Mitragyna speciosa, or Kratom, is a tropical plant native to the Southeast Asian region. The leaves of these evergreen plants are harvested and grounded to produce Kratom powder. The Kratom powder is either mixed with different foods or beverages, made into capsules, or brewed as a tea for consumption.
Many people believe that taking its supplements can help relieve chronic pain, help improve mood, reduce anxiety and act as an energy stimulant. Some people have also found evidence that it can help regulate high blood pressure, manage diabetes, improve libido, and even cope with opioid withdrawal.
It has become quite popular as a health supplement thanks to its several benefits. To make it even more desirable to the worldwide population, its vendors are also trying to develop new blends with increased therapeutic potential. The supergreen kratom is one of the superior Kratom blends known for its exceptional quality and effects.
Though manufacturers often popularize it as a safe health supplement, evidence has shown that it is not devoid of side effects. It led us to think about whether consuming this variant is advisable for pregnant ladies. We will try to find the answer to this question by exploring what Supergreen Kratom is and how it affects the health of an expecting mother and her baby.
What Is Supergreen Kratom?
Supergreen Kratom is a blend of Green-veined strains that grow in the mountain ranges of Malaysia and some regions of Indonesia. These regions have a unique soil composition that enables their leaves to mature fully and become more potent and efficient.
Supergreen Kratom contains high amounts of potent alkaloids such as Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as the alkaloids mimic the action of opioids and produce analgesic effects. It also acts as a sedative, helps reduce stress and anxiety, and improves sleep quality.
Being a premium quality strain, it shows maximum results even on ingesting small amounts of it. It improves cognitive function and enhances concentration and attentiveness. It relieves muscular and joint pain and promotes a sense of relaxation. Supergreen Kratom improves overall immunity too.
Is Taking Supergreen Kratom Safe During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an immunocompromised state, and thus, it is crucial to monitor what an expecting mother is ingesting and how it can affect the baby in her womb. It is not uncommon for expecting mothers to consume non-prescribed, over-the-counter drugs or health supplements. Due to its excellent qualities, Supergreen Kratom has also emerged as a popular health supplement among pregnant women.
But, as the mechanism of action of it is not yet fully understood, the practice of taking its supplements during pregnancy has raised concerns among healthcare professionals. While some say that Supergreen Kratom is dangerous during pregnancy, others believe the media and government exaggerate the concerns.
What Scientific Studies Has To Say About The Effects Of Kratom Use During Pregnancy?
The Drug Enforcement Administration has listed Kratom under the “Drugs of Concern.” Though research is still ongoing to discover more about this drug, its effects on the expecting mother and her fetus are largely unknown. A scientific review published in 2013 warned pregnant women to stay away from its supplements “due to lack of sufficient information.”
One can find another piece of information regarding the effect of Kratom during pregnancy in a 2017 retrospective study report published by a Thailand Poison care center. It states that its pre-delivery use has led to withdrawal symptoms in a 2-day old neonate, but the condition improved with “supportive treatment.”
In recent years, another six studies published by different researchers reported that its use during pregnancy does affect the fetus adversely. The studies observed seven newborns in North America who demonstrated symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal. One of the six reports stated that the infant was exhibiting symptoms such as:
- Breathing difficulties
- Irritability
- Jitteriness
- Muscle hypertonicity
- High-pitched, inconsolable cry
The studies indicated that Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the two opioid-mimicking alkaloids, might cause adverse reactions in newborn babies. Researchers also noted that it did not cause any lasting damage to the babies. All seven infants were stabilized using opioids like morphine. However, it is challenging to generate a definite conclusion without long-term studies.
Other Potential Risks Of Consuming Supergreen Kratom During Pregnancy:
The alkaloids in Supergreen Kratom can show strong effects on the body. While it is undeniable that some of the effects of Supergreen Kratom are positive, others can be harmful to the body, especially in pregnant ladies. Anecdotal evidence and scientific studies have revealed that it is not as safe as many vendors claim.
- Overdose
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that it has a high risk of causing an overdose. It is often difficult to understand how much it is safe to ingest for an expecting mother. Consuming excessive amounts of this drug can cause overdose symptoms such as:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Respiratory arrest
- Kidney failure
- High bilirubin levels
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Cardiac arrest
- Coma
- Contamination
The Food and Drug Association has issued a public health advisory against its use, stating that it is highly likely for Supergreen Kratom to contain impurities and adulterants like traces of heavy metals (lead, nickel, etc.). It might also contain dangerous contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, and more. Ingesting these contaminants may lead to health problems like anemia, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and nervous system damage, undesirable for both the mother and baby.
- Drug-Kratom Interactions
Some scientific and anecdotal evidence indicates that it might also react adversely with certain drugs such as cardiovascular drugs, CYP450 or UGT substrate drugs, and P-glycoprotein substrate drugs. If the expecting mother is under any such medication, it is not wise to adopt it as a health supplement during pregnancy.
- Dependency And Addiction
An animal study suggests that Mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in Supergreen Kratom, may have high addictive properties. Long-term use of this variant can cause dependency and show symptoms like nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, tremors, hallucinations, and insomnia. It might also affect the fetus.
The Bottom Line:
There is no legal barrier regarding its consumption in the United States to date. If you are a regular user of this drug and pregnant, make sure you let your doctor know about it so that they can help you avoid mishaps. This article serves its purpose as a kratom strain guide. Most healthcare professionals advise expecting mothers to avoid taking it due to a lack of evidence regarding its impact on the infant’s health.