Mitragyna Speciosa (Kratom)

Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) is a plant indigenous to some parts of Asia. People have been using it in areas like Thailand and Malaysia for centuries. Its leaves are taken for their depressant and stimulant qualities.

Depending on the dose used, it provides stimulant or depressant effects. Historically, low doses have been compared to coca and high doses have been compared to opium.

Some deaths and serious adverse effects have been connected to kratom, but those incidents usually involve other drugs. By itself, kratom is relatively safe for healthy people, even at strong+ doses. Chronic use may come with liver issues and problems like dry mouth and constipation.

Withdrawal does exist with regular use. It includes symptoms like irritability, diarrhea, pain, low motivation, and sleep trouble.

Mitragyna speciosa = Kratom; Ketum; Kakuam

Dose

Oral

Light: 2 – 4 grams

Common: 3 – 5 grams

Strong: 5 – 8 grams

Timeline

Oral

Total: 2 – 4 hours

Onset: 00:15 – 00:20 (it may take up to 45 minutes to feel the effects)

Lasting: Up to 6 hours

Experience Reports

Erowid

References

(2015) Mitragynine ‘Kratom’ related fatality: a case report with postmortem concentrations.

(2014) Behavioral and neurochemical characterization of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) extract.

(2014) Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence, withdrawal symptoms and craving in regular users

(2013) A drug fatality involving Kratom.

(2013) Kratom abuse in Ramathibodi Poison Center, Thailand: a five-year experience.

(2013) Kratom exposures reported to Texas poison centers.

(2012) From Kratom to mitragynine and its derivatives: Physiological and behavioural effects related to use, abuse, and addiction

(2011) A coincidence of addiction to “Kratom” and severe primary hypothyroidism.

(2010) Seizure and coma following Kratom (Mitragynina speciosa Korth) exposure.

(2010) A case report of inpatient detoxification after kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) dependence.

(2009) The botanical origin of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa; Rubiaceae) available as abused drugs in the Japanese markets.

(2009) Simultaneous analysis of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and other alkaloids in the psychotropic plant “kratom” (Mitragyna speciosa) by LC-ESI-MS

(2009) Studies on the metabolism of mitragynine, the main alkaloid of the herbal drug Kratom, in rat and human urine using liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

(2008) Opioid receptors and legal highs: Salvia divinorum and Kratom.

(2007) Self-treatment of opioid withdrawal with a dietary supplement, Kratom.

(1997) Suppressive effect of mitragynine on the 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine-induced head-twitch response in mice.

(1996) Central antinociceptive effects of mitragynine in mice: contribution of descending noradrenergic and serotonergic systems.

(1988) Psychoactive properties of mitragynine (kratom).

(1975) A Study of Kratom Eaters in Thailand