Kratom The leaves of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) contain a psychoactive alkaloid. (more) kratom plant Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/plant/kratom Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Mitragyna speciosa Written by Karen Sottosanti Karen Sottosanti is a writer and editor who works in educational publishing. Karen Sottosanti Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Mar 11, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the traditional uses of kratom in Southeast Asia? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Kratom leaves have traditionally been chewed by farmers and workers in Southeast Asia to boost energy and ease muscle pain during hard labor, a practice that continues today." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What effects does kratom have at different dosages? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Low doses of kratom produce stimulant-like effects, such as increased energy and alertness. High doses result in opioid-like sedative effects, including relaxation and reduced anxiety." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are some potential side effects of kratom use? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, constipation, increased urination, itching, sweating, dry mouth, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Long-term use can lead to insomnia, weight loss, seizures, and liver problems." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How is kratom legally regulated in the United States? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Kratom is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for medical use and prohibits its sale as a drug or supplement. Some states restrict its sale, especially to minors." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the concerns raised by the FDA regarding kratom? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The FDA is concerned about the safety of kratom due to lack of conclusive research, potential risks from concentrated products, and possible contamination with heavy metals or bacteria." } } ] } Top Questions What are the traditional uses of kratom in Southeast Asia? Kratom leaves have traditionally been chewed by farmers and workers in Southeast Asia to boost energy and ease muscle pain during hard labor, a practice that continues today.

　　What effects does kratom have at different dosages? Low doses of kratom produce stimulant-like effects, such as increased energy and alertness. High doses result in opioid-like sedative effects, including relaxation and reduced anxiety.

　　What are some potential side effects of kratom use? Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, constipation, increased urination, itching, sweating, dry mouth, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Long-term use can lead to insomnia, weight loss, seizures, and liver problems.

　　How is kratom legally regulated in the United States? Kratom is not regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for medical use and prohibits its sale as a drug or supplement. Some states restrict its sale, especially to minors.

　　What are the concerns raised by the FDA regarding kratom? The FDA is concerned about the safety of kratom due to lack of conclusive research, potential risks from concentrated products, and possible contamination with heavy metals or bacteria.

　　kratom, (Mitragyna speciosa), large evergreen tree of the coffee or madder family, the leaves of which function as a drug when ingested. Native to Southeast Asia, kratom has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and recreationally. Kratom is reported to produce stimulant-like effects when taken in low doses, and opioid-like sedative effects in high doses and can have side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, and liver damage. However, scientific data on kratom usage is limited, and further research is needed to fully understand its effects. In 2019 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against kratom ...(100 of 747 words)

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