Kratom, the scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree, which leaves are used for medicine and recreational drugs. This tree can usually be found in Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, generally in South Asian countries. Some people dry and brew the leaves, or even directly chew them, while others take it as an extract, capsule, and pill and people can buy kratom online.  

Why is it Used and is it Legal? 

Kratom is a legal drug in the United States. It is marketed as an alternative medicine. The main active ingredients of kratom are 7-hydroxymitragynine and alkaloids mitragynine. Most people use it because, as they what they say, it is anti-inflammatory, analgesic,     and muscle relaxant effects when taken in small dosages.  

Can Kratom be Used as a Stimulant? 

Aside from the uses that are mentioned above, kratom is also used as a stimulant. In fact, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction or also known as EMCDDA, a few grams of kratom can cause stimulating effects. As a stimulant, it has effects such as: 

• Sociability 
• Alertness 
• Giddiness 

However, like other drugs, it can serve as a sedative resulting in euphoric effects that dull sensations and emotions. This is the very reason why this drug is banned in South Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and even in Australia and European countries.  

Aside from this, there are reported side effects when a person has a long exposure to this drug. This includes insomnia, constipation, cheek discoloration, appetite loss that leads to alarming type of weight loss. The other bad effects include: 

• Aggression 
• Nausea 
• Thyroid problems 

• Hallucinations 
• Delusions 

When taken at a very high dosage, it can lead to seizure, swelling of the brain, and even death. 

What are the Precautions and Warnings About This Drug? 

If you are a person who has a high dependence on alcohol, then taking kratom might cause harm to you.. People who always drink alcohol and at the same time, who use kratom have an increased risk of suicidal tendencies compared to those alcohol-dependent people without long exposure to the said drug. 

This leads to the second claim: kratom is associated with the worsening of mental disorders. There is a good number of research that claims that in theory, this is true. People who abuse this drug by consuming high dosages and at the same time, having existing mental disorders, are reported having strong suicidal tendencies than those with existing mental disorders that do not use this drug.  

What is the Right Dosage? 

The kratom’s dosage depends on many factors such as the person’s health, age, etc. You need to know that you will eventually develop tolerance if you are consuming kratom without proper strategies. This means that your 2 grams would gradually increase to 5 grams, as you would find lesser dosage will not suffice you anymore. One of the ways to stop this tolerance is to rotate your strains.  

Generally, there is no general rule as to what will be the right dosage that can fit a certain person. There is always a need to follow directions found on the product label or at least consult any physician or pharmacist before the actual use.