Research

Leading Kratom Scientists Call on FDA, DEA to Keep Kratom Legal

In a recent article published in International Journal of Drug Policy, leading kratom researchers called on the FDA, DEA, and legislators to keep kratom legal, as placing kratom on Schedule 1 would impede research and cause damaging public health consequences. Authors included Chris McCurdy, Andrew Kruegal, Jack Henningfield, and the late Bonnie Avery (who passed …

Leading Kratom Scientists Call on FDA, DEA to Keep Kratom Legal Read More »

Good News for Kratom Science: House Committee on Appropriations requests expanded research; NIDA grants $3.4 million to UF College of Pharmacy

Slowly but surely, government is responding to the relentless advocacy of the kratom community and the American Kratom Association. In addition to the state governments of Georgia, Utah, and Arizona (that recently decided to regulate rather than ban kratom), the House of Representatives and the National Institutes on Drug Abuse are listening to our calls …

Good News for Kratom Science: House Committee on Appropriations requests expanded research; NIDA grants $3.4 million to UF College of Pharmacy Read More »

New Study Finds No Cognitive Impairment in Kratom Users

A new study published online December 15 by the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found regular kratom users suffered no significant cognitive impairment. The study, conducted by kratom scientist Darshan Singh and others, focused on 100 participants from the Teluk Kumbar area, a town on the Penang Island of Malaysia. Seventy-five participants had been regular kratom …

New Study Finds No Cognitive Impairment in Kratom Users Read More »

Florida Krators: University of Florida College of Pharmacy Receives $3.5 million NIDA Grant for Kratom Research

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy announced that it will be receiving a grant from the National Institutes on Drug Abuse for $3.5 million for kratom research. According to a press release from the college, the team led by Dr. Lance McMahon and noted kratom expert Dr. Chris McCurdy, along with Dr. Bonnie Avery …

Florida Krators: University of Florida College of Pharmacy Receives $3.5 million NIDA Grant for Kratom Research Read More »

Scientists’ Letter to HHS, DEA, FDA, NIDA questions FDA’s handling of Kratom

An open letter to HHS, DEA, NIDA, and FDA signed by twelve leading scientists from various fields has been posted on the website of American Kratom Association. The 33 page letter analyzes and sharply criticizes, piece by piece, the FDA’s 8-Factor Analysis that led the organization to determine that kratom should be placed on the …

Scientists’ Letter to HHS, DEA, FDA, NIDA questions FDA’s handling of Kratom Read More »

In Southeast Asia, Attitudes Toward Kratom Resemble Western Attitudes Toward Coffee

I’ve been researching traditional and contemporary kratom use in Southeast Asia. Social attitudes toward the plant there are not very remarkable. They are about as remarkable as social attitudes in the West toward coffee, tea, or household medicine cabinet staples like aspirin, Benadryl, or Pepto Bismol. Even in regions of Malaysia and Thailand, where kratom …

In Southeast Asia, Attitudes Toward Kratom Resemble Western Attitudes Toward Coffee Read More »

Kratom News: SalusCare Director Claims Kratom Causes Hallucinations

Recent news items have been covering “both sides” of the kratom debate. As presented in this media narrative, one side says kratom is dangerous and deadly, the other side says it’s a life saving plant. Two such stories ran within two days of each other. One appeared October 27th on Fox4 out of Southwest Florida …

Kratom News: SalusCare Director Claims Kratom Causes Hallucinations Read More »