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Paula Bronstein / Getty Images file
A drug user in Thailand breaks up kratom leaf into a pan in the process of creating a popular cheap narcotic drink called 4x100. It is one way that the traditional herb kratom, which is now illegal in Thailand, is used recreationally.
When a patient showed up in a West Coast emergency room early this month suffering withdrawal from something he called "kratom," the psychiatrist on duty was forced to scramble for information. But when the doctor looked it up, she found that the opiate-like leaf from Southeast Asia is well known in the worlds of alternative medicine and the drug culture.
What the doctor, who asked not to be named, found in an Internet search were Web pages set up by dozens of companies selling kratom leaf and touting it as a way to combat fatigue, pain and depression — even as an antidote to heroin addiction.
But in addition to its possible medicinal uses, kratom is beginning to show up in U.S. emergency rooms, with doctors saying they are dealing with people sick from taking it — especially teens who try it to get high.
"Every month somebody is trying to get a new 'safe high'," said Frank LoVecchio, medical director of the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix, Ariz. "(Kratom) is definitely not safe."
Estimating usage of the drug is impossible, but emergency events involving kratom appear to be increasing, he said. In 2005, only two incidents were reported by poison control centers nationwide. But Banner’s center dealt with six emergencies involving kratom in 2011, he said.
As with many herbal and chemical products on the market, science and law enforcement are playing catch-up. Little research has been done to determine the risks of taking kratom, so it remains legal and unregulated in the United States.
The leaf, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia, has been around for thousands of years, and proponents argue that it is safe and effective for many maladies, while having fewer side effects and being less addictive than pharmaceutical alternatives, such as oxycodone. In small doses, they say, kratom provides an energy boost — the plant is in the coffee family — and in larger doses it creates a mellow, sedating effect, acting on the opioid receptors.
"Kratom makes people feel pain free, strong, active and optimistic," according to the Website Kratom.com. It has multiple functions, said the site, which sells kratom leaves, powder and extracts from Thailand — "as a strong and reliable herbal painkiller, to relieve depression and as a social and professional enhancer to intensify communicational skills and induce higher motivation."
Just as its safety has not been well studied, the drug has no scientifically established medical uses — though it has many enthusiastic adherents who swear by it. Testimonials in support of its ability to relieve chronic pain, depression, diabetes and other maladies surface in droves whenever kratom makes the news, as witnessed in the comments following this blog published in the Phoenix New Times in August 2011.
But even promoters warn that daily use of kratom can lead to dependence and nasty side effects.
“Long-term daily high dose kratom consumption is also reported to induce nervousness, sleeplessness, loss of libido, constipation and the darkening of skin complexion,” Kratom.com says in its "dangerous effects" section.
Although there have been no fatalities from kratom, "The known risks and dangers of Kratom overdoses include hallucinations, delusions, listlessness, tremors, aggression, constipation and nausea," the site said.
The emergency room psychiatrist said the patient who recently came in reported using kratom several times a day, every day, "because he discovered that if he stopped it he started getting withdrawal." The doctor said the man's symptoms appeared "identical to heroin withdrawal."
Upon arrival, the patient was suffering "severe depression and anxiety and emerging opiate withdrawal symptoms," including chills, aching muscles and gooseflesh, the psychiatrist said. The patient was treated to ease withdrawal symptoms and then hospitalized, according to the doctor.
Like "bath salts" and "spice" — drugs that are now illegal but were legal and trendy until law enforcers and medical researchers gathered data on their dangers — kratom is under scrutiny, having been added to a Drug Enforcement Administration's list of "drugs and chemicals of concern."
If the DEA concludes that kratom poses a public health risk, the agency can request that the Department of Health and Human Services place it on a schedule of banned and controlled substances.
The discovery and review process is accelerating in the Internet age, said Barbara Carreno, public information officer for the DEA.
"Things used to get around by word of mouth and it took a long time," said Carreno. "Now anyone can find out about anything within a matter of minutes … so there’s a lot of experimenting with exotic things that no one had ever heard of."
Kratom is illegal in a number of countries in Europe and Asia — most notably Thailand, where much of it is produced. It is now the third most commonly used illegal drug in Thailand, according to the DEA. In that country’s drug culture, the leaf is sometimes combined with cough syrup and Coke, tranquilizers and marijuana to produce a narcotic drink called "4x100."
