Expanded Summary (6th grade level): This study looked at the effects of kratom on a tiny worm called C. elegans. Kratom is a plant that people use for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. The researchers wanted to see if kratom could be harmful, especially to developing animals. They tested different extracts of kratom on the worms to see what happened.
The researchers found that the water-based extracts of kratom were less toxic than the alcohol-based extracts. At very high doses, the kratom did affect the worms’ development and reproduction. However, the researchers think kratom is unlikely to cause serious problems in humans at normal doses.
This study was done in a lab, not in the real world. It used C. elegans, which are small worms, not
humans
Key takeaways:
- Water-based kratom extracts were less toxic than alcohol-based extracts
- High doses of kratom affected worm development and reproduction
- Kratom is unlikely to cause serious problems in humans at normal doses
For further reading:
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/10/6294
Full Citation:
Hughes, S.; van de Klashorst, D.; Veltri, C.A.; Grundmann, O. Acute, Sublethal, and Developmental Toxicity of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Leaf Preparations on Caenorhabditis elegans as an Invertebrate Model for Human Exposure. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 6294. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/10/6294
