Background
- Mitragyna speciosa is a tree found in Southeast Asia. It acts on the central nervous system, affects brain function, is known to have pain-relieving, mood-enhancing, and cough-reducing effects, and has been used as an opium substitute.
- It is also called kratom and has been identified as an herb of recreational drug abuse. People who use it over the long term may develop an addiction and symptoms of withdrawal when they stop using it. Many countries and states have passed laws to make Mitragyna speciosa illegal, but people may still easily obtain it over the Internet. Unintentional death has occurred following use of krypton, a combination product containing Mitragyna speciosa and O-desmethyltramadol.
- There is not enough evidence to support the medical use of Mitragyna speciosa.
References
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