FDA Declares Kratom an Opiate
Back in November of 2016, the DEA postponed their decision to schedule kratom as a Schedule 1 drug. Schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no acceptable medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule 1 drugs are heroin and marijuana, LSD and peyote. In an attempt to keep the DEA from scheduling kratom, many argued the safety and effectiveness of it for pain relief and opiate addiction.
The DEA postponed making their decision and asked the FDA to conduct studies on the drug to find out its merits. This also allowed other groups to conduct their own studies, as well as giving individuals an opportunity to submit their testimonial.
The FDA has now finished the investigation and to put it simply, they are reporting that kratom is an opiate.
“Taken in total, the scientific evidence we’ve evaluated about kratom provides a clear picture of the biologic effect of this substance. Kratom should not be used to treat medical conditions, nor should it be used as an alternative to prescription opioids. There is no evidence to indicate that kratom is safe or effective for any medical use. And claiming that kratom is benign because it’s ’just a plant’ is shortsighted and dangerous. After all, heroin is an illegal, dangerous, and highly-addictive substance containing the opioid morphine, derived from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.”
“Further, as the scientific data and adverse event reports have clearly revealed, compounds in kratom make it so it isn’t just a plant—it’s an opioid. And it’s an opioid that’s associated with novel risks because of the variability in how it’s being formulated, sold and used recreationally and by those who are seeking to self-medicate for pain or who use kratom to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms.”—FDA statement on kratom
The FDA does say it understands that not everyone’s needs are being met and the need for more alternatives. While this may be true, kratom has been connected to 36 deaths and is not a safe alternative. To read the report on the specifics of the 36 deaths click here.
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