Kratom

Kratom
Drawing of M. speciosa
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Mitragyna speciosa, กระท่อม (Thai), ketum, kratom or kratum
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Depressant
Chemical class	Opioid
Routes of Administration
Oral Dosage WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is a summary of data gathered from users and resources. It is NOT a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy. Kratom can cause severe nausea and vomiting at doses above 6 grams. Threshold 1 - 2 grams Light 2 - 4 grams Common 3 - 5 grams Strong 5 - 8 grams Heavy 8 grams + Duration Total 2 - 5 hours Onset 15 - 45 minutes Peak 1 - 2 hours Offset 3 - 6 hours

Summary sheet: Kratom

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree from Indonesia that produces psychoactive leaves. The leaf of the kratom tree is known to produce a full spectrum of typical opioid effects which can range from stimulation to sedation, and even both. It is commonly used as a substitute for pain medication, sleep aid, and a recreational drug.

There are a variety of strains of kratom; some of which have a much stronger opioid characteristic, causing sedation, while others are considered similar to a pleasant caffeine stimulation. As a general rule, kratom is more stimulating at lower doses, but becomes more sedating as the dosage is increased.

Chemistry

There are more than 40 compounds in M. speciosa leaves, including many alkaloids such as mitragynine (once thought to be the primary active constituent), mitraphylline, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (which is currently the most likely candidate for the primary active chemical in the plant). Other active chemicals in M. speciosa include raubasine, rhynchophylline and corynantheidine among many others.

The amount of active chemicals within the leaves depends highly on many factors. One major factor is the location of the tree. When trees are grown in Southeast Asia, the levels tend to be higher but when grown elsewhere (even in greenhouses) the levels tend to be low or non-existent. One analysis of products marketed as kratom leaf found mitragynine at levels of 1–6% and 7-hydroxymirtrogynine at levels of 0.01–0.04%.

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  Mitragynine

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  7-Hydroxymitragynine

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  Mitraphylline

Pharmacology

Kratom behaves as a opioid receptor agonist similar in function to morphine and other opiates, although its effects differ significantly from those of opiates.

Opioids in general appear to primarily mimic endogenous endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement. This mimicking of natural endorphins results in the kratoms euphoric, analgesic (pain relief), and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.

Along side of this, kratom also contains alkaloids (rhynchophylline and mitraphylline) which function as NMDA receptor antagonists, reducing NMDA-induced currents between neurones and resulting in mildly dissociative like effects at higher dosages.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of kratom can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:

• Euphoria - In comparison to other opioids, this particular substance can be considered as less intense in its cognitive euphoria when compared with that of morphine or heroin. The sensation itself can be described as powerful and overwhelming feeling of emotional bliss, contentment, and happiness.
• Motivation enhancement
• Thought acceleration
• Anxiety suppression

Physical effects

• Stimulation and/or Sedation - An aspect of kratom that one may experience is the change from stimulating to sedating qualities as the dosage increases. Depending on the strain, the sedating and stimulating effects may occur simultaneously in a contradictory manner resulting in the sensation that one is both energized and relaxed. The sedation and stimulation effects may also occur at different times during the experience; a person may feel stimulated during the come up and sedated during the come down. Kratom is considerably more stimulating than that of all other opiates including Oxycodone, heroin, or codeine.
• Euphoria - In comparison to other opioids, this particular substance can be considered as less intense in its physical euphoria when compared with that of morphine or heroin. The sensation itself can be described as extreme feelings of hyper intense physical comfort, snugglyness, warmth, love and blissful euphoria.
• Nausea - If the dose is even slightly too high, one may feel quite ill and the nausea can last upwards of two days at the worst. For this reason, a light and healthy diet is recommended in the days prior to consuming higher doses of kratom.
• Pain relief
• Itchiness
• Constipation
• Difficulty urinating
• Pupil constriction
• Cough suppression
• Body odor alteration - Kratom can potentially leave a very distinct and unpleasant odor within one's urine.

Visual effects

The visual effects of kratom are unusually strong compared to other opioids of its class.. They can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:

• Visual acuity suppression
• Double vision
• Visual disconnection - A sense of subtle disconnection from visual input is often experienced with high dosage kratom. This is similar to a low level version of the same effect universally experienced with dissociatives and may well be a result of the NMDA antagonist effects of kratom's active molecules.
• Internal hallucinations - The internal hallucinations of kratom can be described as more solid than psychedelics and do not seem to be composed of visual geometry. The most common way in which they manifest themselves are through hypnagogic scenarios. They are most common during high dosages and can be comprehensively described through their variations as lucid in believability, fixed in style, autonomous in controllability, and equal in new experiences and memory replays in content.

Strains

Similar to cannabis, there are many different strains of Mitragyna speciosa available from vendors. The strains below have varying degrees of depressant, stimulating, and opioid characteristics. The strains are named and identified after the country/region where the Mitragyna speciosa tree originated as well as the colour of the veins of the leaf (red, green, or white).

