Pain Relief from Mitragynine and 7-OH

Pain Relief from Mitragynine and 7-OH

BKC does not make any medical claims. We are not doctors, the only thing we try to do is report from scientific sources and provide some commentary along with subjective experiences from the Kratom and 7-OH community.

Pain Relief from Mitragynine and 7-OH


Key Takeaways:

  • Chronic Pain and Kratom: Almost 50% of kratom users report experiencing chronic pain.

  • Pain Relief as a Primary Motivator: The majority of kratom users cite pain relief as the leading reason for incorporating kratom into their daily routine.

  • Effectiveness and Safety: Many users find kratom to be effective for managing pain, with minimal concerns about dependency or adverse effects.

  • Positive Impact on Pain Levels: Research indicates that increased kratom use and stronger subjective effects correlate with reduced pain intensity.

  • Usage Frequency and Pain: There is no significant link between how often kratom is used daily and the reported pain levels experienced by users.

Kratom for Pain Relief: A Closer Look at Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a plant native to Southeast Asia, has been used for centuries in its native regions as a remedy for pain, fatigue, and other ailments. In recent years, kratom has gained significant popularity in the United States, where it is commonly used for self-management of chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Despite its widespread use, scientific research on kratom’s efficacy and safety remains limited, especially when it comes to understanding how its primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), contribute to its pain-relieving effects.

This blog explores the use of kratom for pain relief, focusing on the two major alkaloids that play a significant role in its therapeutic effects.

 

 

Chronic Pain and Kratom: A Growing Trend

According to a study of kratom consumers across the U.S., nearly half (49.1%) of participants met the criteria for chronic pain. This finding aligns with previous surveys that suggest many individuals turn to kratom as a solution to their pain management needs. The survey revealed that pain relief was the most commonly reported reason for daily kratom use, with most participants reporting substantial pain relief and high effectiveness in managing their pain.

A key point in this study is that the majority (69.2%) of participants had difficulty obtaining adequate pain treatment through traditional means. This struggle with conventional pain management has led many to seek alternatives, including kratom, which has been touted for its ability to provide relief without the same risks as opioid-based medications.

 

 

The Role of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Kratom’s primary active compound, mitragynine, is the most abundant alkaloid found in kratom leaves. However, it is 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a metabolite of mitragynine, that is believed to have the strongest impact on pain relief. Both compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain, providing pain relief, but 7-OH is particularly potent. In fact, research suggests that 7-OH may be up to 13 times more potent than morphine when it comes to opioid receptor activation for pain relief.

When ingested, mitragynine is metabolized into 7-OH in the liver, and the potency of this metabolite plays a key role in kratom's pain-relieving effects. Studies show that 7-OH is strongly associated with reduced pain levels, particularly among those with chronic pain conditions.

 

 

Kratom Use and Pain Management: Insights from Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

The Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), a real-time data collection method, revealed interesting findings about the relationship between kratom use and pain levels. Despite chronic pain being a significant issue for many kratom consumers, the frequency of daily kratom use was not significantly associated with pain levels. However, stronger subjective effects from kratom were found to be linked to lower current pain levels.

One particularly noteworthy result was that individuals with chronic pain experienced a stronger association between subjective kratom effects and pain reduction. This suggests that for those struggling with long-term pain, the effects of kratom may be more pronounced, providing greater relief compared to those without chronic pain.

Study Summary: Kratom for Pain Self-Management, A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study by the NIH


  • Objective: The study aimed to explore how and why people in the U.S. use kratom for managing chronic pain. It analyzed survey data from 395 participants and real-time data from 357 kratom users over 15 days using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA).

  • Key Findings:

    • Chronic Pain and Kratom: Nearly 50% of kratom users in the study reported experiencing chronic pain. Pain relief was the most commonly reported reason for using kratom daily.

    • Effectiveness: Many participants reported significant pain relief and found kratom to be highly effective for managing pain. A majority also stated that they had difficulty obtaining adequate pain treatment, which led them to try kratom.

    • Minimal Concerns about Side Effects: Most users did not express concerns about overuse or significant side effects from kratom.

    • Pain and Kratom Use: There was no significant correlation between the frequency of daily kratom use and pain levels. However, recent kratom use was associated with lower pain levels, and stronger subjective effects of kratom were linked to greater pain reduction.

    • Chronic Pain vs. Non-Chronic Pain: Those with chronic pain showed a stronger relationship between kratom's effects and pain relief compared to users without chronic pain.

  • Conclusion: The study emphasizes that chronic pain is common among kratom users, who frequently use it for pain management and report substantial relief. However, the findings underscore the urgent need for more research into kratom’s safety, efficacy, and long-term effects to better guide clinical practices and inform regulatory policies.


 

 

Why Kratom for Pain Relief? The Urgent Need for More Research

While the self-reported benefits of kratom for pain management are encouraging, the study also highlights the urgent need for systematic, rigorous research to further understand the long-term implications, efficacy, and safety of kratom as a pain management strategy. Despite the promising anecdotal evidence, including substantial pain relief reported by many users, there are still concerns about the lack of regulation and the uncertainty surrounding kratom’s safety.

Kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a drug, dietary supplement, or food, leaving a gap in formal medical guidance. As kratom’s popularity continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for scientific studies to inform both clinical practice and regulatory policies regarding its use for pain management.

 

 

Conclusion: The Future of Kratom in Pain Management

Kratom has become an essential tool for many individuals self-managing their chronic pain, particularly for those who have struggled to find relief through traditional treatments. The efficacy of mitragynine and 7-OH in pain management is supported by both self-reported data and preclinical studies, but further research is crucial to fully understand their mechanisms and long-term safety.

As more data becomes available, it is essential for healthcare professionals, regulators, and users to work together to ensure that kratom is used responsibly and effectively for pain relief. With continued research, kratom could play an even greater role in providing alternative solutions for those suffering from chronic pain, but it will be important to balance its use with appropriate safety measures and medical oversight.

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