All about kratom

Interested in learning more about kratom? This page describes what kratom is, its history in Southeast Asia, the differences between the different types, and its popularity and legal status in the Netherlands. By briefly summarizing the most important facts about kratom, we hope to provide a good overview of this wonderful substance.

Before using kratom, you should at least be aware of the effects you can expect at different dosages. There are also a few important points to keep in mind regarding kratom consumption. You can find this information on the "use and effects" page.

What is kratom?

The Mitragyna speciosa tree

Kratom is a natural product derived from the Mitragyna speciosa tree. Kratom is used as a collective name for products made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree to experience its effects. In Europe, this is almost always kratom powder. This is made by grinding the dried leaves into a powder. An extract or tincture is sometimes made from this. In Southeast Asia, where the kratom tree grows naturally, the fresh leaves are sometimes chewed.
The Mitragyna speciosa tree, or simply "kratom tree," is a tree-like plant species native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It can reach a height of up to thirty meters. Kratom trees generally prefer moist, humus-rich soil. In Thailand, kratom is primarily cultivated in the central and southern regions of the country.

Active ingredients

The leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree contain over twenty-five substances that, in varying proportions, influence the effects of kratom. The active ingredients that have made its use so popular, particularly in Southeast Asia, are alkaloids such as 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitraphilline, and mitragynine. Of these, mitragynine is the most important for experiencing kratom's intense effects. The active ingredients are primarily found in the large leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. You can ingest them by chewing them, brewing tea, or making an extract.
 

Drugs or natural herbs?

While some people consider kratom a drug, others consider it a medicinal herb. Kratom is therefore difficult to label. It's classified in the same botanical category as coffee. However, the effect of kratom is so different from coffee that labeling it simply as an "energy drink" is a disservice. On the other hand, the effect (at responsible doses) isn't so severe that it can be labeled a dangerous drug.
A specific characteristic of kratom that makes it difficult to categorize is that at low doses, it produces a stimulating and euphoric effect, while at higher doses, it produces sedative and pain-relieving effects. Which label you choose remains your own choice. Kratom is, in any case, a unique plant.

The physiological effect

Although the kratom tree is related to the coffee plant, it does not contain caffeine. However, in low doses, the effects of kratom can be somewhat compared to those of coffee, nicotine, or chewing coca leaves. In higher doses, however, kratom has a more relaxing, analgesic effect and can induce a dreamy or euphoric state. Kratom contains compounds like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which stimulate the same receptors in the brain as morphine. This explains the analgesic effect that kratom can have at a certain dose. However, it is important to emphasize that kratom is not classified as an opioid, unlike morphine. The effects are also much milder.
 

History in Southeast Asia

The history of kratom is deeply intertwined with various Southeast Asian cultures. The origin and exact meaning of the word "kratom" are somewhat unclear, but it is generally accepted that it derives from the Thai word "กระท่อม" (pronounced: kratom). The name "kratom" is now used internationally to refer to the products made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree.

Traditional use

Kratom has been traditionally used for centuries in various Southeast Asian countries. Its use has a rich history, particularly in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Here, it is traditionally consumed by chewing the leaves or brewing them into tea. The plant has been used in traditional Southeast Asian medicine since the early 19th century, primarily for its analgesic and sedative effects. The leaves were once served to welcome guests to their homes. It was also (and still is) often used by laborers and farmers to reduce fatigue and increase endurance. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, increasingly strict regulations were introduced in various Southeast Asian countries to regulate or prohibit kratom. Therefore, kratom is no longer legal in all of these countries.

Thailand 1943-2021: regulate - prohibit - legalize

In Thailand, the first restrictions on kratom came in 1943 with the passage of the Kratom Act. This law made planting new kratom trees illegal and simultaneously mandated the destruction of existing trees. This law was a response to the increasing use of kratom. Kratom's rise in popularity during this period is attributed to the rising cost of opium, resulting from stricter laws aimed at ending the illegal opium market in Thailand. By halting the spread of kratom trees, the Kratom Act of 1943 was intended to restrict kratom use. Subsequently, in 1979, kratom was classified as a controlled substance, categorized under the Thai Narcotics Act as cannabis.
In 2019, the production, possession, and use of both cannabis and kratom for medicinal purposes were legalized in Thailand. Subsequently, in 2021, the amended Thai Narcotics Act was passed, removing kratom from the list of prohibited substances. Possession and use of kratom are therefore no longer punishable. The reason given for this amendment was that kratom use is part of traditional Thai cultural norms. Since then, the kratom tree can once again be legally cultivated in Thailand for kratom production. In August 2022, the Kratom Plant Act came into effect. The purpose of this law was not only to regulate the trade, sale, and consumption of kratom but also to encourage economic activities related to kratom. The kratom we sell comes from an enthusiast who immediately seized upon the legalization of kratom to start cultivating this traditional Thai recreational drug again.

