Kratom

Understanding Kratom: Kratom Alkaloids Explained

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Natural substances like Kratom have an effect on the body because of their chemical composition. Kratom itself is made up of many chemical components. When those components are released in the body, they bind and interact with human physiology in different ways.

While only a few Kratom alkaloids are well known even among veteran consumers, Kratom is actually made up of more than 40 alkaloids – and counting! What are these Kratom alkaloids, and what types of effects are they being studied for?

Before you buy Kratom, it’s important to understand as much as you can about the plant. Learning more about these alkaloids can help you better understand the myriad of ways Kratom may be further developed and used. Let’s take a closer look!

What Are Kratom Alkaloids?

Alkaloids are a type of naturally-occurring compounds found in many plants. These compounds contain at least one nitrogen atom. These compounds bind readily with receptors in the human body; they cause physiological effects because of this binding. Common alkaloids include caffeine and morphine. The impacts of alkaloids vary widely.

Kratom is a natural plant, and Kratom leaves have a variety of alkaloids in them. In fact, more than forty different alkaloids have been found in Kratom. Many of these alkaloids have specific physiological effects on the body. Those alkaloids are being studied in more detail to find out what types of benefits might be found.

The specific alkaloid concentration in Kratom leaves can vary from tree to tree, strain to strain.  For that reason, additional research of the individual components is even more critical. Once the individual alkaloids are better understood, the potential effects of various alkaloid combinations can be studied in more detail as well.

Kratom Alkaloids Explained

Now that you know what alkaloids are, let’s cover Kratom’s alkaloids and alkaloid composition of this plant in more detail.

What We Know

The alkaloid content of Kratom leaves varies from plant to plant, tree to tree, and location to location. There is no guarantee of the exact breakdown of alkaloids in any Kratom leaf because many things affect the alkaloid composition:

  • Harvesting time and frequency
  • Weather patterns
  • Soil composition
  • When leaves are harvested
  • Dry season length
  • Strain
  • Geographic location
  • Age of leaves

As teams studied Kratom leaves in the 1970s and 1980s, they found that the alkaloid concentration varied in many ways. They began to compare samples and found that the above factors, as well as many others, changed what alkaloids were most prevalent in the leaves.

Despite the fact that more than 40 alkaloids have been identified in Kratom leaves, only two of those alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) are given credit for the effects of Kratom. That’s because they occur in the greatest concentrations. Mitragynine usually makes up around 60% of the alkaloid content of Kratom leaves on average.

As Kratom is studied in more detail in upcoming years, we can expect to find out more about the variances in alkaloids in terms of effects and growth patterns for the Kratom plants.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Meet The Alkaloids

Though more research still needs to be done about these substances, there are some alkaloids that have been studied after being found in Kratom.

Mitragynine

The most prevalent alkaloid in most Kratom leaves, mitragynine, is partially responsible for many of Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for many common uses, which can be fairly easily researched. As the primary Kratom alkaloid, it is one of the two alkaloids that has its content percentage detailed on Kratom packaging. 

7-hydroxymitragynine

The other Kratom alkaloid that is typically acknowledged by Kratom vendors is 7-hydroxymitragynine. While the amount of this alkaloid is substantially smaller than that of mitragynine, it is also a significant player in Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for its unique effects and receptor binding in particular.

The Phyllines

The naming of alkaloids is typically based on the original plant family that those alkaloids come from. A number of alkaloids found in Kratom are named with the -phylline base. Mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, speciophylline, rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and ciliaphylline are all found in Kratom.

These alkaloids are likely to be studied for their potential beneficial actions, and we hope to learn more soon about how they interact with functions of the human body.

Paynantheine and Speciogynine

After mitragynine, paynantheine and speciogynine make up for the largest percentage of alkaloids in Kratom leaves. These two alkaloids have been compared to similar alkaloids with and it may be assumed that their qualities are similar. It is possible that these alkaloids contribute to some benefits of Kratom, but more research is needed.

