A recent pilot study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yielded surprising results regarding kratom, a controversial botanical known for its pain-relieving properties. The study, which aimed to assess kratom’s abuse potential, found that the leaf form of kratom was “well tolerated” under carefully controlled clinical conditions.
The single ascending dose trial involved 40 participants and tested doses ranging from 1 to 12 grams. While some participants experienced minor side effects like vomiting at higher doses, no serious adverse events were reported.
Christopher McCurdy, a lead scientist in the study, emphasized that more research is needed to fully understand kratom’s effects. The FDA spokesperson also acknowledged the need for further studies.
This preliminary finding may challenge some of the FDA’s previous concerns about kratom’s safety, potentially opening doors for more comprehensive research on the botanical.
