Dr. Oliver Grundmann joins us on Adventures Through The Mind to talk about Kratom. We discuss its traditional cultural use, legal history, pharmacology, modern cultural use, preparation best practices, its benefits and its risks, and how to safely start using kratom. --LINKS-- For links to Dr. Anderson's work, full show notes, and to watch this episode in video, head to https://bit.ly/ATTMind118 ***Full Topics Breakdown Below*** --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso ► Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ ► More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ ► Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter   *** Extra BIG thanks to my patrons on Patreon for helping keep this podcast alive! Especially, Thomas & Melanie H, Clea S, Dean H, Joe A, Andy D, Stephen B, Ian C, David W, Don J, Yvette FC, Ann-Madeleine, Dima B, & Chuck W ************** Episode Breakdown What is kratom? Kratom’s cultural traditions and history of use Is its prohibition being lobbied by the drug trade? Traditional preparations of kratom  Pharmacology and effects in the brain G proteins, opioid receptors, and the beta arrestin 2 pathway How kratom gives you an opioid high without suppressing breathing The differing addictive potentials of Kratom's alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine What opioid receptor is being activated with kratom? Is kratom addictive? What are the symptoms of withdrawal? Doctors might give you methadone for kratom withdrawal The difference betweenness addiction and dependence How good therapy might mean nothing for addiction if there are no social supports to help people into healthier social-economic circumstances Why people use kratom and how effective it is according to the research Adverse effects | kratom side effects Is kratom toxic for the liver? Yes, but it’s not that simple. How to know if you have an addiction to kratom What to watch out for when first starting with kratom How to get the most out of your kratom (skip the OJ!) Do different strains make a difference? Is the DEA trying to suppress kratom to protect the profits of big pharma? The importance of more research Further links and resources   ************** --- SUPPORT THIS PODCAST — ► Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso ► Donations: https://www.paypal.me/JWJesso ► Merchandise: https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ ► More options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support/ ► Newsletter: https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter --- BOOKS — Decomposing The Shadow: https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness: https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/ --- LINKS — Website: https://www.jameswjesso.com/ Speaking Tour: https://www.jameswjesso.com/events/ Podcast: https://www.jameswjesso.com/podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jameswjesso Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attmindpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jameswjesso