What is mitragynine?
Mitragynine is the most abundant alkaloid in kratom leaves, typically making up 60-66% of total alkaloid content. It's a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, which means it activates the receptor but with a ceiling effect compared to full agonists like morphine. This is one reason plain leaf kratom has a somewhat self-limiting dose profile at lower concentrations.
MIT extracts vs. plain leaf
MIT extract products concentrate mitragynine far beyond natural levels. A plain leaf product might contain 1-2% mitragynine by weight. An extract might claim 45% or higher. This changes the experience meaningfully. Higher MIT concentrations deliver stronger effects, faster tolerance buildup, and more significant dependence risk. An extract is not "just concentrated leaf" in the same way that espresso is not "just concentrated coffee" when you're talking about pharmacological effects at scale.
Understanding potency labels
When a product says "45% MIT" it means (in theory) that 45% of the powder weight is mitragynine. So 1000mg of powder would contain 450mg of mitragynine. The problem: label accuracy varies wildly. Without a verified COA, you're trusting the manufacturer's claim. Use the Potency Calculator to convert percentage labels into actual milligrams.
Risk factors
MIT extracts carry higher risk than plain leaf due to concentrated alkaloid content. Tolerance builds faster, dependence develops more readily, and the margin between a comfortable dose and an uncomfortable one shrinks. Cross-tolerance with 7-OH products is common. If you're using MIT extracts regularly, monitoring your intake is important.
Harm reduction
Use a milligram scale. Verify the COA if possible. Start with less than you think you need when trying a new product. Track your usage with the Intake Tracker. Don't combine with other substances. Plan tolerance breaks.