Juliet Warner was in recovery from opioid use disorder when she first tried a beverage containing kratom, a plant that acts on the brain in ways similar to opioids. Kratom products—typically sold as pills, powders, gummies, or liquid extracts—are not closely regulated by the federal government. Scientists are still studying how kratom affects the body and brain, and research suggests it carries serious health risks.
“I had, like, 18 months of sobriety,” Warner, a social media influencer who speaks openly about substance use disorder, tells Public Good News. “Then all these kava bars started popping up all over the place where I live.”
Kava is a plant in the pepper family. Its roots can be made into a tea that can make people feel relaxed or mildly euphoric. Warner’s local kava bar added kratom to its kava drinks, making the beverages’ effects stronger and longer-lasting.
“I ordered one of the drinks, and then I was like, ‘Wow, this feels exactly like an opiate.’ And I got addicted [to kratom] from there,” she says.
Kratom contains two main compounds that attach to the same brain receptors targeted by opioids such as morphine. One of those compounds, 7-OH, has been linked to health problems, including liver damage and seizures. In July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration recommended placing certain products containing 7-OH under tighter federal control because of the risk of dependence. For now, in many states, adults can buy kratom—often marketed as a “natural supplement”—at convenience stores, at smoke shops, or online without a prescription.
“Remember that ‘natural’ does not always equal ‘safe,’” Dr. John W. Downs, an associate professor at VCU Health and director of the Virginia Poison Center, tells PGN.
Most kratom users report that they use the supplement to manage opioid withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or chronic pain. But kratom is not approved to treat any medical condition. Experts say the evidence for benefits is limited, while the risks—including dependence—are clear.
“I think people will assume that something that you can buy at a gas station couldn’t do any harm to me, right?” Downs says. “[I want to] let people know that there are definitely folks struggling out there and dealing with dependence and addiction to [kratom].”
After Warner used kratom several times at kava bars, she started using other kratom products. Within weeks, she was using kratom daily.
“It’s terrible. [Kratom] just steals the joy right out of your life,” she says. “I was not feeling well physically. I was needing [kratom] in order to function and was spending lots of money I didn’t need to be spending.”
Kratom can cause side effects, especially at higher doses or with long-term use, like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- High blood pressure
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
- Delusions (false beliefs)
- Trouble breathing
Kratom has also been linked to overdose deaths. Most reported kratom-related deaths have involved other substances.
People who stop taking kratom after long-term use may experience withdrawal symptoms.
“[Kratom] withdrawal will feel similar to opioid withdrawal,” Downs says, noting that symptoms may include body aches, chills, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and anxiety.
Treatment for kratom dependence varies based on a person’s health history, how much they’ve been using, and what kind of support they have. Warner sought treatment through a rehabilitation program, which helped her stop using kratom entirely.
“Now I’m focused on moving my life forward and being a better version of myself—being a better mother, being a better wife, friend, business owner,” she says.
Both Warner and Downs encourage people experiencing kratom dependence to seek treatment.
“Some poison centers, depending upon the state, may actually be able to direct you to addiction medicine resources or help people bridge to a clinic where they can get into addiction medicine resources,” Downs says.
You can reach a poison center by calling 1-800-222-1222. Find more SUD treatment resources by contacting SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) or talking to your health care provider.
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.