Legal status in other Southeast Asian countries

Indonesia is experiencing the opposite trend as Thailand. While kratom has been legal in Indonesia to date, the Indonesian government has announced its intention to ban its use, production, and export by 2024. Currently, Indonesia is by far the world's largest exporter of kratom. In 2021, approximately 95% of all kratom worldwide was produced in Indonesia. The announced ban in Indonesia could therefore seriously disrupt the global supply of kratom. Indonesian kratom producers are lobbying vigorously to overturn this ban, but so far, this has not been successful.

World Health Organization research

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed the risks and benefits of kratom. The review concluded that no international restrictions on kratom were recommended. Members of the review committee found "insufficient evidence" to warrant a more thorough, critical review of kratom at this time. This recommendation was based on a scientific assessment of the risk of dependence, the potential for abuse, and the therapeutic applications of kratom. The WHO will continue to monitor data on the health effects of kratom in the coming years.

Kratom in the Netherlands

Popularity

In the Netherlands, kratom is still relatively unknown to the general public. As in many other Western countries, kratom's popularity has slowly increased in the Netherlands over the past decades. However, it doesn't have nearly the recognition and status it enjoys in Thailand and several other Southeast Asian countries. In our opinion, it's a shame that this legal and versatile natural product remains relatively unknown.

Legal status

In the Netherlands, the sale and use of kratom has always been legal. Its legal status in the Netherlands suggests that no decision has ever been made about its proper classification. Due to insufficient evidence, kratom cannot be promoted as a natural remedy in the Netherlands. Furthermore, kratom is not on the EU list of approved foods and food ingredients. Therefore, kratom may not be sold for human consumption. At the same time, kratom is not listed under the Opium Act. Therefore, its sale and use are completely legal in the Netherlands.

Future legal status

Whether kratom will remain legal in the Netherlands in the future is difficult to predict. There are differing viewpoints on the potential benefits and risks of kratom. Kratom's legal status varies greatly worldwide. However, the general trend in Western countries is toward stricter legislation regarding kratom, and sometimes even an outright ban.
The label attached to this is the outcome of decision-making by (semi-)governmental agencies. Nature does what it does. And kratom is a miraculous substance, which nevertheless must be handled with care. Fortunately, there are currently no restrictions on kratom in the Netherlands, and it can be sold and used freely.

Types of kratom

Kratom is generally divided into three types: red, white, and green. This division is based on the color of the stem and veins of the leaves. Red kratom is made from kratom leaves with a red stem and vein, while the other two types have white or green veins. When grinding the leaves, the stem and vein are usually removed. Therefore, the type of kratom is not immediately apparent from the color of the powder.

Characteristic properties of the kratom strains

However, characteristic effects are attributed to the different types of kratom:

  • Red kratom distinguishes itself from other strains through its sedative and analgesic effects. However, in the right dosage, this strain also produces an energetic and euphoric effect.
  • White kratom is known for an energetic and euphoric effect
  • Green kratom is a milder variant and in terms of effect it combines the properties of white and red kratom

These differences are rather general and miss the nuances of the different strains. The boundaries aren't always clear, and there's sometimes some overlap between different types of kratom. Even within the same color strain, there are differences. For example, not all varieties of red kratom powder will have the same properties, and the same applies to white and green kratom. Nevertheless, the characteristic effects of the different kratom strains provide some guidance when looking for the type that will deliver your desired effect.

All types of kratom can have a stimulating effect and improve mood, depending on the dosage (especially at lower doses), and a relaxing and calming effect, reducing pain (especially at higher doses). Because the effect is highly dose-dependent, we have included the recommended dosage for specific effects in the product descriptions in our range as detailed as possible.