Kratom 101: Pharmacology, Behavioral Effects, and Clinical Management

Needs Statement

Psychiatry and behavioral science healthcare professionals need to be equipped with the latest evidence-based knowledge and clinical skills to address complex psychiatric conditions. This series provides a platform for disseminating new research findings, updates in diagnosis and treatment, and empirical evidence-based practices. By engaging in case-based clinical scenario discussions and exploring therapeutic options and strategies, attendees can translate insights into practice, such as adopting novel therapies or adjusting prescribing habits. Ultimately these insights and skills can enable participants to refine their clinical decision-making, directly impacting clinical practice and improving patient outcomes.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, the participants should be able to:

• Review the pharmacological profile of kratom and its active compounds and describe the mechanisms of action, including opioid receptor activity, and their implications for mental health and addiction.
• Identify the behavioral and physiological effects of kratom and evaluate the therapeutic potential and risks of kratom use, including its impact on mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders.
• Recognize the signs of dependence, withdrawal, and misuse, as well as the clinical management of kratom use.
• Apply knowledge of opioids to monitor for similar patterns of dependence, withdrawal, and misuse in kratom use, including behavioral and physiological indicators of problematic use.
• Discuss evidence-based approaches to treatment and harm reduction of kratom use.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures
• Case Presentations
• Literature Review
• Panel Discussion

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Work: The Baylor College of Medicine Division of Continuing Professional Development (License Number 7270) is an approved continuing education provider for Social Workers through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. This activity has been approved for 0.5 continuing education unit.

Term of Approval

September 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. Original release date: September 1, 2025.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.