Drug Fact Sheet Kratom Overview Overview Kratom is a tropical tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, and other areas of Southeast Asia. Consumption of its Kratom is a tropical tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, and other areas of Southeast Asia. Consumption of its leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses) and can lead to addiction. leaves produces both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses) and can lead to addiction. The leaves from Kratom trees are widely available on the internet and sold as crushed leaves that can be smoked or The leaves from Kratom trees are widely available on the internet and sold as crushed leaves that can be smoked or steeped for tea and as gel caps. steeped for tea and as gel caps. Street names Street names Thang, Kakuam, Thom, Ketum, Biak Thang, Kakuam, Thom, Ketum, Biak Looks like Looks like The kratom tree can reach heights of 50 feet with a spread of more than 15 feet. Forms available through the Internet The kratom tree can reach heights of 50 feet with a spread of more than 15 feet. Forms available through the Internet include leaves (whole or crushed), powder, extract, encapsulated powder, and resin "pies," (pellets made from reduced include leaves (whole or crushed), powder, extract, encapsulated powder, and resin "pies," (pellets made from reduced extract). extract). Methods of abuse Methods of abuse Kratom is mainly abused orally as a tea. Chewing kratom leaves is another method of abuse. Kratom is mainly abused orally as a tea. Chewing kratom leaves is another method of abuse. Affect on mind Affect on mind At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy, At low doses, kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy, talkativeness, and sociable behavior. At high doses, users experience sedative effects. Effects occur within 5 to 10 talkativeness, and sociable behavior. At high doses, users experience sedative effects. Effects occur within 5 to 10 minutes of ingestion and last for 2 to 5 hours. Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. Several cases of psychosis minutes of ingestion and last for 2 to 5 hours. Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. Several cases of psychosis resulting from use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, resulting from use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion. Withdrawal effects include symptoms of hostility, aggression, mood including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion. Withdrawal effects include symptoms of hostility, aggression, mood swings, runny nose, achy muscles and bones, and jerky movement of the limbs. swings, runny nose, achy muscles and bones, and jerky movement of the limbs. Affect on body Affect on body Kratom's effects on the body include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, and loss Kratom's effects on the body include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, and loss of appetite. Long-term users of kratom have experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, skin darkening, dry mouth, of appetite. Long-term users of kratom have experienced anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, skin darkening, dry mouth, frequent urination, and constipation. frequent urination, and constipation. Drugs causing similar effects Drugs causing similar effects The dominant effects of kratom are similar to those of psychostimulant drugs. The dominant effects of kratom are similar to those of psychostimulant drugs. Overdose effects Overdose effects Kratom has been abused as a recreational drug around the world. In low doses, Kratom works as a stimulant and in Kratom has been abused as a recreational drug around the world. In low doses, Kratom works as a stimulant and in high doses as a sedative. In low doses (10 grams) kratom induces mild euphoria and reduces fatigue, and generally high doses as a sedative. In low doses (10 grams) kratom induces mild euphoria and reduces fatigue, and generally does not interfere with ordinary activities. With strong doses (20-50 grams) the effects are said to be profoundly does not interfere with ordinary activities. With strong doses (20-50 grams) the effects are said to be profoundly euphoric and immensely pleasurable. euphoric and immensely pleasurable. Legal status in the United States Legal status in the United States Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. There is no legitimate medical use for Kratom in the Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act. There is no legitimate medical use for Kratom in the United States. However, it is marketed on the internet as "alternative medicine" for use as a pain killer, medicine for United States. However, it is marketed on the internet as "alternative medicine" for use as a pain killer, medicine for diarrhea, and other ailments and for the treatment of opiate addiction. Kratom is legal in the United States but is on the diarrhea, and other ailments and for the treatment of opiate addiction. Kratom is legal in the United States but is on the DEA list of Drugs and Chemicals of Concern. DEA list of Drugs and Chemicals of Concern. Common places of origin Common places of origin The kratom tree grows in areas of Southeast Asia, but various forms of kratom are widely available on the Internet. The kratom tree grows in areas of Southeast Asia, but various forms of kratom are widely available on the Internet. This content came from a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website, www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com. This content came from a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website, www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com. Drug Enforcement Administration o For more information, visit www.dea.gov