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Mitragyna speciosa Kratom is most commonly classified as a “non-opioid narcotic”, yet this classification only partially reflects the effects of Kratom, which also has notable stimulant effects.
Through its phyto-chemistry, pharmacology and psycho-physiological activity, Mitragyna speciosaKratom shares some elements of the activity of various other substances, including opiates /opioids and yohimbine. Yet Mitragyna speciosaKratom is really in a league of its own. Indeed, such a broad comparison is quite relative and dose related, Mitragyna speciosaKratom and opiates being only comparable to a certain extent, and at doses high enough to produce such similarity of effects.
Yet Mitragyna speciosaKratom has been proven to have the ability to alleviate withdrawal in people dependent on opiates, a quality that is due to the μ and delta opioid receptor agonistic action of alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Mitragyna speciosaKratom’s action is very much dose relative: at high doses, Kratom induces sedation and pain-relief / analgesia similar to weaker opiates such as codeine, cough suppression, and may cause constipation.
Yet at lower doses, Mitragyna speciosaKratom also has a stimulant activity, sometimes compared to that of Yohimbe, Ephedra or Coffee and immunostimulant activity sometimes compared to that of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
Selected bibliography on Mitragyna speciosa Kratom and Kratom alkaloids