Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
My guest is Dr. Chris McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida and a world expert on the pharmacology of kratom and other plant-derived medicinal compounds. We discuss kratom’s wide-ranging effects, including its use for boosting energy, enhancing mood, managing pain and as a potential opioid substitute, while also explaining its critical safety concerns and addictive potential, especially for kratom-derived/isolate products. We also discuss plant-based compounds more generally for their potential benefits and risks. Dr. McCurdy offers a balanced perspective on kratom and other plant-based and naturally occurring medicinal compounds, highlighting and contrasting their promise for human health with potential serious risks.
Episode show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/uFp1jn2
*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: drinkag1.com/huberman
David Protein: davidprotein.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: eightsleep.com/huberman
ROKA: roka.com/huberman
Function: functionhealth.com/huberman
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*Dr. Chris McCurdy*
University of Florida academic profile: https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/profile/mccurdy-christopher
Google Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations?user=wxLykmcAAAAJ&hl=en
Translational Drug Development Core (University of Florida): https://www.ctsi.ufl.edu/research/laboratory-services/translational-drug-development-core
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopher-mccurdy-bsph-phd-faaps-9b20542
*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Chris McCurdy
00:02:51 Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Origin, Effects, Low vs High Doses
00:07:19 Sponsors: David Protein & Eight Sleep
00:10:07 Kratom, Traditional Use vs Commercial Kratom Products, Absorption
00:17:00 Kratom Products, Serving Size, Kids; Semi-Synthetics; Tool: Understand Kratom Product Labels
00:23:16 Kratom Products & Various Desired Effects; Physical Dependence
00:32:53 Different Kratom Usage Patterns, Opioid Dependence
00:36:59 Alkaloid Compounds, Nitrogen, Nicotine; Animals & Self-Experimentation
00:47:47 Sponsors: AG1 & ROKA
00:51:05 Medicine Development, Disconnection from Nature, Product Concentrations
00:59:00 Alkaloids & Natural Products, Opium Poppy, Coca Leaf, Tool: Kratom Leaf vs Extracts (Kratom-Derived/Kratom Isolates)
01:09:06 Is It Safe for Kids to Consume Kratom Products?
01:12:19 Kratom, Energy, Mood & Pain Management, Dose; Caffeine
01:16:56 Respiratory Depression & Kratom Products
01:20:16 Sponsor: Function
01:22:04 Kratom Leaf vs Derivatives, FDA Regulations, Usage Guidelines
01:26:59 Kratom, Alcohol Consumption, Respiratory Failure?
01:29:09 Kratom Alkaloids, Mood & Stimulant Effects, Multiple Pathways for Pain Relief
01:38:17 Plant Alkaloids & Chemical Defense, Kratom & Antifungal Alkaloids; Geckos
01:44:35 White, Red & Brown Vein Kratom, Leaf Processing; Terpenes
01:51:08 Kratom as an Anti-Depressant?; Discontinuing Kratom Use, Opioid Use
01:58:03 Kratom, Drug Interactions & Seizure, Opioids
02:01:51 Cacao Beans, Chocolate
02:09:34 Coca-Cola, Coca Plant & Cocaine, History of Soft Drinks
02:19:49 Career Journey, Pharmacy, Chemistry & Education, Lobelia
02:28:44 Nicotine; Natural Products & Career Journey, Salvia divinorum, Kratom
02:40:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
My guest is Dr. Chris McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida and a world expert on the pharmacology of kratom and other plant-derived medicinal compounds. We discuss kratom’s wide-ranging effects, including its use for boosting energy, enhancing mood, managing pain and as a potential opioid substitute, while also explaining its critical safety concerns and addictive potential, especially for kratom-derived/isolate products. We also discuss plant-based compounds more generally for their potential benefits and risks. Dr. McCurdy offers a balanced perspective on kratom and other plant-based and naturally occurring medicinal compounds, highlighting and contrasting their promise for human health with potential serious risks.
Episode show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/uFp1jn2
*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: drinkag1.com/huberman
David Protein: davidprotein.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: eightsleep.com/huberman
ROKA: roka.com/huberman
Function: functionhealth.com/huberman
*Follow Huberman Lab*
Instagram: instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: threads.net/@hubermanlab
X: twitter.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: hubermanlab.com/newsletter
*Dr. Chris McCurdy*
University of Florida academic profile: https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/profile/mccurdy-christopher
Google Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations?user=wxLykmcAAAAJ&hl=en
Translational Drug Development Core (University of Florida): https://www.ctsi.ufl.edu/research/laboratory-services/translational-drug-development-core
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christopher-mccurdy-bsph-phd-faaps-9b20542
*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Chris McCurdy
00:02:51 Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Origin, Effects, Low vs High Doses
00:07:19 Sponsors: David Protein & Eight Sleep
00:10:07 Kratom, Traditional Use vs Commercial Kratom Products, Absorption
00:17:00 Kratom Products, Serving Size, Kids; Semi-Synthetics; Tool: Understand Kratom Product Labels
00:23:16 Kratom Products & Various Desired Effects; Physical Dependence
00:32:53 Different Kratom Usage Patterns, Opioid Dependence
00:36:59 Alkaloid Compounds, Nitrogen, Nicotine; Animals & Self-Experimentation
00:47:47 Sponsors: AG1 & ROKA
00:51:05 Medicine Development, Disconnection from Nature, Product Concentrations
00:59:00 Alkaloids & Natural Products, Opium Poppy, Coca Leaf, Tool: Kratom Leaf vs Extracts (Kratom-Derived/Kratom Isolates)
01:09:06 Is It Safe for Kids to Consume Kratom Products?
01:12:19 Kratom, Energy, Mood & Pain Management, Dose; Caffeine
01:16:56 Respiratory Depression & Kratom Products
01:20:16 Sponsor: Function
01:22:04 Kratom Leaf vs Derivatives, FDA Regulations, Usage Guidelines
01:26:59 Kratom, Alcohol Consumption, Respiratory Failure?
01:29:09 Kratom Alkaloids, Mood & Stimulant Effects, Multiple Pathways for Pain Relief
01:38:17 Plant Alkaloids & Chemical Defense, Kratom & Antifungal Alkaloids; Geckos
01:44:35 White, Red & Brown Vein Kratom, Leaf Processing; Terpenes
01:51:08 Kratom as an Anti-Depressant?; Discontinuing Kratom Use, Opioid Use
01:58:03 Kratom, Drug Interactions & Seizure, Opioids
02:01:51 Cacao Beans, Chocolate
02:09:34 Coca-Cola, Coca Plant & Cocaine, History of Soft Drinks
02:19:49 Career Journey, Pharmacy, Chemistry & Education, Lobelia
02:28:44 Nicotine; Natural Products & Career Journey, Salvia divinorum, Kratom
02:40:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
