Mitragynine

9-methoxy-corynantheidine, C₂₃H₃₀N₂O₄ (mol. wt. 398.50)

Primary active principle of Kratom

"The mitragyna-tree is a tree growing in Thailand and, locally, known as 'Cratôme'. It contains an unusual, poorly-known, psychotropic molecule called mitragynine. Mitragynine is reported by local people as having tranquillising properties, at low doses, shifting to stimulant properties at higher doses! I have experimented with, apparently, low doses consisting of three smoken leaves(leaves of the mitragyna-tree are fairly equal in size), in order to collect first-hand information about the psychotropic effects of mitragynine. What I observed, subjectively, more or less reminds the effects of the serotonin re-uptake blockers, such as zimelidine or fluvoxamine. Mitragynine, mainly, blocks motivations and induce indifference, together with a strong sense of laziness! Everything becomes borring to do. It would be interesting to know if mitragynine has serotonin re-uptake blocking properties. ... It would also be interesting to investigate mitragynine and the negative schizophrenic symptoms (blunting of emotions).

Mitragyna leaves are used, locally, as a treatment for opiate addiction."

-Claude Rifat

Taxa Containing Mitragynine:

Documents:

• Kratom: What Is It?
  by Murple, May 29 2000. Distribute Freely.
• Role Seen For Traditional Herbal Stimulant
  News article explores Kratom's virtues

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Contacts and URLs:

• The alkaloids of Mitragyna
  with special reference to those of Mitragyna speciosa (related items...)

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