Mitragynine is a powerful alkaloid found in the Southeast Asian plant Kratom.
Alkaloids are a broad family of organic compounds that must contain at least one nitrogen atom. They can have many different uses, and the specific effects of each alkaloid depend on the particular chemical structure. Caffeine and nicotine are two alkaloids most people are familiar with.
Kratom contains other alkaloids in addition to mitragynine, most notably 7-hydroxymitragynine. However, mitragynine is the most prevalent alkaloid in most kratom strains and is responsible for much of kratom’s energizing properties and some pain relief.
While many parts of this plant contribute to its greatness, mitragynine — a chemical naturally found within kratom leaves — is the real hero.
Most kratom strains contain between 0.5 and 1.5% alkaloid concentrations, most of which is mitragynine. Different kratom strains contain varying amounts of mitragynine, depending on where they’re grown and how farmers cultivate them.
Other primary kratom alkaloids include:
7-hydroxymitragynine
Corynantheidine
Paynantheine
Speciocilliatine
Speciogynine
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