Does kratom help manage opioid dependence?

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    In short, we don’t know. There is no human clinical research assessing the use of kratom for managing symptoms of opioid dependence and withdrawal. However, in a cross-sectional survey study in 136 chronic kratom users living in Malaysia, users reported taking an average of 3 glasses of kratom tea daily to reduce opioid intake and to manage withdrawal symptoms.[1] There are also some promising preclinical studies of kratom use in mice with opioid dependence.[2]

    References

    1. ^Vicknasingam B, Narayanan S, Beng GT, Mansor SMThe informal use of ketum (Mitragyna speciosa) for opioid withdrawal in the northern states of peninsular Malaysia and implications for drug substitution therapy.Int J Drug Policy.(2010-Jul)
    2. ^Wilson LL, Harris HM, Eans SO, Brice-Tutt AC, Cirino TJ, Stacy HM, Simons CA, León F, Sharma A, Boyer EW, Avery BA, McLaughlin JP, McCurdy CRLyophilized Kratom Tea as a Therapeutic Option for Opioid Dependence.Drug Alcohol Depend.(2020-Nov-01)