The Addictive Potential and Challenges with Use of the Herbal Supplement Kratom: A Case Report and Literature Review

Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia. People have used it for a long time to help with pain, opioid withdrawal, and other health issues. Recently, more people in the United States have been using kratom. Some people use it to get high or to feel better. But kratom can lead to negative side effects and be addictive for some people.

The article talks about a patient who developed addiction to kratom. The patient used it to help with pain and to feel better, but ended up having significant negative side effects, like feeling tired and having trouble sleeping. The patient also had a hard time stopping using kratom and had withdrawal symptoms. The article also talks about what we know about kratom from other studies. It shows that kratom can be dangerous for some people, and that more research is needed to understand it better.

Key takeaways:

  • Kratom is a plant that can be very addictive and cause negative side effects.
  • People use kratom for pain, mood, and to avoid opioid withdrawal, but it can have severe side effects.
  • More research is needed to fully understand the risks and effects of kratom.
  • Healthcare providers need to be aware of kratom use and its potential harms.

For further reading:

Link: https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/23/1/4/6209753

Full Citation:

Anand, A., & Hosanagar, A. (2022). The Addictive Potential and Challenges with Use of the Herbal Supplement Kratom: A Case Report and Literature Review. Pain Medicine, 23(1), 49.