What is kratom? Risks of popular substance revealed after college students’ deaths
Kratom is widely available, Jessica Steinman, chief clinical officer at No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital.
“We are starting to see it in storefronts, at your local gas stations, smoke shops and health food stores, where it’s being sold as an energy booster,” she said. “People are starting to buy it over the counter and use it incorrectly, and use mass amounts of it.”
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“It’s affecting the opioid receptors in people’s brains,” she went on. “It can cause them to be overly sedated, it can slow down their breathing and general function of their lungs.”
Kratom can also become highly addictive, Steinman warned.
The deaths of two University of Mississippi students have raised fresh questions about the potential health risks of kratom. (Getty Images)
Traditional kratom products generally contain lower levels of active compounds, while newer 7-OH products are often concentrated or enhanced to produce stronger, more stimulating effects, she noted.
7-OH products contain 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent opioid-related compound found in kratom.
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Although kratom laws vary by state and locality, Steinman said regulators are increasingly focused on the concentrated 7-OH products and synthetic kratom-related compounds, rather than traditional botanical kratom containing only trace amounts of 7-OH.
As to why there has been an uptick in kratom use among young people, Steinman said she believes many of them are learning about it from social media or through their friends.
“People are starting to buy it over the counter and use it incorrectly, and use mass amounts of it.”
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/what-kratom-risks-popular-substance-revealed-after-college-students-deaths
What is kratom? Risks of popular substance revealed after college students’ deaths
Kratom is widely available, Jessica Steinman, chief clinical officer at No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital.
“We are starting to see it in storefronts, at your local gas stations, smoke shops and health food stores, where it’s being sold as an energy booster,” she said. “People are starting to buy it over the counter and use it incorrectly, and use mass amounts of it.”
DR DREW PINSKY REVEALS RED FLAG IN PRESLEY GERBER ADDICTION TREATMENT BEFORE MODEL’S DEATH
“It’s affecting the opioid receptors in people’s brains,” she went on. “It can cause them to be overly sedated, it can slow down their breathing and general function of their lungs.”
Kratom can also become highly addictive, Steinman warned.
The deaths of two University of Mississippi students have raised fresh questions about the potential health risks of kratom. (Getty Images)
Traditional kratom products generally contain lower levels of active compounds, while newer 7-OH products are often concentrated or enhanced to produce stronger, more stimulating effects, she noted.
7-OH products contain 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent opioid-related compound found in kratom.
AMERICA HITS MAJOR MARIJUANA MILESTONE AS DAILY WEED USE SURPASSES DAILY DRINKING
Although kratom laws vary by state and locality, Steinman said regulators are increasingly focused on the concentrated 7-OH products and synthetic kratom-related compounds, rather than traditional botanical kratom containing only trace amounts of 7-OH.
As to why there has been an uptick in kratom use among young people, Steinman said she believes many of them are learning about it from social media or through their friends.
“People are starting to buy it over the counter and use it incorrectly, and use mass amounts of it.”
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/what-kratom-risks-popular-substance-revealed-after-college-students-deaths