Heather Arranie 
The prevalence of kratom use in the US is rising, with around 1.7 million Americans 12 years and above consuming kratom in 2021 according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The benefits of taking kratom either as a herbal supplement or additive range from pain relief to mood enhancement and anxiety relief. Many users also reported successfully managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, it is widely available and accessible, making it a popular choice for those seeking a dietary supplement or herbal product. Users are also drawn to kratom because it is perceived as a natural remedy and is believed to be safer than pharmaceutical products.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves, or kratom, have been used in herbal medicine since the 19th century. Kratom exists in many forms. For example, the raw leaves, fresh or dried, can be chewed. Another common form of the leaves is powdered kratom made by drying or grinding the leaves into a fine powder. In its powdered form, kratom can be mixed into teas, juices, and smoothies. It can also be put on the tongue and downed with water. Kratom tastes bitter, so manufacturing kratom pills and capsules is an alternative.
In addition, capsules and pills have a slower onset because they need to dissolve in the stomach. Highly concentrated liquid or resin from kratom also comes in extracts or tinctures. They can be drops, shots, or pastes. These forms are much more potent. In addition to the above, kratom shots and drinks are available on the market, in physical shops, or online.
An Effective Pain Reliever
A lot of people seek alternatives to traditional pain medications, especially opioids, due to concerns about addiction and side effects. Kratom is a natural product that comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. In its raw form, it is a naturally occurring plant product. However, kratom products can be processed in various ways with different levels of potency and composition. Significant pain relief is felt by users due to the interaction of kratom with opioid receptors. Therefore, the main benefit of taking kratom is the relief it offers from pain. The plant contains alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, which interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing analgesic or pain-relieving effects.
In fact, kratom is used in self-treating chronic pain conditions. Those who consume kratom say that their pain is diminished, making them calmer and less anxious. In this regard, kratom may also be used to alleviate the withdrawal effects of quitting opioids. Thus, some individuals use kratom to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms because they perceive it as a less harmful alternative to traditional opioid replacement therapies. At low doses, users report that kratom gives energy, making them more alert.
Mood Enhancing Effect
Kratom interacts with other receptor systems in the brain, including adrenergic receptors, serotonin, and dopamine receptors. Adrenergic receptors are part of the ‘sympathetic nervous system’ involved in the ‘fight or flight’ response of the body. They help regulate physiological functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness. Products with kratom in them contain alkaloids that interact with alpha-adrenergic receptors. At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, changing heart rate and blood pressure.
On the other hand, serotonin plays a role in mood regulation, feelings of well-being, and happiness. This is why imbalances in serotonin levels are connected to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In fact, many antidepressant meds work by enhancing serotonin levels in the brain. Apart from mood regulation, serotonin also has an effect on sleep regulation, appetite control, digestive function, and anxiety regulation. Research indicates that kratom interacts with serotonin receptors. Specifically, kratom alkaloids like paynantheine and speciogynine exhibited high affinity with 5-HT1A and 5-HT2B, which are serotonin receptors. The interaction may contribute to the mood-altering effects of kratom as well as its potential to alleviate anxiety and depression. Another positive effect of kratom is its interaction with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that influences movement, reward and motivation, cognition, and emotion. Studies suggest that certain kratom alkaloids can influence dopamine release and receptor activity. Hence, the interaction may contribute to the stimulant effects reported at lower kratom doses, including feelings of euphoria experienced by some users.
Whether used as a herbal supplement or additive, kratom offers pain relief and mood enhancement benefits. It is also perceived as a less harmful alternative to traditional opioid replacement therapies.