LoVecchio, of the Phoenix poison control center, said his encounters with kratom are skewed, by definition, because he sees only people who have suffered ill effects, not people who say they are benefiting from it. The ones he treats are typically teens too young to buy alcohol who instead turn to kratom to get high, he said.
"When we see people who take this, they sometimes get respiratory depression," said LoVecchio, similar to the effect of opiates like heroin. "What’s odd is that some of them get really, really agitated, a little combative, (with) nausea and vomiting. They usually get medication for nausea and Valium to ease the paranoia," before being sent home.
He said other users, such as recovered heroin addicts, report that the symptoms are less pronounced, probably because they have built up a tolerance to opiates.
"I would say ban it until a study proves to me that there is a benefit, for anything," LoVecchio said of kratom. "Or restrict it to certain areas, make sure you can control it, make sure people aren’t driving" while using.
For now, kratom is being vigorously marketed in the United States. Some sellers label it as "incense," claiming it is not sold for human consumption while also requiring that buyers be at least 18 years old. One variety being touted for its powerful punch is Maeng Da, which translates to “pimp grade kratom.”
As new vendors get into the market, some of established sellers are trying to encourage self-policing in the industry to avert a ban on kratom.
A Website for the Kratom Association, which claims more than 100 members, has launched a campaign to counter what it describes as harmful and irresponsible representation of the herb — censuring or reporting sellers and head shops that market it as a "legal high," target teenagers or sell kratom adulterated with illegal drugs or other harmful substances.
They are pressing for more research to establish medicinal effects even as they fight efforts to ban kratom.
In one instance, nearly 600 people signed a petition addressed to a Louisiana lawmaker who recently proposed a ban on kratom in his state. Ultimately, Sen. A.G. Crowe of Pearl River withdrew the proposal, but indicated he would call for rules preventing people under 18 from obtaining it.
"Kratom has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. Kratom, when consumed, can treat depression, chronic pain, anxiety, opiate dependence, fatigue, stress and many other ailments," according letter petitioning Crowe. "Besides this it is used by many former addicts of alcohol and opiates. … Comparatively speaking, it is less addictive than coffee."
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Leave a Comment:
So that's what the teabaggers are taking.
I love reading all of the folks who say "Ban it now! Then test and see if it's safe!" Look how many FDA approved drugs turn out to kill tens of thousands over the year before they're pulled from the market. People who chant that message are likely moles for the Pharma industry, who are ALWAYS AGAINST anything natural that they can't patent and make money from the sales. In fact, look up the many cannabis based "medicines" that are now being tested by Pharma- they are all PATENTABLE and can therefore generate HUGE MONEY from people . . . when basically it's legal pot. Kratom is a leaf, it's not "bath salts". The latter should be banned for obvious reasons. But if you want to get nitty gritty, before freaking out, someone do a search for how many patient turn up in emergency rooms for any one prescription drug (pick any of the top ones like oxycontin, Valium, etc.) and compare to Kratom cases. There's no comparison. I'm not defending Kratom, I'm defending the right anyone should have to gain access to a cheap, natural alternative treatment for any ailment they may have.
Well I dont smoke pot so do not get offended when I say that you all should stop trying to use this plant to defend that plant. Pot and kratom are nothing alike and there is no comparability between the two. Pot is an intoxicant kratom does not "intoxicate".
This plant is not sending people to the E.R. and even if there is one case of that happening we cannot say for sure that it was the plant that caused it because there is not repeatable evidence nor will there be. I have used kratom for years and I have never had any ill effects from it. I have however been able to avoid taking expensive, harmful, and ineffective prescription drugs.
More people have went to the ER because of coffee then kratom. If someone drank 3 cups of coffee 3 times a day and landed in the ER would we all get mad at the coffee? No that is foolishm we would say that the person is a dope! Well why would we do any thing different for plant related to coffee? Chocolate and coffee where both outlawed at one time and I am sure those who where uninformed about them thought they were evil. So can we start educating ourselves before we let our whole country and all the rest of our freedoms be taken away in the name of ignorance and profit?
kratom is only illegal in Thailand because they wanted to increase opium sales. They are talking about changing those laws which are outdated because the opium trade is old news. This is fact, how can reporters or politicians not check their info before making public or private statements? It makes you look incompetent!
Though the condition of our country is proof of that already, these stupid statements are just a slap in the face to add to the whole thing. Why do we tolerate them? When will we stop living for comfort and start living by principle? I do not have too much hope that will ever happen, but pray I will...
