Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a substance used traditionally in Southeast Asia to help ease aches and pains and improve energy. Extracted from leaves of native, tropical trees in the area, the drug acts like a mild stimulant in low doses. In high doses, it causes an opiate-like high.
The substance, used to make powders, liquids, and capsules, is advertised in the US as a drug to alleviate opiate withdrawal, resolve opioid dependence, and alleviate pain.
Is kratom a viable option for your own pain relief? Read further as you may want to consider other evidence-based pain management options.
Kratom Use Popularity in the U.S.
Recent estimates suggest that greater than 5 million people in the United States are using the substance to treat ailments from chronic pain, mood disorders, insomnia, and opioid addiction.
Kratom gained popularity in the United States as an alternative to opioid pain medications like Vicodin (hydrocodone) and OxyContin (oxycodone) and most users took the substance to manage the chronic pain and discomfort associated with conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
The kratom industry markets the substance as a safe, natural supplement that improves health and well-being. In some states, kratom is readily available for purchase in smoke shops, gas stations, and other unregulated stores.
But, is the substance as safe as some think?
Death from Kratom?
Lawyer Matt Wetherington, an attorney involved in a lawsuit against the substance, warns that kratom is not only unsafe, but also potentially deadly. Sold in the US in high concentrated form, the drug is similar to other opioids and heroine and this high concentration increases the likelihood of overdose and death.
This past December, 23-year-old Ethan Pope died in his home. According to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the cause of death was mitragynine intoxication. The Bureau found no other elicit drugs or alcohol in Ethan’s system. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, mitragynine is a psychoactive compound found in kratom.
Following Ethan’s death, his parents, John and Dana Pope, found a to-do list written by their son. One item on the list stated, “Stop taking kratom.” Ethan’s parents did not know how long their son took kratom, but they believed Ethan must have experienced its adverse effects.
In May of this year, John and Dana filed a wrongful death lawsuit against organizations, companies, and individuals connected to the marketing, manufacturing, and sale of the drug. Just recently, the suit extended to a larger lawsuit with lawyers wishing to show the extreme danger of the drug.
According to the expanded lawsuit, kratom manufacturers illegally import the drug, market it as a natural, agricultural product, and sell the drug in high concentrations.
Ethan purchased bottles of O.P.M.S. Liquid Kratom soon before his death. According to attorneys involved in the suit, this liquid version is particularly dangerous because they contain high concentrations of mitragynine that exponentially raise the risk of overdose and death.
The Risks of Treating Pain with Kratom
Many believe that kratom is safe to use because we consider it an herbal supplement. What consumers forget, however, is that the FDA does not regulate supplements before they hit the market.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can cause confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and addiction.
A 2014 report published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence researched 293 people who regularly used kratom. Researches found that more than half had developed severe dependence problems. Kratom withdrawal symptoms included sleep problems, anger, muscle spasms, tension, and more.
Case reports show drowsiness, irritability, palpitations, high blood pressure, poor concentration, insomnia, hypothyroidism, seizures, psychosis, hepatitis, and coma in people using kratom. Risks appear higher when it’s taken in concentrated extracts.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse and other sources, potential health effects include:
Agitation
Anorexia
Calmness
Constipation
Discoloration of the cheeks
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Euphoria
Hypertension
Increased social behavior
Increased urination
Insomnia
Itching
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusion, confusion)
Sensitivity to sunburn
Sweating
Tachycardia
Talkativeness
Moreover, kratom use can cause withdrawal with its own host of symptoms. Furthermore, kratom use may increase the risk of addiction, abuse, and dependence.
The FDA, DEA, and other authorities have issued multiple alerts on the substance:
Kratom is not FDA approved for any use
Several states ban kratom entirely
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists kratom as a “drug of concern.”
The FDA banned its importation to the US
The FDA warns the public not to use anything containing the drug
In a 2019 US health report, officials stated the drug caused 91 overdose deaths in 27 states.
Alternatives to Kratom for Pain Relief
For those who experience chronic or acute pain, there are several other safe options for management of your pain. Healthy interventions include the use of more conservative and much less dangerous methods. These include:
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Chiropractic Care
Anti-inflammatory Medications
Straightforward Pain Management Injections and Procedures
The treatment of pain requires the guidance from an educated pain management physician who will guide you through a comprehensive treatment program.
If you suffer from chronic or acute pain, we are here to help you gain the relief you seek with little to no risk to your health or life. With our help, you can address your pain in the manner that science and evidence show to be effective.
Contact Us to discuss your questions and options and to start your journey on a healthy, effective pain management program.
With the help of our interventional pain management services, you can manage your pain without the risk of side effects, detriment to your health, risk of addiction, or the possibility of overdose and potential death.