Doctors should ask their patients about kratom use the same way they would for cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin, according to doctors who authored a commentary published on Aug. 13 in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an herb native to Southeast Asia that some people take to treat depression, chronic pain, and opioid withdrawal. Some may also take it as an alternative to opioids or take it recreationally. It is mainly marketed in the United States as a supplement, coming in the form of gummies, tablets, and tobacco.
Emerging evidence has shown that it can cause addiction and various adverse effects ranging from mild to life-threatening.
At low doses, kratom has stimulant effects, boosting energy and making one more alert, while at higher doses, it creates opioid-like sedative effects, including relaxation and pain relief.
“I have taken care of people who have been affected by their kratom use—likely more than I knew since people commonly don’t report use due to fear of stigma, not thinking it was relevant to their health problem,” Dr. Eileen Barrett, one of the authors of the commentary, told The Epoch Times via email.
