Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree in the coffee family, found in Indonesia and neighboring countries. In Indonesia, Kratom is known by the nickname “Heavenly Leaf from Kalimantan” because of its benefits as a traditional medicine.   In Southeast Asia, people traditionally have chewed its leaves or made them into a tea that is used to fight fatigue and improve work productivity.   Kratom has also traditionally been used during religious ceremonies and to treat symptoms such as pain and diarrhea, sometimes as a substitute for opium.   The use of Kratom leaves in the formulation of herbal supplements is becoming increasingly popular. Experts consider kratom an opioid-like substance because it affects your brain’s opioid receptors.   In low doses, it’s a stimulant. But in high doses, it can relieve pain like opioids do. Just like opioids, kratom can be addictive. People who use kratom have reported both stimulant-like effects (increased energy, alertness, rapid heart rate) and effects like those of opioids and sedatives (relaxation, pain relief, confusion). Some people in Western countries use kratom to try to treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.