Mitragynine is the main reason why kratom works so well

Most of you very likely about a tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa she has heard before. Those more knowledgeable in the field would certainly state that the effects of kratom are mainly due to the alkaloids. That's right, so today we're going to take a closer look at them and discuss in detail the most effective of them, which is mitragynine.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the main alkaloid found in kratom. Let's talk about where it comes from, what possibilities, benefits and, by extension, risks it has. No time to waste, let's get straight to the point!

What is mitragynine?

It is an alkaloid naturally occurring in leaves exotic tree, which in Latin is called Mitragyna speciosa. However, it is better known to us as kratom. It comes from Southeast Asia, and the natives there discovered its effects several centuries ago. Nowadays, it has spread de facto all over the world and boasts millions of users. Among the main effects of kratom are stimulation or, conversely, sedation. 

About the history of kratom

As we have already mentioned, kratom, and thus also mitragynine, originates from Southeast Asia. The people there have been using its effects for hundreds of years, as their work is often very demanding and it is kratom that helps them manage pain and lack of energy. Mitragynine along with other alkaloids are contained directly in the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. 

The discovery of mitragynine dates back to the early 19th century, when the Mitragyna speciosa tree was first documented in detail by the Dutch botanist Pieter Korthals. After a long break, scientists returned to it only in the second half of the 20th century, when the main alkaloid was isolated and subjected to studies. Initially, the distribution of kratom was limited, but recently it has started its journey around the world, during which it has gained huge popularity both in Europe and America. 

Alkaloids in kratom

Alkaloids rank first when it comes to influencing the effects of kratom. Mitragynine appears in the leaves in concentrations ranging from 0,5% to 1,5%. However, it is important to mention that the concentration may vary depending on the strain and geographical origin. The mitragynine content also varies in the ratio of the alkaloids themselves. In some varieties, it occupies up to 66% of all alkaloids, in others only 12%. Of course, the ratio of alkaloids has an effect on the different effects of different strains.

What makes mitragynine stand out?

Here are some facts that make mitragynine a very special substance:

Alkaloid structure: It is an indole alkaloid, which is classified as an organic compound. Thanks to the chemical structure just mentioned, it differs from other alkaloids.

Interaction with receptors: Mitragynine interacts with brain opioid receptors. However, it works in a different way than classic opioids, which is why, for example, kratom users report its sedative effects and sometimes replace opioid drugs with kratom. 

Variety of effects: The effects of kratom are very different, ranging from stimulation to sedation. Depends on the type of kratom, dosage and individual aspects of each of us. 

Potential benefits of mitragynine

The interaction between mitragynine and the opioid receptors in our body is the basic building block for its effects. Even researchers still don't know exactly how it reacts and how we can use it to our advantage. But let's imagine some of the potential effects of mitragynine:

Mood improvement: This alkaloid is often credited with improving mood, reducing anxiety, depression and increasing motivation.

Higher performance and concentration: Right in the introduction we referred to farmers who have been using the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree for centuries for their ability to provide much needed energy. For its stimulating effects and focus, kratom is exclusively dosed in smaller amounts. In the Western world, it is often used by students and people who need long-term, high-quality performance at work.

Risks of using kratom

It is also worth mentioning the side effects of kratom and its alkaloids. Kratom is not yet subject to any control with us, so we recommend buying only from reputable sellers who ensure maximum quality and purity. It is also important to control the dosage during the entire period of use. We know from user experience that high doses can lead to tolerance to kratom relatively quickly, and in the later stages, addiction. In addition, by using high doses, we can begin to observe side effects, which include, for example, unwanted fatigue, nausea, intestinal problems or sedation.

Effects of mitragynine

These effects are strikingly similar to those of kratom in general.

Analgesic abilities: Kratom is very similar to opioid drugs in its analgesic abilities, but with fewer potential side effects. Unfortunately, it is still not a clinically proven treatment and the known information comes only from user experience and anecdotal studies. In the Czech Republic, kratom is not yet an approved nutritional supplement, medicine or food. However, several centuries of use by natives in Southeast Asia can tell a lot.

Stimulating effect: We achieve this effect when dosing small doses. The stimulating effect of kratom is also confirmed by many years of experience of the indigenous people of Indonesia. 

Other effects of mitragynine: This alkaloid and its percentage in kratom can also induce pleasant psychological states that can progress to euphoria. However, specific clinical studies and substantiated results are not available. Even so, we know from the experience of users that the effects of alkaloids are very extensive. 

Mysteries surrounding mitragynine

Because of its effects on the opposite sides of the spectrum (stimulation and sedation), it is coming to the attention of scientists, who, however, have still not been able to directly describe how it works on our receptors. In addition to classical opioid receptors, according to provisional evidence, it interacts with mu-opioid receptors, adrenergic receptors, serotonin or dopamine D2 receptor. Unlike opioids, kratom has very few side effects, so scientists believe that alkaloids like mitragynine have a specific signaling pathway that allows side effects to be avoided. 

The predicted reaction of mitragynine in our calf

We keep repeating that mitragynine reacts with opioid receptors in our body. Unlike classic opioid drugs, however, it binds to delta opioid receptors. Thanks to this, kratom has gentler effects than classic opioid drugs and is less addictive.

Mitragynine is a precursor (substance from which another substance is formed at later stages) of 7-hydroxymitragynine, to which it is converted during the process. The transformation can also occur due to external influences, such as exposure to sunlight. 

Mitragynine in the liver: 2 phases take place here, where in the first mitragynine undergoes several reactions, for example hydrolysis and o-demethylation, then oxidation and reduction. In the second phase, mitragynine undergoes glucuronidation and sulfation, the final forms of which our body gets rid of in the urine. 

Responsible use of kratom

We often mention in our articles that tolerance and addiction can develop to the substances in kratom, so we recommend avoiding high doses and keeping your usage under control at all times. The side effects of alkaloids can be easily avoided by using lower doses. It is also not recommended to use kratom on a daily basis.

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Source: https://www.kratomcountry.com/blog/mitragynine

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