Kratom, a plant-derived substance with both opioid- and stimulant-like effects, has gained popularity across the United States. Often sold legally in gas stations, smoke shops, and online, kratom is sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin.”
Despite its legal status in many areas, kratom poses serious health risks, especially when consumed in high doses or potent forms.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally used for its stimulant and pain-relieving properties, kratom contains alkaloids—primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—that interact with opioid receptors in the brain. These compounds can produce effects ranging from mild stimulation to sedation and euphoria, depending on the dose and strain.
Potency Matters
- Mitragynine is the primary active compound in kratom.
- 7–Hydroxymitragynine is significantly more potent—up to 40 times stronger than mitragynine and 10 times more potent than morphine.
This increased potency, especially in unregulated products, raises the risk of addiction and overdose.
Types and Forms of Kratom
Kratom Strains
Each kratom strain offers distinct effects based on the color of the leaf vein, which reflects its unique alkaloid profile. While these strains may appeal to different users, it’s important to remember that all forms of kratom carry risks—especially when used in high doses or combined with other substances.
- White Vein: Energizing and stimulating; often favored by those seeking increased focus or mood boost.
- Green Vein: Calming and mildly relaxing; strikes a balance between stimulation and relaxation, making it a popular choice for mild pain relief and anxiety reduction without heavy sedation.
- Red Vein: Sedating and pain-relieving; often used for pain management or to promote restful sleep.
Common Forms
Kratom is available in a variety of forms, each offering different methods of consumption and varying levels of potency. From traditional teas to modern extracts and capsules, users have many options—some of which may increase the risk of misuse or adverse effects. Understanding these forms is essential for recognizing how kratom is used and the potential health implications associated with each method.
- Tea: Brewed from powder or leaves
- Powder: Mixed into food or drinks
- Capsules/Tablets: Convenient but may lead to accidental overdose due to the delayed effects
- Extracts: Highly concentrated and potentially dangerous
- Vaping: May reduce potency but still poses health risks
- Burning: Used as incense, but releases toxic gases
- Sublingual Use: Fact-acting and potent, requiring careful dosing
Health Risks and Side Effects of Kratom
While kratom is often marketed as a natural remedy, its use is associated with a wide range of potentially serious health risks. Short-term side effects can include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness. Users may also experience weight loss, muscle pain and high blood pressure.
More concerning are the neurological and psychological effects, such as hallucinations, delusions, confusion, depression and seizures. In some cases, kratom use has led to liver damage and respiratory depression, especially when taken in high doses or combined with other substances.
The risk of developing a substance use disorder is also significant, as kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, potentially leading to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Despite its legal status in many areas, kratom’s unregulated nature and the variability in product potency make it a substance that carries real and growing public health concern.
Adverse effects of Kratom:
- Weight loss, dry mouth, nausea and constipation
- Liver damage and muscle pain
- High blood pressure, dizziness and drowsiness
- Hallucinations, delusions and depression
- Breathing difficulties, confusion, tremors and seizures
Kratom-related Deaths a Growing Concern
The rise in kratom use across the U.S. has been accompanied by a troubling increase in kratom-related fatalities. Between 2016 and 2017, there were 152 reported deaths linked to kratom. Alarmingly, that number surged to over 4,100 deaths between 2020 and 2022, reflecting a dramatic escalation in both usage and the potency of available products.
A 2023 study published in “Clinical and Translational Science” revealed that kratom-related deaths are 63 times more frequent than those associated with other natural products. This stark statistic underscores the severity of the public health threat posed by kratom, especially as it remains largely unregulated at the federal level.
Many of these deaths involve kratom used in combination with other substances, such as opioids, benzodiazepines or alcohol, which can amplify its sedative effects and increase the risk of respiratory depression. However, there are also documented cases where kratom alone was identified as the primary cause of death, particularly when consumed in high doses or in concentrated extract form.
The growing number of fatalities has prompted calls from public health officials and addiction experts for stricter regulation, improved public education, and more comprehensive research into kratom’s pharmacological effects and long-term health consequences.
Legal Status
Kratom is legal for individuals over 18 in most parts of Michigan, but local ordinances may vary. Nationally, kratom is not classified under the Controlled Substances Act, but:
- The FDA has not approved kratom for medical use
- The DEA lists kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern
Public health experts warn against its use due to the lack of safety data and the risk of serious side effects.
Kratom: Some Final Thoughts
While kratom may appear to be a natural alternative for pain relief or energy, its unregulated nature and potent effects make it a substance of concern. Health professionals urge caution and advocate for more research and regulation to ensure public safety.
If you or someone you know is using kratom and experiencing adverse effects, seek medical attention and support from addiction specialists.
