Kratom is one of those plants that you might assume is a safer, natural alternative to other drugs. But don’t be fooled: There’s a dark side to kratom-derived pills, powders and teas.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
In this Q&A, integrative medicine specialist Yufang Lin, MD, explains why “natural” doesn’t always mean safe, especially when it comes to kratom.
Q. What is kratom?
A. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree in the coffee family. It’s found in Southeast Asia and Africa. Traditionally, people have:
- Chewed kratom leaves.
- Made kratom tea to fight tiredness and improve productivity.
- Used kratom as medicine.
- Substituted kratom for opium.
- Used kratom during religious ceremonies.
Q: What does kratom do?
A: Low doses of kratom can make you more alert. However, high doses of kratom can cause:
- Decreased pain.
- Pleasure.
- Sedation.
This is because two of the compounds in kratom (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) interact with opioid receptors in your brain.
Q: Why do people use kratom?
A: Precisely because kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, some people use it to relieve pain or overcome opioid addiction. Medical communities now try to shy away from opioid use for pain, so many patients who previously relied on them no longer can. Scrambling to find alternatives, some people turn to kratom, which is a compelling replacement because it has similar pain-relieving effects.
People tend (however incorrectly) to think that kratom is safe because it’s “natural.” It’s also legal and easily obtainable in many states — without the stigma attached to narcotics.
Q: How is kratom used?
A: Traditionally, people drink kratom as a tea or chew its leaves. Kratom can also be found in resins, extracts and tinctures. On the street, you may find kratom in pills, capsules, powders or even drinks. In Thailand, for example, you can buy a concoction made with kratom leaves, cough syrup, cola and ice.
Q: Does kratom have any side effects?
A: Yes. Don’t let the fact that kratom is “natural” trick you into thinking it’s safe. In fact, kratom’s potential for severe side effects outweigh its potential benefits — and in extreme cases, kratom has even caused death.
The most common side effects of kratom are: