| This is entirely anecdotal, but I know six people who've quit either heroin or prescription/illicit oxycodone usage via Kratom. The only real problem to Kratom is that there is no standardization to potency or means of labeling. The percentage content of the active alkaloids in Kratom (Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxy-Mitragynine) can vary widely, with the stuff sold in gas stations and smoke shops being particularly low-potency or volatile. The worst that will happen in the event of a Kratom overdose though, is horrendous nausea and vomiting that will make you wretch at the sight of the stuff for a good while. Another personal anecdote, I have been a daily user for several years and had periods of weeks/months without use due to inconvenient life circumstances (traveling, too busy to buy more, etc) and never felt any ill effects from sudden cessation. Some people online report the opposite, though I suspect this might be largely psychological. I don't know if you guys are aware of it, but two other overlooked medications for opiate withdrawal/recovery are Baclofen and Loperamide (yes, Immodium, the drugstore constipation medicine). Immodium is active at the mu-opiod receptor but does not cross the blood-brain barrier, and so is not psychoactive. This can help to ease some of the withdrawals without risk of relapse. Baclofen is mildly psychoactive but helps with opiate and benzodiazepine or other GABA-ergic drug withdrawals, with much less of the risk factors associated with traditional medications like methadone or buprenorphine. |
The industry is beginning to mature, with online vendors actively getting their batches tested before sales. Seeing % alkaline contents is a very nice thing to see from them.