Kratom, a Southeast Asian plant extract marketed across the U.S. as a dietary supplement, energy drink ingredient, and pain relief alternative, is sparking a sharp regulatory debate as health experts warn of severe addiction and overdose risks. According to federal agencies and university researchers, the substance is believed to act on opioid brain receptors, creating significant physiological dependence while lacking federal approval for medical use.
Regulatory Status and Safety Concerns Highlighted by Experts
Federal authorities have not approved kratom for medical use, and major agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warn against its consumption. According to David Kroll, a pharmaceutical sciences professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the plant should be treated like a prescription drug rather than a harmless herbal remedy. Kroll, who has studied kratom since 2016, notes that users frequently risk accidental overdoses by combining the substance with common depressants, including sedating antihistamines like Benadryl.
The DEA classifies kratom as a “drug of concern” due to its potential for abuse and psychological dependence. Furthermore, Michele Scasserra, a social worker and director of Substance Use Counseling Services at Blake Recovery Center, reported an increase in admissions for kratom detox as consistent usage triggers withdrawal symptoms, like opioids do.
Market Availability and Concentrated Products Raise Risks
Consumers can purchase kratom in various forms, including pills, capsules, powders, teas, raw leaves, and liquid extracts, through local smoke shops, convenience stores, and online vendors. According to Kroll, newer concentrated products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)—often sold as easily digestible tablets or flavored liquids—significantly escalate the danger of potential overdoses, even where people stop breathing.
Despite these risks, users turn to the plant for different reasons. Colorado Springs business owner Corey Montenegro, who sells kratom powder at Kiody Kava, began using the substance after relying on prescription pain medication for nearly a decade following back surgery. Montenegro stated he sought an alternative to avoid pill addiction, noting that kratom reduced his pain levels.
State-Level Restrictions and Legislative Outlook
While federal legislation broadly restricting kratom sales does not currently exist, individual states have begun implementing consumer protections. Colorado lawmakers passed a law last year making it illegal to advertise or sell kratom products to anyone under the age of 21, alongside enforcing new product labeling requirements. Experts like Kroll argue that additional federal legislation is necessary to shield consumers from toxic side effects associated with unregulated extracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kratom approved by the FDA?
Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for medical use and warns that the dietary supplement may be addictive.
What are the primary health risks associated with kratom?
Health experts note that kratom is believed to act on opioid brain receptors, which can lead to physiological dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and severe overdoses—particularly when combined with alcohol, caffeine, or other depressants.
How is Colorado regulating the sale of kratom?
State law makes it illegal to sell or advertise kratom products to individuals under 21 years old and requires specific product labeling.
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