Citation

Singh D, Narayanan S, Müller CP, Swogger MT, Chear NJY, Dzulkapli EB, Yusoff NSM, Ramachandram DS, León F, McCurdy CR, Vicknasingam B. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2019; 233: 34-40.

Affiliation

Centre for Drug Research, University Sains Malaysia. 11800 Minden, Penang. Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.038

PMID

30594604

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The leaves of Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) or kratom have been traditionally used in Malaysia and Thailand mainly to enhance work productivity, as a folk remedy for treating common ailments, and as a mood enhancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This present study sought to investigate kratom use motives among regular kratom users in Malaysia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 116 regular kratom users were recruited for this cross-sectional survey. The Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ) was administered to measure kratom use motives.

RESULTS: Our results indicate that heavy (>3 glasses daily, each glass contains 48.24-50.4mg of mitragynine) kratom use was associated with coping (t_87.09=3.544, p<0.001), and enhancement (t₁₁₄=2.180, p=003). Single subjects had higher mean scores on the coping domain, relative to married subject (t_113.89=3.029, p<0.003), while those earning more than RM1,500 per month had higher mean scores on the enhancement domain, compare to those earning less than RM1,500 per month (t₁₀₇=2.151, p<0.034). Higher scores on the coping domain was significantly associated with higher (>3 glasses daily) kratom consumption (p<0.0045).

CONCLUSIONS: Coping was associated with high (>3 glasses daily) kratom consumption among regular kratom users in traditional, rural settings.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Kratom; Malaysia; coping; mitragynine and opioid; motives