Because chemicals in kratom act on opiate receptors in the brain, it has sometimes been used to treat opium dependence. But Vacovsky doesn't see kratom as a viable part of addiction treatment.
He says part of effectively treating opium addiction requires medications that act as "antagonists" (blocking agents) to the opium receptors. The alkaloids in kratom are agonists, which mean they stimulate those receptors.
"You cannot tell me there's any science behind [using kratom to treat opiate addiction]," Vacovsky says. "It's just a substitute. You take it, it releases endorphins, and you feel fine. But then you're addicted to the kratom."
Some users disagree, particularly those at the Kratom Association, a national advocacy network that seeks to preserve the legal status of the herb. One member and moderator for the group, Nathan Wren, told New Times he used kratom daily for months after shattering his femur in a car accident and experienced no withdrawal symptoms when he suddenly stopped. He says he believes "addiction to kratom is purely psychological," and, "If there are any symptoms, it's like how you might feel if one were to take coffee away from you for a time."
Most of the Kratom Association members, Wren says, are people in their 40s to 60s who use kratom for depression and pain management. "Kratom has been a godsend for folks who can't afford healthcare or don't want to be addicted to pain meds," he says. "It's not for a good time."
Shawn Schuman, 24, is a kratom advocate in Pennsylvania. Like many other users, he says he began taking kratom to overcome an addiction to painkillers. "There is no real 'high' to be had," Schuman says. "There is a definite mood elevation, but it does not resemble the high achieved with traditional recreational substances."
But kratom is being marketed and sold as a "legal high" and unregulated novelty drug. And this has already got the attention of the DEA. Ramona Sanchez, spokeswoman for the DEA's Phoenix division, says she thinks kratom could fall under the Federal Analog Act. The act allows substances that are "substantially similar" to controlled substances to be treated the same as the controlled substance.
Sanchez also says that because kratom is not considered a federally controlled substance, any data the DEA has is anecdotal. But she emphasizes that kratom "is nowhere near being good for you. Even though it is not a controlled substance, we would not recommend anybody taking this . . . It is not good at all."
I have been on Oxycontin for years to manage the pain in my back from a car accident. The pain never really goes away it simply dulls down a bit. After I decided I did not want to be taking pain killers anymore I tried Kratom. The pain pretty much non existent and on top of that I have no issues with constipation or just plain terrible withdraws when I miss a dose. I am happy with it thus far.
Kratom saved my life. My hips are completely bolted together along with my pelvis from a terrible motorcycle accident. I have been using kratom daily for a very long time. I also am the CEO of Mayan Kratom and have become the poster boy for kratom in the US. If anybody wants to learn the truth about kratom to to my website and watch all my youtube videos. www.mayankratom.com
Kratom is unfortunately marketed alongside dangerous and neurotoxic synthetic chemicals, thus leading to hysterical news stories touting the dangers of kratom with no factual basis in reality.
This article is a b rated comedy at best, whoever wrote this is ether naive and uneducated or has a alternative agenda. Kratom is a wonderful plant. Humans are so misled at this time in history. Educated yourself and turn off that god damn TV!
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Sinister, eh? That's kind of a strong word for a plant.
I'm starting to wonder if people who write stories like these are compensated by the government/big pharma. I've read more than one obviously biased story about more than one sinister or insidious material recently.
Obviously some legal highs are dangerous. More people die from alcohol every year than I can even count. And smoking? Well, at least there are some safer alternatives now for those of us who like nicotine.
An excess of just about everything will hurt or kill a person. And addiction is relative - I know many people who can not think straight in the morning until the have had their 1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione 3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione (or caffeine).
People are going to get high no matter the legal status of anything. And they should be able to if they want. If anything, the government should make it easier to get safe-ish drugs. Not harder.
Also, I don't know what planet Dr. Frank LoVecchio resides on, but on the rock I'm from, crushed up percocet is a little more expensive than powdered plant leaves. It looks a little different, too.
That man is a doctor? Wow. I should have gone to medical school.
Interesting that they feel like they need to provide statements that are based on absolutely no scientific proof. Sanchez says "It is not good at all." That is pure ignorance. I have taken Kratom hundreds of times without any negative consequences. Maybe the writer should have done some researcher and find out if there was anyone that takes Kratom and experiences positive benefits. A couple people took too much and now it is a huge concern. A couple people drink too much Coffee and wind up in the hospital but we aren't making a big deal about that.
