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Our Editorial Take: At Kove Labs, we’re pharmacists and scientists who break down complex kratom studies into clear, trustworthy guidance. This article is not the original study — it's our interpretation of it, designed to help everyday people understand the clinical relevance and safety context of the research.

Narrative Review: Understanding Kratom Use — A Guide for Healthcare Providers

Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022

Study Summary

This narrative review compiles existing clinical, ethnographic, and toxicological literature to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive overview of kratom. It explores kratom’s history of use, its alkaloid pharmacology, potential therapeutic effects, safety concerns, and guidance for patient discussions.

Key Insights

  • Kratom contains active alkaloids (e.g. mitragynine) that act on opioid receptors, but with different pharmacology than traditional opioids.
  • Used traditionally in Southeast Asia for fatigue, pain, and mood support.
  • In the U.S., most use is self-managed — often for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal support.
  • Risk factors include dose escalation, adulterated products, and co-use with other substances.
  • Authors recommend clinicians adopt a nonjudgmental, informed stance to better serve patients who use kratom.

Our Take

This review offers a medically responsible framework for talking to patients about kratom. It does not make therapeutic claims but equips healthcare providers with foundational knowledge. For Kove Labs, it reinforces the need for pharmacist-led guidance and third-party tested products.

Scoring Snapshot

Study Type:
Narrative Review
Sample Size:
N/A (Review)
Strength of Evidence:
Moderate (overview)
Risk of Bias:
Low (multi-source)

Why It Matters

As kratom use becomes more common, clinicians need resources like this to respond with education—not fear. This review validates Kove’s mission of bridging science, safety, and herbal wellness.
Medically Reviewed by J. Lott, PharmD, MPP
Dr. Lott is a pharmacist and public policy expert working at the intersection of harm reduction and clinical research. Read full bio →

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