Gas stations and head shops are a seemingly safe and legal marketplace for purchasing consumables. However, while sold as dietary supplements or cognitive enhancers, some products have been shown to contain undeclared, mislabeled, or regulated ingredients. This study investigates two Mitragyna species, Javanica and Hirsuta, being sold as alternatives to Mitragyna Speciosa, which is controlled or regulated in 16 states. Speciosa is commonly called Kratom and is mainly taken as a means of managing opioid withdrawal or it is used recreationally for its stimulating and euphoric effects.

While the genus Mitragyna encompasses ten species, Mitragyna speciosa is the only one known to contain mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloids that produce most of its psychoactive properties. Three products labeled Kratom and one each of Javanica and Hirsuta were acquired from retailers in the Georgia and Alabama. The products were extracted in methanol and analyzed by GC-MS to both identify the ingredients and the percent composition of the alkaloid mitragynine, if present. The results indicate that contradictory to their labeling, products labeled as Mitragyna hirsuta and Mitragyna javanica contained mitragynine and were actually Mitragyna Speciosa. This raises concerns regarding compliance with regulations and the risks to consumers caused by mislabeled products.

The findings highlight the potential mislabeling of products and uncontrolled distribution of psychoactive substances by retailers. Kratom is either controlled or regulated in 16 states. Therefore, the sale of these products is potentially in violation of state regulations, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of these marketplaces. Future research should continue the analysis of alternatives of kratom as they are introduced to the market.

Megan Joos

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