Kratom is a tree native to South East Asia. It is mostly grown in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.

Leaves from the Kratom tree contain a chemical called mitragynine. Mitragynine has an opioid effect.

The crushed leaves can be smoked, brewed as a tea, or taken as capsules.

People have used Kratom as medical treatment for pain relief, depression, anxiety and hypertension. Kratom can also help people through withdrawal from other drugs particularly opiates.

Kratom also has psychoactive properties. It is sometimes used as a recreational drug.

Many retailers offer Kratom for sale in various forms on the internet. No prescription is needed to buy Kratom, and it is currently still a leagal substance.

Neither of the chemical compounds found in kratom (mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine) are classified as opiods, but they do interact with the brain’s opioid receptors. This results in various sensations including sedation, pain relief and blissful feelings.

Use of Kratom over a prolonged period may lead to dependance