🎬 Episode Moments

Health Effects & Risks of Kratom, Opioids & Other Natural Occurring Medicines | Dr. Chris McCurdy

huberman
July 21, 2025
25 Moments

🎯 All Moments (25)

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The Dose Makes the Poison: Awareness of Concentrated Compounds in Products

Huberman and McCurdy discuss the potential dangers of concentrated and isolated compounds found in products, comparing it to the overconsumption of sugar in processed foods. This clip raises awareness about the importance of understanding dosages and the potential risks of consuming highly concentrated substances.

Health controversy
51:00
Duration: 8:00

From Pharmacy to Natural Products Research: A Serendipitous Path

Dr. McCurdy shares his personal journey into chemistry and natural products research, starting from his father's influence as a pharmacist to his high school chemistry project on caffeinated beverages. He recounts the pivotal moments that led him to pursue a PhD in medicinal chemistry and his experiences working with natural products like lobeline and Salvia Divinorum.

Career Journey story
2:19
Duration: 0:11

Kratom as Antidepressant? & Opioid Use

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the potential of Kratom as an antidepressant and its use in discontinuing opioid use. They also mention the physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms associated with Kratom.

Kratom knowledge
1:51
Duration: 0:07

The Origins of Medicine: Learning from Nature and Animals

Huberman and McCurdy discuss how early humans and even animals learned about the effects of plants through observation and experimentation. This clip highlights the origins of medicine and pharmacology in natural observation and trial-and-error, illustrating how traditional knowledge informs modern science.

History of Medicine story
28:00
Duration: 4:00

Kratom Varieties: White, Red, Brown Vein & Processing

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the different types of Kratom (white, red, and brown vein) and their processing methods, which affect their properties. They also touch on the role of terpenes in Kratom's effects.

Kratom knowledge
1:44
Duration: 0:07

White Vein, Red Vein, Brown Vein Kratom: Mostly Marketing?

Dr. McCurdy dispels the marketing hype around white, red, and brown vein kratom, explaining that the color variations mainly result from different drying and curing processes rather than significant differences in alkaloid content. The perceived effects are more likely due to placebo or variations in product sourcing and handling.

kratom knowledge
6:29
Duration: 0:18

Understanding Alkaloids: Nitrogen, Nicotine, and More

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss alkaloid compounds and their significance, using examples like nicotine, caffeine, dopamine and morphine. This is clippable because it provides a basic understanding of alkaloids and their role in affecting the body.

Alkaloids knowledge
0:36
Duration: 0:01

The Surprising History of Coca-Cola and Other Soft Drinks

Dr. McCurdy discusses the historical context of soft drinks and the origins of Coca-Cola. He explains that Coca-Cola originally contained cocaine derived from coca leaves and how the company still uses decocainized coca leaf extract for flavoring. He also touches on the history of other soft drinks like Seven Up and Pepsi and their original medicinal ingredients.

History knowledge
2:09
Duration: 0:09

Kratom: Origins, Traditional Use, and Effects

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss what Kratom is, its origins, and traditional uses in Southeast Asia, contrasting it with the commercial Kratom products available in the US. This provides listeners with a foundational understanding of Kratom and its evolving forms.

Kratom knowledge
2:51
Duration: 0:00

Kratom's Effects: Mood, Stimulation, and Pain Relief

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the various effects of Kratom, including stimulant, mood-enhancing, and pain-relieving properties. They explain how Kratom interacts with multiple pathways for pain relief, making it a versatile but potentially risky substance.

Kratom knowledge
1:29
Duration: 0:01

How Alkaloids Like Nicotine Defined Neurotransmitter Systems

Dr. McCurdy explains the role of alkaloids and nitrogen in chemical neurotransmitter systems, using nicotine as an example. This clip provides a clear and concise explanation of complex chemical interactions in the body and how they relate to our understanding of neurotransmitter systems.

Pharmacology knowledge
36:00
Duration: 0:00

Old School Chemistry: Self-Experimentation and Risky Practices

Huberman and McCurdy share anecdotes about early chemistry practices, including self-experimentation and tasting chemicals, which highlights how much safety standards have evolved. It serves as a humorous reminder of the risks involved in early scientific exploration.

Chemistry story
27:00
Duration: 9:00

The Natural Origins of Modern Medicines: From Willow Bark to Gila Monster Saliva

The speakers discuss how many modern medications are derived from natural products, citing examples like aspirin (from willow bark) and GLP-1 drugs (from Gila monster saliva). This clip emphasizes our disconnection from the natural origins of medicines and the importance of understanding where our treatments come from.

