Mitragyna Speciosa Studies

April 6, 2015 0 Comments

Kratom’s Growth

Mitragyna Speciosa or what is popularly known as kratom in most parts of the world is a tropical evergreen deciduous tree that is classified under the Rubiaceae family, the plant originates from Indochina and Southeast Asia region. The plant grows naturally in the tropical rainforests of Thailand and Indonesia and it can grow to between 12- 30 feet and 15 feet wide. The kratom plant can be deciduous or evergreen depending on the prevailing climatic and weather conditions. The leaves of kratom plant are dark green and may grow between 4 inches and 7 inches with an ovate-acuminate shape. In most cases, the flowers are yellow and grow in clusters towards the end of the branch.

Kratom thrives in wet, humus rich soil with a protected environment, the plant is a heavy feeder and it requires a very fertile soil. Moreover, the mode of propagation is through cuttings or seeds and the plant is nature sensitive therefore, it will thrive in specific regions of the world. Research indicates that kratom acts like a mu-opiod receptor agonist just like morphine. Kratom has over twenty-five alkaloids; however, the most abundant are mitragynine or 9-methoxy-corynantheidine, indoles, stipulatine, rhychophylline, corynanthedine, and ajmalicine. The first two are the most abundant making about a half of the alkaloid content.

Kratom’s Great Properties

Studies show that kratom has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antidepressant and sedative properties this has made it one of the most research herbs. The alkaloids such as mitrogynine are classified under opiates this means that kratom possesses opiate properties and it has a high affinity for opiate receptors in the brain. Studies show that the alteration of the opiate receptors induces euphoria among other feelings. The difference between opiates and kratom is the mitragynine has preference for the delta receptors while the opiates are known to have a high affinity for the mu-opiod receptors. The active components of the kratom are 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. Studies indicate that kratom contains rhynchophylline which is a calcium channel blocker this in turn reduces NMDA-induced current. The level of mitragynine in a plant is largely influenced by various factors such as location, mode of planting, the weather, soil type, materials used in nurturing, harvesting techniques, processing and packaging methods. Kratom grown in the southeastern Asia continent have high amounts of alkaloids; however, when the plant is grown in other parts of the world even in green houses the alkaloid level drops drastically to none.

Analysis shows that the levels of mitragynine in the most common bali kratom sold online for research has 7-15 % of the active component. The chemical structure and spatial distribution of the mitragynine atoms incorporates the nucleus of tryptamine, this is known to be responsible for molecules, which are seen in adrenergic and serotonin systems. The phenolic methyl ether in mitragynine is the strongest analgesic paradigms as per recent research journal.

Author : Andy Cyrus