DRIFT SHOP

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a medicinal leaf harvested from a large tree native to Southeast Asia in the Rubiaceae family, first documented by Dutch colonial botanist Korthals. It is botanically related to the Corynanthe, Cinchona and Uncaria genera and shares some similar biochemistry. It is in the same family as coffee and the psychoactive plant Psychotria viridis. Other species in the Mitragyna genus are used medicinally in Africa, and also used for their wood.
Kratom is used for its psychoactive effects in its native region, with growing use elsewhere in the world. It is grown widely in Indonesia for the dried herb trade. In Southeast Asia the fresh leaves are usually chewed, often continuously, by workers or manual laborers seeking a numbing, stimulating effect. Less commonly, the leaves are decocted or extracted into water and then evaporated into a tar that can be swallowed. Kratom is not often smoked, although this method does provide some effect.

Kratom contains many alkaloids including mitragynine (once thought to be the primary active), mitraphylline, and 7-hydroxymitragynine (which is currently the most likely candidate for the primary active chemical in the plant). Although structurally related to yohimbine and other tryptamines, its pharmacology is quite different, acting primarily as a mu-opioid receptor agonist. It also shares some adrenergic receptor activity similar to that of yohimbine. Kratom also contains alkaloids found in uña de gato, which are thought to play a beneficial role on the immune system and lower blood pressure, as well as epicatechin, a powerful antioxidant also found in dark chocolate and closely related to the EGCG that gives green tea its beneficial effects. Other active chemicals in kratom include raubasine (best known from Rauwolfia serpentina) and some yohimbe alkaloids such as corynantheidine.

Kratom is currently being researched for its potential use in the treatment of addiction to, and withdrawal from, opiates. While this has been a well known street remedy for a long time, its efficaciousness has recently been taken more seriously as a possible future treatment for issues surrounding opiate abuse. Early research seems to indicate that the alkaloids in Kratom effect the same areas and receptors of the brain as many opiate based compounds, and are effective in replacing opiates during withdrawal. Research continues into this potentially useful alkaloid.

Kratom is a controlled substance in Thailand, Bhutan, Australia, Finland, Lithuania, Malaysia and Myanmar (Burma). A handful of people in Malaysia and possibly other countries are lobbying their governments to allow medical research into kratom as a potential prescription substance.
The DEA has added Kratom to their list of "drugs and chemicals of concern".

Dosage and Effects:
Oral dosages range from 2-5grams of the dried leaves. Within 15-30 minutes initial effects are felt. The effects usually last 4-6 hours. Some people report euphoria and energy at low dosages, while higher dosages evoke more depressant and opiate-like effects.

Side Effects and Adverse Reactions:
Not enough data exists currently about the side effects, adverse reactions, long term damage, addiction potential, etc. Although some people are willing to ingest Kratom, it is not reasonable to assume that it is safe to use recreationally.
Because of Kratom's action on the mu-opioid receptors, it may be fairly addictive. Caution is advised.

Kratom (Dried Leaf)
According to Erowid, users have reported a very bitter taste, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting at higher doses, mild depression during and/or after, increase in perceived body temperature, and a hangover similar to alcohol.