Short Answer: Kratom is a plant from south east asia. It is related to the Coffee plant. It releases alkaloids similar to caffeine which bind to your opioid receptors. There are different strains the three we are most familiar with are RED, GREEN and WHITE. Each has its own properties .
Long Answer: Kratom contains a chemical called mitragynine, an alkaloid that acts on the brain opiate receptors and alters mood. In Asia, where use has long been widespread, people use it in small doses as an energy and mood booster, similar to coffee use in the West. They use larger amounts for pain, or recreationally like beer and wine.
A recent study released by Hopkinsmedical.org estimates up to 16 million people use Kratom.
A 2015 study in Thailand that reported that people in Asia have been using kratom successfully to treat opioid addiction for decades renewed interest among researchers in the U.S.
A recent survey of 2,798 people , Of these participants, 91% reported taking kratom to alleviate pain on average a couple times a day for back, shoulder and knee pain, 67% for anxiety and 65% for depression. About 41% of survey responders said they took kratom to treat opioid withdrawal, and of those people who took it for opioid withdrawal, 35% reported going more than a year without taking prescription opioids or heroin.
There are different strains and different methods to consume, as well as quality of product. Kratom is not FDA approved so there is a lot of confusing, and conflicting information online. If you would like more info on Kratom or try a free sample, come to either Chill Caw-Fee location and we will be happy to explain in detail.