Disappointed this platform is allowing the promotion of a product that has been deemed unsafe and acts as a prescription strength opioid

[Natureloverpeace]

Kratom is a product that originally was going to be classified as a Schedule 1 drug because of it’s potential dangerousness. Some other drugs that fall into this classification are heroin and LSD. Kratom acts as a prescription strength opioid . It can be addictive over time. It is currently sold as a dietary supplement in some places although some cities and states in the United States have banned it. Thailand, where the product is from, banned it decades ago because of its propensity for abuse and addiction. In the places where it’s sold legally in the United States, it not unusual to find it laced with other opioids. It’s very common for supplements to have additional products in them that aren’t indicated on the label or the product to be in a different dosage than the label indicates. Dietary supplements aren’t regulated so this is common. More states are considering banning the sale of kratom. Some medical experts say that it should be classified as a Schedule 1 drug while other medical experts say it should be studied and regulated.

Kratom was promoted by a new member of this community the other day for OCD. The member claimed it helped their OCD. It’s understandable that people want to directly negate distressful feelings from their obsessions. This is why people do compulsions. Compulsions reinforce OCD because they provide temporary relief from the distressful feelings but they’re never enough. They teach the brain that the compulsions are necessary and that the lies that OCD tries to sell are true. They also teach the brain that distressful feelings can’t be tolerated and a learned helplessness sets in. The person does more and more compulsions in an attempt to feel better but it makes things worse in the long-run as it causes OCD to take over their lives.

People have used substances such as alcohol, etc. to avoid or reduce distressful feelings instead of learning skills to manage them effectively. The thing to ask yourself is What is the function of my behavior? I am disappointed that this platform is allowing the promotion of kratom to treat OCD. I really doubt that the IOCDF Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board would go along with this.

[kenster1]

Hi have you raised this with the moderators.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to kenster1]

Yes

[kenster1 in reply to Natureloverpeace]

must admit don`t know of these meds but they might allow it if it`s not a universal ban.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to kenster1]

It’s a dietary herbal supplement, not a medication. The FDA has warned people not to use it because of the dangers it poses. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that so far there isn’t any research that shows it’s safe or effective. The Mayo Clinic has deemed it not safe or effective. More than a dozen countries have made it illegal or restricted its use. Some states, counties and cities in the United States have done the same. There aren’t any FDA approved kratom drug products or over the counter drug products containing kratom that are legally on the market in the United States

[kenster1 in reply to Natureloverpeace]

you`d imagine HU would be aware of it.

[Natureloverpeace in reply to kenster1]

As a former administrator of different OCD support groups, I’m not surprised to see posts about supplements or similar things, legal and illegal ones, to treat OCD. Unfortunately, it’s common. Often they are posted by a person new to the group who is running a scam for financial gain or phishing. Sometimes though the person truly believes the product they are promoting will help as I believe that’s what’s happening here. It’s not unusual to see the same person who promoted the product to promote it on several platforms and promote for a multitude of conditions . More and more, it’s being done by a bot that a person will install and activate later . Many administrators stay on top of this and delete these posts right away. If it’s clearly a scam, the person or bot is blocked and removed from the group. Thankfully, group members don’t have to see most of those posts that way. I do believe the person in this case meant well and was trying to be helpful. The thing is, and I’ve seen this too many times, some people are desperate enough and are willing to try anything, even if it’s based on misinformation or isn’t recommended by experts in the field. The product can be dangerous and illegal, as in this case. Some people spend their money on such products and then give up on recovery when the product doesn’t work because then they believe they’re beyond help. This product may offer some temporary relief from anxiety or other related distressful feelings but then they will need more of the product for the relief. Compulsions work the same way. The goal of OCD treatment isn’t to make one’s distressful feelings go away, it’s to live a life according to one’s values instead of OCD’s lies. One needs to accept uncertainty and realize they are capable of dealing with distressing events and feelings. They need to do the ERP custom-fitted to them, not their themes, to see for themselves that they can stand up to OCD . This is empowerment for them , it puts them in the driver’s seat, not OCD. People can function well in recovery or they can totally let go of all of their OCD stuff and have freedom from it. Taking a substance like kratom won’t do that, it just provides temporary relief by briefly dampening distressing feelings. Recovery from OCD , or better yet, freedom from it, can involve distress tolerance, resilience and cognitive flexibility.

[PaperTigers]

Thank you for this information, I have always been wary of kratom even as an ex smoker of tobacco and I'm glad I stayed away from it after reading this post. I hope the mods are receptive and do what is best for everyone in this community. Thanks again for not being afraid to voice all of this.

[Coffeelove4444]

well said 👍👍

[Natureloverpeace in reply to Coffeelove4444]

Thank you