Concerns Grow Over Kratom Use in the U.S.
Maybe it’s time to reconsider the use of certain herbal supplements.
Recent research indicates that inquiries to poison control centers about natural supplements touted as energy enhancers, mood lifters, and pain relievers have surged by over 1,200% in the last decade.
In tandem, both hospitalizations and fatalities related to these substances are on the rise, prompting medical professionals to sound the alarm about kratom, which is available at various retail locations, including gas stations and online.
“The data shows troubling trends,” said Dr. Chris Holstege, a researcher and director at the Blue Ridge Poison Center at the University of Virginia Health System. He added that locally observed cases reflect this national data, with an increasing number of patients experiencing serious complications linked to kratom.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, has been growing in popularity in the U.S., where it remains federally legal. It typically comes in the form of a powder, capsules, or concentrated liquids.
The leaves of the kratom plant contain two psychoactive compounds: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which interact with brain receptors similar to those targeted by prescription opioids like codeine and morphine.
The effects are quite varied, depending on the dosage. According to Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, a clinical advisor, “At lower doses, kratom acts like a stimulant, boosting energy and mood. At higher doses, it functions more like a sedative, providing pain relief and a sense of well-being.”
Many users turn to kratom for relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, or to ease withdrawal from opioids.
However, it’s important to note that kratom is not without risks. The substance is associated with a range of adverse effects, from mild to severe, and has the potential to be addictive.
The danger escalates with some kratom products that are much stronger than the natural leaves, often containing synthetic 7-OH, which heightens the risk of misuse.
Researchers from UVA Health monitored calls to poison centers and found over 14,400 exposure reports from 2015 to 2025. Alarmingly, last year alone saw a record 3,434 cases—a significant jump from just 258 ten years earlier.
While many cases involve men in their 20s and 30s, increasing reports among individuals aged 40 to 59 suggest a broader impact across age groups.
The number of hospitalizations linked to kratom rose dramatically, from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025, marking an increase of over 1,150%.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, kratom can lead to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness among others. More serious health issues arise when kratom is consumed in large quantities or mixed with other drugs like opioids or antidepressants.
These complications can include organ damage, high blood pressure, and even psychosis. Contaminants pose additional risks, as kratom products are unregulated, leaving consumers unsure of what they are ingesting—some have tested positive for toxic metals or harmful bacteria like Salmonella.
When used with other substances, hospitalizations linked to kratom have increased nearly 1,300%, going from 40 to 549 people over a decade. In 2025, 60% of combined usage cases resulted in severe health outcomes, and many required hospitalization.
The human toll is substantial, with at least 233 kratom-related deaths recorded from 2015 to 2025, of which 184 involved multiple substances.
“We’re seeing a significant surge in kratom products available in the U.S. market,” Holstege commented. “We want the public to know that these products contain varying levels of mitragynine and 7-OH, which have complex effects and can lead to adverse reactions.”
Already in early 2026, reports of kratom-related deaths have continued to rise. One such case involved the 22-year-old daughter of a former mayoral candidate in Los Angeles, who died after taking a mix of prescription drugs and kratom.
“My family has faced an unimaginable loss,” her father wrote, expressing the depth of their grief.
In response to escalating risks associated with kratom, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced plans to pursue a federal crackdown on 7-OH products.
The FDA aims to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I substance, akin to heroin, limiting its legal use due to a high potential for abuse.
“7-OH is a more potent opioid than morphine,” stated FDA Commissioner Marty McCulley. “We cannot afford to be complacent after the previous opioid epidemic.”
Even the American Kratom Association, which has vocally supported the plant, is in favor of stricter regulations on altered 7-OH products, emphasizing that these are not true kratom and pose a significant threat to consumer safety.
