| Revision as of 21:13, 2 March 2006 editMurple (talk | contribs)268 edits →External links← Previous edit | Revision as of 21:46, 2 March 2006 edit undoMurple (talk | contribs)268 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Kratom''' (''Mitragyna speciosa'') is a plant native to ]. It is a |
'''Kratom''' (''Mitragyna speciosa'') is a plant native to ] and ], first documented by Dutch colonial botanist Korthals. It is a well established ] in its native region, and there is some use elsewhere in the world. The leaves are usually made into a tea, although they are sometimes also chewed or extracted into water and then evaporated into a resin, with an appearance similar to ]. Kratom is not often smoked, although this method does provide some effect. | ||
| Kratom contains many ]s including ], once thought to be the primary active, and ], which is currently the most likely candidate for the primary active chemical in the plant. Although structurally related to ] and ], its pharmacology is quite different and it seems to act in some ways similarly to ], although it seems to also have some stimulant properties similar to yohimbine. Kratom also contains alkaloids found in ] ('']'') which are powerful immune system enhancers and lower blood pressure, as well as ], a powerful antioxidant related to the ] that gives green tea its beneficial effects. Other active chemicals in kratom include ] (best known from '']'') and some ] alkakoids such as ]. | |||
| Kratom contains many ]s including the ]s, allowing it to possess properties of a ] and a ] simultaneously. In smaller doses the stimulating effect is often felt and is comparable to a low dose of ], and in higher doses the effect feels very much like ]. Kratom is a very effective treatment of ], but likely due to its own addictive properties. Excessive use is not as dangerous as the excessive use of "harder" drugs, but has negative effects such as darkened skin, ], and ]. | |||
| Kratom has many potential medicinal uses, including as a safer and cheaper replacement for ], and as a source of chemicals with a wide range of beneficial activities. | |||
| It has been known to help with focus and concentration, and has been considered a possible treatment for people with ]. | |||
| ===Legal Status=== | ===Legal Status=== | ||
| Kratom is classified as Narcotic Level 5 in Thailand, but still can be bought at markets in more rural towns. It is legal in all other countries besides |
Kratom is classified as Narcotic Level 5 in Thailand, but still can be bought at markets in more rural towns. It is legal in all other countries besides Australia, Malaysia or Myanmar. Thailand is rumored to be considering considering altering its legal status in light of recent discoveries of its medicinal uses in treating drug addiction. Similar research is also underway in Malaysia. | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 21:46, 2 March 2006
| Kratom | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Mitragyna |
| Species: | M. speciosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Mitragyna speciosa Korth. | |
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Thailand and Malaysia, first documented by Dutch colonial botanist Korthals. It is a well established psychoactive drug in its native region, and there is some use elsewhere in the world. The leaves are usually made into a tea, although they are sometimes also chewed or extracted into water and then evaporated into a resin, with an appearance similar to hashish. Kratom is not often smoked, although this method does provide some effect.
Kratom contains many alkaloids including mitragynine, once thought to be the primary active, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which is currently the most likely candidate for the primary active chemical in the plant. Although structurally related to yohimbine and tryptamines, its pharmacology is quite different and it seems to act in some ways similarly to opiates, although it seems to also have some stimulant properties similar to yohimbine. Kratom also contains alkaloids found in uña de gato (Uncaria tomentosa) which are powerful immune system enhancers and lower blood pressure, as well as epicatechin, a powerful antioxidant related to the ECGC that gives green tea its beneficial effects. Other active chemicals in kratom include raubasine (best known from Rauvolfia serpentina) and some yohimbe alkakoids such as corynantheidine.
Kratom has many potential medicinal uses, including as a safer and cheaper replacement for methadone, and as a source of chemicals with a wide range of beneficial activities.
Legal Status
Kratom is classified as Narcotic Level 5 in Thailand, but still can be bought at markets in more rural towns. It is legal in all other countries besides Australia, Malaysia or Myanmar. Thailand is rumored to be considering considering altering its legal status in light of recent discoveries of its medicinal uses in treating drug addiction. Similar research is also underway in Malaysia.