Kratom, Part 2 - how safe?
Though perceived by many as a safer herbal supplement, up to one-third of users report an adverse effect, some very serious. Admittedly, large high quality studies are needed but kratom use has been associated with agitation, aggression, tachycardia, seizures, constipation, tremor, dry mouth, and dizziness. Many of these are typical of opioid-like drugs. Liver injury, psychosis and even cardiac arrest have been rarely reported.
Kratom is an opioid-like substance and 10-20% of users develop a kratom use disorder (KUD) characterized by cravings and continued use despite adverse effects as well as a withdrawal syndrome occurring 12-48 hours after stopping kratom. Neonates born to mothers who are heavy kratom users may also develop withdrawal symptoms. Currently treatment of KUD is modeled after treatment of opioid use disorder.
Regulatory Status
In 2016, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration proposed kratom as a Schedule 1 drug but withdrew the recommendation because of protest by kratom interest groups. Six states - Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have banned kratom and some have begun regulating sales. Kratom and its constituents have not been approved for any therapeutic use by the FDA.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kratom is not a simple, natural, safe, harmless herbal!
Kratom is an unregulated, unstandardized formulation of many different substances in varying concentrations with risk of potential contamination. Buyer beware!
Potential therapeutic benefits of kratom for anxiety, pain, depression, fatigue and other such symptoms have not been proven in any credible human study.
Kratom is addictive. Kratom use disorder - including withdrawal - is a serious risk. Unfortunately, treatment of KUD is not well studies.
Kratom - or a contaminant in a krater product - has been linked to multiple serious adverse effects including liver injury, cardiac arrest, psychosis and seizures.
Much more study and research must be done before kratom can be recommended for any therapeutic or recreational use. Currently there are better and safer ways to treat your anxiety,. depression, or pain!