Verified Resources
FDA
“There are no drug products containing kratom or its two main chemical components that are legally on the market in the U.S. FDA has not approved any prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom or its two main chemical components, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH-mitragynine). “
“Based on these determinations by FDA, kratom is not lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods.”
“Therefore, kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement, or a food additive in conventional food. For more information on this topic or FDA’s seizure alerts, see Seizures and Injunctions.
DEA
“Kratom is not controlled under the Controlled Substances Act; however, there may be some state regulations or prohibitions against the possession and use of kratom. The FDA has not approved Kratom for any medical use. In addition, DEA has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern”
Mayo Clinic
“People who use kratom for relaxation report that because it is plant-based, it is natural and safe. However, the amount of active ingredient in kratom plants can vary greatly, making it difficult to gauge the effect of a given dose. Depending on what is in the plant and the health of the user, taking kratom may be very dangerous. Claims about the benefits of kratom can’t be rated because reliable evidence is lacking.”
“Kratom also affects the mind and nervous system:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Hallucinations and delusion
Depression and delusion
Breathing suppression
Seizure, coma and DEATH
“Research shows little promise
At one time, some researchers believed that kratom might be a safe alternative to opioids and other prescription pain medications. However, studies on the effects of kratom have identified many safety concerns and no clear benefits.
Kratom has been reported to cause abnormal brain function when taken with prescription medicines. When this happens, you may experience a severe headache, lose your ability to communicate or become confused.”
NIH
“Although people may use kratom to try to overcome opioid addiction, kratom itself may have the potential to be addictive. Regular kratom users may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using it.”
JAMA
“More than 90 deaths in the United States have been caused by kratom between July 2016 and December 2017, according to a CDC report.” New data is proving that these numbers are underestimated and have risen exponentially in recent years. (See Washington Post article)
Kratom-Related Deaths | Adolescent Medicine | JAMA | JAMA Network
WEBMD
“When taken by mouth: Kratom is possibly unsafe for most people. Large doses of kratom can cause many serious side effects, including nausea, aggression, hallucinations, trouble breathing, and death. Long-term use has been linked with dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to other opioids.”
KRATOM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (webmd.com)