PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Kratom Safety: A Recent Study
The picture of the possible advantages and disadvantages of the plant-based supplement kratom is still being developed as its use becomes more widespread.
This rise has been linked to its potential usage, including as a therapy for opioid addiction.
However, Kratom, which is made from a plant resembling coffee and has stimulant and pain-killing properties, has also come under regulatory scrutiny.
The latest advancement is covered in the fresh study presented today at the annual American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases meeting.
According to their findings, certain kratom users may experience significant liver issues. The results support prior studies, however, some experts disagree, arguing that it is still too early and "irresponsible" to conclude that kratom is to blame for these health problems and should be outlawed.
Eight of those cases, they discovered, had something to do with kratom-containing goods. Of those eight cases, seven were believed to be caused by kratom.
Before the injury, the study subjects used kratom for 15 to 49 days. All six of them made a full recovery despite being hospitalized.
The study examined incidents from 2004 to 2018. The only year with more than one of these liver injuries was 2017, which saw three.
In a news statement, the study's lead author, a gastroenterologist at Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, Dr. Victor Navarro, stated that the findings suggest a potential rise related to the opioid epidemic.
"[Healthcare] professionals should be aware that this freely available medication has the potential of causing serious liver harm," he warned. The chemical is frequently used for its psychotropic effects.
What Specialists Are Stating
However, other specialists weren't as alarmed by the findings, especially given the latest study's finding of a relatively low number of liver injury cases.
According to experts, the increased accessibility of kratom on the internet and in stores has increased the number of Americans who use it.
According to Marc Swogger, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York who specializes in the therapeutic and hazardous use of drugs, including kratom, "well over 5 million people" use the substance throughout the country.
He claimed that as the supplement has been more widely available, the number has increased recently.
According to him, it is unclear from the available research whether kratom contributed to the study participants' injuries.
Making that jump based solely on case studies would be reckless, according to Swogger, who spoke to Healthline. more research.
The FDA reported in February last year that 44 deaths since 2011 had been linked to kratom. The CDC updated that number in April this year, noting that kratom was responsible for 91 fatalities in 2016 and 2017.
A gold kratom shot of GRH kratom is available online. The best option is to order it online. It may be collected from a variety of online vendors and delivered right to your door. However, if you are placing an order from an unknown seller, you can run into problems. This is due to the possibility of fake goods being offered as real ones.
Since ancient times, kratom has been used for therapeutic purposes. It is widely accessible and reasonably priced in many parts of the world. It is a tree found in the tropical jungles of Malaysia and Thailand. The tree's leaves taste terrible due to their bitter flavor.
One of the best herbs for easing pain is kratom. This plant can be used to alleviate depression. If you take it along with other prescriptions, it will function the best. Before using it to treat depression or pain, speak with your doctor.
In February 2018, the FDA issued a statement encouraging all businesses selling kratom-containing goods intended for human consumption to follow suit and remove their products from the market.
"Based on the scientific evidence of the serious risks associated with the use of kratom, in the interest of public health, the FDA encourages all companies to take similar steps to remove their products from the market," the FDA said.
Making that jump based solely on case studies would be reckless, according to Swogger, who spoke to Healthline. More research, such as randomized controlled trials, will be necessary to identify any beneficial or harmful effects of kratom.
Swogger said there is some risk even though he believes "the concerns of kratom have largely been overstated."
He said that when using a plant that hasn't been well investigated and isn't controlled, there is always some risk.
He mentioned the possibility of product adulteration and unexpected negative reactions. He stated that heavy kratom users could have withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it.
Swogger advises people who use kratom to buy it from a trusted source that tests the substance and to be aware of any potential hazards.
However, he also asserts that kratom can be a "valid harm reduction choice" that, according to his research, has allegedly assisted people in weaning themselves off opioids.
The Federal Administration Has Taken A More Critical Stance
To classify kratom as a Schedule I drug, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration used the phrase "drugs having no acknowledged medicinal use" to describe the substance.
After opposition, the DEA abandoned that proposal, but other organizations have continued to take action against kratom.
Without naming a specific manufacturer or supplier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) connected a salmonella epidemic to kratom in February 2018. They advised people to "not use kratom in any form."
At about the same time, a "substantial amount" of kratom products from one of the top distributors were required to be destroyed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
