Kratom

Kratom comes from the tropical tree Mitragyna speciosa, which belongs to the coffee family and is native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. The leaves of this tree have been used in traditional medicine there for centuries.

To this day, workers in Thailand and Malaysia use kratom to increase energy and endurance and reduce fatigue. In recent years, kratom has also spread beyond these regions.

Good to know …

• Some people use kratom to relieve withdrawal symptoms and craving associated with opioid dependence, as well as to cope with pain, fatigue, or psy­cho­log­i­cal distress. However, this use is medically con­tro­ver­sial and is generally not recommended.
• Many people consider kratom harmless because it is plant-based and marketed as a natural remedy for stress, anxiety, or pain. In reality, like other psy­choac­tive substances, kratom carries a risk of dependence, especially with regular use. Withdrawal symptoms may occur after stopping use, but they usually subside within a few days to about a week.
• Particular caution is advised when combining kratom with other psy­choac­tive substances, especially alcohol, sedatives, or opioids, as unpre­dictable and dangerous inter­ac­tions may occur, including respiratory depression and an increased risk of overdose.
• The legal status of kratom varies worldwide: in some countries it is freely available, while in others it is banned or strictly regulated. There are also differences within the EU – for example, it is banned in Germany but generally legal in the Netherlands. Outside Europe, the situation is similarly mixed. In Luxembourg, kratom is currently (2026) prohibited.

White, green, red kratom: what’s the difference?

Kratom is often divided into different varieties based on the color of the leaf veins (white, green, red) or its origin. Each variety is marketed with slightly different effects, such as stimulating, con­cen­tra­tion-enhancing, calming, or pain-relieving properties.

Dose-dependent effects

Kratom can produce both stimulating and opioid-like effects. Lower doses are commonly described as stimulating, while higher doses tend to produce calming and pain-relieving effects.

At high doses, unpleasant effects such as sweating, dizziness, or nausea may occur before the strongly sedating, sometimes dream-like effects begin, which can last for several hours.

There is no such thing as a risk-free consumption of legal and illegal drugs!

When consuming any legal and / or illegal drug, the sub­jec­tive­ly perceived effects depend on various factors (how consumed, dose, age, gender, environment, mood as well as experience and expectation).

Consumption of any drug can result in addiction.

The consumption of legal and illegal drugs is to be discouraged:

• During adolescence (physical and mental development)
• When driving and during other activities requiring a ​“clear head” (e.g. sport, when operating machinery, …)
• At the workplace / at school
• During pregnancy and breast­feed­ing
• In case of previous medical conditions

Particular care is also required:

• If the quality of the product is unknown and cannot be checked
• In the event of combined use, e.g. alcohol and other drug
• When medication is taken at the same time