Corynoxine A and B

Found in other natural plant products as well, these alkaloids interact with important receptors in the human body. This means that they may affect the binding of body chemicals in some way. These alkaloids, like many others, are found in concentrations of far less than 1% in most leaves.

Why Is It Important To Know About These Alkaloids?

Simply put: we need to put more resources into studying them!

Kratom research has been progressing at a very slow pace for the last few years. Among other reasons, that is because of the complicated laws surrounding the possession, use, and classification of Kratom. Funding Kratom research is difficult whenever there are no laws clearly protecting its status.

As laws become clearer and Kratom earns a more protected status in the US, we can expect to see more research about Kratom and how it can affect the body. In particular, a lot of that research is likely to focus on the individual alkaloids found in Kratom and their effects.

Scientists, in particular, are very interested in Kratom’s potential effects. However, more research needs to be done on Kratom’s alkaloids.

The Future Of Kratom

Kratom as a whole plant and food supplement will continue to be studied, but we can also expect to see more and more branch-off studies of individual components. Often, it is easier to understand the effects of the broad plant if we studied individual chemical components first.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are being studied more than other alkaloids at this time, but that is going to change as Kratom becomes more heavily researched. We’re excited to find out what is discovered about this amazing plant.

The Kratom Industry & Fair Trade Practices: What We Are Doing

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Nearly everything that we do in the world impacts other people, things, and businesses. When it comes to buying a product like Kratom that is grown in one part of the world and then marketed in another, that impact can take on another level.

Goods that are traded worldwide are often subject to fair trade practices. These practices, used commonly in the chocolate, coffee, and clothing industries, can help ensure life and environment sustaining practices take over as the industry’s norm.

Has this happened in the Kratom industry? Are fair trade practices a regular part of the industry, or are there still improvements to be made?

Today, we’ll talk in more detail about fair trade as it applies to the Kratom industry. It’s time to find out if the products you support help make a positive difference in the world!

Why Does Fair Trade Matter?

Fair trade products are becoming a more and more common sight when shopping. Why is it that so many people have taken to the idea of supporting the fair trade movement in a huge variety of businesses?

As knowledge becomes more pervasive worldwide, people are becoming more aware of the unethical practices used in many industries. Even though it is expected for some level of difference to exist in wages worldwide, seeing the farmers growing our coffee or cocoa beans making low wages that they cannot survive on is not good.

Fair trade practices seek to ensure that the marginalized people working in various industries are being treated properly. From solidifying their workplaces’ safety and hygiene to providing some type of economic stability through their wages, the goal is to create sustainable working conditions.

Environmental and economic stability is essential in today’s world. Fair trade practices help ensure that workers and businesses worldwide are supporting both of these things.

Fair Trade Labeling: Not All Is As It Seems

When shopping for fair trade products, it may seem to be as simple as checking for a label and then moving on with your purchase.

Unfortunately, things are not always as simple as they seem. Fair trade labeling is a common practice, but not all labels are created equally! Companies that want to be involved with the positive marketing of fair trade labels find ways to get involved that aren’t as supportive of the movement as it may seem at first glance.

Fair trade labels come in many varieties, and the organization that oversees these labels is actually split into distinct classifications. The classifications are given out by different non-profit and membership organizations, and each specific label has different guarantees.

For example, some labels are given only if the business meets a strict set of fair trade and ethical business practices. Other labels are given out if a certain number of ingredients fits those practices, even if the other ingredients do not.

The best way to be sure that you are buying fair trade products that genuinely make a difference is to research the products and the company. Find out if they care about ethical production and business standards, and then make your decision about whether to shop there or not. 

Companies that are truly dedicated to the communities where their products come from will be ready to show you just what they are doing to make a difference!

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Labeling In The Kratom Industry

The Kratom industry does not have any specific fair trade classifications or non-profit organizations working to ensure fair trade practices are followed at this time, though we are excited to say this is changing. And, regardless of that, Kratom companies can still apply the principles of fair trade practices to their supply chain.

Kratom companies rely on a healthy production cycle to be able to keep doing business for years to come. By making sure that their suppliers and harvesters are working in good conditions and in a way that is sustainable for the Kratom forests, Kratom companies can ensure that their business will have a steady supply chain.