Kratomassociation.org come help us fight to keep kratom out of "head shops" and available to adults who need it.
jameswt2,
I'm so thankful for The Kratom Association for getting the word out. I just joined. Kratom saved my life. Read my long-winded post below (which I accidentally posted 3 times. Does anyone know how I can remove the extra postings?)
Over 2 decades of alcohol addiction, and now I'm sane and happy. Kratom was silently banned here in Indiana. I only found out two days ago (who watches local news channels these days?) Gov. Mitch only allowed one news channel to cover the story. The article here is SO WRONG! I never experienced any addiction to Kratom. The agitaion they speak of is worse with coffee for me. Kratom provided a relief to my symptoms of depression that were no doubt caused by years of alcohol use. Also, Kratom in no way causes hallucinations. This is laughable. And yes as you've mentioned Kratom should soon be decriminalized/legalized in Thailand. Gov. Daniels is on his way out this year, so he doesn't care about the harm he's caused with this. He used to head up Eli Lilly, so no doubt it's more CASH in Lilly's pockets, more cash for prisons (imagine being locked up for a mere 2 grams of Kratom, that's about one small cup of tea. But two grams is "Intent to distribute?". The rehab industry could make money off this. Only one problem... Not many are likely to be arrested, as it's not an addictive drug like meth or heroin that people will seek out in this environment. The only folks likely to be busted in my opinion, are those who hadn't heard of the new law, and have some in their cupboard. I stopped Kratom long before the ban by choice (with no side effects). But it would have been nice to know it would be there in case of an emergency.
It is a very important medicine. And there is more than enough "proof" that it's safe and effective. The article is also wrong in that Kratom IS a useful medicine for tapering off opiates, and the highly addictive yet sanctioned methedone. And I can tell you it's effective against deppression and anxiety... and I'd never trust a prescription drug for these things. Also, I'm not the only one who quit drinking with Kratom's help. I've found more of those on kratomassociation.org
More Kratom News =
Lift the ban on Kratom in Indiana, sign the petition now =
Cut and paste the links :)
Hopefully now these links will print. Here they are:
More Kratom News = naturalnews.com/035480_kratom_pain_relief_herb.html
Lift the ban on Kratom in Indiana, sign the petition now = change.org/petitions/remove-mitragynine-7-hydroxymitragynine-from-indiana-s-hb-1196-save-kratom-from-prohibition
Cut and paste the links :)
kratomassociation.org Come help us keep kratom out of head shops and available to those who need it.
I use this plant to treat my anxiety disorder and nerve pain. It doesn't have side effects like pain medicine or anxiety medication. It's given me the ability to face my fears and actually attempt to enjoy life. If this is made illegal so many will suffer at the hands of big pharma. This is the last @!$%#ing straw. IT IS MY BODY. I CAN DO WITH IT AS I WANT. NO ONE CAN TELL ME DIFFERENT.
This is a crock. The amount of Kratom that causes vomiting is far far below what is dangerous or lethal. And you'd have to be gulping down alot of Kratom for a long time to feel any withdrawal and then it would be like caffeine withdrawal, something that a few Motrin would solve. These stories about life threatening incidents with Kratom seem impossible to me and anyone who knows anything about the plant. Rep. Baudler an Iowan Republican (of course) was evidently dim enough to far for this seemingly contrived hype and just got a Kratom ban thru. Another right just yanked out of my hands arbitrarily by a 'No big govt.' GOP member. Louisiana had the sense to make it legal to buy if you're 18 or older. Land of the free my ass. Why are we becoming so much like CHina where you can't budge a toe outta line without being in prison?
Kratom should most definitely be banned for anyone under the age of 18. However, this should be the extent of its regulation. The reason why kids end up in the ER is because they are trying to get a "high" from a substance that is not any more of an intoxicant than coffee. Kratom is NOT an opiate in any way, shape, or form. The substance "mitragynine" has similar effects to caffeine or yohimbine. If kids drink 12 double shot espressos in an attempt to get high, they will also be in the emergency room form that. Also, if alcohol is legal to buy for people over the age of 21, I think it seems pretty ridiculous to make a plant illegal when it doesn't have anywhere near the same level of intoxicating effects. How can you make something illegal when it's effects are: mild mood elevation, increased energy, and pain relief?
