Mayo ClinicKratom: Unsafe and Ineffective

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Kratom, an herbal extract from Southeast Asia, has gained attention for its purported benefits in mood enhancement, pain relief, and opioid withdrawal management. However, its safety profile and efficacy remain controversial, with growing concerns about its potential risks and regulatory status.

Key Points:

• Kratom contains active compounds that can produce stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses.
• Users report benefits for energy, mood, pain relief, and opioid withdrawal symptoms, but scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.
• Side effects include weight loss, nausea, liver damage, high blood pressure, and neurological symptoms such as confusion and seizures.
• Kratom has been linked to a small number of deaths, often involving other substances, and carries a risk of addiction and withdrawal.
• The FDA has warned against kratom use due to safety concerns, including contamination with heavy metals and salmonella.
• Kratom may interact with other medications and affect fetal development during pregnancy.
• Lack of regulation and standardization in kratom products makes dosing and quality control challenging.

HCN Medical Memo
Although kratom has gained popularity for various purported benefits, its unregulated status, potential for harm, and lack of robust clinical evidence warrant caution. Physicians should be aware of kratom use among patients and consider its potential risks when evaluating symptoms or drug interactions.

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