An article surfaced on Buzzfeed News last month on Kratom, a substance that former drug users have adopted in order to curb cravings and get off opioids. It has been trending in the news and developed a following online. Some claim it is a safer alternative to opioids and that it is a “natural herb.” Unfortunately, there are still many unknowns about this substance. Long-term effects are still unclear and the possibility of it being banned by the FDA have come up in the discussion.

Greg was joined by Azeen Ghorayshi, BuzzFeed News Reporter. Ghorayshi authored the article “Meet the ‘Kratom Warriors’ Who Say This Plant Will End the Opioid Epidemic.” The two discuss the history of Kratom, its components and the ongoing debate of if it can be used as a safer alternative.