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Not everyone knows about kratom; although kratom has been widely used in West Kalimantan. Kratom leaves which have the Latin name Mitragyna speciosa (from the Rubiaceae family), also known in Indonesia as purik or ketum leaves, and has long been used as an herbal pain reliever; It can be eaten raw, brewed as tea, or turned into capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids.

However, recently kratom has begun to be abused as a drug because of its effects similar to those of opium and cocaine. Let's find out more about the following kratom leaves.

What effect do kratom leaves have on the body?

Chewing kratom leaves is usually done to produce energy such as when consuming caffeine, or as a traditional medicine for ailments, ranging from diarrhea to body aches.

In low doses, kratom can provide a stimulant effect. Kratom can make a person feel more energized, more alert, and happier. The main active ingredient of kratom is mitraginin alkaloids and 7-hydroxymitragynine that has been shown to provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-relaxing effects; so kratom is often used to relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is an intolerance to stress and pain that is usually characterized by body aches, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue.

However, if kratom is used in high doses (about 10 to 25 grams or more), kratom can provide sedative effects such as narcotics. Even Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that excess kratom consumption can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological addiction.

The dangers of misuse of kratom

1. Addiction

Kratom dependence can occur when kratom is used regularly for a certain period of time. If kratom consumption is stopped after an addiction occurs, it can trigger symptoms withdrawal or better known as withdrawal, including muscle and bone pain, tremors, nausea, fatigue, colds, mood swings, hallucinations, delusions, insomnia, and even depression.

2. Negative interactions when mixed with other drugs

Due to the various forms of kratom preparations such as capsules, tablets, powder, or liquid, kratom can be easily combined with other drugs / mixtures. The DEA states that mixing kratom with other psychoactive substances can be very dangerous, because it can cause negative interactions with one another, including seizures.

3. Possible overdose

Many kratom products are sold without a description of the recommended dosage limit, thereby increasing the risk of kratom overdose. Symptoms of a kratom overdose include lethargy, tremors, nausea, delusions and hallucinations. In addition, using high doses of kratom for a long time can cause liver damage and kidney failure.

Are kratom leaves legal to use?

In Indonesia, kratom has been added to the list New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Laboratory. It's just that kratom has not been included in the Minister of Health Regulation Number 13 of 2014.

Kratom is thought to have effects like opiates and cocaine. And even though it has been included in the NSP, the circulation of kratom has not been regulated by law, so its legality is still questionable. Even today, there are still many pros and cons regarding kratom, both in Indonesia and abroad.

Then, is kratom still safe to use as medicine?

The kratom controversy arises because of the side effects it can cause. Continuous use of kratom can lead to addiction, anorexia, and insomnia. Even in low doses, kratom can cause side effects such as hallucinations and anorexia.

Researchers have confirmed the addictive nature of kratom and found that excessive use of kratom can cause problems with learning abilities, memory, and other cognitive abilities. Kratom dependence can also cause side effects such as nausea, sweating, tremors, inability to sleep or insomnia, and hallucinations.

Because until now no rules have been issued regarding kratom, especially regarding its distribution, impact, and use, you need to monitor your family members considering that kratom is still sold freely, especially the benefits of kratom are also still medically questionable.