Pain relief is one of the big reasons why people use kratom, said Marc Swogger, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York, who published a study last year that focused on why people use kratom.
The common side effects of kratom are similar to those of opiates, including upset stomach, vomiting, itching and mild sedation, according to Swogger’s study.
However, the risks appear to be relatively mild, particularly when compared to those of opiates, Swogger said.
Many people choose Kratom to avoid prescription pain killers that damage the live and often leave patients drowsy.