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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:
Marijuana is worse on the lungs and heart than tobacco.
Proof?
That is utter nonsense with no factual basis. A bold faced fictitious talking point.
This link is for you tool
"We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heavier use,” the study’s lead researcher, Dr.Donald Tashkin of the University of California at Los Angeles stated. “What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of some protective effect” among marijuana smokers who had lower incidences of cancer compared to non-users."
Source : Journal of American Medical Association
The JAMA just called you on your lie.
Please don't try to BS us with your made-up views.
Big Pharma will have none of this cheap, readily available, personal pain killer.
NONE OF IT I SAY !
Another natural substance that will be demonized until Big Pharma can analyze and synthesize the active ingredients, (assuming it works) then market it for its own profit while banning offshore importation because of patents. In this effort they will have the assistance of the FDA, CDC, and whatever other government agencies control this stuff. Follow the money. Greed rules.
Read European studies, they don't care whether it is legal or not so there is no bias. They have shown multiple times that damage done by marijuana has more benefits than damaging side effects. American studies are skewed by government and big pharmaceutical companies because they do not want to lose profit.
Wow! A jump from two to six emergencies! Compared to 13,000 due to legal energy drinks.
"I would say ban it until a study proves to me that there is a benefit, for anything" - Lets ban diet soda, potato chips, CIGARETTES, and Big Macs until we prove those provide any benefit.. for ANYTHING.
I take Kratom to help with GAD and it works. It also self-regulates.. if you take to much you feel ill. After that you learn not to take as much. I've had worse side effects and withdrawals from drugs that were given to me by my doctor.
@S.Ulmer - Refuse medical treatment? I don't drink, so why should my tax dollars pay for alcohol related healthcare? Get a grip.
Timmaay: I completely agree with you! I've used Kratom occasionally for recreational purposes but mainly to releave symptoms associated with Celiacs Disease and it works! I am on an all-natural, organic, gluten free diet and I'm not going to pollute my body with a bunch of pharmaceuticals. Kratom is effective and safe when used in moderation and your @sshole won't fall off like some of the side effects associated with prescription pain killers. Try the resin...it's lovely!
I have never heard of this drug and I venture to say that neither have most people. To my mind this article fails to emphasize the dangers in clear enough manner and now millions of teens will be shopping for this crap just on the basis of what they have read here. One of the problems with the internet age is this kind of publicity serves to increase the usage of this stuff rather than curtail it.
There is a reason that it has been around for thousands of years and you are just hearing about it.
It's called big pharma.
Oh boy
I've heard smoking cigerettes is more addictive than smoking pot.
Is this the same "insense" Demi Moore was using before she collapsed and was taken to the hospital?
No. Demi was doing Nitrous Oxide.
http://tinyurl.com/7yp45se
Also keep in mind these articles of analysis do not include percentages. If I hold a study and a few individuals have the same "side effect" which may very well have been a normal personality trait to begin with, I can still mention this as a "possible" side effect in my report. Ive smoked marijuana for 20 years and im "statistically considered a genius who could drub 99% of the popluation in Jeopardy lol. Mentally I function quite normally and it has a positive side effect for me peronally from a physical perspective. I smoke it before going to the park to play basketball, it improves my timing, my awareness and my court vision. This drug is demonized because the Pharma companies cant sell it at the same profit margins as manufactured medications and its easily grown at home for personal use. Try producing good alcohol at home or growing tobacco in your backyard. They would still be competing with the black market and quite possibely consider it unprofitable in the end. THATS WHY ITS ILLEGAL.
My bad cigarettes.
I think we need to start banning anything and everything! Sugar should be the first to go, people are heading to emergency rooms all over the country due to sugar abuse. Next? Water. Yes, drinking too much water at once can kill you. Next, let's ban sunshine because way too many are getting skin cancer.
I agree sugar does nothing for us except destroy the inside of our bodies, we get enough sugar out of the food we eat. But water is safe as long as you don't drink to much.