I think this country always needs to be in panic mode. First it was the synthetic drugs and now they are focusing on natural plant-based products. At least the article did point out some of the medicinal benefits of kratom, which you can read about here I take kratom for my fibro pain and anxiety and even if I did get hooked on kratom it would be better than getting hooked on prescription meds and dealing with all the side effects.
I am confused as to why the focus is on herbs, vitamins, or any supplement for that matter, when doctor prescribed medications kill people everyday? Or why not ban asprin since it kills thousands of people a year? Why are they focusing all their attention on stuff that hasn't killed anyone? Or, not that i want this banned either, but alcohol is addictive to some people and kills people everyday including innocent people. How is kratom considered a problem over that? I am actually suprised the FDA hasn't tried to make it prescription so they and the pharmaceutical companies can make money off of it.
The article compares kratom to bath salts & spice.... complete nonsense. Bath salts are comprised of multiple synthetic stimulants, all of which are easy to OD on & have far-reaching negative side-effects. Spice, which is basically just an 'inactive' herb sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-18 etc) isn't as dangerous as bath salts.
Kratom is far from dangerous; I don't believe there's ever been a reported fatality; & I would say it's equally as 'safe' as cannabis. Yea so some people show up in the emergency room due to kratom use?? People show up in the emergency room for just about anything --- doesn't mean this herb is now humanities bane.
The real bane is the group of morons who think it's a good idea to let their government have complete rule over what substance an individual can ingest. Whether it's a vitamin, an herb, or an illicit drug; IT'S NONE OF YOUR G**D*** BUSINESS. Thanks to our current drug laws, the prisons are overflowing, the private prisons are having a hayday lobbying for more efficient methods to get non-violent offenders behind bars. The cartels are raging. Liberty is dying. Reading some of these comments makes me sick..... glad to know ignorance still abounds.
Kratom saved my life.
I was an alcoholic since an early age. My parents kept alchohol and tobacco products in the home and so like many kids, I started early on both. I drank heavily through my 20's, and most of my thirties. I always kept a job even when it meant going in with a hangover and acting as if I didn't have one.
My depression and drinking was spiraling out of control. I was experiencing the worst kind of depression with nowhere to turn for help.
Desperate to save my life, I did some research on the internet. I discovered which vitamins and herbs would help with alchohol cravings. Knowing that the twelve step programs are out dated, unscientific, and only cure 12%, I avoided them like the plague. I went to alanon meeting as a kid, and their philosophy set me up for my heavy drinking, believing I must be an alcoholic if any family member is, after all it is a "family disease" and "you are in denial if you don't admit you have a problem".
None of the supplements were working... so I couldn't believe it, and was beside myself, when I discovered the wonderful healing properties of Kratom. Kratom is used to treat opiate and methadone addiction, and depression. I had a mild tea from the leaves, and instantly the alchohol cravings had disappeared. I would drink the tea over the next couple of months, twice per week. And then, until recently, I had been only drinking one cup every two weeks. On a side note, I was also able to quit smoking nasty cigarettes!
You see, I had done my research online over a period of a couple of weeks prior to trying it, and had known about Kratom for many years before (Cristian Ratsch books). It's only psychologically addictive in some people like coffee. It was only made illegal in 1943/Thailand as a sort of "Jim Crow" law, to keep the muslim minorities in jail. It gave the police the authority to go into muslim neighborhoods and do large sweeps arresting mostly men and keeping that population at the poverty level.
It changed my life. Previously I had become a depressed, fat, out of work, drunk, depressed, and on the verge of death.
But now I am happy, with no alcohol cravings. While drinking alcohol I had been lazy, sick most of the time, ate fast food, and became locked up indoors. Now I am eating right (mediteranian diet). I am very productive, I believe in hard work. I have lost weight and am now at the right weight for my height. I walk every day.. I ride my bicycle. I socially interact with others, whereas before, I had low self esteem and couldn't connect with others.
But most important of all, I have totally quit drinking. I never even think about alcohol any more. Kratom is cheap and should be legally available to all responsible adults. It saves lives.
I stopped using kratom about 1 year ago. This is one of the benefits of it's being non-addictive for me, as I don't crave it at all.
I've only just discovered it's being banned here in Indiana and I'm dumbfounded...
Now, every day I am so thankful that I was able to use this amazing medicine, when it had been legal. It saved my life, without any doubt. I owe my life to it! I wish for the Kratom ban to be lifted immediately in Indiana, and feel it's vital to keep it safe and legal for all 50 states!
