find it hard to argue with that position.

PS OT!!! (Off Topic addendum) REMEMBER: Our locally starred, directed and produced movie RALLY CAPS drops on Disney and on Amazon TODAY!!! It is well worth a watch for the entire family.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and syndicated blogger and author.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
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• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
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• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
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• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
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