Health Effects & Risks of Kratom, Opioids & Other Natural Occurring Medicines | Dr. Chris McCurdy

My guest is Dr. Chris McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida and a world expert on the pharmacology of kratom and other plant-derived medicinal compounds. We discuss kratom’s wide-ranging effects, including its use for boosting energy, enhancing mood, managing pain and as a potential opioid substitute, while also explaining its critical safety concerns and addictive potential, especially for kratom-derived/isolate products. We also discuss plant-based compounds more generally for their potential benefits and risks. Dr. McCurdy offers a balanced perspective on kratom and other plant-based and naturally occurring medicinal compounds, highlighting and contrasting their promise for human health with potential serious risks. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David Protein: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Chris McCurdy 00:02:51 Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Origin, Effects, Low vs High Doses 00:07:19 Sponsors: David Protein & Eight Sleep 00:10:07 Kratom, Traditional Use vs Commercial Kratom Products, Absorption 00:17:00 Kratom Products, Serving Size, Kids; Semi-Synthetics; Tool: Understand Kratom Product Labels 00:23:16 Kratom Products & Various Desired Effects; Physical Dependence 00:32:53 Different Kratom Usage Patterns, Opioid Dependence 00:36:59 Alkaloid Compounds, Nitrogen, Nicotine; Animals & Self-Experimentation 00:47:47 Sponsors: AG1 & ROKA 00:51:05 Medicine Development, Disconnection from Nature, Product Concentrations 00:59:00 Alkaloids & Natural Products, Opium Poppy, Coca Leaf, Tool: Kratom Leaf vs Extracts (Kratom-Derived/Kratom Isolates) 01:09:06 Is It Safe for Kids to Consume Kratom Products? 01:12:19 Kratom, Energy, Mood & Pain Management, Dose; Caffeine 01:16:56 Respiratory