Kratom saved my life.
I was an alcoholic since an early age. My parents kept alchohol and tobacco products in the home and so like many kids, I started early on both. I drank heavily through my 20's, and most of my thirties. I always kept a job even when it meant going in with a hangover and acting as if I didn't have one.
My depression and drinking was spiraling out of control. I was experiencing the worst kind of depression with nowhere to turn for help.
Desperate to save my life, I did some research on the internet. I discovered which vitamins and herbs would help with alchohol cravings. Knowing that the twelve step programs are out dated, unscientific, and only cure 12%, I avoided them like the plague. I went to alanon meeting as a kid, and their philosophy set me up for my heavy drinking, believing I must be an alcoholic if any family member is, after all it is a "family disease" and "you are in denial if you don't admit you have a problem".
None of the supplements were working... so I couldn't believe it, and was beside myself, when I discovered the wonderful healing properties of Kratom. Kratom is used to treat opiate and methadone addiction, and depression. I had a mild tea from the leaves, and instantly the alchohol cravings had disappeared. I would drink the tea over the next couple of months, twice per week. And then, until recently, I had been only drinking one cup every two weeks. On a side note, I was also able to quit smoking nasty cigarettes!
You see, I had done my research online over a period of a couple of weeks prior to trying it, and had known about Kratom for many years before (Cristian Ratsch books). It's only psychologically addictive in some people like coffee. It was only made illegal in 1943/Thailand as a sort of "Jim Crow" law, to keep the muslim minorities in jail. It gave the police the authority to go into muslim neighborhoods and do large sweeps arresting mostly men and keeping that population at the poverty level.
It changed my life. Previously I had become a depressed, fat, out of work, drunk, depressed, and on the verge of death.
But now I am happy, with no alcohol cravings. While drinking alcohol I had been lazy, sick most of the time, ate fast food, and became locked up indoors. Now I am eating right (mediteranian diet). I am very productive, I believe in hard work. I have lost weight and am now at the right weight for my height. I walk every day.. I ride my bicycle. I socially interact with others, whereas before, I had low self esteem and couldn't connect with others.
But most important of all, I have totally quit drinking. I never even think about alcohol any more. Kratom is cheap and should be legally available to all responsible adults. It should only be restricted to those under 18. It saves lives.
I stopped using kratom about 1 year ago. This is one of the benefits of it's being non-addictive for me, as I don't crave it at all.
I've only just discovered it's being banned here in Indiana and I'm dumbfounded...
Now, every day I am so thankful that I was able to use this amazing medicine, when it had been legal. It saved my life, without any doubt. I owe my life to it! I wish for the Kratom ban to be lifted immediately in Indiana, and feel it's vital to keep it safe and legal for all 50 states!
Kratom saved my life.
I was an alcoholic since an early age. My parents kept alchohol and tobacco products in the home and so like many kids, I started early on both. I drank heavily through my 20's, and most of my thirties. I always kept a job even when it meant going in with a hangover and acting as if I didn't have one.
My depression and drinking was spiraling out of control. I was experiencing the worst kind of depression with nowhere to turn for help.
Desperate to save my life, I did some research on the internet. I discovered which vitamins and herbs would help with alchohol cravings. Knowing that the twelve step programs are out dated, unscientific, and only cure 12%, I avoided them like the plague. I went to alanon meeting as a kid, and their philosophy set me up for my heavy drinking, believing I must be an alcoholic if any family member is, after all it is a "family disease" and "you are in denial if you don't admit you have a problem".
None of the supplements were working... so I couldn't believe it, and was beside myself, when I discovered the wonderful healing properties of Kratom. Kratom is used to treat opiate and methadone addiction, and depression. I had a mild tea from the leaves, and instantly the alchohol cravings had disappeared. I would drink the tea over the next couple of months, twice per week. And then, until recently, I had been only drinking one cup every two weeks. On a side note, I was also able to quit smoking nasty cigarettes!
You see, I had done my research online over a period of a couple of weeks prior to trying it, and had known about Kratom for many years before (Cristian Ratsch books). It's only psychologically addictive in some people like coffee. It was only made illegal in 1943/Thailand as a sort of "Jim Crow" law, to keep the muslim minorities in jail. It gave the police the authority to go into muslim neighborhoods and do large sweeps arresting mostly men and keeping that population at the poverty level.
