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Kratom is an Asian botanical, traditionally used for pain and purchasable over the internet. Its primary alkaloid is mitragynine, an atypical partial mu-opioid receptor agonist with analgesic effects. Based on animal studies, kratom poses lower risks for respiratory depression and abuse than classical opioids. However, a minor alkaloid present at low levels (7-hydroxymitragyinine; 2%) has abuse potential. To learn about kratom users across the U.S., researchers conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional, online survey of 2798 users in 2017 (mean age, 40; women, 61%; white, 90%; employed, 68%).
Chronic pain in the previous 3 months was reported by 69%. General mental and physical health levels were close to the U.S. population mean. Major reason…