🌿The Truth About Kratom with Dr. Andrew Huberman

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has sparked scientific debate. This edition draws on insights from Dr. Chris McCurdy, a medicinal chemistry researcher at the University of Florida, who discussed his findings with Dr. Andrew Huberman on the Huberman Lab podcast.

Traditional Uses and Modern Debate

Traditionally, workers in Malaysia and Thailand chewed fresh kratom leaves or brewed them into a tea to endure long, hot days. At low doses, it can act as a mild stimulant, while at higher doses, it produces sedative, euphoric effects similar to opioids.

Kratom products sold in the U.S. are not the same as traditional leaf tea. The industry is growing fast, with products showing up even in gas stations next to items like Five Hour Energy shots. Most are dried, concentrated, or even synthetic derivatives — and these forms carry higher risks of side effects, dependence, and respiratory depression. As Dr. McCurdy notes: “Not all kratom is the same.”

Modes of Ingestion

Kratom is consumed in several ways: chewing fresh leaves, brewing dried leaves into a tea, swallowing capsules of powdered leaf, mixing powder into water or juice, and drinking prepared liquid shots or tinctures. Each mode has different onset times and potency effects. In particular, concentrated extracts and isolates—often sold in small bottles—are much more potent and carry higher risks, which many experts find concerning.

Reported Uses

• Pain relief (especially as an alternative to opioids)

• Mood elevation & social ease

• Energy boost & recovery

• Managing mild depression or anxiety

Some users report modest, coffee-like benefits, and there are even stories of people successfully using it to transition off opioids. But frequent or high-dose use — particularly of concentrated forms — can lead to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and other health risks. We recommend that anyone struggling with opioid use seek professional help; resources include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or findtreatment.gov for confidential treatment options.

Risks to Consider

• Habit-forming at higher or prolonged doses

• Dangerous interactions with alcohol and other drugs

• Respiratory depression from synthetic derivatives

• Not recommended for people under 18–25 due to potential effects on brain development

If You Must Use It

If you feel you must try kratom, experts like Dr. McCurdy suggest sticking as closely as possible to traditional methods — chewing fresh leaves or brewing tea from plain dried leaf powder — as these tend to have lower potency and risk than capsules, tinctures, or concentrates. And remember:

Our Perspective

After learning more about kratom from Dr. McCurdy’s research, we don’t recommend using it — but we feel it’s important to help people make informed decisions. If you choose to experiment, take precautions:

✅ Use the lowest effective dose possible
✅ Choose traditional leaf products over concentrates or isolates
✅ Read serving sizes carefully — bottles often contain multiple servings
✅ Avoid combining with alcohol or other depressants
✅ Take breaks to avoid building tolerance and dependence

🌱 Why We’re Sharing This
We don’t endorse kratom use. Instead, we aim to empower our readers with credible information so you can weigh the risks and benefits yourself.

Stay informed. Stay balanced. Stay well.

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— The Wellness Roll Up Team