Kratom is not an opiate. Opiates are chemicals that come initially from poppies. Kratom is not related to poppies in any way. It does not supress breathing and there are no know deaths or overdoses from kratom. The kratom plant, mitragynia speciosa, is related to the coffee plant. In low doses, 1-2 grams of the powdered leaf, it is a mild stimulant. In higher doses, it is a mild relaxant. Just like caffiene you can become dependent on kratom and there may be mild discontinuation symptoms of insomnia and body aches...again, much like trying to give up coffee. It does not effect thyriod function. Many people are using it to help discontinue using pain pills and heroin so the rehab doctors are starting rumors against its use and lobbying to demonize it in the media. It was outlawed in Thailand, the country of origin, in 1942 because the citizens were using kratom to stop taking opium which the government taxed heavily and profited while kratom was free. If Dr Golden should be warning of anything, it should be of oxycodone available through Dr.s prescriptions, not a natural plant product.View Thread