Kratom is a mildly psychoactive plant that originates in the jungles of south east Asia.
Among the active compounds, Mitragynine, is widely believed to be responsible for the effects felt by consuming Kratom. Mitragynine is an opioid agonist, which means that it binds easily with the GABA receptors in your brain. GABA is a natural neurotransmitter that is responsible for inhibiting brain function, acting as a sort of brake system for your bodies brain activity. Kratom binds to this receptor and this inhibition is thought to be the reason for Kratoms mood enhancing and pain reducing effects.
These Gaba receptors are also responsible for the effects of opioids, alcohol, and many other psychoactive compounds.
Because of the shared receptor and similar effects, Kratom has become a lifesaver for those trying to escape opioid addictions. I will be covering this in a future article because there is a lot of conflicting information about the benefits and\or harm capacity of Kratom.
let me know what you think and if I missed any important details!
