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Chronic Pain and the Kratom Controversy
Used to battle pain or opioid addiction, the supplement is banned in several states. Does it work? Is it safe?
By C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut
The herbal substance kratom, derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, is used by nearly 2 million people in the United States annually. It can be easily purchased at gas stations and convenience stores, smoke shops and online, and is marketed as an “herbal supplement.”
Proponents claim that kratom has many of the pain-relieving benefits of traditional opioids and that it can potentially be used as a treatment for opioid dependence.
The primary concern about kratom is that it can mimic how synthetic opioids work in the body, potentially causing overdoses, severe withdrawal symptoms and other serious health issues. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration recommends against its use.
The Conversation asked C. Michael White, a pharmacist at the University of Connecticut who has been studying the science behind kratom for many years, to explain its potential benefits and why consumers should use caution with this product.
