Molecular target
μ-Opioid Receptor
Also: Mu-opioid receptor, OPRM1 · id MOR
Primary receptor mediating analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression, and dependence with classical opioids. Partial agonism at MOR is the mechanism behind kratom's pain-relieving and mood-elevating effects.
Educational use only. This page summarizes published research and traditional-use records for educational purposes. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop, or change medications based on this information. Discuss any decisions about therapies — pharmaceutical or botanical — with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on μ-Opioid Receptor
These medications have μ-Opioid Receptor among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on μ-Opioid Receptor
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on μ-Opioid Receptor. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- MitragynineIndole alkaloid
Primary alkaloid (~60% of total alkaloid content). Partial μ-opioid agonist + κ-antagonist + α2-adrenergic agonist. Lower-grade serotonergic activity contributes to serotonin-syndrome risk with SSRIs.
- 7-HydroxymitragynineIndole alkaloid
Present at much lower concentrations than mitragynine but ~40× more potent at the μ-opioid receptor — drives the strongest opioid effects, especially in concentrated/adulterated products.
- SpeciogynineIndole alkaloid
Secondary alkaloid; weaker μ-agonist activity.
- IbogaineIndole alkaloid (iboga-type)
Multi-target alkaloid — proposed μ-opioid antagonist or partial agonist, κ-opioid agonist, NMDA antagonist, SERT inhibitor, σ receptor binding, neurotrophic effects via GDNF upregulation. The 'visioning' phase of an ibogaine session lasts 12-36 hours. **QT prolongation** is the dominant safety concern.
- Noribogaine (active metabolite)Indole alkaloid
Hepatically demethylated metabolite with longer half-life than parent ibogaine; thought to mediate the post-acute mood-stabilizing and craving-reducing phase of ibogaine therapy.