"Legal Highs": Kratom
“Legal Highs”: Kratom
What Is It?
Kratom is a leaf in the coffee family that is indigenous to various countries in South East Asia and has been traditionally employed as an herbal remedy in this region for centuries. Despite it’s opioid-like effects, Kratom is not designated as a conventional opioid. This is because Kratom only activates some aspects of the brain that traditional opioids do. As of recently, Kratom has been garnering popularity in the United States due to it’s stimulating and pain relieving qualities. It was estimated, according to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, that roughly 1.7 million Americans from the ages of twelve and up consumed Kratom in 2021. As a result of it’s widespread prominence, Kratom can be found in various smoke shops or online and is often sold in the following forms: powder, capsules, dried leaves, and liquid extract. In addition, Kratom can also be purchased in the processed form of 7-hydroxymitragynine capsules (often sold and labeled as 7-OHM) in which the potency of the opioid-like effects are significantly stronger. Finally, we are commonly seeing Kratom in many pre-workout drinks or supplements used among teens and young adults.
Legality
Kratom is currently classified as an unapproved substance in accordance with the FDA’s guidelines. It cannot be marketed as a dietary supplement or added to food as it is considered an unsafe food additive. Kratom is legal in California to those eighteen and over, aside from the following areas: Jurupa Valley, Oceanside, and San Diego, in which it is illegal to possess or distribute.
What Does It Do?
Before discussing the subjective effects of Kratom, it is important to first acknowledge the traditional dosage guide. A dosage of 2-3 grams is considered light, 3-5 grams is considered common, 5-8 grams is considered strong, and above 8 grams is a heavy dosage. At light to common dosages, Kratom possesses stimulating effects similar to that of caffeine. However, when dosages are increased, Kratom’s effects function more as a traditional opioid. These effects vary person to person based on various factors, including ingestion of other substances, personal tolerance levels, and the strain of Kratom consumed.
Potential Harms
While there is no scientifically observed lethal dosage of Kratom, high doses of Kratom have the potential to cause respiratory depression which could potentially be fatal. Kratom is most dangerous when consumed in conjunction with other substances such as alcohol, stimulants, benzodiazepines, DXM, and others. In addition, Kratom can also be harmful when ingested with grapefruit. Due to it’s opioid-like qualities, Kratom has a high abuse potential and many chronic users report severe withdrawal symptoms with discontinuation of usage. The withdrawal symptoms have been noted by many users to be extremely potent, often being described as similar to heroin withdrawal. Long term effects of chronic Kratom usage include constipation, weight loss, bowel disruption, and dehydration.
How to Tell If Your Child is Using Kratom
At low to moderate dosages, the effects of Kratom are almost indistinguishable from that of caffeine. The effects become more pronounced when a higher amount is consumed. Such effects include increased euphoria, nausea, increased perspiration, constipation, appetite suppression, itchiness, and pupil constriction. Furthermore, in select users, Kratom has the potential to change the odor of the user’s urine to an unpleasant smell.
How Can CYS Help?
If you are concerned your child is using Kratom, or any other drug or alcohol, call California Youth Services today. Our Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE) program provides intervention and education for adolescents involved in substance use and their parents. Additionally, CYS offers monitored drug testing services, including a new test that detects Kratom in urine even as low as 2,000 nanograms per milliliter. Call 949-303-9016 today to enroll in one of our programs or inquire about drug testing.
Written By: Luke Villareal