It changed my life. Previously I had become a depressed, fat, out of work, drunk, depressed, and on the verge of death.
But now I am happy, with no alcohol cravings. While drinking alcohol I had been lazy, sick most of the time, ate fast food, and became locked up indoors. Now I am eating right (mediteranian diet). I am very productive, I believe in hard work. I have lost weight and am now at the right weight for my height. I walk every day.. I ride my bicycle. I socially interact with others, whereas before, I had low self esteem and couldn't connect with others.
But most important of all, I have totally quit drinking. I never even think about alcohol any more. Kratom is cheap and should be legally available to all responsible adults. It should only be restricted to those under 18. It saves lives.
I stopped using kratom about 1 year ago. This is one of the benefits of it's being non-addictive for me, as I don't crave it at all.
I've only just discovered it's being banned here in Indiana and I'm dumbfounded...
Now, every day I am so thankful that I was able to use this amazing medicine, when it had been legal. It saved my life, without any doubt. I owe my life to it! I wish for the Kratom ban to be lifted immediately in Indiana, and feel it's vital to keep it safe and legal for all 50 states!
Kratom saved my life.
I was an alcoholic since an early age. My parents kept alchohol and tobacco products in the home and so like many kids, I started early on both. I drank heavily through my 20's, and most of my thirties. I always kept a job even when it meant going in with a hangover and acting as if I didn't have one.
My depression and drinking was spiraling out of control. I was experiencing the worst kind of depression with nowhere to turn for help.
Desperate to save my life, I did some research on the internet. I discovered which vitamins and herbs would help with alchohol cravings. Knowing that the twelve step programs are out dated, unscientific, and only cure 12%, I avoided them like the plague. I went to alanon meeting as a kid, and their philosophy set me up for my heavy drinking, believing I must be an alcoholic if any family member is, after all it is a "family disease" and "you are in denial if you don't admit you have a problem".
None of the supplements were working... so I couldn't believe it, and was beside myself, when I discovered the wonderful healing properties of Kratom. Kratom is used to treat opiate and methadone addiction, and depression. I had a mild tea from the leaves, and instantly the alchohol cravings had disappeared. I would drink the tea over the next couple of months, twice per week. And then, until recently, I had been only drinking one cup every two weeks. On a side note, I was also able to quit smoking nasty cigarettes!
You see, I had done my research online over a period of a couple of weeks prior to trying it, and had known about Kratom for many years before (Cristian Ratsch books). It's only psychologically addictive in some people like coffee. It was only made illegal in 1943/Thailand as a sort of "Jim Crow" law, to keep the muslim minorities in jail. It gave the police the authority to go into muslim neighborhoods and do large sweeps arresting mostly men and keeping that population at the poverty level.
It changed my life. Previously I had become a depressed, fat, out of work, drunk, depressed, and on the verge of death.
But now I am happy, with no alcohol cravings. While drinking alcohol I had been lazy, sick most of the time, ate fast food, and became locked up indoors. Now I am eating right (mediteranian diet). I am very productive, I believe in hard work. I have lost weight and am now at the right weight for my height. I walk every day.. I ride my bicycle. I socially interact with others, whereas before, I had low self esteem and couldn't connect with others.
But most important of all, I have totally quit drinking. I never even think about alcohol any more. Kratom is cheap and should be legally available to all responsible adults. It should only be restricted to those under 18. It saves lives.
I stopped using kratom about 1 year ago. This is one of the benefits of it's being non-addictive for me, as I don't crave it at all.
I've only just discovered it's being banned here in Indiana and I'm dumbfounded...
Now, every day I am so thankful that I was able to use this amazing medicine, when it had been legal. It saved my life, without any doubt. I owe my life to it! I wish for the Kratom ban to be lifted immediately in Indiana, and feel it's vital to keep it safe and legal for all 50 states!
Kratom saved my life.
I was an alcoholic since an early age. My parents kept alchohol and tobacco products in the home and so like many kids, I started early on both. I drank heavily through my 20's, and most of my thirties. I always kept a job even when it meant going in with a hangover and acting as if I didn't have one.
My depression and drinking was spiraling out of control. I was experiencing the worst kind of depression with nowhere to turn for help.
