Investigating the potential for abuse of kratom, an herbal substance.
Official title: A human abuse potential study of kratom
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11058299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kratom affects people who use opioids for fun, by giving them different doses to see how much they like it and how it works in their bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,837,093 |
| NIH project number | 1U01FD008327-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are non-treatment seeking recreational opioid users who are interested in participating in studies related to substance use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not recreational opioid users or those seeking treatment for substance use disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to evaluate the abuse potential and pharmacokinetic profile of kratom, an herbal substance with opioid-like properties. The study will involve non-treatment seeking recreational opioid users who will participate in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Participants will experience different doses of kratom, along with positive control drugs and placebo, to assess subjective effects such as 'drug liking'. Blood samples will be collected to analyze how kratom is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated in the body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the safety and abuse potential of kratom, informing public health policies and treatment approaches.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research on kratom's abuse potential, studies on other substances with similar properties have shown success in understanding their effects and risks.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verrico, Christopher D — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Verrico, Christopher D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.