Kratom leaf has been used in Southeast Asia for religious, recreational, and therapeutic purposes, but the Western world is just beginning to realize its full potential.
Proponents of kratom have long claimed its benefits, but it has taken decades for research to catch up with these claims, and in many ways, it is still catching up. However, the body of research is expanding.
Dr. McCurdy presented for one hour about the possible clinical applications of kratom during a recent NIH lecture on kratom on April 25.
As part of the Integrative Medicine Research Lecture Series of the NCCIH, the lecture investigated the role of alkaloids like mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine (the active chemicals in kratom) in regulating specific bodily systems.
While acknowledging that additional research on kratom is necessary, Dr. McCurdy indicated that kratom’s potential might extend far beyond boosting energy or improving concentration and productivity.
As scientists continue to uncover the full benefits of kratom, we may one day be able to rely on it as a natural alternative to traditional medicines.
Implications of Research on Kratom
The recent NIH presentation on kratom and the associated studies are crucial not only for our comprehension of kratom’s advantages but also for kratom advocacy. They demonstrate that many of the grounds used by states and the DEA to prohibit kratom are erroneous.
Based on these beliefs, Arkansas, Indiana, and Rhode Island have already outlawed kratom, and Nevada has just moved to do the same.
The Nevada kratom ban was stopped by advocacy and education, and the same type of education can help prevent new kratom bans and possibly even overturn existing restrictions. Knowing what the study reveals is the starting point.
Organizations such as the American Kratom Association (AKA) have worked diligently to provide instructional tools and promote the availability of legal and high-quality kratom.
They do this at the grassroots by rallying kratom followers and ensuring that lawmakers and the general public have access to useful, up-to-date information. This new research on kratom can bolster the potential benefits of this frequently misunderstood plant.
As the advantages become more widely acknowledged, we anticipate that additional states will follow Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado.
Some states have enacted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which not only protects kratom within the state but also enforces a series of safety regulations to guarantee that kratom products are of the highest quality.
Kratom must be 100 percent natural, adulterant-free, and sold only to adults. Additionally, kratom vendors must disclose the alkaloid concentration of their goods. A similar kratom-related law is already making its way through the Ohio legislature.
Summing Up!
The Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a necessary step to ensure the legality and availability of kratom powder. Already, many kratom advocates have turned to it to guarantee that their concerns are addressed.
Presently, many states have enacted bans on herbal supplements. Kratom bans threaten the health of kratom consumers and the general public in these states, along with other areas of concern. These situations demonstrate how harmful and potentially dangerous banning kratom is. People must understand all of the facts about this leaf before they start to panic or be afraid of it.