The supply for a single Kratom manufacturer often comes from dozens of harvesters, if not more, so getting strict accreditation of fair trade principles from each harvester can be very difficult.

Still, many of these harvesters are solo workers that are being paid fairly to work in an industry that is much more sustainable than other common farming industries in their home regions.

The Future Of Fair Trade In Kratom’s Future

Compared to other industries that have flourishing fair trade labeling and organizations, Kratom is a very young industry. While it has been used worldwide for a long time, the consistent import and sale of kratom have only been going on for a few decades.

As the Kratom industry grows more and the practices around Kratom sales in the United States become regulated, we can expect to see more organizations incorporating Kratom fair trade principles into their labeling guidelines. Bulk products like tea and coffee are often included in these organizations, so it makes sense that Kratom supplement teas will be added at some time as well.

Until then, continue to seek out Kratom companies that do their best to be transparent about their supply chain and the safety checks that they have in place to ensure that you are receiving a safe, ethical supply of Kratom in every shipment.

Phytoextractum & Our Supply Chain

Here at Phytoextractum, we are committed to making sure that our customers can get their supply of safe, high-quality Kratom products from our store.

To make this happen, we are connected with our suppliers and supply chain at many points in the process. We ensure that our products are being handled properly, and that means that we also have to check up on the standards used at these facilities and for harvesters. You can be sure that the Kratom for sale here at Phytoextractum doesn’t come from a factory farm with no commitment to sustainability.

From start to finish, we want to play a part in bringing a fair, ethically-created product to those that rely on it. We hope that we can continue to do just that and encourage others in our position to do the same! Let us know if there is anything else that you’d like to see us do as we continue to grow with you and with the industry. \

All About The Environmental Impact of Kratom

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On our blog here at Phytoextractum, we talk a lot about where kratom comes from and how it is being sold in America. While these are important topics, there are a few other areas that we haven’t covered yet.

One area that we’ve been thinking a lot about recently is the environmental impact of kratom. The shift from excess plastic to more eco-friendly options has been a huge shift in modern-day American culture, but we know that there is a lot more work to be done in the realms of sustainability and monitoring the environmental impacts of business. 

We started thinking: is kratom sustainable? Does it have a net neutral impact on the environment, or is it causing damages to the areas where it is farmed? These questions aren’t easily answered, but they are important.

Take some time today to learn about sustainability, kratom, and how those two worlds are currently intersecting! We are interested in what effect kratom is having on this aspect of the world and are excited to share our findings with you!

Risky Industries In The Region

Palm oil plantations and the timber industry are huge threats to rainforests and ecosystems where kratom grows naturally. Both of these industries tend to deforest huge areas of the rainforests to get more material or more space for their own production purposes, and that can cause huge problems.

The palm industry, in particular, is known for being incredibly rehabilitating to the ecosystem. It’s even been shown to be one of the causes of increased climate change problems in recent years.

Still, both of these industries are the lifeblood of some regions in Southeast Asia. Due to the limited work options, many farmers and laborers rely on these industries to keep their families afloat. There are few options, so they take part in a system that is slowly killing the world around them.

A Better Option: Kratom

As the kratom industry has come back to life in the past decade, many farmers and laborers have returned to this traditional farming practice. The industry gives them another option outside of the palm oil industry and the timber industry. And for many farmers, that is a huge relief.

That’s not to say that every single palm oil plantation is going to close in favor of kratom farming, but there is a considerable effect that has been had by giving these people another profitable option.

Important Sustainable Points for Kratom

In addition to being a great alternative to more harmful options in native kratom regions, there are many ways that the kratom industry can continue to be a positive force in the world of sustainability.

For the most part, kratom farms are doing things the right way, but there is always the risk that will change in the future as kratom becomes more and more popular. Hopefully, that will never become a huge concern. The key points that kratom farms need to stick to include the following.

Continue The Traditions

Traditionally, kratom has been harvested in very sustainable and environmentally friendly ways. Kratom farming was harvested in small villages throughout the forests, and this is a better alternative than cutting down forests in order to grow kratom trees.

