Thai man ‘nearly dies’ from replacing water with kratom tea

A Thai man says he “nearly died” after replacing drinking water with kratom tea. Now, he’s warning others against abusing the formally-illegal plant.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. The leaves of the kratom tree are known for their opioid and stimulant-like effects.

Leaves of the kratom tree have been used for centuries in Thailand, in traditional medicine as well as by farmers who chew kratom leaves to sustain their energy levels while working in the fields.

Kratom was previously listed as a Category 5 narcotic under Thai law, but changes made to the Narcotics Act in 2021 reclassified the plant as a “herb” which can be legally grown, sold and consumed. It is typically ingested as a brewed tea, in capsule form, or as a powder that can be mixed into food or drinks.

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