The alkaloid speciogynine may be a starting point for low-risk treatment Self-reports of kratom use as an alcohol substitute exist online, though they have not been as well documented in the scientific literature as other motivations for kratom use, such as substitution for opiates (Smith et al, 2023). In one survey of US residents, 18% …
Kratom Could Reduce Alcohol Consumption, Say Scientists Read More »
Pay attention to the spelling of the terms in italics, especially if you’re a Louisiana legislator. Mitragyna speciosa is the scientific term for kratom. Mitragynine is the term for an alkaloid in the kratom plant (usually the most abundant alkaloid present). Mitragynine speciosa is not a thing, but that didn’t stop it from being regulated …
Thailand has recently decriminalized kratom after 79 years of prohibition. In today’s episode of Kratom Science Journal Club, Dr. Cachat and Brian look at a study funded in part by the Thai government that analyzed kratom trees growing in various regions of Thailand. The team measured mitragynine levels, accounting for variables in climate such as …
Journal Club #38: Mitragynine in Kratom Trees in Thailand Read More »
In a study published in October in Frontiers in Plant Science, researchers collected leaves from kratom trees in various regions of Thailand to measure mitragynine (MG) levels, and to account for environmental variables that may influence the alkaloid content. The team from Kasetsart University in Bangkok found a range of mitragynine content, from 7.5 to …
Scientists study mitragynine levels in Thai kratom Read More »
Dr. Cachat and host Brian Gallagher look at a groundbreaking study from University of Florida School of Pharmacy showing mitragynine has pain relieving effects independent of its metabolism into 7-hydroxymitragynine. This could be revolutionary in the study of kratom as a safer pain medicine. We go on to talk about the cannabis testing lab that …
Dr. Chris McCurdy is a medicinal chemist who has done groundbreaking research on kratom since 2004, starting at the University of Mississippi. In 2017 Dr. McCurdy moved to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy where he continues his research today with an expert team of pharmacologists, unlocking the function of kratom’s many alkaloids and …
69. Dr. Christopher McCurdy and Dr. Brian Pearson on the Future of Kratom Read More »
Dr. Jon Cachat and host Brian Gallagher look at a study that examined dopamine levels with an electrochemical sensor in rats administered with various levels of mitragynine. Dopamine release was detected as significant levels after a high dose of mitragynine after 4 days. Questions explored in this episode include: Does this accurately measure the kratom …
Journal Club #25: Dopamine Response to Mitragynine in Rats Read More »
Dr. Lance McMahon is Chair of the Department of Pharmacodynamics at University of Florida College of Pharmacy, a college that has been at the forefront of kratom research. Dr. McMahon studies the mechanism of action of the multiple kratom alkaloids and how they function alone and in concert on our various brain receptors. His lab …
Neuroscientist Dr. Jon Cachat and host Brian Gallagher look at a study from University of Science in Malaysia that studies kratom extracts using various solvents: water, methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. The technique they use, accelerated solvent extracting, uses less time and a lower amount of solvent for a safer and more environmentally friendly extraction …
Journal Club #22: Accelerated Solvent Extracts of Kratom Read More »
An audio version of this interview can be found on the Kratom Science Podcast #40 Kratom Science: How did you become involved with studying kratom? Oliver Grundmann: It’s an interesting way, how I got involved with kratom. In 2015 one of my Masters students who works in the forensic field with a forensic toxicology lab …