Pharmacology knowledge
41:00
Duration: 10:00

The Downside of Isolating Compounds: Morphine, Cocaine, and the Loss of the Whole Plant

McCurdy explains how isolating specific compounds from natural sources, like morphine from opium poppy and cocaine from coca leaf, led to the criminalization of the original plants. This clip highlights the potential dangers of isolating compounds and losing the benefits of the whole plant.

Pharmacology knowledge
1:02
Duration: 0:06

Kratom and Youth: Why It's Best to Avoid Until Brain Development Is Complete

The speakers discuss the dangers of kratom use in children and adolescents due to the ongoing brain development. They recommend avoiding kratom until at least 18 or even 24-25 years old, similar to alcohol consumption guidelines.

Kratom advice
1:09
Duration: 0:07

Reductionist Science vs. Holistic Plant Effects: Kratom's Multifaceted Action

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the traditional approach in science of isolating single compounds versus the holistic effect of plants like kratom. They highlight that plants contain compounds that activate pathways in a desired way, and plants also have the capability to harm you or even kill you.

kratom knowledge
5:40
Duration: 0:24

Kratom's Alkaloids: A Defense Against Fungus, Not a Gift to Humans

Dr. McCurdy explains that kratom plants produce alkaloids as a chemical defense against fungal growth due to the hot, humid environments they grow in. These compounds, while interacting with our neurotransmitter systems, primarily serve as antifungal agents for the plant's survival, highlighting nature's design for self-preservation.

kratom knowledge
6:04
Duration: 0:43

The Science & History of Cacao, Chocolate, and Coca-Cola

Dr. McCurdy explains the science behind cacao beans and chocolate, detailing the presence of theobromine, a xanthine alkaloid similar to caffeine. He also discusses the importance of ethical sourcing in the chocolate industry and shares interesting facts about the history of Coca-Cola and its use of coca leaf extract.

Nutrition knowledge
2:01
Duration: 0:17

Kratom Metabolite Causing Opioid-Level Respiratory Depression

The conversation reveals that 7-hydroxy mitragynine, a metabolite of kratom, is now being chemically produced and sold, causing respiratory depression equivalent to opioids. This highlights a critical safety concern regarding kratom-derived products and isolates.

Kratom knowledge
1:16
Duration: 0:03

3 Kratom Usage Patterns: Energy, Opioid Effects, Withdrawal

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy explain the three main patterns of Kratom usage in the US: for energy, for opioid-like effects, and for opioid withdrawal. This breakdown helps listeners understand the diverse ways Kratom is being used and the potential risks associated with each.

Kratom knowledge
1:58
Duration: 0:24

Kratom Products: Serving Sizes, Safety, and Risks

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the importance of considering serving sizes and product types when using Kratom. They highlight the dangers of concentrated extracts and semi-synthetic products, emphasizing the need for consumer awareness and caution.

Kratom knowledge
0:17
Duration: 0:00

Kratom: Traditional vs. Commercial Products & Safety

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the differences between traditional Kratom leaf usage and commercial Kratom products, highlighting variations in absorption and potential harm to consumers. This is clippable because it educates consumers on understanding Kratom product labels and the importance of recognizing product differences.

Kratom knowledge
0:10
Duration: 0:50

Read the Label: Understanding the Difference Between Kratom Products

McCurdy emphasizes the importance of reading product labels to differentiate between leaf products, kratom-derived products, and kratom isolates, as these have varying effects and risks. This advice is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions about kratom use.

Kratom advice
1:06
Duration: 0:05

Quitting Kratom: Why Professional Help Is Essential

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the challenges of kratom dependence and withdrawal, emphasizing that current opioid use disorder treatments may not fully address the complex pharmacology of kratom. They stress the importance of seeking professional medical help, including medication and counseling, rather than attempting to quit alone.

kratom advice
6:53
Duration: 0:13

Kratom's Tripartite Pain Relief: Opioid, Serotonin, and Adrenergic Effects

Huberman and Dr. McCurdy discuss the complexities of kratom and its alkaloids, highlighting how the plant's effects stem from a combination of opioid, serotonergic, and adrenergic system interactions. They underscore that, unlike the reductionist approach of modern medicine, kratom hits multiple targets simultaneously, which may explain its unique pain-relieving and mood-elevating properties.

kratom knowledge
5:40
Duration: 0:17