AIM OF THE STUDY: This present study sought to investigate kratom use motives among regular kratom users in Malaysia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 116 regular kratom users were recruited for this cross-sectional survey. The Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ) was administered to measure kratom use motives.
RESULTS: Our results indicate that heavy (>3 glasses daily, each glass contains 48.24-50.4 mg of mitragynine) kratom use was associated with coping (t87.09 =3.544, p 3 glasses daily) kratom consumption (p 3 glasses daily) kratom consumption among regular kratom users in traditional, rural settings.
RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have been focused on the interactions of mitragynine, the most abundant alkaloid, and opioid-like effects. This has been driven by the harm that kratom products have produced in the Western world, in stark contrast to the lack of harm in Southeast Asian traditional use over centuries. Many users in the Western world ingest kratom for mood enhancement and/or to ween themselves from prescription or illicit opioids. Highly concentrated products and recreational use and misuse have resulted in individuals pushing doses to levels that have not been imagined or ever studied in animal, let alone humans.
SUMMARY: Kratom, as a preparation and how it is utilized is different around the world.