Is Kratom safe?

Kratom, derived from the tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa, has been traditionally used in Southeast Asia for its stimulant and sedative properties. However, its safety as a recreational drug and herbal supplement has come under scrutiny due to increasing reports of adverse effects and hospital visits.

Key insights from the research papers include:

Kratom has dose-dependent stimulant and sedative effects, with potential for misuse and abuse. Concerns have been raised due to hospital visits and deaths associated with its use, primarily mediated through its active alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine affecting monoaminergic and opioid receptors.
Regular use of kratom can lead to dependence and addiction. Despite its purported therapeutic uses, there is a lack of clinical studies demonstrating its safety and efficacy, and it is not approved by the FDA. Kratom is associated with rising numbers of emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers.
Kratom is legally available in many places, but reports indicate potential health hazards, including seizures and neurological consequences. The lack of FDA oversight contributes to its high potential for abuse.
Adverse reactions to kratom ingestion, such as intracerebral hemorrhage, highlight the public health risks associated with its use.
While kratom has some opioid effects with lower respiratory depression and abuse potential compared to traditional opioids, its unregulated status poses risks. There is no documented threat to public health that would warrant emergency scheduling, but regulation is necessary to ensure safety.
Kratom exposures have led to serious medical outcomes and even deaths, particularly when used with other substances. More research is needed to understand the human response to kratom, and increased regulation could help ensure product quality and safety.
Kratom abuse is an emerging issue with related addiction, overdose toxicities, and deaths. Research on its safety is lacking, and clinical toxicologists must be educated about its adverse effects.
Overdose on kratom can lead to severe side effects, as evidenced by a case report of a young male who overdosed and required hospitalization. The unregulated nature of herbal supplements like kratom poses a danger to consumers.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome has been reported in newborns born to chronic kratom users, indicating that kratom withdrawal effects can be significant and are not detected by standard toxicology screens.
Kratom exposures reported to poison centers have increased, with cases involving psychosis, seizures, and deaths. Some jurisdictions are considering legislation to restrict kratom use due to these risks.

In conclusion, while kratom has traditional uses and potential therapeutic benefits, the current body of research highlights significant safety concerns. These include the potential for addiction, serious medical outcomes, and even death, particularly when used with other substances or in high doses. The lack of regulation and clinical studies on kratom's safety and efficacy underscores the need for caution and further research. Increased regulation and public education may help mitigate the risks associated with kratom use.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Sources and full results

The pharmacology and toxicology of kratom: from traditional herb to drug of abuse

Kratom, a traditional herb, has both stimulant and sedative effects, but its abuse potential and potential for misuse require careful evaluation of its benefits and potential toxicities.

Kratom- A Lethal Drug On The Rise

Kratom is a dangerous drug with opioid activity, increasing in popularity in the US and causing rising numbers of ER visits, calls to poison control centers, and even deaths, despite limited clinical studies and FDA warnings.

Kratom: The safe legal high?

Kratom's use as a recreational drug has potential health hazards, including seizures and neurological consequences, and its lack of FDA oversight raises concerns for public safety.

Intracerebral hemorrhage after kratom ingestion.

Kratom ingestion may cause intracerebral hemorrhage, highlighting the need for further research on adverse reactions and potential public health risks.

The abuse potential of kratom according the 8 factors of the controlled substances act: implications for regulation and research

Kratom has low abuse potential and respiratory depression compared to opioids, and placing it in Schedule I of the CSA may create public health problems that don't currently exist.

Kratom exposures reported to United States poison control centers: 2011–2017

Kratom use is associated with serious medical outcomes, especially when combined with other substances.

Kratom abuse as an emerging issue of addiction, overdose toxicities and deaths: a review

Kratom abuse is an alarming phenomenon causing addiction, overdose toxicities, and deaths, with unregulated online drug markets contributing to its introduction in Europe and the US.

Legally Lethal Kratom: A Herbal Supplement with Overdose Potential

Kratom overdoses can be fatal, especially when combined with other drugs or alcohol.

Natural drugs, not so natural effects: Neonatal abstinence syndrome secondary to ‘kratom’

Kratom use in chronic pain treatment may lead to neonatal drug withdrawal, which can be missed by standard toxicology screens.

Notes from the Field: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) Exposures Reported to Poison Centers - United States, 2010-2015.

Kratom exposures reported to poison centers in the United States from 2010-2015 show a significant increase in the number of cases with psychosis, seizures, and death.

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