TY - JOUR AU - Taylor, Robert AU - Raffa, Robert AU - LeQuang, Jo Ann AU - Pergolizzi, Joseph PY - 2018 DA - 2018/12/28 TI - Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Kratom: Succinct Introduction to the Basics and the Questions JO - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine SP - 038 VL - 03 IS - 04 AB - (1) Background: The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom), a tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, have been used traditionally to increase stamina, as a digestive aid, and for pain relief. Defined as a novel psychoactive substance, it is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., Europe, and Japan, aided by availability through the Internet. (2) Methods: PubMed and MedLine searches were conducted of published articles available in English. (3) Results: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary psychoactive compounds of the over 25 alkaloids present. Subjective effects are dose dependent, i.e., stimulation at low doses, analgesia and sedative effects at moderate doses, and opioid-like effects at high doses. Fatalities are rare and may be linked to polypharmacy. Kratom can be abused; abrupt discontinuation may produce withdrawal symptoms, although kratom dependency does not necessarily imply overt dysfunction or decreased quality of life. Indeed, Kratom has been used in Asia by opioid addicts as a way of easing withdrawal during times when their drug of choice was scarce or unavailable or during intentional withdrawal; the possible use of kratom in the treatment of opioid addiction is worthy of further study, as is its potential as an analgesic agent. Mitragynine may also possess anti-inflammatory and possible anticancer properties. Kratom extracts and mitragynine have shown cytotoxicity to certain human cancer cell lines and may modulate muscle neurogenic contraction and gastric secretion. (4) Conclusions: Kratom use as a recreational drug is on the rise, but it likely has important therapeutic potential. SN - 2573-4393 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1804038 DO - 10.21926/obm.icm.1804038 ID - Taylor2018 ER -