Desperate to save my life, I did some research on the internet. I discovered which vitamins and herbs would help with alchohol cravings. Knowing that the twelve step programs are out dated, unscientific, and only cure 12%, I avoided them like the plague. I went to alanon meeting as a kid, and their philosophy set me up for my heavy drinking, believing I must be an alcoholic if any family member is, after all it is a "family disease" and "you are in denial if you don't admit you have a problem".
None of the supplements were working... so I couldn't believe it, and was beside myself, when I discovered the wonderful healing properties of Kratom. Kratom is used to treat opiate and methadone addiction, and depression. I had a mild tea from the leaves, and instantly the alchohol cravings had disappeared. I would drink the tea over the next couple of months, twice per week. And then, until recently, I had been only drinking one cup every two weeks. On a side note, I was also able to quit smoking nasty cigarettes!
You see, I had done my research online over a period of a couple of weeks prior to trying it, and had known about Kratom for many years before (Cristian Ratsch books). It's only psychologically addictive in some people like coffee. It was only made illegal in 1943/Thailand as a sort of "Jim Crow" law, to keep the muslim minorities in jail. It gave the police the authority to go into muslim neighborhoods and do large sweeps arresting mostly men and keeping that population at the poverty level.
It changed my life. Previously I had become a depressed, fat, out of work, drunk, depressed, and on the verge of death.
But now I am happy, with no alcohol cravings. While drinking alcohol I had been lazy, sick most of the time, ate fast food, and became locked up indoors. Now I am eating right (mediteranian diet). I am very productive, I believe in hard work. I have lost weight and am now at the right weight for my height. I walk every day.. I ride my bicycle. I socially interact with others, whereas before, I had low self esteem and couldn't connect with others.
But most important of all, I have totally quit drinking. I never even think about alcohol any more. Kratom is cheap and should be legally available to all responsible adults. It should only be restricted to those under 18. It saves lives.
I stopped using kratom about 1 year ago. This is one of the benefits of it's being non-addictive for me, as I don't crave it at all.
I've only just discovered it's being banned here in Indiana and I'm dumbfounded... It wasn't covered but on one local station, as Gov Mitch would only let them into the signing?press conference. The one that supposedly "broke" the story.
Now, every day I am so thankful that I was able to use this amazing medicine, when it had been legal.
Oops, the links didn't print. Here they are again.
More Kratom News =
Lift the ban on Kratom in Indiana, sign the petition now =
A couple years ago I started to use kratom on a weekly basis as a treat to ease my anxiety. I was just consuming the leaf...no enhancement or extract...and it made me feel very relaxed and more optimistic regarding my many problems/stressers. It wasn't long before I started consuming it every day because there was such a stark contrast in my mood and anxiety level when I was not buzzed/high on kratom. i eventually had to up the dosage to maintain the same level of calm...and when I started vomiting because I was taking too much, I started using the extracts because I could achieve the same degree calm while consuming only a fraction of the plant.
After a few months I was taking kratom about three to four times a day. Before long I was taking an ultra enhanced extract to maintain the same high. By this time i was spending $600-$1000/mo on kratom. I started to take out payday loans (which I defaulted on) to keep up with the habit. The real scary part about my kratom use at this point was when I would go eight hours without taking a dose because I ran out I became so agitated, anxious, and depressed that I wanted to bash my head against the wall to knock myself unconscious just so i didn't have to endure the withdrawal symptoms any longer. When my kratom shipment would arrive I was so excited because I knew my suffering would be ending soon...at least until the next time I ran out. it goes without saying how destructive this habit became, both psychologically and financially. I don't blame it on the kratom itself as I'm a human being possessing free will...and could at any time seek help. I'm not writing this message to advocate for a ban on kratom, only to communicate to you all that kratom CAN be abused and the withdrawal symptoms extremely debilitating. I have never been addicted to opiates before but when I researched the withdrawal symptoms when stopping heroin and opiates in general I didn't see any that differed from kratom. I tried stopping on my own by gradually reducing the dosages until I wasn't using any more. While the major withdrawal symptoms pretty much disappeared I still felt a void, I felt more depressed than I was before I started using kratom. It's as if a part of my "soul" was slowly ripped away, a part that I may never get back. Even after I went to a psychiatrist for my anxiety, and was prescribed an anti-anxiety medication and anti-depressants...that void is still there. I wish I would have gone to my therapist in the first place; at least if I would have gotten addicted to benzos...the cost per refill is only a fraction of the cost of kratom ($5-$10 a month instead of upwards of $1000/mo).