The traditional farming method used for kratom is very different from most industrial agriculture practices, and sticking to the existing traditions is much kinder to the planet.

Avoiding Centralized Cultivation

As mentioned, kratom farms were typically spread through the forests of the countries where kratom is naturally found.

Centralized cultivation of kratom would require wide-spread cutting of the forests and rainforests in these regions; this is something that often happens in other primary industries in the region.

Kratom does not, and does not need to, rely on that type of huge plantation. Kratom farming can be successful by harvesting and cultivating wild trees as well as setting up small farms in the backyards of people and laborers in each village. Having just a few trees in each year is enough to harvest kratom while also continuing the biodiversity of the region.

Stick To Sustainability

As demand continues to grow for kratom around the world, there is a risk of sustainable practices being abandoned in favor of “faster” production. It’s important that the future generations of kratom farmers continue to follow in the footsteps of sustainable kratom farmers by:

  • Only harvesting leaves that are ready and needed
  • Leaving the trees with enough leaves to be healthy between harvests
  • Avoiding harsh chemicals and pesticides
  • Not allowing any chemical processing required to get into local groundwater
  • Avoiding any damage to the local ecosystem

Sticking to both wild and backyard farming is a great way to avoid the dangers that can happen with these issues.

Long-Term Growth Is Best

Another important facet of the kratom industry is that more mature kratom trees are actually better options for a high-quality extract and leaf. Trees need to mature for at least three years before they are harvested, and the best leaves often come from trees that are more than 20 years old.

The longer that kratom trees are allowed to thrive, the better the final product will be. This means that there is a lot of value in helping the forests to thrive, and that can be a great thing for these kratom-adjacent ecosystems.

Additionally, it is possible that kratom trees grow best when they are underneath a larger forest canopy. This is why wild harvesting of wild-grown kratom trees is so popular, and it is likely that that practice will continue. This practice encourages forest growth and sustainability, and that is amazing.

We Care About The Future

Here at Phytoextractum, we are always thinking about our sourcing and supply line. We want to make sure that we are only sourcing the highest-quality kratom, and we do a variety of testing to ensure that this remains true.

As we move forward in the industry, we also want to be sure that we pay attention to sustainability and how the farmers that we work with are affecting the environment around them. Hopefully, other kratom vendors will continue to do the same!

Advocating For Kratom In Pandemic Times: How You Can Help

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Phytoextractum has long prioritized the treatment of kratom on the political and social level in America. Using kratom legally and easily in America has been a problem for decades as the policies surrounding its use are constantly evolving. We feel it is important to continue to be involved in pro-kratom advocacy efforts to ensure that our customers can continue to safely access kratom.

However, many of the traditional routes for advocacy in America have been changing in recent months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As the spread has affected how groups can meet with politicians and other important advocacy resources, the fight for kratom protections is forever changed.

What can you still do to ensure that kratom advocacy can continue with gusto despite the pandemic? Let’s find out together.

Goals of Kratom Advocacy in 2020

Though the world has changed a lot, the ultimate goals for kratom advocacy by large groups like the American Kratom Association continue to be the same today as they were before:

  • Pass KCPA laws in states where no kratom protections exist
  • Continue to enroll vendors in the GMP compliance program
  • Ensure vendors are testing their products properly
  • Set up more third-party independent testing
  • Educating consumers about how to buy kratom safely

COVID-19 & Advocacy

How exactly has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that kratom advocacy works in 2020?

Fewer Political Meetings and Legislative Sessions

The thing that has probably had the biggest effect on kratom advocacy is the simple fact that most politicians, legislators, and local leaders are not meeting as frequently with advocacy groups. This is due to the strict social distancing requirements needed to slow the pandemic spread, but it is causing a variety of side effects.

Earlier this year, AKA expected to move forward with KCPA proposals in more than 20 states, but many of those states have had to push back the review of such proposals until next year. While this is understandable, it presents a big roadblock for kratom advocacy.

