Kratom Stats & Data

Description

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal plant species from Southeast Asia. It’s a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Like coffee, kratom is a central nervous system stimulant used to increase energy and productivity. However, the effects of kratom are highly dose-dependent. In lower doses, it’s a stimulant but in higher doses, the effects flip-flop and become sedative instead. As a result, there are a few different reasons someone may want to use kratom. In smaller doses, it’s used much like coffee — as a stimulant and nootropic for use at work or university. In higher doses, kratom is used as an alternative to alcohol (not recommended) for its euphoric effects, to promote sleep, and as an alternative to opiate painkillers. Many of the active ingredients in kratom are powerful opiate agonists — which means they bind to the opioid receptors to block the transmission of pain signals from the body to the brain. This also triggers the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter, dopamine. People addicted to opiates use kratom to wean themselves off the drugs. The effects of kratom help alleviate withdrawal symptoms while undergoing detox for prescription or illicit opiates (more on this later). Kratom is not particularly dangerous, but there are risks to using it. While far less addictive compared to prescription painkillers, kratom is still an opiate. Over time, the body can become dependent on its effects and become addicted.