Kratom Alkaloids: Properties, Effects, and Research Insights

Kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree and has many alkaloids, with mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine being the key ones. These compounds mainly cause kratom’s pain relief and calming effects. Mitragynine can act as a stimulant in small doses but also helps with pain and relaxation by working on opioid receptors. (1)(2) Even though it’s found in lower amounts, the stronger 7-hydroxymitragynine boosts these analgesic and sedative qualities. Other substances in kratom, like paynantheine and speciociliatine, might also affect its overall impact.

Doing more research will help us understand how they can be good for our health and how doctors can use kratom safely when treating people. Learning more about these ingredients will make it easier for healthcare workers to know the best way to use kratom, keeping patients safe while also helping them feel better. This kind of work is important if we want to include natural remedies like kratom in everyday medical care smartly and safely.

What Are Kratom Alkaloids? 

Kratom alkaloids are the active compounds found in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. (3) These chemical constituents are primarily responsible for kratom’s diverse range of effects on the human body and mind.

 With over 40 known alkaloids present in kratom leaves, each contributes its unique properties, influencing everything from mood enhancement and pain relief to energy boosts and sedation. (4)

1. Mitragynine: This is the most abundant alkaloid in kratom, making up about 60-70% of its total alkaloid content. It is primarily known for its analgesic (pain-relieving) properties but also has mild stimulant effects at lower doses. (5)(6)
2. 7-hydroxymitragynine: Although present in much smaller amounts than mitragynine, this compound is significantly more potent. It’s believed to play a large role in kratom’s effectiveness as an analgesic and sedative, contributing enormously to its opioid-like effects. (7)
3. Speciociliatine: A weaker cousin of mitragynine that acts as a partial opioid agonist; it helps contribute to the overall sensation provided by consuming kratom. (8)
4. Paynantheine & Speciogynine: These two serve mainly as muscle relaxants, adding another layer to kratoms’ complex profile.

How Do They Work?

These alkaloids function mainly by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain. This interaction helps reduce how much pain someone feels, working differently but somewhat like traditional opioids such as morphine. This explains why kratom can help some people feel less of the withdrawal symptoms they get from quitting opiates.(4) (9)

But it’s not just about acting on those pain receptors; these alkaloids also affect other systems in the brain that control mood and energy levels. That means depending on how much you take, kratom can either pep you up or calm you down.

Researchers are interested in understanding all the ways these different alkaloids impact a person because it could mean finding new ways to treat pain or help people who are trying to stop using addictive drugs. Even though there’s a lot of hope around what kratom might be able to do for health issues, we still need more research to understand its safety fully, especially if someone uses it a lot over time.

The Properties Of Kratom

Within its lush foliage, the leaves of the kratom tree harbor a rich amalgamation of over 40 distinct alkaloids and numerous other bioactive compounds, each with its own unique physiological impact. These constituents form the foundation of kratom’s diverse pharmacological profile, influencing its effects on the human body and mind. (10) 

Here are the primary properties of kratom:

1. Alkaloid Content: Scientists have identified more than 40 different alkaloids in the leaves of the kratom tree to date. Its primary alkaloids include 7-hydroxymitragynine, paynantheine, and speciociliatine.
2. Pharmacological Effects: Kratom can have a wide range of different effects on the body. The effects can range from pain-relieving, sedative, highly euphoric, and stimulative, which can vary depending on user tolerance, dosage amount, and the strain of the kratom used.
3. Pain Relief: The alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are known to help relieve pain. This occurs because these alkaloids interact with the brain’s opiate receptors and can produce analgesic effects similar to opioids.
4. Stimulant Effects: When used in smaller doses, kratom is known to have stimulative effects. Users may experience higher energy levels, feel more alert, and become more social. Mitragynine binds to adrenergic receptors and can enhance the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine release.
5. Sedative and Relaxing Effects: Larger doses of kratom have the opposite effect and can be sedative, relaxing, and provide feelings of calmness. These sedative effects are due to the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, which affects the brain’s opiate receptors, giving the user a more pronounced feeling of sedation.
6. Mood Enhancement: Kratom is well known as a mood enhancer and can provide users with euphoria, an increased sense of well-being, and relaxation. Kratom alkaloids can affect the body’s neurotransmitters that are involved with regulating mood.

Understanding how kratom affects the body is the key to using it in a safe and effective manner. Despite having many good qualities and benefits, users should acknowledge the risks kratom can carry. Some users have reported dependence and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.