I'm all for the legalization of marijuana. However, I find it hard to believe that it helps people with pain. When I was a young adult and smoked it, the paranoid feeling it gave me magnified any health issues I currently had.
Parents: As this news spills over from the front page to the street, can your son or daughter trust you to tell you they thought it was safe and now they're scared?
think about it
I knew kids who didn't...
and it cost them thier lives.
Bottom line - if alcohol consumption is legal, there is no rational basis for criminalizing marijuana consumption.
Agreed, legalize it with the same rights and responsibilities; If I buy pot at the local store and it is laced with PCP, somebody's going to jail (would you want to buy a bottle of Jack and be willing to run the risk that it was "enhanced"?)
anobserv: but we buy "enhanced" wines (but they call them "fortified" wines) like port and sherry all the time. No problems at all with them.
probably not enhanced with automotive anti-freeze.
but legal, regulated marijuana or kratom wouldn't be enhanced with automotive anti-freeze either.
that's my point
Then I don't understand your "bottle of Jack" comment.
Jack is legal and has rights and responsibilities attatched (underage, DUI, etc.); pot is not legal and is therefore prone to... "non-regulation" (i.e. "enhancement" with unsafe products).
Legalize pot, with the same rights and responsibilities... and "regulation" (to use that evil government word).
There will always be people who will abuse substances, legal or not; just like there will be people who think speed limits in front of schools or traffic lights don't apply to them (they are "better, smarter" drivers). For all I care, an adult should have the right to put a gun in their own mouth; as long as they don't endanger someone else and they clean up their mess.
anybody else remember Tricky Dick and the Paraquat stunt?
Next thing you know we'll have girls selling betel nut chew at the truck stops.....if you've ever been to Taiwan (outside of Taipei City)......then you know what I mean.....might not be so bad, those girls were pretty darn hot lookin....like a bikini clad coffee baristas...it's all in the same plant family....right?
All drugs should be safe, regulated for purity, and legal. Don't try to make me go die for our "freedom", when we really don't have any because every damn church in this country has it's fingers in a bunch of sumptuary laws to keep anyone from feeling good unless it's through "Jesus"....this country needs to practice what it preaches, we're either free or we ain't! Alcohol is only one of many things people enjoy to feel good, and believe me, we sure could use a little feel good time to enjoy ourselves before, as Jim Morrison put it, "the whole thing goes up in flames"...Sex, drugs, and Rock and Roll, baby, and screw everything else!
Why are there always so many dorky grammaticists on comment pages? Is it an OCD thing? Just wondering.
So I guess this illustrates how kratom is inferior to weed. If weed were legalized, kratom's market would be about as robust as the market for labrador poop(Cheech & Chong reference). Weed is fairly benign compared to say alcohol, kratom, oxycodone, tobacco, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, or acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is so hepatoxic one bottle could possibly kill three people. More if they mix it with alcohol. Or one bottle could permanently damage the livers of 5 to 10 folks. And this is easily purchased over the counter at any convenience store. Government regulations and policy are a bit haphazard.
On the other hand, goverment regulation can be less haphazard than human behaviour.
While I agree with most of your comment, what basis do you have for saying that weed is benign compared to kratom? (I buy the rest of the comparisons, just not this one.) Kratom is very benign. It has been used for thousands of years, and has recently been used by many folks here in the US with very few issues. While I do agree that marijuana should be legal, I certainly do not think that kratom should be made illegal or demonized, without having the facts. This type of sensationalism and attempting to scare people played a big part in marijuana being banned in the first place, there is no reason to repeat the same mistake here.
I would just hope that those people like yourself that would like to see one natural plant, marijuana, made legal won't jump on the bandwagon and harshly judge another natural leaf (that causes very little harm and has many benefits to responsible users) by what you read in sensationalist articles such as this one.
I wish the media wouldn't hype the dangers of every new plant or medication that people use. SIX people in a year went to a hospital due to kratom? I bet more went to the hospital last year for misusing a hammer. I have an idea. Instead of outlawing every plant, chemical and medication known to man, let's try to get objective information to people, regulate and tax these products, and let people choose for themselves what to put into their bodies. We're never going to stop determined junkies from being junkies. Countries that have realized that and gone for information and regulation of these products actually have far fewer problems with them than we do!
