Friday Night Open Thread: Welcome to the Kratomic Age

Maybe I’m an old fogey, but aren’t there enough drugs to abuse already?

Or is it spelled “fogy”?

I lean towards “fogie.”

Anyway, I distinctly remember when crack, crank, and fentanyl had to be explained to me.

Without Federal Action, States Wrestle With Kratom Regulation
MEDPAGE TODAY | March 19, 2025 | Mara Silvers

Reports of deadly overdoses have surfaced in recent years

Montana lawmakers are grappling with how — if at all — the state should rein in kratom, an unregulated plant-derived substance with addictive properties sold mainly as a mood and energy booster at gas stations, vape shops, and elsewhere.

Kratom, which originates from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, is also touted for helping relieve pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. But it can have wide-ranging mental and bodily effects, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), addiction medicine experts, and kratom researchers. Reports of deadly kratom overdoses have surfaced in recent years, though often in combination with other substances.

But the drug is in a gray federal regulatory area: It’s designated by the DEA as a “drug and chemical of concern,” but it is not considered a controlled substance. Legislation introduced in Congress in 2023 to study kratom has not advanced.

… A federal survey from 2021 estimated that 1.7 million Americans age 12 and older used the substance in some way the year before the study.

Some consider it an herbal supplement, a perception driven by its accessibility in gas stations and vape shops, rather than a mind-altering and potentially addictive drug.

“The majority of my patients that are using it can’t even quantify to me how much they’re using,” Zawacki said.

… “The kratom that was on the market then was basically ground-up leaf powder that was not further concentrated,” Grundmann said. “What we have seen in recent years is even stronger extracts that focus specifically on mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These should not be seen as ‘kratom’ any longer.”

20 Comments

      • From what I read , none of the overdoses were attributed directly to the Kratom. Those that died were using it unsuccessfully to address opioid addiction and had high levels of opioids in their systems as well. My interest after seeing this was many people who are not opioid users claim it helps with PTSD.
        It seems you have the two extremes. It’s like heroin. Or, it is like caffeine.
        The plant is related.to coffee. And the little bit of actual research I could find seems to lean toward the later. The people claiming it is horrible seem to use more anecdotal arguments.
        Either way, I think it is mostly BS like most media stories.

  1. Incoming the “open” part of this thread, has anybody seen that viral Chicago Teacher’s Union picket sign that reads, “All Most There.”

    I didn’t realize my copy editor was moonlighting on me.

  2. “fogey” is the preferred spelling.

    Fogey is what no one else is but you are.

    Regarding the topic: Does it stink? The smell of Marijuana makes me puke. I’ll wager that “kratom” has a 50-50 chance of making me puke.

    Did you see the latest study that linked Rosemary spice to elimination of dimentia… in rats? That problem was you had to eat 45 mg / kg of body weight. I guess I’m gonna have to up my Rosemary on my eggs in the morning!

      • If you grow your own – or buy store brands – grind up the little ‘leaves” (needles?) into a medium fine powder that passes through a typical spice bottle top with multiple holes in it. I use an old coffee grinder dedicated to grinding spices now. Then sprinkle to your heart’s content! Ooh lala! Also goes well on any kind of potatoes.

        (Note: the cut Rosemary branches need to be dried for several weeks hanging in your kitchen (skinkin’ up the house, of course!). Then shuck them off up- branch with your hand into a large bowl. Clean up and grind!)

        I’ll be here all week with more tips.

  3. Trump:
    “We are cleaning up America and getting rid of these Kratomites (Drug Dealing Gangs) and I haven’t even unleashed our secret weapon on them yet…the Himalayan Fur
    Goblin”!! 👺

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