But recently, aspate of lawsuitsallege that the substance is to blame for several deaths.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has also listed kratom as a drug and chemical of concern.
Kratom sellers tout certain strains as beneficial for boosting energy and mood.
Bloomberg Creative Photos / Getty Images
At low doses, it can act as a stimulant.
Theres just so much we dont know, and thats the hard part.
Its a similar fight that were having on the scientific side with cannabis.
The human usage is so far out in front of where the science is, McCurdy told Verywell.
Quite frankly, we dont have science to back up either one of those statements.
Traditionally, people chew or smoke the leaves orsteep them in tea.
One of the main compounds in kratom, called 7-hydroxymitragynine, is particularly active at opioid receptors.
TheFDA therefore considerscomponents of kratom to be opioids, and says the drug has high potential for abuse.
McCurdy said that people often associate the sedative or euphoric feelings of high doses of kratom with opioids.
The overall pharmacology is very complex.
Some case studies indicate that kratom may have mechanisms similar to opioid withdrawal treatments like clonidine.
That could mean that kratom, if used correctly, could indeed help treat opioid dependence.
Its a very interesting parallel.
Im not saying its exactly the same, but its similar.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)has fundedat least 50 active kratom research studies so far.
Increased Deaths Associated With Kratom
In 2011, poison control received 13 calls nationwide about kratom exposure.
In 2017, that number soared to 682.
But the agency later withdrew its notice of intent after receiving strong backlash.
Nearly all cases of death associated with kratom products involved other drugs or contaminants, according to the NIDA.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA and kratom.
Drug Enforcement Administration.Drug fact sheet: kratom.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse.Kratom.
