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| 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 large tree native to Thailand and Malaysia, first documented by Dutch colonial botanist Korthals. It is botanically related to the Corynanthe, Chinchona and Uncaria genii and shares some similar biochemistry. Other species in the Mitragyna genus are used medicinally in Africa, and also used for their wood.
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 tar that can be swallowed. 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 found in dark chocolate and closely related to the ECGC that gives green tea its beneficial effects. Other active chemicals in kratom include raubasine (best known from Rauwolfia 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.