What you need to know
- Kratom is a tropical plant that some people use to ease pain, anxiety, or symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
- Many people describe it as a natural and safe remedy. But kratom is not FDA-approved, and its claimed health benefits haven’t been proven in clinical trials.
- One of kratom’s active ingredients, 7-OH, has been linked to serious health risks—especially when it’s highly concentrated or produced synthetically—prompting federal and state officials to consider regulations or bans.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration took the unusual step of recommending a nationwide ban on certain products made from kratom, a plant with opioid-like effects native to Southeast Asia. In the U.S., many people say it helps them manage pain, anxiety, or the difficult symptoms of opioid withdrawal. But researchers and regulators say kratom’s risks may outweigh potential benefits, and the supplement has been linked to deaths across the country.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is kratom?
Kratom leaves can be chewed, smoked, or made into tea to extract their medicinal and intoxicating effects. The plant contains two main compounds, mitragynine and 7-OH, that bind to the same receptors in the brain that respond to opioids like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
In natural leaf form, 7-OH appears only in tiny amounts. But when it’s made synthetically, it can be highly concentrated and much more potent. Some research suggests that concentrated 7-OH is more than 13 times stronger than morphine.
Many people assume kratom is safe because it is plant-based. But experts warn that “natural” does not equal safe or healthy.
“People are really drawn to like these natural ways of overcoming everyday illness and problems because it feels like it’s a healthy option,” said Suzette Glasner, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at UCLA, on her podcast.
But she cautioned that “kratom in and of itself, unless you really know what you’re getting, is not inherently safe.”
Why do people use kratom?
Kratom’s popularity has surged over the last decade because it is far more accessible than similar drugs. In many states, anyone over the age of 18 can buy kratom products (typically sold as pills, powders, gummies, or liquid extract) at gas stations, at smoke shops, or online—no prescription required.
In a 2025 survey of kratom users, most reported that they use kratom to manage chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, and replace other substances, like opioids.
Unlike opioids, kratom can also have stimulating effects, such as increased energy and focus.
But while these stories make kratom sound like a miracle drug, none of its alleged health benefits have been proven in clinical trials. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to treat any medical condition. As a supplement, it is not regulated or held to the same safety standards as prescription and over-the-counter medications.
What are the risks of kratom?
In August 2025, America’s Poison Centers issued a health advisory after receiving reports of serious illnesses linked to 7-OH, including nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, and seizures. These concerns echo 2019 research suggesting kratom use is “associated with significant toxicities” and “poses a public health threat due to its availability as an herbal supplement.”
A 2026 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of National Poison Data System data found that kratom-related exposure reports increased by about 1200 percent between 2015 and 2025, with a notable surge in 2025, and reports of kratom overdoses, including overdose deaths, have also made headlines in recent years. The supplement was identified near two University of Mississippi students who were found dead in September, and it was linked to four Utah deaths this year.
Most kratom-related deaths involve more than one substance. Mixing substances can increase the risk of dangerous side effects, even if each substance is seemingly safe on its own.
How is kratom regulated?
Kratom products are not currently regulated at the federal level, though that could soon change. The FDA has recommended classifying 7-OH as a controlled substance—which would effectively ban its sale or use nationwide.
This summer, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced plans to follow the FDA’s recommendation, but it has not yet done so. However, the DEA temporarily classified some kratom-related compounds as Schedule 1 drugs.
Several states ban the sale and possession of kratom, and others have rules that include age minimums, labeling standards, and restrictions on 7-OH. In 2025, Rhode Island became the first state to overturn an existing ban on kratom products.
As political pressure to restrict kratom mounts, some advocates argue that banning kratom entirely could push people who rely on it to manage withdrawal symptoms toward more dangerous street drugs. Others say thoughtful regulation—such as product testing and clear labeling—would offer consumers better protection without criminalizing use.
For now, the FDA does not consider kratom “appropriate for use as a dietary supplement” and warns against using it as a medical treatment.
This article was supported by Life Unites Us, a health campaign that receives funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Public Good News retains full editorial control over its reporting.