Kratom: What You Need to Know

 

What is Kratom

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds that interact with opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects that can feel stimulating and/or sedating.

In the U.S., it’s commonly sold as powders, capsules, teas, or liquid extracts.

What is the difference between natural and synthetic kratom or kratom derivatives?

Natural kratom comes from the dried leaves of the plant. But many products now on the market are highly concentrated or chemically altered and may contain much higher levels of potent compounds such as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

While 7-OH exists naturally in kratom in very small amounts, some companies are manufacturing or concentrating it to create far more potent products.

These synthetic or high-potency products may be:

• Much stronger than natural kratom leaf
• Poorly labeled
• Adulterated with other substances
• Marketed and sold with little oversight

How do people use kratom?

People typically use kratom by:

• Swallowing capsules or powder
• Mixing it into food or drinks
• Brewing it as tea
• Using concentrated liquid extracts

Why do people use kratom?

Some people report using kratom for a range of reasons, including:

• Pain relief
• Increased energy or focus
• Managing mood or anxiety
• Self-managing withdrawal from other substances

However, these uses are not medically approved, and research on benefits is limited.

How does kratom affect the body?

Kratom can act in different ways depending on the person and the situation.

• Some effects resemble stimulants (ex. Increased energy, alertness)
• Others resemble opioids or sedatives (ex. Relaxation, pain relief)

This variability makes its effects unpredictable, especially without standardized dosing.

Is kratom safe?

Kratom is not considered a safe or approved substance for medical use in the U.S. Health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, warn that it may cause health risks such as: 

• Substance use disorder 
• Liver toxicity and damage 
• Seizures 
• Hallucinations and psychosis 
• Respiratory depression 
• Increased risk of overdose, especially when combined with other substances

There are no FDA-approved medications containing kratom.

What are the side effects of kratom?

Reported side effects range from mild to severe and may include:

• Nausea, constipation, dizziness
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Hallucinations or seizures in rare cases

Serious complications affecting the brain, heart, lungs, and liver have been reported, though they are less common.

Can kratom be addictive?

Yes, kratom has the potential for dependence and addiction. Some people report:

• Needing more over time to feel the same effects (tolerance)
• Cravings or difficulty stopping
• Withdrawal symptoms when they stop using.

What happens if you use kratom with other substances?

Mixing kratom with other drugs or medications can increase the risk of serious harm. Many reported severe outcomes, including deaths, have involved multiple substances used together making effects harder to predict. 

Are kratom products regulated?

Kratom products are not regulated like medications in the U.S.

That means:

• Strength and ingredients can vary widely
• Some products have been found to contain contaminants like bacteria or heavy metals.

Is kratom legal?

Kratom is legal at the federal level in the U.S., but state and local laws vary. Some areas have banned or restricted it.

What don’t we know yet about kratom?

There is still a lot researchers are working to understand, including:

• Long-term health effects
• Safe dosing (if any)
• How it interacts with other substances
• Whether it has any proven medical use

Right now, evidence is limited and still evolving.

What is Shatterproof doing?

Shatterproof supports state efforts to strengthen safeguards around kratom and synthetic kratom products, including restricting youth access and improving transparency about risks through labeling and public education.

• In Ohio, Shatterproof was critical in the passage of a permanent ban on synthetic kratom and products containing high levels of 7-OH
• In New Hampshire, Shatterproof is advocating for the passage of SB 557, which, as the date of this writing would prohibit synthetic and semisynthetic kratom and restrict how certain kratom products may be sold, particularly by Liquor Commission licensees.
• In Missouri, Shatterproof is advocating for stricter regulations on kratom and 7-OH, including youth protections.
• In Kansas, Shatterproof testified before the Board of Pharmacy, emphasizing the need to put safety, regulation and science at the center of decisions about kratom, and subsequently advocated with the legislature in favor of a ban on 7-OH and other unregulated Kratom products, which was signed into law in April.
• In Utah, Shatterproof advocated in favor of SB 45, which was signed into law in March and strengthened youth Kratom protections by implementing a 21+ age restriction, requiring products to only be sold at specific retailers, and banning synthetic, extracted, concentrated and enhanced kratom products.
• Shatterproof wrote the FDA urging it to review any evidence of medical benefit from natural kratom and improve knowledge of its safety and risk profile.

“Natural does not mean safe — especially when products are concentrated, chemically altered, or sold without clear labeling or regulation.”

 

Kevin Roy, Chief Public Policy Officer