Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. But only recently has kratom become popular in the United States.
The Early Days
In Thailand and Myanmar (Burma), people have used kratom leaves as a painkiller to treat liver disease and diarrhea, as well as as an antidote to opium addiction. Kratom is also used recreationally by chewing on fresh leaves or brewing into tea.
Kratom Goes to the West
In the early 1940s, Dutch botanist Pieter Korthals found kratom trees growing in Indonesia and took some samples back to Amsterdam for further study. He published a paper about his findings in 1836 but didn’t mention any medicinal value for kratom (he thought it was just another plant). However, other scientists started studying its effects on humans soon after that — and they discovered many interesting things about it.
During World War II, Germany invaded Indonesia and took control of its natural resources — including kratom trees. The Allies tried sending shipments of kratom leaves back home to Europe so doctors could use them for pain relief during surgery, but unfortunately, those shipments were destroyed by the Germans. Later, a British pharmacologist named Charles O’Conor studied kratom and found that it could be used for pain relief and treat diarrhea. But it wasn’t until more than 40 years later that another scientist named G.H. Mikszak would discover that kratom had another medical use: As an opium substitute.
Kratom Makes its Way to the US
Back in the US, kratom was legal to buy and sell because its active ingredient, mitragynine, doesn’t fall into the same drug category as opioids. In the 1990s, scientists discovered the potent pain-relieving properties of mitragynine and reported that it was ten times more potent than morphine. They also noted that the pain relief effect lasted much longer than other opioids. As a result, kratom became popular with people who used opioids to treat chronic pain.
In 2010, the US Drug Enforcement Agency considered making kratom a Schedule I illegal substance (the same category as heroin and LSD). But in 2016, the agency backed off when people complained that the move would create a public health risk.
In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced that it was going to move kratom from a Schedule I to a Schedule V substance. (Schedule V substances are the least dangerous and have the lowest potential for abuse, including Vicodin and cough syrup. However, this decision was eventually put on hold.)
In 2017, the Drug Enforcement Agency pushed back its deadline for making a decision about kratom.
Popularity
In the US, kratom is available as a powder in various forms, including capsules, pills, and even gum. It’s also available in tea bags, and some people brew the leaves in water and make it into tea.
Over the last few years, kratom has become increasingly popular because it’s legal and works. Many people are coming up with their own ways to use kratom, including brewing it in tea or putting it in smoothies. Because of this growing popularity, the Drug Enforcement Agency is taking a closer look at its effects on American society.
The Future of Kratom
As you can see, the history of kratom is a little complicated. Like opium, it’s been used for thousands of years as a pain reliever in Southeast Asia. But now, it’s becoming a popular drug in the US. So what will happen to kratom in the future?
Scientists are still researching kratom to determine what it can treat and how best to use it. So far, they’ve discovered Kratom has some potential to treat pain, anxiety, and depression. It may also have a positive effect on some people who are addicted to opioids. But experts are still trying to figure out how to use it safely and effectively.
What GMP is all about
The Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification is one of the quality standards that must be met in order to market a product worldwide. The GMP certification covers the high standards for manufacturing, testing, and quality assurance.
GMP is a set of procedures and processes for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
It is not just a question of ensuring hygienic conditions. The basic requirement is that the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) must be properly formulated and produced to specification. This is not the same as merely having the correct active ingredient in the product.
Our Kratom Shop
At PurKratom, our standards are high, and we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality kratom products available. We take great pride in selling the finest kratom products. In addition, we are AKA’s GMP Certified vendor, which means we have been certified to GMP guidelines and make sure that all kratom products from our kratom shop are tested in a laboratory before they are sold.
We are committed to providing safe and controlled consumer access to kratom. The PurKratom team took the time and expense to meet the GMP requirement and provide a safer environment for our customers. Browse our wide selection of kratom products at Purkratom.com.
