Photo Credit: Konbturut

The following is a summary of “Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) Use for Self-Management of Pain: Insights from Cross-Sectional and Ecological Momentary Assessment Data,” published in the November 2024 issue of Pain by Mun et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine the use of kratom for pain self-management and to identify the associated factors.  

They examined 395 participants and 15-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from 357 kratom consumers across the US, and recruited individuals based on the kratom use.  

The results showed that nearly half of the participants (49.1%) met the criteria for chronic pain, with many experiencing significant pain relief and high effectiveness in pain management through kratom use. A majority (69.2%) reported challenges in obtaining adequate pain treatment, which influenced their decision to try kratom. Few participants expressed concerns about overuse or major side effects, indicating that pain relief was the most common motivation for daily kratom use, regardless of chronic pain status. There was no significant association between daily pain levels and kratom use frequency, nor any difference in usage between individuals with or without chronic pain. Current kratom use was associated with lower pain levels, and stronger subjective effects were linked to greater pain reduction, with the effect being more pronounced in those with chronic pain.  

They concluded the urgent need for rigorous research on kratom’s long-term implications, efficacy, and safety in pain management. 

Sources: jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(24)00704-1/abstract