Watch Out! Although It Could Be A Drug, Borneo Kratom Leaves Potentially Misused As Drugs
Not everyone knows about Kratom; although kratom has been widely used in West Kalimantan. Daun kratom whose Latin name is Mitragyna speciosa (from the Rubiaceae family), also known in Indonesia as the name puric or ketum leaf, and has long been used as a painkiller herbal medicine; can be eaten raw, brewed like tea, or converted into capsules, tablets, powders and liquids.
However, lately kratom has been abused as a drug because of its effects similar to opium and cocaine. Let's find out more about the following kratom leaves. 
What is the effect of kratom leaves on the body?
Chewing kratom leaves is usually done to produce energy such as when consuming caffeine, or as a traditional medicine for diseases, ranging from diarrhea to pain in the body. In low doses, kratom can provide a stimulant effect. Kratom can make someone feel more energy, more alert and happier. The main active ingredients of kratom are the mitraginin and 7-hydroxymitragynine alkaloids that have been shown to provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant effects; so kratom is often used to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. Fibromyalgia is an intolerance to stress and pain which is usually characterized by pain in the body, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue. However, if kratom is used in high doses (around 10 to 25 grams or more), kratom can provide a sedative effect such as narcotics. Even the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says that excessive consumption of kratom can cause psychotic symptoms and psychological addiction.
Danger Of Kratom Abuse
1. Dependency
Kratom dependence can occur when kratom is used regularly for a certain period of time. If the consumption of kratom is stopped after a dependency occurs, it can trigger withdrawal symptoms or better known as sakau, including muscle and bone pain, tremor, nausea, fatigue, runny nose, mood swings, hallucinations, delusions, insomnia, and even depression.
2. Negative interactions when mixed with other drugs
Because the forms of kratom preparations are as diverse as capsules, tablets, powders, or liquids, kratom can be easily combined with other drugs / mixtures. DEA states that mixing kratom with other psychoactive substances can be very dangerous, because it can cause negative interactions with each other, including seizures.3. Possibility of overdose Many kratom products are sold without the recommended dosage limits, thus increasing the risk of cratom overdoses. Symptoms of kratom overdose include lethargy, tremor, nausea, delusions, and hallucinations. In addition, the use of high doses of kratom for a long time can cause liver damage and kidney failure. 
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