Margaret (Meg) Haney, PhD

Columbia University

Human behavioral pharmacology of cannabis

This presentation will describe how human laboratory investigations of cannabis, guided by the principles of behavioral pharmacology (positive and negative reinforcement; time course; dose dependence; behavioral specificity) advance our understanding of cannabis as a substance of misuse and as a potential therapeutic.

Susruta Majumdar, PhD

Washington University in St. Louis

Allosteric control of opioid receptor function using structure based design

Majumdar Lab aims to develop therapeutics for pain and substance disorders integrating chemistry with structural biology and pharmacology.  Dr. Majumdar is a co-founder of Sparian Biosciences. Two drugs developed by lab trainees are in phase 1 clinical trials and/or late stage development.

Chris McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS

University of Florida

Kratom: History and Medicinal Chemistry

This talk will detail the history of traditional kratom use, along with modern uses. It has been described to have a paradoxical profile of stimulant and sedative depending on the amount consumed. Based on the recently gained pharmacological knowledge of the various alkaloids, these uses are demystified. This will also cover some of the recent kratom-derived synthetic products that have appeared in commerce.

Jenny Wilkerson, PhD

Rutgers University

The kratom alkaloid mitragynine as a novel therapeutic for cancer-related pain relief and substance use disorders

Traditionally used in Southeast Asia for pain relief and to manage substance use dependence, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has recently gained attention as a potential source of novel therapeutics. Our preclinical findings suggest that mitragynine, its major alkaloid, may be therapeutically relevant in treating cancer-related pain and substance use disorders. We are additionally characterizing the pharmacological mechanisms that may underlie our observations.

Oliver Grundmann, PhD

University of Florida

The Kratom pharmacology puzzle pieces: How user surveys inform a complex pharmacological interplay

Kratom user surveys, despite their limitations, have informed our understanding of the complex pharmacology of kratom alkaloids. The dose-related effects reported relate to our evolving understanding of different pharmacological targets, including opioid, adrenergic, and serotonergic effects. Surveys can inform additional research and the interplay of receptor systems resulting in observed beneficial and detrimental effects. This approach is novel related to kratom and can serve as a blueprint for other natural products with traditional and modern use applications.

Jack Henningfield, PhD

Pinney Associates

Kratom, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitraginine: Abuse Potential and Implications for DEA Scheduling and Policy to Mitigate Unintended Consequences

Kratom leaves contain more than 40 alkaloids that vary widely in their mechanisms of action and effects. Mitragynine (MG) and its metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) contribute to kratom effects. Some marketed products contain only MG or 7-OH as active ingredients. 7-OH has demonstrated higher abuse potential and other safety risks than MG and natural kratom leaf products. 7-OH appears to meet criteria for Controlled Substances Act (CSA) scheduling. Implications for CSA scheduling and accompanying policy and research will be presented.