This has been done. Mitragynine and 7-OH-mitragyine (the primary alkaloids in kratom) do not recruit β-arrestin[1], which os what causes typical opioid side effects - including respiratory depression. It is this that kills when you overdose on almost every other known opioid drug. This really is huge deal.
Less importantly, but still relevant, it also doesn't cause anywhere near the level of constipation that pharmaceutical opioid drugs cause.
It also activates both mu and delta opioid receptors, which is perhaps why I personally find it is so much more effective for neuropathic pain than the more common mu-opiod pharmaceutical drugs.
Less importantly, but still relevant, it also doesn't cause anywhere near the level of constipation that pharmaceutical opioid drugs cause.
It also activates both mu and delta opioid receptors, which is perhaps why I personally find it is so much more effective for neuropathic pain than the more common mu-opiod pharmaceutical drugs.
[1] http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jacs.6b00360?journalCode...