The leaf in the picture is called Kratom, which is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.It has a long history of use in Southeast Asia, where it is commonly known as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum, and biak.

How is it abused?

Kratom is almost always taken orally.

In Southeast Asia, typical formulations include raw or powdered leaves or liquid leaf-extracts (tea or decoction). Kratom decoction is often mixed with another beverage to create a kratom “cocktail.”

In the United States and Western Europe, common formulations include leaf powders taken as a tablet or capsule or dissolved in a beverage. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine have been found in resins and liquids sold online for use in electronic drug delivery devices (so-called “e-cigarettes”).

The effects of Kratom

At low doses, Kratom produces stimulant effects with users reporting increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness. At high doses, users experience sedative effects.

Kratom consumption can lead to addiction. and can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence. Due to its addiction, its abuse became recognized.

The hazard of Kratom abusing

Kratom have been used increasingly among drug abusers with significant adverse effects. Deaths have been reported in United States, and mitragynines have been detected in post-mortem blood samples.

In recent years, Kratom is available online which aided its spread to United states, Europe, Japan. Kratom purchased online is more effective than the natural plant as it contains higher concentrations of its psychoactive alkaloids.

Long-term use of kratom may produce physical and psychological effects that are very similar to its withdrawal syndrome, that is, anxiety, irritability, mood, eating, and sleep disorders, other than physical symptoms resembling opiate withdrawal.

For this trend, CNDH has launched the "One Step Kratom Urine test kit" to provide the preliminary screening of Kratom abuse.