Does Kratom Cause Cognitive Decline?
Kratom, a tree from Southeast Asia, has two faces, like the god Janus in Roman tales. One face is kind, used for centuries as medicine by folks there. They chewed the leaves to ease pain, tiredness and even cough. It gave them a boost like coffee but without the jitters. The other face is scary, like a mythical demon. Kratom acts a bit like strong pain meds, and some folks misuse it, taking too much or using it for the wrong reasons. This can lead to addiction, sickness and even death. Now, one of the popular questions is does Kratom cause cognitive decline? Let us discuss it.
Little History About Kratom:
Kratom, i.e., Mitragyna speciosa, is an herbal leaf that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Kratom is mainly found in the Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia. People consume it by chewing, smoking or with tea. Many of them use it for curing chronic pain, treating opioid withdrawal symptoms and other pain reliefs. After taking this, the noticeable effects usually start within a short period, specifically between five to ten minutes.
The leaves of this plant contain things called alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These are the guys responsible for the different feelings you might get when you use Kratom. According to LiverTox, kratom overdose can lead to liver toxicity, seizures, coma and even death. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) statement in 2013, there is no legitimate medical use for kratom. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 said, “Kratom is not appropriate for use as a dietary conventional supplement.”
Appearance of Kratom Tree:
The Kratom tree grows to a height of 4-9 meters and has a width of about 5 meters. Its stem is erect and branches as it grows. The leaves are dark and glossy green, measuring over 18 cm in length and 10 cm in width. Clusters of deep yellow flowers grow attached to the leaf axils. The seeds of the Kratom tree have wings.
Local Uses of Kratom For Self-treatment:
Why do people use Kratom? Some say it gives them energy, while others find it helps them relax. It’s like a little helper for some folks dealing with pain or stress. People often use Kratom to self-treat conditions like pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal. Also, it enhances tolerance for hard work due to the presence of Mitragynine. Although there are several cases of toxicity and death in the West due to Kratom, Southeast Asia has had a longer history of using this. According to a journal published by Science Direct, “The leaves are either prepared as a drink, chewed when freshly picked, or smoked when dried.”
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How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?
After you take Kratom, your body processes it in the liver. The main substances in Kratom, called alkaloids, get broken down. When it comes to how long Kratom sticks around, it depends on your body. Studies suggest that the time it takes for your body to get rid of half of the Kratom can range from 3 to 9 hours. Factors like how much you take, how often, and your body differences can play a role. Since Kratom is primarily metabolized in the liver, people with liver impairments may experience prolonged clearance times. Also, regular users may have a build-up of Kratom metabolites in their system that may extend the detection window.
Addictive Nature of Kratom:
People are drawn to Kratom for various reasons. But, one of the main reasons is its reported ability to boost in energy, alleviate pain and induce relaxation. As a result, regular and excessive use of Kratom leads to dependence and addiction.
The alkaloids found in Kratom, particularly mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, interact with the brain’s opioid receptors. This interaction is what produces the desired effects, but it can also lead to a tolerance buildup over time. Tolerance means that to achieve the same effects, one may need to increase the dose. Thus, this sets the stage for dependency.
Dependency on Kratom results in physical and psychological reliance on the substance to feel normal or function properly. People who develop a dependence on Kratom may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or stop their usage. These symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia and mood swings types phenomena.
Kratom and Cognitive Decline:
According to the current research and understanding, let us learn what we’ve got.
- Studies found that giving kratom to animals for a long time, especially in large amounts, can cause problems with thinking.
- These issues involve difficulties in memory, learning, and paying attention.
- The troubles with thinking were noticed in activities such as learning about space, recognizing objects, and recognizing others.
- The information comes from studies conducted by Apryani et al. in 2010, Hazim et al. in 2011, Harizal et al. in 2012, and Hassan et al. in 2019.
Let’s have a look at what the research by Hassan et al. in 2019 and Suhaimi et al. in 2021 states.
- Kratom’s main component, mitragynine, might mess with how the brain works.
- It could especially affect important brain areas like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are needed for thinking.
- Changes in brain wave patterns, seen in EEG tests, are also noticed, similar to patterns seen with other drugs that make thinking harder.
Also, in another study published by Suhaimi et al., 2022, it is stated that adolescent kratom exposure in rats led to cognitive deficits and changes in brain metabolite profiles. In a research published by Yusoff et al., 2019, they looked at the brain waves of people who use kratom regularly. The patterns they found were like the ones linked to using opioids. This might mean that the way the brain works is changed in people who use kratom often.
Conclusion:
Kratom may offer potential benefits, but its addictive nature underscores the need for caution and responsible use. Remember, Kratom is a powerful plant, both helpful and harmful. It is essential to use it responsibly. Also, since Kratom is not legal everywhere, check the rules before using it. Misusing it, can cause serious health problems, and even be deadly. You need to be aware of the fact that, “There is, however, no approved use of kratom or its alkaloids in modern medicine.” Also, note that, how long the effect of Kratom remains in your system, depends on a few factors (method of use, health and age). Regular kratom use, particularly at high doses, has been associated with cognitive decline in animals. Therefore, it suggests potential risks to cognitive function in humans, as evidenced by various studies examining memory, learning, attention, brain chemistry, neuronal activity and EEG patterns. I hope the article was helpful to you. Keep visiting Learn Real for these types of research-oriented articles. Thanks!!!
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