Is Kratom an Addictive Drug? Risks and Potential for Addiction
“To answer the question if kratom is addictive, we look at its origin. Kratom is different in its origin, chemistry and biological effects. Kratom does not show toxicity and does not cause respiratory depression issues. When you use kratom in the common, raw, natural plant form, it does not produce hyper pleasurable euphoric effects that lead to abuse and addiction.”
This is an important study that addresses the addictiveness of kratom,” says Jack E. Henningfield, Ph.D., at Pinney Associates, a health consulting firm. “It shows that the major naturally occurring constituent responsible for the health-related effects of kratom, mitragynine, is of very low abuse potential. A second substance, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG), has higher abuse potential, but which naturally occurs at such low levels in kratom that it might be of minimal health consequence. This has at least two regulatory implications. First, the findings do not support the FDA’s claim that kratom is a narcotic-like opioid. Second, in regulating kratom products, the FDA could set standards to ensure that no kratom product contain levels of 7-HMG exceeding those that are commonly present in kratom leaves and products.
Dangers of Synthetic Opioids
In 2015, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) reported that individuals overdosing from prescription pain relievers like fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone accounted for 20,101 deaths during the year of 2015. This incredible statistic sheds light on how dangerous synthetic opioids truly are. In fact, in a 2014 JAMA Psychiatry released a survey that found that “94 percent of respondents… in treatment for opioid addiction said they chose to use heroin.” As you can see, long-term synthetic opioid use can be very dangerous and even fatal. However, those that suffer from chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and fatigue could potentially benefit significantly from opioids. To get the benefits while preventing the risk from synthetic opioids, the solution may be to look at plants like kratom, nature’s alternative to synthetic opioids.
The danger of opioids lies in their potential to be chemically addictive. What is addiction? According to ASAM, “addiction is characterized by the inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Addiction is caused by a chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Addiction affects neurotransmissions and interactions within reward structures of the brain.” In other words, when someone is addicted to a substance, they are willing to harm themselves and loved ones to use the substance again.
Don’t forget to read: How much kratom should you take
Opioids can be addictive because of their destructive influence on the brain’s reward system. A properly functioning reward system motivates repeated behaviors that cause a person to thrive (eating and spending time with loved ones), causing a release of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Opioids can overstimulate the reward system, flooding it with dopamine producing euphoric effects and the desire for more opioids, which in turn can lead to addiction.
Learn more: Is Kratom an Addictive Drug?
