Kratom Researcher Christopher McCurdy Fails to Disclose Conflicts of Interest

Financial Ties and Undisclosed Industry Funding

McCurdy has accepted travel reimbursements, donations to his university’s foundation, and funding for an annual symposium exploring the medicinal potential of kratom from the American Kratom Association, according to ProPublica’s findings. None of these financial contributions were disclosed in his university conflict of interest statements or on his published academic papers. Ivan Oransky, executive director of the Center for Scientific Integrity, told ProPublica that channeling donations through a university foundation rather than directly funding research functions similarly to a shell company obscuring true ownership. “These things are technically legitimate but not intellectually honest,” Oransky said. “It’s obscuring what’s really happening.” A University of Florida spokesperson stated that a review of McCurdy’s disclosures “found no indication of non-compliance,” though the institution did not answer whether the reimbursed travel totaled less than the $5,000 annual reporting threshold.

Lobbying Efforts and Statehouse Battles

The American Kratom Association, a lobbying group funded by manufacturers and vendors spending approximately $2.5 million annually, relies heavily on McCurdy to convince lawmakers that kratom is safe enough to remain widely available in gas stations and convenience stores. Public records obtained by ProPublica show McCurdy’s travel was frequently booked or paid for by the lobbying group. In 2024, the association planned an $8,700 first-class flight to Indonesia for McCurdy to address a potential government ban on the leaf, and later that year, paid for his travel to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he testified before state lawmakers. While that lobbying effort failed, McCurdy’s subsequent trip to Providence, Rhode Island, helped pave the way for lawmakers to overturn an existing state ban in 2025 after he briefed health officials. Virginia pharmacist Jennifer Brandt, who advocates for a total ban on kratom sales, filed records requests for McCurdy’s emails and asked a medical journal to append corrections listing his industry ties. “I’m really confused on where science ends and lobbying begins,” Brandt said.

Contrasting Research Findings With Public Claims

While McCurdy’s federal research focuses on developing kratom’s primary chemical compound into a pharmaceutical addiction treatment backed by an estimated $100 million in grants, his public testimony often minimizes the leaf’s documented hazards. ProPublica’s review shows McCurdy frequently compares kratom risks to common substances, telling an Arkansas lawmaker in 2024 that “water intoxication… does cause deaths every year, but we don’t ever think about banning water or making it illegal.” However, McCurdy’s own published research found kratom use can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms in newborns exposed in utero. Despite these published findings, McCurdy told lawmakers in Washington, D.C., that he wants kratom to remain accessible to everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kratom?

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia sold as a powder, capsule, or energy shot. In small doses, it acts as a stimulant, while larger amounts mimic the effects of an opioid.

Why did the DEA examine kratom derivatives?

The Drug Enforcement Administration sought to classify kratom as a Schedule I narcotic, prompting scientists including McCurdy to write a letter to federal regulators arguing it would hinder research.

What did Christopher McCurdy say about his funding?

McCurdy told ProPublica that reimbursed travel expenses do not influence his scientific conclusions and that his views stem from over two decades of independent research.