In an effort to combat more dangerous drugs, Thailand has legalised Kratom, a soft drug with euphoric effects.
On 26 May this year, Thailand removed Kratom from its national drug list, allowing for planting, sale and personal use, with the idea that it would help take back market share from amphetamines in short order.
See : Kratom removed from the list of illegal drugs in Thailand
Despite a relentless fight against drugs and frequent seizures by the authorities, the supply of ya ba (a methamphetamine) tablets has increased to the point where prices are falling.
See : Destroyed lives, overcrowded prisons: the hidden cost of ya ba methamphetamine in Thailand
Kratom has two main advantages in the war on drugs, it can help hard drug users to withdraw and it can also replace the use of other drugs due to its euphoric and relaxing properties.
The plant grows in Southeast Asia and was declared a type 5 drug like cannabis 76 years ago.
Pharmacologically, kratom acts in some ways similar to other substances such as narcotics and yohimbine.
However, the effect is weaker and more subtle.
Kratom has the ability to make withdrawal less painful in people with narcotic dependence due to agonism of the mu receptor for mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Psychologically, it does not affect the mood as much as drugs.
Even though Kratom is relatively powerful depending on the dose, the euphoric effect is not its characteristic.
The euphoric phase is quickly replaced by a sedative phase which, unlike drugs such as codeine, is not fun.
On the other hand, sedation relaxes the muscles, which is a real relief for a person going through withdrawal.
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