Kratom History and Current Perspectives

Course overview

This course examines the expanding use of Kratom in the US through two articles. The drug has similar effects to both opioids and stimulants depending upon preparation. The active ingredient in Kratom is approximately 46 times more potent than that of mitragynine and 13 times more potent than morphine. Polydrug use is associated with over 80% of the overdose deaths, including prescribed medications treating bi-polar disorder. Kratom's potential to mitigate opioid use is also discussed.