Kratom consumer protection act will add much needed regulation to the marketplace

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa as it is known botanically, is a traditional Southeast Asian medicine that has been utilized by indigenous populations for centuries to increase endurance, enhance mood, treat pain and mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms. It is the latter use that has attracted our attention from a research standpoint during the global opioid crisis.

For over 25 years, one of us (McCurdy) has studied the design, synthesis and development of drugs to treat pain, anxiety and substance use disorders. While more research is urgently needed, for the past 15 years my team has investigated kratom and its chemical components to understand how they may be of use in treating the many conditions it has been anecdotally associated with. The first priority was to investigate the potential of kratom to reduce harm in opioid-dependent individuals and provide the medical community with solid scientific data to support or refute these claims.

Read the full story at the Tampa Bay Times.