Repeated use of kratom can cause a person’s body to develop a tolerance to the substance. This can then cause the person to experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking kratom. However, kratom can cause addiction, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved its use in the United States. The biological activities of kratom in humans are still poorly characterized (17). Because of its potential interactions with other drugs (18) (19) and possible side effects (20), kratom should not be used as a substitute for prescription pain medications. Several countries and US states have banned the use of kratom due to its potential for abuse (21) (22).

1. At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, making users feel more energetic.
2. Last week, U.S. marshals seized an estimated $3 million worth of kratom that was being sold as a supplement by an Oklahoma-based company.
3. Among kratom’s many chemically active compounds is mitragynine, which targets the same pain-reducing receptors that are stimulated by opioids like heroin, morphine, and fentanyl.
4. “Importantly, evidence shows that kratom has similar effects to narcotics like opioids, and carries similar risks of abuse, addiction and in some cases, death,” Gottlieb added.
5. Kratom won’t show up on the standard 5-panel drug test that checks for marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Why is the FDA worried?

A healthcare professional may prescribe pain-relieving medication or drugs that address different symptoms. The FDA advise that certain substances in kratom have opioid properties that expose users to the risks of substance use disorder, misuse, and dependence. The numbers that the CDC reports about kratom are remarkably low compared to opioids.

Why trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve it

Kratom leaves can be chewed, and dry kratom can be swallowed or brewed. The liquid form is often marketed as a treatment for muscle pain, or to suppress appetite and stop cramps and diarrhea. Early symptoms include fatigue, nausea, itchy skin, and dark urine.

Find more top doctors on

Dozens of web sites sell kratom, but the FDA said it would exercise its jurisdiction over the product as an unapproved drug. Yes, kratom can cause liver problems such as acute liver injury and, in rare cases, acute liver failure. Kratom can be does alcohol thin your blood made into a drink by mixing the powder form of the plant with water or adding liquid from the kratom plant into a drink. Though modern science has lent some support to these and other traditional medicine claims, much more research is needed.

When to contact a doctor

There are a lot of variables,” said Dr. Rais Vohra, the medical director of the Fresno/Madera Division of the California Poison Control System. Though kratom addiction isn’t as urgent as opioids, there have been cases where people addicted to kratom started showing psychosis symptoms such as hallucinations, delusion, addiction and recovery and confusion. If you’re considering taking kratom in any form, recreationally or as medicine, it’s best to talk to your doctor about it. They may let you know about FDA-approved and safer alternatives for your case. They misuse it as a way to relax, calm anxiety, treat depression, or self-treat pain.

Changing how the world understands and treats cancer

However, the FDA has said it cannot be marketed as a drug, supplement, or food additive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the use and sale of kratom are banned or controlled in many countries. For example, kratom is illegal in countries such as Singapore, Denmark, France, and Croatia.

Preventing Kratom Overdose

We need real change, which can only happen by going back to the ballot and amending Proposition 47. Every time we open our doors we risk facing crime that will cause us to close our doors for good. Removing access is a failed approach from the “war on drugs” playbook, harming those who most need help. Regulation, not prohibition, is the responsible path forward. Anyone dealing with withdrawal should also ensure that they regularly communicate with a family member, another loved one, a therapist, or a counselor for emotional support. Long-term use of kratom can also cause weight loss, anorexia, and insomnia.

Underlying this uncertainty is a lack of peer-reviewed research. Users swear by kratom for mood enhancement and fatigue reduction, but safety issues and questions about drugs brains and behavior its effectiveness abound. Allowing people to touch wild animals, regardless of the accompanying verbal message, encourages them to wrongly view these animals as pets.

High doses of kratom (5-15 grams) have effects similar to opioids and sedatives. It may help relieve pain, make you feel relaxed, reduce anxiety, or make you feel confused. On the other hand, taking it in low doses (1-5 grams) may act as a stimulant, raising your heart rate, energy, alertness, and mood. For centuries, people in Southeast Asia have used its leaves for both increased energy and relaxation. More recently, people around the world are using it to treat pain or manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.

You’ll also see what long-term outlook looks like and get tips on how to avoid relapse. Experts consider kratom an opioid-like substance because it affects your brain’s opioid receptors. The use of kratom by some to help with opioid withdrawal is also troublesome, according to the agency. Currently, there isn’t any reliable evidence to support it being used for that reason. In addition to that, users aren’t consulting licensed health care providers about kratom’s dangers and potential side effects or interactions with other drugs.

Several cases of psychosis resulting from use of kratom have been reported, where individuals addicted to kratom exhibited psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusion, and confusion. Kratom can be a dangerous drug if people do not use it correctly. An article in Clinical Toxicology concludes that kratom has links with serious medical outcomes, especially when people use it with other substances.

Remedies for relaxation include valerian, lemon balm, and lavender. If someone experiences any of the symptoms listed above, or any other concerning effects after taking kratom in any form, they should immediately see a doctor or attend the emergency room. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 91 fatalities resulting from kratom overdose in 2016–2017 throughout 27 states in the United States. However, it is important to note that in 84 of these 91 cases, other substances were also involved.

More research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this herbal supplement. If you abuse kratom, the best way to avoid overdose is to first stop taking the drug and then seek out addiction treatment. There are a variety of options available when it comes to drug treatment, so you can find one to fit your needs. As the wonder drug—kratom in this case—gets rigorously tested, many of the benefits don’t pan out.

Kratom has several effects on the body, depending on the dose. Kratom leaves and teas have been used for centuries in Southeast Asia, but the products consumed in the United States are quite different and often far more potent. It is troubling that SeaWorld brought wild animals, including a snake, baby kangaroo and sloth, to a Sacramento hospital. While intended to educate young patients about conservation, this visit sent the wrong message about wildlife. I have spoken with other local businesses that have shared that employees fear coming to work, and customers do not feel safe shopping or walking in the community due to the fear of being targeted.

Due to the similarities between how kratom and opioids work on the brain messaging center responsible for pain and energy, the effects of kratom have been considered in treating opioid withdrawal. People may consume kratom by drinking it as tea or taking it in capsule form. Although people who take kratom believe in its value, researchers who have studied kratom think its side effects and safety problems more than offset any potential benefits.

Through monoaminergic and opioid receptors, both compounds produce a range of CNS stimulant and depressant effects (23) (24) (25). Kratom is an herbal supplement that has properties similar to other opioids. It is not recommended as a treatment for pain at this time due to lack of research, harmful side effects, and product contamination. There are no FDA-approved treatments to treat kratom addiction.