Darshan Singh1, Suresh Narayanan2, Oliver Grundmann3, Eshal Bin Dzulkapli1, Balasingam Vicknasingam1. 1. Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia. 2. School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia. 3. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Abstract
Background: Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) or kratom is an indigenous medicinal plant of Southeast Asia. Kratom is widely reported to have dose-dependent effects based on available literature, but to our knowledge, this has not been established conclusively. Objective: This study sought to evaluate if kratom use produces dose-dependent effects, with a stimulant effect at low doses and a sedative effect at high doses, in a sample of regular kratom users. Methods: A total of 63 regular kratom users participated in this cross-sectional study. The Brief-Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (B-BAES) was used to determine subjects self-report kratom use experiences. Results: Almost all in the sample were male (98%, n = 62/63), and the majority of subjects were Malays (94%, n = 59/63). The mean age of the subjects in the sample was 43.8 years (SD = 12.1). Seventy-five percent (n = 47/63) have >5 years kratom use history, and 65% (n = 41/63) consumed >3 glasses of kratom daily. Results from first test showed no significant difference in the stimulant (t61 =0.371, p < .331) and sedative effects (t61 =502, p < .759) between those who consumed >3 glasses a day or less than this amount, regardless of duration of use. In the second test, no significant differences in the mean scores were found among those who consumed >3 glasses daily or less than this amount among short-term or long-term uses. Conclusions: Daily kratom use produced both stimulant and sedative effects but they were not statistically significantly associated with the dose consumed, both among short-term and long-term users in our sample.
Background: Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) or kratom is an indigenous medicinal plant of Southeast Asia. Kratom is widely reported to have dose-dependent effects based on available literature, but to our knowledge, this has not been established conclusively. Objective: This study sought to evaluate if kratom use produces dose-dependent effects, with a stimulant effect at low doses and a sedative effect at high doses, in a sample of regular kratom users. Methods: A total of 63 regular kratom users participated in this cross-sectional study. The Brief-Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (B-BAES) was used to determine subjects self-report kratom use experiences. Results: Almost all in the sample were male (98%, n = 62/63), and the majority of subjects were Malays (94%, n = 59/63). The mean age of the subjects in the sample was 43.8 years (SD = 12.1). Seventy-five percent (n = 47/63) have >5 years kratom use history, and 65% (n = 41/63) consumed >3 glasses of kratom daily. Results from first test showed no significant difference in the stimulant (t61 =0.371, p < .331) and sedative effects (t61 =502, p < .759) between those who consumed >3 glasses a day or less than this amount, regardless of duration of use. In the second test, no significant differences in the mean scores were found among those who consumed >3 glasses daily or less than this amount among short-term or long-term uses. Conclusions: Daily kratom use produced both stimulant and sedative effects but they were not statistically significantly associated with the dose consumed, both among short-term and long-term users in our sample.
Authors: Alessandro E Vento; Simone de Persis; Sergio De Filippis; Fabrizio Schifano; Flavia Napoletano; John M Corkery; Georgios D Kotzalidis Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-03-31 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Elisabeth Prevete; Kim Paula Colette Kuypers; Eef Lien Theunissen; Ornella Corazza; Giuseppe Bersani; Johannes Gerardus Ramaekers Journal: Hum Psychopharmacol Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 2.130