T
his a bull@!$%# story first of all any thing from mother earth is great for you,and if you trust anything a psychiatrist says that in itself is crazy their not real doctors anyway!
Kratom, while mildly addictive is FAR from the other "intoxicants" in terms of it's effect on your ability to function. I have used Kratom regularly for at least a year and I have NEVER ONCE lost an iota of control of my reasoning faculties while under the influence of Kratom. You feel warm inside and an extra sense of well-being, but you don't get "intoxicated" in the traditional sense of the word. I have had one instance where I took too much and I felt nauseous and generally quite unpleasant, but I was still quite aware of my surroundings and the difference between right and wrong... moral or otherwise. It was certainly nothing that called for a trip to the emergency room. I actually learned a good lesson from the experience... Taking large doses of Kratom is a waste. You can't just keep taking the stuff and getting progressively higher. There is a ceiling on how much Kratom can "alter" you and it is nowhere even remotely close to heroin, alcohol or even marijuana (and trust me... I've got a lot of experience with ALL of them). There are no recorded cases in history of someone dying from a Kratom overdose. I will concur however that if you take Kratom regularly in large amounts, you can in fact become physically dependent. The withdrawals are more like Vicodin, NOT heroin. They are quite unpleasant and I wouldn't recommend letting yourself get to that point. However; because Kratom doesn't have the considerably higher intoxication potential of the other drugs I mentioned, the motivation to use that much is considerably lower.
Twenty years ago I saw the criminalization of pot as an infringement on my right to party. That was a long time ago. Today, suffering from MS and a lot other health problems probably brought on by my own reckless behavior, I see natural plants like Kratom as an alternative to the countless pills I have taken trying to ease the pain. I made it all the way to morphine, almost dying from an overdose because the doctor gave me a muscle relaxer that wouldn't let my body metabolize the time released morphine. I decided I would live in pain. Then I heard about Kratom. It works. I've never tried to get high on it, so I don't know about all these bad side effects from taking too much. God put stuff like this on Earth to help us. Like marijuana. If you want to use it to get high, that's your business and not my place to say. But it has medical value. I watched my grandmother die. Not from the cancer so much as malnutrition. If she had of had a pill to take with THC that would have helped with the sickness, maybe eased the pain, who knows. And she wouldn't take anything for pain stronger than a Darvocet because of the effects it had on her mind.
Which brings up an interesting thought. If there was a substance that you could grow yourself that if used responsibly could eliminate the need for some of the most expensive pharmaceutical products on the market today, plus have fewer harmful side effects, who would stand to gain the most by keeping the product illegal. Pharmaceutical companies are doing the same thing textile companies did in the early 1900s. They have the bucks and the lobbyists to keep this stuff suppressed.
Excuse me. i hate when stupid ass journalists write bs articles about things they have no knowledge about. you cannnot compare bath salts to a natural @!$%#in tree leaf which is what kratom is. kratom is safer than alcohol by the way, and just because a few dumb @!$%#s get sick from it doesnt mean anything. if you eat too much nutmeg u will throw up for days... should nutmeg be illegal like bathsalts... exactly ........stop all the idiotic believes that people have about kratom. people like you (the dick who wrote this article) helped make marijuana illegal when alcohol should be illegal and marijuana should be growing everywhere
www.kratom101.com
There is a lot more useful information out there. Most of it talks of the benefits of kratom
Kratom is indeed a natural plant that helps with pain relief. It has been used for thousands of years without a single fatality. It helps MANY wean themselves off of very dangerous pharmaceuticals like Oxcycodone, Vicodin, and even Heroin. I am not at all in favor of bath salts or other TOXIC substances, but to lump this in with those is irresponsible. Our drug laws ( and WARS) have done nothing except add to criminals, corrupt politicians and law enforcement profits. Prohibition did not work with alcohol. and it doesn’t work to stem societies appetite for marijuana or other illegal substances. To ban Kratom would just be another step backwards, toward a world run and profited by the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. It is time to stop the war on people, and begin educating the world and its youngsters about what is REALLY toxic and dangerous. Cigarettes have never been illegal, yet through sane education, we begin to see youth and the public at large smoking less. As long as this corrupt war on natural plants continues, we lose all credibility with those we are trying to protect. Please stop spending my tax dollars on this nonsense. None of us can afford it.