Understanding Kratom Use: A Guide for Healthcare Providers

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth., Rubiaceae) is a plant native to Southeast Asia, where it has been used for centuries as a mild stimulant and as medicine for various ailments. More recently, as kratom has gained popularity in the West, United States federal agencies have raised concerns over its safety leading to criminalization in some states and cities. Some of these safety concerns have echoed across media and broad-based health websites and, in the absence of clinical trials to test kratom's efficacy and safety, considerable confusion has arisen among healthcare providers. There is, however, a growing literature of peer-reviewed science that can inform healthcare providers so that they are better equipped to discuss kratom use with consumers and people considering kratom use within the context of their overall health and safety, while recognizing that neither kratom nor any of its constituent substances or metabolites have been approved as safe and effective for any disease. An especially important gap in safety-related science is the use of kratom in combination with physiologically active substances and medicines. With these caveats in mind we provide a comprehensive overview of the available science on kratom that has the potential to i clarity for healthcare providers and patients. We conclude by making recommendations for best practices in working with people who use kratom.

Automated summary

Kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia, has been used for centuries as a mild stimulant and medicine. However, with its growing popularity in the West, concerns about its safety have been raised by US federal agencies, leading to criminalization in some states and cities. The lack of clinical trials on kratom has resulted in confusion among healthcare providers. Despite this, there is a growing body of peer-reviewed literature that can inform healthcare providers on how to discuss kratom use with consumers, while recognizing that it has not been approved as safe and effective for any disease. One important knowledge gap is the safety of combining kratom with other substances and medications. Therefore, this comprehensive overview aims to provide clarity for healthcare providers and patients.