Other Issues Take Priority

Once sessions do resume, it is to be expected that other issues such as health and budgets will take priority before any outside proposals, such as KCPA protections, are able to be brought up, discussed, and voted on. To keep these proposals relevant, advocacy groups like AKA are going to have to work overtime to ensure that they do not get passed over in the confusion that is 2020.

Misinformation

Another problem at this time is misinformation that is being spread by counter-kratom organizations in some regions, particularly in local jurisdictions. Typically, advocacy groups would fan out to try to address this misinformation in real-time, but that is not always possible due to the pandemic, so it has fallen to local citizens to argue for their right to use kratom safely and legally.

How Kratom Lovers Can Help

Are you worried about the future of kratom? Do you want to make sure that it is still both safe and legal to keep using kratom for years to come? If so, it is time to see what you can do to get involved in kratom advocacy efforts. Getting involved in 2020 might look a little different than it did in 2019, but there are still a lot of ways that you can make a difference.

Support the American Kratom Association

We’ve supported the efforts of the American Kratom Association (AKA) for years, and we plan to continue to do so for years to come. It’s not just organizations or businesses like us like that can get involved; you can also get directly involved in their efforts to make things better.

If you visit the AKA website, you can find more about many ways to get involved:

  • Join the AKA forums to discuss and interact with ongoing issues
  • Read the latest updates about kratom legislative actions
  • Find out if any initiatives are ongoing in your state
  • Join the Kratom Advocacy Council to be a more direct helper
  • Donate to support their efforts

Even if you just use AKA to become better informed about the issues that are affecting the kratom community at large, you will be making a difference in the way that kratom is perceived and received in society.

Contact Your Legislators

While AKA and similar advocacy groups can do a lot by working with legislators and local leaders to change the way that kratom is treated, their efforts only mean so much if there aren’t also local residents sharing their views on kratom as well. Legislators are far more likely to support a movement if they know that their constituents are in support of the movement, so using your voice in favor of Kratom in your community can make a huge difference.

Contact your local, state, and national representatives to share your opinion as much as possible. Pay attention to what issues they are voting on and how they are voting. Send letters and emails to explain your support or dissent with various opinions. Doing these things does not take a lot of time, but it does make a huge difference.

Get Educated

Finally, one of the most important things that you can do is to get educated about kratom and current kratom science. Not only does having this information benefit you, but it also makes it possible to refute misinformation publicly whenever you come across it. Having knowledge is power, and that is why we have a complete resources blog to help share what we know with our customers!

Phytoextractum

We want to protect kratom and kratom lovers now and for many years to come, and that is why we have always prioritized ensuring that our standards and processes are held to the highest degree of safety rules. We want to see that become the standard across the entire kratom industry, and that is why we support the work that kratom advocacy groups are doing.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, advocacy has taken on new forms, but it is still just as important as it ever was.

Where To Safely Buy Kratom (Hint: It’s NOT Amazon!)

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The safety of kratom throughout the last decade has been rapidly improved by an overall improvement in community standards, but that doesn’t mean that the quest to ensure that kratom is safe for consumption in America is over.

Though there are many reputable vendors working hard to only provide their customers with high-quality kratom, there are also vendors who are willing to sell subpar products at a lower price. For kratom users that aren’t aware of this problem, they might be unknowingly using a dangerous product.

Safely buying kratom is incredibly important. To make sure that you are safely stocking up on kratom, follow this guide (and avoid Amazon!).

Why You Should Avoid Amazon

Buying from a third-party seller such as Amazon is tempting in a number of industries, and some people might be tempted to try to buy their kratom there as well. After all, it just makes sense to order all of your things from one place to simplify the shipping process, right?

Ordering from one seller for many items certainly streamlines the process, but that doesn’t always mean that you are going to be making a good choice by doing this. Let’s talk about why you might not want to order kratom on Amazon.

Safety Concerns

The primary concern when buying from a selling platform when it comes to kratom is safety. Kratom is a safe product when it is manufactured and sold honestly, but it can be hard to know if that is the case when buying from a large platform like Amazon. While the individual seller may be trying to be an honest seller, confirming that is not always easy.