If it will relieve the pain when the doctors refuse to even admit I have pain, then it is worth a try.
I'd much rather be around somebody who's stoned than somebody who's drunk any day of the week. Alcohol is an extremely destructive drug, it is one of the few drugs where you can actually die from withdrawal. Not to mention the toll taken by drunk driving. As far as Kratom goes, I know somebody who took it to ease them through withdrawal from opiates. It worked great for that, but unfortunately he has now developed a dependency on kratom. It's definitely addictive.
Money! It's all about the money. 10 years ago according to the FDA there was NO, medical use for marijuana. Today 13 states have legalized it for medicinal use, doctors prescription required. REALLY? In the land of the FREE why would anyone have to get permission from a doctor to grow, pick, crush and smoke a weed that grows wild all over earth. MONEY!!!
Kratom is used to alleviate the effects of HEROIN WITHDRAWAL.
How better to keep people on Afghan Heroin (a continuation of the original bribe to Karzai by Bush) than to make sure they have no legal and less expensive way to get off that drug!!!
Americans are so worried about foreign attacks on their own soil, but foreign drugs and Americans' own decadence will bring us down without the enemy firing a single shot. Take a look at what is happening to our nation, then go to the nearest mirror if you want to find out who is to blame. We have done this to ourselves.
I will never understand people. What is so grand about being high? Why is it worth so much as to break the law and put your life and the lives of others at risk? If it is worth so much to you, then lobby for the legalization of pot or whatever. But in the meantime, pray tell, can anyone explain to me why it is worth breaking the law to spend untold sums of money on getting high? I seriously don't see the merit, especially considering the pricetag of these illicit goods. Get a hobby or find a cause and you'll find that you'll receive many more hours of enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment, and you won't be breaking the law. All at a fraction of the cost!
TerrorB: I don't know "why it is worth so much," but the desire to experience altered states of consciousness has been expressed in every society in all of history, so there must be something very basic to the human species that wants this experience. To say that one can deal with that reality by means of a hobby or a cause seems pretty naive to me.
TerrorBird: Don't knock it until you try it. There's a pretty big chance most of the concepts and ideas we take for granted were conceived with the help of a mind altering substance, not to mention religion and spirituality. Many countries still use ritual narcotics for religious purposes. There are alot of native american beliefs that hold marijuana sacred. I can guarantee you that wasn't tobacco in those peace pipes. Mankind has a habit of using mind altering substances for various reasons. Even if I didn't partake, I wouldn't see a problem with it.
Bret Wilson - I have tried it. Honestly, not a fan. I'll take my hobbies over pot or alcohol (to excess) any day of the year. I do occasionally drink because I like the taste and it's good for the heart. But I find that I enjoy myself far more through my hobbies and just being with friends and family than to be sloshed or stoned. A sharp mind and actual progress to make the world a little better seems like a pretty high price to pay for a constantly altered state of mind.
For the record I am for legalization. The horrors in Mexico disgust me and the easiest and most effective way to put an end to it is to legalize marijuana. It won't stop the violence, but I would hope that it could stem it.
Maybe my problem is that I don't enjoy an altered state of mind as much as I do my hobbies. I seriously just cannot fathom why people would go so far and risk so much just for a couple of hours of enjoyment. It is beyond my comprehension.
I can't speak for why its so grand being high but why is it worth breaking a law for? The fact that its even a law and that anyone actually questions anyone that breaks such a pointless "law" is laughable. Remember the government isn't always right. Take speeding on the highway - you know that its actually safer to go with the folow of traffic than always follow the speed limit right? Oh no!! A law got broken! Somebody said its bad to speed! Ignore that it can be safer! Somebody just said its bad!
Terror Bird: congratulations on a very lucid, positive, constructive post. You are spot-on!