The Health Impact of Long-Term Kratom ( Mitragyna Speciosa ) Use in Southern Thailand

Bibliographic Data

ID21645602
AuthorsDarika Saingam (Prince of Songkla University), Darshan Singh (0000-0002-4432-2410, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Alan Geater (0000-0003-1219-9814, Prince of Songkla University, corresponding author), Sawitri Assanangkornchai (0000-0003-2174-3287, Prince of Songkla University), Walailuk Jitpiboon (Prince of Songkla University), Carl Latkin (0000-0002-7931-2116, Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland, USA)
Year2023
Volume58
Issue10
Pages1212-1225
Publication date2023-08-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2023.2215301
PMID37270449
OpenAlexW4379261117
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited28

BACKGROUND: or Kratom has been used in Thailand traditionally for its medicinal value. Despite case reports of kratom consumption causing adverse effects, research on its long-term health impact is limited. This study examines the long-term health impact of kratom use among people in Southern Thailand. METHODS: Three community-based surveys were conducted from 2011 to 2015. In the first and second surveys (2011 and 2012) a total of 1,118 male respondents comprising 355 regular kratom users, 171 occasional kratom users, 66 ex-users, and 592 non-users aged 25 or above, were recruited from 40 villages. All respondents were followed up in this study. However, not all respondents were successfully followed up throughout the entire set of studies. RESULTS: Common health complaints were no more common among kratom users than ex- and non-users, but more regular than occasional users claimed kratom to be addictive. Those with high kratom dependence scores were more likely to experience intense withdrawal symptoms, which developed 1-12 h after the last kratom intake. Over half (57.9%) of regular users had experienced intoxication effects compared to only 29.3% of occasional users. Kratom users were less likely to have a history of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia than ex- and non-users. CONCLUSION: Regular long-term chewing of fresh kratom leaves was not related to an increase in common health complaints, but may pose a drug dependence risk. Severe kratom dependents were more likely to suffer from intense withdrawal symptoms. Medical records revealed no death due to traditional kratom use, but the high prevalence of tobacco or/and hand rolled cigarette smoking among kratom users should be of concern

Addiction · Diabetes mellitus · Dyslipidemia · Environmental health · Medical prescription · Psychiatry · Traditional medicine · Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology · Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects · Medicine · Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Annonaceae

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