Kratom: Scratching the Surface

I heard of Kratom through a documentary on Netflix: "A Leaf of Faith."  It was not terribly convincing.  One of the executive producers distributes Kratom.  But as a gym-goer, I thought I might try some for pain relief without having to take an anti-inflammatory.  By happen-chance my local convenience store added a CBD/Kratom display.  Of course this is the place for high-quality nutritional supplements!  But, for science, I'll risk it.  I have had a hernia pain and/or pulled groin muscle for at least six months and was very sore from making gains on my squats in the gym.

"Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil."by Ahmad Fuad Morad is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The package was ziploc/foil.  The Kratom was in capsules.  The package said to take five capsules.  I took three.  I definitely felt something after an hour.  I took another two.  After another hour, I would say that the effects were on par with oxycodone.  After having hernia surgery, I would say on par with 5mg oxycodone.  So my initial impression was: "How is this stuff legal?"  Second time I took it, my impression was the same.  I was glad I was not driving when it hit.  Now for the GI effects;  At more than a dose or two in a day it will give you diarrhea.  Not crazy, but definitely "loosens the stool."

But, after taking Kratom maybe twice a week to once every two weeks for three months, I would say I am not as scared of it being available at a convenience store as I once was.  For me, even though Kratom acts on the mu receptors same as opioids, my tolerance quickly builds and any desire to increase dosage would be met by a greater incidence of the "galloping trotskys" to the bathroom.  Research has also noted that kratom has stimulant effect too.

So, I take it for DOMS, especially on legs, to ensure that I’m not taking an anti-inflammatory that might interfere with muscle growth.

Now outside the effects and side effects of the drug:  "What is in these capsules?"  Having done laboratory testing on pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, I would want to know that my nutritional supplement has been tested for potency and any contaminants.  Possible contaminants include heavy metals, mycotoxins produced by fungi, and pesticides.  Since this is the same gamble with you take with Kratom a most nutritional supplements off the shelf in the U.S. my perceived risk is about the same as the valerian root I take sometimes to fall asleep.  My lab coworker used to test valerian root for aflatoxins, the most powerful naturally-occurring cancer causing agent.  How many valerian root nutritional supplement distributors test for aflatoxins?

"Kratom Capsules"by stockcatalog is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Further complicating the problem is that kratom, like CBD oil, is mired in a mix of differing state laws.  I'm not sure if my local convenience store is way ahead of the curve or just too ignorant of the law.

Update:

My fears about heavy metals were on point as the FDA conducted laboratory analyses of kratom products for heavy metals.  FDA Heavy Metals Analysis on Kratom  Some kratom had lead levels above 1,000 nanogram/gram.  If you take 5, 1-gram capsules you are above your threshold of 5 microgram/day of lead per the FDA's guidance on elemental impurities in drug products.