What is kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa) native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain compounds that can have psychotropic (mind-altering) effects.
Kratom is not currently an illegal substance and has been easy to order on the internet. It is sometimes sold as a green powder in packets labeled “not for human consumption.” It is also sometimes sold as an extract or gum.
Kratom sometimes goes by the following names:
- Biak
- Ketum
- Kakuam
- Ithang
- Thom
Learn more about kratom here
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.