Shipping Concerns

Even if manufacturing conditions are ideal, does the vendor know what happens to their products after they leave their warehouse and are in control of the third-party platform? The shipping and handling aspects when ordering through these services is often taken out of the seller’s hands, and that means that there is not as much clear regulation or direction.

In the case of kratom, it is very important that the product is handled properly from start to finish. Kratom-specific vendors know what works best and will prioritize it, but that cannot be said about other sellers.

Additionally, customer service issues that come up with shipping may be better handled by individual sellers rather than large conglomerations.

Unknown Vendors

Do you recognize the vendor? Can you find information about them? Do they share their sources and how they ensure product safety? While there is an approval process for Amazon vendors, it is not always strict enough to work for a product like kratom.

Liability Limitations

This is arguably the biggest reason not to order form Amazon. No listings on Amazon directly state the word kratom because they have some liability agreements in place that do not allow vendors to sell products like kratom on the platform.

That means that any vendor selling kratom on Amazon is technically doing so illegally, so you should not buy the products from the site at this time.

Even if a company that you think that you want to try sells its products on a third-party platform, it is often better to buy kratom directly from the source as most vendors have a better profit margin when they sell their own products. If you want to support the industry, buying direct is therefore more powerful.

Where To Safely Buy Kratom

If you want to find a better option of where to buy kratom, there are luckily many other fantastic options today. The kratom industry gets stronger each year, and there are more and more brands that can be relied upon to stock up on good products.

Our company, Phytoextractum, continually dedicates time and resources to ensure that we are compliant with the latest best practices. We are part of the GMP-compliance program, which essentially means that we are doing all that we can to ensure our product is handled safely from start to finish.

Of course, we aren’t the only company that is doing our part to ensure the safety and future of the industry!

How To Vet Your Kratom Suppliers

When shopping for a high-quality kratom vendor, look for the following:

  • See if the company is part of the GMP compliance program run by the American Kratom Association
  • Look up their supply chain
  • Ask them questions about their testing procedures
  • See if they have any educational resources
  • Check reviews

By doing a little bit of research before you purchase kratom, you’ll be empowering yourself to ensure you only receive the highest quality kratom.

Why Kratom Safety Matters

Those that are new to buying kratom might not be sure why kratom safety matters so much, and they might instead look to find the cheapest product available. Unfortunately, not all kratom that is available online today should be considered pure.

As with any product, kratom needs to be properly tested, stored, handled, and shipped to be safe for use. If the vendors or suppliers do not do their part, the product can become cross-contaminated and unsafe.

Many industries have federal or state regulations that ensure proper safety procedures are followed. Because of the constantly changing legal status of kratom, however, such protections are not always in place. Some states have adopted Kratom Consumer Protection Acts, which prioritize kratom safety, but these are not yet a universal measure.

For that reason, kratom consumers need to be careful about who they buy from and ensure that they are doing what they can to buy from vendors that care about safety. The future of the kratom industry depends on this.

Stay Safe With Phytoextractum

As mentioned, we know just how important it is for kratom to be safely handled for the sake of the kratom industry, our business, and of course, our customers. That is why not only make sure that we properly test our products, but we also support the actions being taken on a national scale by the American Kratom Association to protect consumers.

If you ever have any questions or concerns about kratom and how it is being sold by our company, please feel free to reach out at any time.

Kratom Ads: What’s Allowed and What’s Not? | Why It Matters

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Did you know that there are many limitations put on what we can and cannot say about kratom? Even when new science points out exciting possibilities for kratom, we can often not share that news with our customers due to FDA regulations. 

What can we put on our kratom labels, and why does this matter so much in the industry?

Today, we’ll give you some deep insight into what is and what is not allowed when it comes to kratom advertisement and how we are working to improve that. The restrictions in place may be shocking, but they are the reality of what the industry must deal with.

The Truth About What We Can Say

Here at Phytoextractum, we do our best to keep our customers informed with the latest news in Kratom while ensuring our advertising and labeling first with all current guidelines. It’s not always an easy line to walk, but we do our best.