More studies are needed on kratom to learn how it affects the body and mind before conclusions can be made that are based on solid scientific evidence.

The Effects Of Kratom

While kratom can help alleviate pain and enhance moods, it’s also known to help those addicted to opioids better manage their withdrawal from them. However, there are also a few notable concerns along with its potential benefits.

1. Analgesic (Pain-Relieving) Effects: Kratom is known for its pain-relieving abilities. Its two main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act on the brain’s opiate receptors, which in turn can produce analgesic effects similar to opioids, but in a different way. Many individuals have turned to kratom as a more natural alternative for pain relief rather than using doctor-prescribed opioids.  (11)
2. Stimulant Effects: When taken in small doses, kratom can produce a stimulating effect. Users report an increase in energy, alertness, and feeling more sociable. This is due to the alkaloid mitragynine, which binds to adrenergic receptors and assists in releasing dopamine and serotonin. Kratom is often used as a productivity enhancer, much like caffeine. (12)
3. Sedative and Relaxing Effects: When taken in high doses, kratom has sedative and relaxing effects and can provide users with a state of calmness. This sedative effect is due to the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, which activates opioid receptors in the brain. Some use kratom in the evening to relax and to improve the quality of their sleep.
4. Mood Enhancement: Known for its mood-enhancing effects, kratom can produce feelings of euphoria, an enhancement of well-being, and sociability. Many believe this is due to how kratom can affect the body’s neurotransmitters responsible for regulating moods, primarily serotonin and dopamine. Some users of kratom use it as a means of self-medicating to combat depression, anxiety, and stress.
5. Dosage-Dependent Effects: What a user may experience when taking kratom can vary significantly depending on how much of the product is consumed. Higher dosages usually have a stimulant effect, while lower ones are sedating. Understanding how dosages work is key for users to achieve the desired effect while being aware of the risk of side effects and dependency.
6. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The kratom alkaloid mitragynine has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical studies. While more research is needed, it does suggest that kratom could potentially aid in managing inflammation. (12)
7. Diuretic Effects: Although there isn’t any current research to prove this, kratom does appear to be a diuretic, as many users report dry mouth and increased thirst when used regularly. This could potentially affect those with issues with the retention of fluids or urinary tract issues. Kratom use could lead to dehydration if they don’t stay properly hydrated when using kratom.
8. Gastrointestinal Effects: The use of kratom could have a negative effect on digestion, appetite, and bowel movements. Some users report gastrointestinal discomfort or pain and constipation with regular use.

Despite offering many positive benefits, kratom is not without its risks. Excessive and prolonged use can lead to dizziness, nausea, constipation, and sometimes even dependency. While more research is needed, longtime kratom use has been associated with liver damage and addiction.

Armed with the proper knowledge of kratom and its risks, this substance can provide many benefits. It’s important to note that users should adhere to recommended dosages and self-monitor for any negative reactions or signs of dependency. As with many other substances, it’s advisable to seek guidance from healthcare professionals before using kratom. Seeking guidance is especially important for individuals who are currently using medication or have pre-existing health conditions.

Kratom Research On Its Side Effects: Should It Be Used?

Despite variations among participants, all experienced immediate effects that were predominantly pain-relieving and stimulating. Over time, most participants gradually reduced their intake, with one intending to cease usage entirely. 

Surprisingly, five out of ten participants met the criteria for kratom-use disorder according to DSM-5 guidelines, though the severity varied. In instances of unintentional overdose, participants reported experiencing symptoms termed “the wobbles,” characterized by jitteriness and nystagmus, suggesting potential scientific and clinical significance as a manifestation of serotonin syndrome. (13)

Moreover, a lot of people who took part in the study mentioned that they started needing more kratom over time to get the same effects. However, researchers concluded that it’s pretty safe if you don’t go overboard with how much you take. 

They believe that kratom can be good for them without as many risks as prescription drugs or illegal stuff. This highlights how some individuals see kratom as a better choice when they want something natural to help with their problems, pointing out its worth as a safer and helpful way to deal with pain or give them a boost when needed.

Sources

• https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom 
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7203303/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mitragyna-speciosa#:~:text=Mitragyna%20speciosa%2C%20commonly%20known%20as,stimulant%20and%20opioid%2Dlike%20effects.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8637859/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6473843/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7542979/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31263758/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9932950/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10648626/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8907881/
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76119-w
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332224000155
• https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1174139/full