As the popularity of natural supplements grows, so do the associated risks. One such supplement, kratom, is raising serious concerns among health experts.
A recent study reveals that calls to the nation’s poison control centers regarding kratom have surged by an astounding 1,200% over the last decade.
In tandem, hospitalizations and even fatalities linked to this product have also increased, prompting health professionals to issue warnings about its widespread availability in vape shops, gas stations, and online retailers.
“The data reflects a concerning trend,” noted Dr. Chris Holstege, a researcher and director at the University of Virginia Health System’s Blue Ridge Poison Center. “This trend found in national data is also occurring locally, with more patients presenting to UVA Health after experiencing serious complications due to kratom products.”
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, has gained significant traction in the United States, where it remains legal at the federal level. The supplement is often available in the form of dried powders, capsules, or concentrated liquids.
The leaves of the kratom plant contain two psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), which interact with the same brain receptors as prescription opioids like codeine and morphine.
The effects of kratom can vary significantly depending on the dosage. “At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant — enhancing energy, focus, and mood,” explained Dr. Joseph Volpicelli, a clinical adviser for Oar Health. “In contrast, at higher doses, it can act like a sedative, providing pain relief and euphoria.”
Many people turn to kratom for self-treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, or depression, and some use it to cope with withdrawal from opioids.
However, kratom is not without its dangers. It has been linked to a variety of health issues, ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening complications, and carries a risk of addiction.
The dangers become even more pronounced with products engineered to be significantly more potent than natural kratom leaves, particularly those that include synthetic 7-OH, which heightens the likelihood of abuse and dependency.
Researchers at UVA Health, intrigued by the growing use and potency of kratom, analyzed data from poison center reports and identified over 14,400 exposure cases between 2015 and 2025.
Last year set a record with 3,434 reports, a dramatic increase from just 258 a decade earlier.
The majority of these cases involved men in their 20s and 30s, but a significant rise was also noted among individuals aged 40 to 59, indicating that kratom is appealing to a broader demographic.
Hospitalizations specifically linked to kratom escalated even more dramatically, jumping from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025 — a staggering increase of more than 1,150%.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom can cause various side effects, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, itching, loss of appetite, and muscle pain.
More severe complications have been associated with heavy or prolonged use, especially when kratom is combined with other substances like illegal drugs or antidepressants.
Potential serious problems include organ damage, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, psychosis, respiratory issues, seizures, muscle breakdown, substance use disorder, and withdrawal symptoms.
Contamination poses another significant concern. Kratom products are unregulated, leaving uncertainty about their contents. Some have been found to contain toxic metals or harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.
When consumed alongside other substances, researchers noted that hospitalizations surged nearly 1,300% during the decade, rising from 40 to 549. In 2025 alone, 60% of these multi-substance cases resulted in serious medical outcomes, with half requiring hospitalization.
The human cost is evident: between 2015 and 2025, kratom was involved in at least 233 deaths, with 184 of these associated with multiple substances.
“We are seeing a marked increase in kratom-associated products in the U.S. market,” cautioned Dr. Holstege.
“We want the public to recognize that these products contain chemicals with varying concentrations, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have complex pharmacological effects and can result in adverse health consequences.”
Already in early 2026, fatalities linked to kratom have continued to rise. In January, the 22-year-old daughter of former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Austin Beutner died after consuming a combination of prescription drugs and kratom.
“My family is grappling with the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter Emily,” he expressed on social media. “She was a magical presence in our lives, and we are still grieving.”
In response to the increasing risks associated with kratom, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans for a federal crackdown on 7-OH products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advocating for 7-OH to be classified as a Schedule I substance — the same classification as heroin and LSD — due to its lack of accepted medical use and its potential for high abuse.
“7-OH is an opioid potentially more potent than morphine,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated in a July statement. “After the last opioid epidemic, we cannot afford to be caught unprepared again.”
Even the American Kratom Association, which has long defended the plant, is now backing the crackdown on chemically modified 7-OH products. “These 7-OH products are not true kratom,” said Mac Haddow, senior fellow on public policy at the organization, in a July statement. “They are chemically altered substances that produce powerful opioid-like effects, posing an imminent threat to public health.”
