The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recently announced that beginning September 30, 2016, the two major chemicals in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, will be considered Schedule I drugs, or substances that have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” By banning these active chemicals, the DEA can include both the plant and any synthetic equivalents. Kratom will join other Schedule I drugs such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana. The DEA proposed designating the drug as Schedule I for up to three years, and after that period of time, the status could be permanently extended. Up until this point, it has been considered a herbal supplement and has been barely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Users report that kratom, which can be easily purchased online or in locations such as smoke shops, provides a calming effect similar to morphine. There have also been reports that the herbal drug has been successfully used to manage chronic pain and opioid dependency. Advocates of the drug insist that it is not addictive, but some argue against that. On July 29, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report warning that it is considered an “emerging drug of abuse” by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as many medical professionals and law enforcement officials, are picking up on the idea of kratom as a dangerous substance with a significant potential for abuse. Several states have already banned the drug, but regulation has proved difficult due to its nature as a herbal supplement.

What is Kratom?

Native to Southeast Asia, the kratom tree’s leaves have been used for centuries as a painkiller, anti-diarrheal medicine, and recreational drug. The leaves are ground into powders and made into pills, and sold as a dietary supplement. It is easily attainable online, at head shops, and in kava bars. When taken at low dosages, the drug acts as a stimulant, but taken at higher dosages, it is a sedative that produces opioid-like effects that ease pain. The active ingredients in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to the opioid receptors in our body. According to studies, it is several times more potent than morphine.

The Dangers of Kratom

Although the plant has a long history of use in Southeast Asia, it has been banned in Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar due to its potential for abuse. Some of the chemicals found in kratom interfere with drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver and can cause dangerous interactions when combined with other drugs and medications. Overdoses, some of them fatal, have been reported in users who have mixed it with other drugs.

There are several side effects that range from uncomfortable to dangerous including:

  • Facial flushing
  • Pupillary constriction
  • Tremors
  • Loss of motor coordination
  • Sweating
  • Constipation
  • Itching
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures (associated with high doses of kratom >15g)

One of the most significant dangers posed by kratom use is the development of dependence and addiction. In one study, more than 50% of people who used the drug regularly for six months developed a dependency. Users of kratom who are dependent on the drug suffer withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opioids if they suddenly stop taking it.

Some of the symptoms of kratom withdrawal include:

  • Irritability
  • High blood pressure
  • Diarrhea
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Runny nose
  • Intense cravings
  • Insomnia

Psychological withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, tension, anger, sadness, and anxiety. Because kratom dependence is relatively new in the United States, there are no specific treatment regimens to deal with the drug’s withdrawal and detox.

Although more studies need to be funded that examine the short-term and long-term effects of kratom use and abuse, the DEA is making strides by banning the substance for several years. There is still much to be learned about kratom, but it is safe to say that it is best to avoid the drug due to its high potential for abuse and dangerous side effects when combined with other drugs.

The Rehab Center is Here for You

If you are struggling with a kratom dependency or an addiction to other drugs and alcohol, The Rehab Center can help. We are committed to providing individualized, holistic addiction treatment to help our clients recover from their addiction and maintain lifelong sobriety. For more information on how we can help you or your loved one, call us today at

888-388-5756