Geographic Origin of Kratom

As a drug, kratom has the potential to block pain and reduce anxiety, and researchers say it may also help treat opioid addiction. But the herbal plant is not without drawbacks. The first is that, like many other natural products used as drugs, kratom contains a cocktail of chemical compounds with opioid-like effects. And while the chemicals in kratom are not as powerful as those in prescription opioids such as morphine, heroin and oxycodone, they can still create physical dependence.

Kratom is sold in gas stations and paraphernalia shops in Thailand and across the country and can also be purchased online. While some consumers use it to boost energy or concentration, others rely on different strains for sedation and opioid-like pain relief. And while the FDA says it should not be marketed as a drug, some sellers make claims that kratom can reduce cravings for opioids, ease withdrawal symptoms and even treat opiate addiction.

Scientists are examining the long-term effects of kratom, but so far it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for any medical purpose. The DEA briefly classified it as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in 2016, which means it has no accepted medical use and can cause addiction, but that decision was reversed after an outcry from advocates. The agency is concerned that kratom can be abused and can create opioid-like and stimulant effects. It also says it can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, agitation, hallucinations, seizures and liver toxicity.

The herb is growing in popularity among people who suffer from chronic pain, including those with cancer. But it is important to consult MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service and other experts before taking any herbs, including kratom. And while some MSK doctors recommend it for certain patients, this herbal treatment is not a replacement for established painkillers.

Currently, MSK does not offer any clinical trials involving kratom. However, the integrative medicine team often receives questions from people with cancer about whether kratom might help relieve the pain of chemotherapy or other treatments. And the database managed by our experts contains information about a number of complementary therapies that have been used in cancer patients.

The team’s research on kratom is focused on one of the plant’s active chemicals, mitragynine. Mitragynine is absorbed from the leaves of the kratom plant and enters the bloodstream. It can have opioid-like effects at lower doses, but it can also act as a stimulant and produces fewer of the negative side effects of other drugs. The goal is to develop a pill that could be taken by mouth or through an IV and deliver the same benefits of kratom while reducing side effects. But that type of kratom-based medication is several years away from being tested in patients.