One of the most exciting innovations in the kratom industry is the development of new ways to grow kratom in perfect conditions and produce enhanced kratom capsules. The leaf, which grows on a tree thirty to sixty feet high, provides a significant energy boost. Additionally, it promotes increased focus and offers pain relief. It is now being used to treat a range of conditions including anxiety, insomnia, depression, and more.
kratom’s chemical composition
The chemical composition of kratom leaves is unknown, but it has been used by Southeast Asian people for centuries for pain management and to cope with the effects of opioid withdrawal. While kratom has some opioid-like properties, its molecular structure and biased agonists make it safe for human consumption. This plant has both sedative and stimulant effects. Its low doses produce effects similar to those produced by caffeine and amphetamines, while high doses produce effects similar to those of opiates.
Mitragynine is one of the kratom alkaloids, which acts on opioid receptors. While the drug may help individuals undergoing opioid withdrawal, further studies are necessary. While kratom’s use for pain management is anecdotal, the DEA’s decision has implications for the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal. The FDA will likely continue to work to ensure that kratom is a safe, effective alternative to prescription painkillers.
Therapeutic benefits of kratom
Research on the therapeutic benefits of kratom has been inconsistent. Although there are reports of positive effects, these are based on self-reports and lack scientific validation. Despite its therapeutic potential, kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although it is not known for sure if kratom is safe for human consumption, scientific studies are necessary to confirm its therapeutic value. If it is safe, kratom may provide a viable alternative to opioid use.
Medicinal studies have suggested that kratom may have analgesic properties. It interacts with opioid receptors in the brain. Because kratom blocks these receptors, it can help people overcome addiction and relieve pain. This may be one of the reasons why many people with chronic pain use opioids. Kratom has similar pain-relieving properties as opioids, but it does not carry the stigma of narcotics.
Safety
There are many factors that influence kratom products’ safety and potency. Although the FDA does not actively regulate kratom, reputable brands submit their products for testing to third-party labs. These labs assess the products’ potency, safety, and authenticity and issue a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Most reputable brands post the results of their laboratory tests on their website, and consumers may contact brand owners to obtain a copy of their COA.
Although the FDA has not approved kratom for any specific use, deaths attributed to kratom are rare and are likely in the low double digits each year. An independent drug-use survey conducted by Joseph Palamar estimated 2.3 million people in the U.S. used kratom products in the past year, a figure that is almost double the number of AKA’s kratom users.
Kratom origin
Kratom is a natural entheogenic substance, and is now being imported into the West from Southeast Asia. Other psychoactive plants include khat, Hawaiian baby woodrose seeds, fly agaric, peyote, and magic mushrooms. Each of these plants has complex chemistry. The University of Cambridge has studied the chemistry of kratom, and Rome’s Sapienza University has studied the chemistry of salvia divinorum.
The plant Mitragyna speciosa Korth is native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and New Guinea. It is part of the Rubiaceae family, and grows from four to sixteen meters in height. It was discovered by accident during a trip to Southeast Asia, where the tree has been cultivated for more than 2,500 years. During this trip, I had the chance to research and discover the science behind kratom.
Availability
Despite the fact that kratom is illegal in most of the United States, there are still ways to track and analyze the ingredients in kratom products. For example, police across the country use colorimetric testing to identify drugs. The process was developed over a decade ago, and it has helped identify many different types of drugs. While this process has been successful, newer compounds are not detectable by traditional colorimetric methods. This is where portable GC/MS tools come in. These new technologies are advancing the kratom industry.
The rise of the kratom industry coincides with the escalation of the opioid abuse epidemic in the United States. The efforts to restrict access to prescription opioids have resulted in a surge in the illegal sale of kratom. Meanwhile, many patients with chronic pain are not able to access appropriate medical care, which has become exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Side Notes
The potential for abuse in the kratom industry is minimal. Studies have shown that kratom produces few euphoric effects. In addition, increasing the dosage of kratom produces undesirable gastrointestinal effects, including constipation and lethargy, as well as little additional mood enhancement. It remains unclear if kratom will become a mainstream drug, though. In addition, research into the drug’s effectiveness and safety is limited.
In 2008, the US Drug Enforcement Administration listed kratom as a substance of concern. In response, several states banned its sale and placed it in Schedule I with synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. However, the DEA later revised its plans after widespread public backlash. The DEA is currently reviewing its decision. As a result, it is not ruling on the drug’s legality, though it is likely to reschedule kratom in the near future.
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