Kratom

I recently learned about an herb called Kratom. Despite many conversations I’ve had regarding various substances, Kratom rarely comes up; it simply isn’t a mainstream drug that most people are familiar with. After researching the plant, I discovered that Kratom is native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used in herbal medicine for generations. It grows in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea, and possesses opioid-like properties. Because its effectiveness and safety remain unclear, it has not been approved for medical use in the United States or many other countries.

In cultures where the plant is indigenous, however, the leaves are chewed to relieve pain, boost energy, increase libido, and heal wounds. In Thailand, it is even used as a deworming agent. At low doses, Kratom produces euphoric effects similar to coca, but at high doses, the effects can become intense and last for hours. 

In 2018, Thailand legalized Kratom for medical purposes, removing it from the list of Category V narcotics. While it is currently undergoing preliminary research for potential antipsychotic and antidepressant properties, there is still no definitive scientific evidence that kratom is safe or effective for these uses.