Kratom sparks sharp debate as more states are considering banning it, and studies show that it could be addictive, sometimes even fatally (though it’s complicated, see below). At the same time, some users swear that kratom helps them ease chronic pain, sleep better, and serve as a safer alternative to pharmaceutical opioids.

The many stories of overcoming kratom addiction

If you search online using the word “kratom,” you’ll find stories, told firsthand, of people getting hooked on it when they thought it was an innocent supplement. Then you see headlines like this: “Rise in Kratom-linked overdose deaths in Pima County; FDA urges caution” (Pima County is in Arizona), and “‘Worst thing I’ve ever been through’: Finding out what kratom is and how it’s addictive.” (followed by the subhead, “Some call it ‘as addictive as heroin,’ while others credit it with easing chronic pain”).

The latter comes from Omaha, Nebraska, and the man who was interviewed for the story did recover and stayed sober. The article also contains multiple quotes from Dr. Ken Zoucha, a psychiatrist with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, who explained that kratom is typically consumed in capsules or as a tea made from powder, and its effects vary by dose:

Depending on how much a person is taking in, it can either have a stimulant effect at low doses or opioid effect at high doses.

In Nebraska, like in many other states, buying kratom is as simple as purchasing cigarettes or vape products at a gas station. Which is curious because prescription opioids are tightly regulated throughout the U.S, yet kratom is legal and widely available in all but seven states.

Another story of overcoming kratom addiction comes from central Michigan. Sarah McNeill, a Brighton business owner and recovering addict, shared her experience: 

It is severe, it is close to an addiction to opioids. That’s crazy that I had no understanding of that, and then I could just go access it from the local smoke shop.

Dr. Andrew King, an addiction specialist and director of the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center at Wayne State University, who was also interviewed, confirmed growing concern:

“Because Kratom has become more popular in mainstream culture, we’ve seen more calls to the poison center, both for toxicity and withdrawal.” He noted dependence and withdrawal symptoms from Kratom resemble those from heroin or prescription opioids. Calls to the center have jumped from just a handful in 2019 to “about 50 or 60 calls per year since 2020.“

Public warnings and safety investigations

Dr. David Kroll, professor of Natural Products Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, went into detail in his comprehensive article for The Conversation.

First, he reminded us that in July 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning about 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH. According to the FDA, products containing this compound act as potent opioids and may pose serious health risks, including overdose and death.

As kratom gains more attention, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several universities have been investigating its safety profile. Studies have found kratom-derived chemicals in hundreds of cases across the country. 

However, kratom rarely proves deadly on its own. For example, in a Florida study of 551 kratom-linked deaths, nearly 94% also involved other substances, often opioids like fentanyl.

So, what is kratom? 

Let’s take a quick dive into the science of it.

Kratom refers to products derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. The plant gets its Latin name from the distinctive shape of its leaves, which resemble a bishop’s ceremonial headdress.

Traditionally, kratom leaves are chewed or brewed into tea. In Thailand, rice field workers and farmers used it to boost stamina and relieve fatigue, with effects similar to caffeine. At higher doses, kratom produces a sense of well-being more comparable to opioids.

How kratom affects the body

The primary active ingredient in kratom is mitragynine, which partially stimulates the same opioid receptors targeted by drugs such as morphine and oxycodone. When metabolized in the liver, mitragynine is converted into 7-OH, the compound behind kratom’s opioid-like effects.

While kratom naturally contains small amounts of 7-OH, some manufacturers enhance their products by adding lab-made 7-OH to increase potency. These stronger products are often sold in convenience stores and gas stations.

Researchers have identified numerous alkaloids, which are naturally occurring chemicals, from kratom leaves and commercial products. Interestingly, different kratom strains may produce unique alkaloids, which could pave the way for new pain medications.

Some findings suggest that kratom compounds, including 7-OH, bind to opioid receptors in distinctive ways. Early evidence indicates these compounds may offer pain relief without the same level of risk for respiratory depression, the primary danger of traditional opioids. However, this benefit applies only when kratom is used without other sedating substances.

Kratom and the opioid crisis

Rather than fueling the opioid epidemic, some scientists believe kratom-derived compounds may hold therapeutic potential. Purified and standardized versions of kratom alkaloids could one day be developed into treatments for opioid use disorder. 

For example, mitragynine may offer multiple therapeutic actions, possibly serving as an alternative to medications like buprenorphine for opioid addiction treatment. It could also play a role in reducing withdrawal symptoms, similar to how clonidine is currently used.

To sum it up, while kratom shows promise as a source of safer pain treatments and addiction therapies, much more research is needed before it can be considered a safe or effective alternative. For now, consumers should be cautious, stay informed, and avoid kratom products marketed as “extra strong” or “enhanced,” as these may carry the greatest dangers.

Written by Tatyana Meshcheryakova. First published September 11, 2025.

Sources:

“‘Worst thing I’ve ever been through’: Finding out what kratom is and how it’s addictive,” KETV, September 2, 2025.

“Hear from recovering Kratom user in Metro Detroit as FDA looks to ban Kratom products,” ClickOnDetroit, September 3, 2025.

“Balancing kratom’s potential benefits and risks — new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm,” The Conversation, August 29, 2025.

Image Copyright: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain.