There’s an abundance of legal mind-altering substances which we use every day. Many of us wake up and have a coffee to power through our mornings or stay up late studying. Some folks have even begun taking cacao as an alternative party substance which is both legal and safe. Now, kratom is being recognized for those same reasons, and it’s making some noise in the party world.
Found in the jungles of Southeast Asia, Kratom comes from the leaves of the evergreen tree Mitragyna speciosa, which is related to the coffee family Rubiaceae. The leaves are traditionally dried and used in teas, or powdered for medicines to treat a variety of ailments including anxiety, pain, and even drug addiction. In addition to its properties as an antidepressant and energy stimulant, in larger doses, Kratom is said to induce feelings of euphoria.
It’s these latter qualities that have made Kratom a name in recreational drug use, and the street price for five grams can range up to $15, making this herbal escape highly accessible. Champions of Kratom are worried that this renewed interest in the herb as a party drug will invalidate its health claims and lead the substance to the same fate as cannabis.
Kratom was added to the DEA’s list of “drugs and chemicals of concern” in 2012, after many people unfamiliar with the substance used it to try and find a “safe high.”
The same situation happened years ago with “bath salts,” a substance that was legal until it began to be abused and misused by people looking for the next high. MDMA underwent the same problems during the War On Drug era, and it’s only recently that it has once again begun trials for use with PTSD and depression.
There are many dangers in using a drug about which there is very little public information available, especially in scientific studies. If you’re interested in learning more about this wonder-leaf, click here.
Disclaimer: Your EDM does not support drug use. We encourage anyone who chooses to take illicit substances to do their research and always partake in moderation. If you experiment with drugs, you do it at your own risk. If you’re interested in harm reduction and drug education, visit DanceSafe.org or BunkPolice.com.
H/T EDMtunes