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The DEA would outlaw anything that was marketed to "get someone high." If tomatoes could do it, they'd outlaw those. If it was peaches, they'd outlaw those. Doesn't matter to them. They're just there to squash anything that could help someone feel better. If the pharma isn't involved in it, they make it illegal, because they don't have their fingers in the money pile.
Man,if this stuff really helps people out who are fighting the battle of their lives.Ten why dont moe of us know? If it really woks it's worth its weight in gold. I would like to her more from people who used it and and had help. as far as iam concerned it works or it dont!!!! take a opiate and Bamm 20 mins later they work.These products here say the work ? ya mean take this and 20 mins later you are on your way with no withdraws? I would love to find a product that would cut these CHAINS !!!!
@cinimodblue I have taken it. 6 grams at most at a time, (in one day,) because high doses have higher effects. It is an expensive drug to use, also----and the effects it has on you are not anything like the "hallucination inducing or altered mental state" drugs that other drugs are like. It might relieve pain, but I only took it, as some say, to feel more "normal." It does give added focus, but it really depends on the person, I think, as to what type of effect it has on them. The first time I took, it made me slightly nauseous about 4 hours afterwards, but it only lasted about 5 minutes and went away. You can take Echinacea on an empty stomach and puke your guts out---but it's sold at where else? Drug stores. Pharma. As usual. More processing equals more chances for foreign matter to be ingested into the body unintentionally. How is the NECC doing these days, anyway? Have they been shut down yet? People's blood are on their hands now. I hope they can live with that.
Kratom can be addictive---that is one of the more serious drawbacks to it. I have only taken it 3 or 4 times---don't have an intense desire to grab ahold of it, so guess it is better to stop before the usage, dosage, or addictive nature of it spikes like mad. At this point, I can do with it or without it.
It's okay, but there's other natural stuff out there that has much more positive effects on the brain and the body...I think you can guess what that might be.
Well,it is just a matter of time before they make it 'American's newest drug scourge'.There are only a few countries where it is illegal.Thailand is one.For the simple reason that people use it to get off heroin/opium and that cuts into the governments monopoly and thier illegal profits.So sad,but expected
This is yet another instance of the DEA and federal government trying to justify their existence.They need to have an enemy,so they pick on God-given,harmless plants to scare the citizens into thinking that every plant is the new crack or meth.This is utterly ludicrous and anyone who believes this crap without doing their own research deserves to be forced to take dangerous,expensive prescription meds.Do your own due diligence people.The government LIES to you on a regular basis.Do not accept it
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@dissident2112 "The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control lists kratom as a "Drug and Chemical of Concern" and says there's no legitimate medical use for kratom in the United States."This is the biggest load of BULL**** I have ever heard. I am a 25 year old chronic pain sufferer (since i was 5) and all the doctors ever want to do is throw NARCOITICS at me. The insurance companies refuse to my doctor to fix the problem (outpatient surgery). After three straight years on 5 tramadol a day and a lortab and valium for bed I have lost all want to continue those meduications. the long term side effects ARE HORRIBLE. One time, I had some of my medication (half a bottle) stolen from me at work. Now this is not only a problem because I cannot function when I am in full blown pain, but having been on these medicaitons for so long I have major withdrawal symptoms. Doctors LITERALLY get you hooked on medication on purpose! Well - my doctor wouldn't refill my meds even though i'd never had anything like that happen before, so I started searching for ways to detox on the internet - that's how I learned about Kratom. I ordered express overnight, had it the next morning and didn't experience ONE withdrawal symptom. I have since switched from the narcotic medications to Kratom and have been taking it daily (when NEEDED) for about 6 months now. I have had had NO constipation, NO sexual side effects, NO withdrawal symptoms when I run out. I cannot BELIEVE the DEA is honestly painting this plant as so evil. It has saved me from being on man made pharmaceuticals on a daily basis. As far as them saying there is "no medical use in the US" - that is a flat out lie and I am living proof of that. As a chronic pain patient at such a young age, the idea of being on pills the rest of my life was daunting. krtom saved me from that. and on a daily basis, it saves me from debilitating pain. I think the DEA has a hand in the pharmaceutical companies and they understand that if the word gets out on kratom - plenty of Americans would rather choose an organic, natural path for legitamate pain relief and the pharmacautical companies would start losing money. think about it.
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