Kratom Lab Testing: Why it is Critical for Consumer Safety

Kratom – a promising herbal supplement or a hidden danger? In this post, we will discuss the importance of lab testing kratom derivatives and flower to ensure the safety of your products and customers.

What is Kratom?

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties, and it has gained popularity as an alternative treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, and opioid addiction.

However, despite its purported benefits, kratom has also been associated with various risks, including addiction, overdose, and contamination.

What are the Benefits of Kratom?

One of the primary purported benefits of kratom is its ability to relieve pain.

Kratom leaves contain alkaloids, which are believed to bind to the body’s opioid receptors, producing pain relief similar to that of opioids but without the respiratory depression and other dangerous side effects. Kratom has also been used as a natural remedy for anxiety and depression, as well as to increase energy and improve focus.

What are the Risks of Kratom?

However, the risks associated with kratom cannot be ignored.

Kratom has the potential to cause addiction, especially when taken in high doses or for extended periods. It can also lead to physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and even overdose.

Additionally, the lack of regulation and quality control in the kratom industry has led to concerns about contamination, as the leaves can be contaminated with heavy metals, bacteria, and other harmful substances.

Are There Regulations for Kratom?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about the potential risks of kratom, including liver damage, seizures, and respiratory depression.

The Agency has also noted that there is no reliable evidence to support the use of kratom for any medical condition, and that its use may even delay or prevent people from seeking appropriate medical treatment.

Kratom Lab Testing is Vital for Safety

Given the potential risks and lack of regulation, it is essential to perform kratom lab testing for potential contaminants and ensure that it is safe for human consumption.

The American Kratom Association (AKA) has developed a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) program to promote safe and high-quality kratom products, but compliance with this program is voluntary, and not all manufacturers participate.

Important Assays When Lab Testing Kratom

To minimize the risks of consuming contaminated kratom, several specific kratom lab tests should be conducted.

These tests can identify potential contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, and other harmful substances, and ensure that the kratom is safe for human consumption.

Some of the kratom lab tests that should be conducted include:

 

1. Potency (Alkaloid Content) Testing: Kratom leaves contain alkaloids, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are believed to produce the plant’s effects. Alkaloid content testing can ensure that the kratom is of high quality and contains the proper amount of alkaloids for the desired effect.

1. Heavy Metals Testing: Kratom plants can absorb heavy metals from the soil in which they are grown. Heavy metal testing can identify the presence of toxic elements, such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury, which can be harmful to humans when consumed in large amounts.

1. Microbial Testing: Kratom leaves can be contaminated with bacteria, such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Aspergillus, which can cause serious illness in humans. Microbial testing can detect the presence of harmful bacteria and ensure that the kratom is free from contamination.

1. Pesticide Residue Testing: Some kratom growers may use pesticides to protect the plants from insects and other pests. Pesticide residue testing can detect the presence of harmful pesticides, which can be harmful to human health if consumed in large amounts.

1. Mycotoxin Testing: Mycotoxin testing is key for kratom safety, as these toxins, produced by certain molds, can cause serious health issues, including respiratory and neurological conditions. Testing ensures kratom’s quality, protects consumers, and enhances the industry’s legitimacy.

1. Foreign Matter Testing: Foreign matter testing in kratom ensures product purity and safety, preventing potential health complications from impurities like soil or metal fragments. This testing safeguards consumer health and upholds industry standards.

Click here to see a sample kratom testing Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Kratom Lab Testing Promotes Safety of Your Products

Overall, comprehensive testing of kratom is necessary to assess risks of potential harm from human consumption. By testing for heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, alkaloid content, and adulterants, potential contaminants can be identified, and kratom products can be screened to assess safety and quality.

While kratom may have some potential benefits, it is important to consider the risks associated with its use. People should be aware of the potential for addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and contamination, and should seek appropriate medical treatment for any medical conditions they may have. Further research and regulation are necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of kratom as a medical treatment.

Labstat Kratom Testing Capabilities

Labstat offers a broad range of kratom lab testing services with a 7-day turnaround time at our Knoxville, Tennessee location, including:

Kratom Derivatives and Flower Testing

 

• Potency

   

  • 7-Hydroxymitragynine
  • Corynoxine
  • Isorhynchophylline
  • Mitragynine
  • Paynantheine
  • Speciociliatine
  • Speciosynine

• Heavy Metals

• Foreign Material

• Pesticides

• Mycotoxins

• Microbials (Salmonella, E. coli., Aspergillus)

• Residual Solvents (derivatives only)

Reach out to our kratom testing experts with questions or to get a quote.

References:

 

1. Kratom. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171.

1. Kratom: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1513/kratom.

1. Kratom. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kratom.

1. Kratom: What Science is Discovering about the Risks and Benefits of a Controversial Herb. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from.

1. Grundmann, O. (2017). Patterns of Kratom use and health impact in the US—Results from an online survey. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 176, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.007

1. Kamble, S. H., & Chandra, P. (2019). Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): Risks, benefits, and potential for abuse. Preventive Medicine Reports, 14, 100853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2019.100853

1. Nelson, L. S., Flomenbaum, N., & Hoffman, R. S. (2018). Goldfrank’s toxicologic emergencies. McGraw Hill Professional.

1. Phillips, S. (2019). Kratom: An emerging herbal drug with potential toxicities. International Journal of Legal Medicine, 133(5), 1415-1422. 

1. Prozialeck, W. C., Jivan, J. K., & Andurkar, S. V. (2019). Pharmacology of kratom: an emerging botanical agent with stimulant, analgesic andd opioid-like effects. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 119(8), 569-576. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2019.102