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Kratom
What is it?
Leaves from the tropical tree Kratom in Southeast Asia which causes stimulant and sedative effects in different doses. It is more commonly used in the Asia Pacific region, but U.S. use has increased markedly in recent years.
Street Names
Biak, kakuam, ketum, thang, thom
How is it used?
Mostly used by oral ingestion in the form of a tablet, capsule, or extract. Kratom leaves may also be dried or powdered and ingested as a tea, or the kratom leaf may be chewed.
How does it affect the body?
- At low doses, increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness
- At high doses, sedation
- Symptoms linked to addiction: hallucinations, delusion, and confusion
- Nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite
- Anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, hepatotoxicity, and seizure
