Expanded Summary (6th Grade Level): Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia. For a long time, people in that region have used kratom to help with pain and other problems. In the past 20 years, more and more people in the United States have started using kratom too. Some people use it to help them stop using stronger drugs like opioids.

Researchers are still learning about how kratom works and what it can do. They know it affects opioid receptors in the body, which is why it can help with pain. But it may also affect other receptors, like ones involved in mood and anxiety. Kratom seems to have some withdrawal effects, but they are generally milder than those from stronger opioids. More research is needed to fully understand kratom’s benefits and risks.

This study was an editorial, which means it was a summary and discussion of the current research on kratom, rather than an original research study. The information came from a variety of sources, both real world and laboratory studies, on both animals and humans.

Key takeaways:

• Kratom use has increased a lot in the U.S. in the past 20 years
• Kratom affects opioid receptors, but may also impact other receptors
• Kratom may help some people reduce use of stronger opioid drugs
• Kratom has withdrawal effects, but they are generally milder than other opioids
• More research is still needed to fully understand kratom’s pharmacology and effects

For further reading:

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.878376/full

Full Citation:

Grundmann, O., McCurdy, C. R., Singh, D., Smith, K. E., & Swogger, M. T. (2022).
Editorial: The Pharmacology of Kratom and Its Alkaloids. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13,
878376. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.878376/full