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New Study Adds to Evidence of Low Abuse Potential of Kratom Research Directly Contradicts FDA's Position that Kratom is a Morphine -Like Opioid For additional information: Pete Candland Phone (703) 608 4649 SEPTEMBER 21, 2020, Washington D.C. —A new study by leading kratom researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) -funded kratom research program of the University of Florida found low abuse potential of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitrgynine in a classic animal model. This research adds to the body of evidence that directly contradicts the FDA's claim that kratom is a morphine -like opioid. The American Kratom Association (AKA) applauds this important new research that adds to the evidence that the FDA is wrong on its conclusions on kratom. "Kratom needs to be responsibly regulated to prevent dangerously adulterated counterfeit kratom products," commented Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the AKA. "The FDA has sufficient statutory authority to protect consumers, and this research proves once again the FDA has been wrong on characterizing kratom as having the same effects as classic opioids. The FDA must begin protecting consumers from adulterated kratom products rather than using adulterated products as the justification for a total ban just to expand their regulatory authority." The study concluding that kratom's primary alkaloids did not produce rewarding brain effects was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Drug and Alcohol Dependence by Dr. Behnood-Rod and colleagues.' This animal study employed the well-established intracranial self-stimulation procedure (ICSS)" that has been used for decades to document the rewarding effect of drug in male and female rats. The authors conclusions included the following: • "These initial findings indicate that mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are not rewarding in the ICSS procedure. The present results suggest that these kratom alkaloids do not have abuse potential" • "These preliminary ICSS studies suggest that the kratom alkaloids are not rewarding, and high doses might be aversive" In contrast to mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, they found, as shown in other studies "that the 10 mg/kg dose of morphine is rewarding", clearly differentiating these constituents from morphine. This study is an important complement to other recent studies employing the drug self administration procedure which show that mitragynine is of very low abuse potential."' 'v This is important because mitragynine is the alkaloid that is common to most marketed kratom products in the US and globally The American Kratom Association is tax-exempt 501-C4 consumer advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and preserving consumer access to safe and unadulterated Kratom products.