The Potential for Kratom as an Antidepressant and Antipsychotic.

, otherwise known as kratom, is a plant in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Southeast Asia and Thailand whose leaves have been shown to cause opioid-like and stimulant responses upon ingestion. The major pharmacologically active compounds present in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG), are both indole alkaloids and are responsible for its opioid-like activity. While kratom is most commonly known for its affinity for mu-opioid receptors, research has shown one of its active components has effects on the same receptors to which some antipsychotics bind, such as D dopamine, serotonin (5-HT and 5-HT), and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors displaying possible indications of kratom to be used as both antipsychotics and antidepressants.