Below are the general effects and similarities of the various vein colours. Note that the effects vary across all strains and that the effects are dependent on the dose taken. Not all white strains, for example, will produce the same effects and each strain may work differently in one individual than it does on another.

• White Vein: Leaves with a white vein are generally reported to be energetic and stimulating, promoting alertness, motivation, and wakefulness in low to moderate doses.
• Red Vein: Red vein kratom is generally sedating and relaxing, making it a good choice for those with insomnia or pain.
• Green Vein: Green vein strains are a mix of both. They are not as stimulating as white vein nor as sedating as red vein.

Usage

There are several different ways that kratom is typically ingested:

• Traditionally, kratom users in Thailand would commonly chew whole kratom leaves in order to achieve its stimulating and pain-relieving effects during manual labor. However, the amount of leaves needed to be chewed to induce optimal effects is quite high. In addition, kratom leaves are very bitter and few users would find this method bearable.

• Kratom tea is one popular method of consumption. Powdered or crushed kratom leaves are steeped in hot water to extract the alkaloids. Many users choose to place the leaf matter directly into the water without using a tea bag as it ensures that no alkaloids are wasted. Kratom tea is very bitter, so flavorings like honey, peppermint oil, or lemon juice can be added to mask the bitterness.

• "Toss and wash" is done by placing kratom powder in the back of the mouth, avoiding contact with the taste buds as much as possible, and washing the powder down with a drink. A sweet or acidic drink is typically used to mask the bitter taste of the kratom. Since kratom powder is fairly hydrophobic, it will not always be washed down perfectly with the liquid, which can leave a bitter taste and residual kratom powder in the back of the mouth. This can cause coughing or choking if not done correctly, although most people can perform this without any issues.

• Placing kratom in gelatin capsules is a good ingestion method for avoiding the bitter taste of kratom. Typically, "00" size gelatin or vegetable capsules are filled with kratom powder. This is normally done using a capsule making machine so that many capsules can be made at once. This also makes it easier to pack the powder down into the capsules, allowing around 0.5 grams of powder in each capsule. Some users dislike having to swallow a large amount of capsules when dosing, but this is an effective method for users who cannot tolerate kratom's bitter taste.

Smoking, vaporizing, or insufflating kratom is not seen as a viable means of administration, as the amount of alkaloids needed to produce effects would only be obtained by smoking or snorting an excessive amount of leaf material. In addition, certain kratom alkaloids may be destroyed during the process of combustion.

Toxicity and harm potential

Like most opioids, safe usage of kratom does not cause any dangerous long-term complications. Kratom does not appear to have significant adverse effects, and in particular appears not to cause the respiratory depression typical of other opioids.

Side effects associated with chronic kratom use include loss of appetite and weight loss, constipation, and darkening of the skin colour of the face. Chronic use has been associated with bowel obstruction.

Lethal dosage

The lethal dosage of kratom is unknown but thought to be far above the active dosage. The precise dosage likely depends on a variety of factors including strain, potency, tolerance and method of consumption.

Only three case reports document deaths involving kratom. Other drugs were used in all cases, and in one, kratom was speculated to possibly be the primary cause of death.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Tolerance with this substance develops very quickly and most users must take frequent breaks.

As with other opiate-based painkillers, chronic use of kratom can be considered addictive and is capable of causing both physical and psychological dependence. Compulsive use is particularly prevalent among drug users who inject opioids, and those who use opioids to manage pain without direction from medical professionals. When physical dependence has developed, withdrawal symptoms may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage. These symptoms often include irritability, runny nose and diarrhea. Withdrawal is generally short-lived and mild, and it may be effectively treated with dihydrocodeine and lofexidine.

Unlike a lot of other opioid related substances, kratom shows far less dependence and abuse potential. This may also be a result of the "nausea ceiling" most people will discover, to their dismay. If the dose is slightly too high, one may feel quite ill and the nausea can last upwards of two days at the worst.

Legal issues

• Thailand: Possession of kratom leaves is illegal in Thailand, despite the tree being native to the country. The Thai government passed the Kratom Act 2486 which made planting the tree illegal and requires existing trees to be cut down. As of October 2, 2013 the justice ministry of Thailand suggested removal of Kratom from the narcotic drug list relating to Category 5 of the Narcotic Drug Law of 1979, though still recommended regulating kratom in other ways.
• Malaysia: The use of kratom leaves is prohibited in Malaysia under Section 30 (3) Poisons Act 1952 and the user may be penalized with a maximum compound of MYR 10,000 (USD 3,150) or up to 4 years imprisonment.
• United States: Kratom itself is not regulated by the United States federal government, but it is regulated in the states of Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
• Latvia - Kratom and its primary active constituent mitragynine are Schedule I controlled substances according to an amendment on August 16th, 2012.

Preparation methods

Preparation methods for this compound within our preparation index include:

• Kratom resin/extraction tek

See also

• Responsible use
• Psychoactive substance index
• Opioids
• Stimulants
• Kratom (Wikipedia)
• Kratom (Erowid)