Respiratory depression (decreased breathing) is a major risk with all opiates; the medical literature is divided on whether it is a significant side effect of kratom, with some authorities not mentioning it and others emphasizing it.
Respiratory depression (decreased breathing) is a major risk with all opiates, though kratom is an opioid, having some similarities to but not being derived from opium. The medical literature is divided on whether respiratory depression is a significant side effect of kratom, with some authorities not mentioning it and others emphasizing it.