Our Product Information

When you visit our website and browse the kratom products that we have available, there is certain information that you will always find:

  • Product name
  • Product strain
  • Product strain origins
  • Product active ingredients
  • Testing information

You will notice that our product pages never mention any specific benefits that consumers might look for from kratom, nor do we give guidance about using kratom for any specific conditions. As kratom is only categorized as a supplement or herb, we cannot give this type of guidance.

Avoiding Unsubstantiated Claims

The biggest thing that we have to avoid when writing up any product labels, descriptions, or articles is that the FDA would consider unsubstantiated claims.

Under FDA guidance, there are two types of claims. Health claims are claims that must be pre-approved by the FDA and specifically address how a product or ingredient treats a specific condition or symptom. Structure/function claims are claims about nutrient effects that can be used more generally, but they still must have enough evidence to support these claims.

The FDA does not permit kratom vendors to use either health or structure/function claims as they do not currently recognize much of the ongoing research about kratom and its potential effects.

AKA’s Compliance Guidelines

In addition to paying attention to the latest news about kratom out of the FDA, we use the GMP compliance program rules from the American Kratom Association to guide what we do and do not say about kratom in our advertising and on our labels.

Essentially, this means that we do the following on our labels:

  • We do not say that kratom can treat any specific disease, nor do we include any specific research data, clinical studies, or health claims as the FDA could claim they are unsubstantiated.
  • We always include a disclaimer that our products are not intended to treat any specific disease or condition.
  • We ensure that our products affirm that we have not altered the content of the active ingredient in any way.
  • We make sure our products all have the appropriate batch and lot numbers.

By extension, we are also careful not to make any specific claims about what kratom can and cannot do in our marketing as well. We have seen how the FDA prevents vendors from sharing these types of experiences or ongoing research areas, so we reduce our risk by covering other areas instead.

FDA Pushback

The back-and-forth between advocates for the kratom industry and the FDA has been going on for years. While the FDA continues to try to push for the scheduling of kratom as a drug, the National Institute of Drug Abuse has concluded through their studies that it does not qualify for scheduling at this time.

Still, the FDA continues to ignore ongoing research and considers all claims about kratom to be unsubstantiated. Simultaneously, they affirm that kratom research suggests it may be just as dangerous as opioids, which is an unsubstantiated claim by their own terms.

Ultimately, the FDA’s conflict to settle on reasonable and measured regulation of the kratom industry will continue for years to come.

The Future Of Advertising And Labeling

The restrictions placed on kratom vendors is dangerous, and we’re not just saying that because it can be challenging to know what we can and cannot legally say!

Strict limitations are put in place without giving clarity to the kratom industry at large, leading to a lot of confusion for customers. High-quality vendors like us take these restrictions seriously while other companies ignore them and make bold, inaccurate claims.

As a consumer, how are you supposed to know what is and what is not okay? Without clarity or approved regulation from the FDA, consumers are left in a dangerous position.

Implementing The KCPA

One way that the American Kratom Association is addressing this problem is by working with specific states to implement the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. These acts function on the state level and ensure that kratom vendors working in that state must follow guidelines. These guidelines provide information on how labeling and information should be handled and regulated. 

Truth in Labeling Program

The AKA also recently started a program known as Truth in Labeling. Through this program, companies that are making bold or unsubstantiated claims can be reported to the group. AKA will then reach out to the vendor to help them get their labels under control.

If the vendor continues to risk the industry’s future by refusing to comply with FDA protocols, the vendor will be reported to the FDA. This process will begin the self-regulation that is present in other supplement industries.

Keep Yourself Informed

While we will continue to ensure that we provide as much good information as possible while also creating our high-quality products, we urge curious consumers to stay up to date through other sources.

Kratom vendors like us are limited in what we are permitted to say because unsubstantiated claims could cause the FDA to target our business. Still, other organizations such as the American Kratom Association can share more research, statistics, and information.

To stay up to date with the latest kratom news, visit AKA’s website today.