Kratom: What You Need to Know about a Growing Health Concern

Healthcare professionals encourage community members to look beyond the "natural" label.

Walk into many gas stations, convenience stores, or vape shops today, and you may find products containing kratom displayed alongside energy supplements and herbal products. Because it is sold legally and often marketed as a natural wellness product, many people assume it is safe.

Healthcare professionals say that's a dangerous misconception.

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that if a product is sold openly in stores and marketed as ‘natural’, it must be safe," says Amber Nelson, FNP, a provider at Tioga Medical Center. "Kratom is a good example of why it's important to look beyond the marketing. People should understand both the potential effects and the very real risks before deciding to use it."

What is kratom?

Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its active compounds interact with many of the same receptors in the brain as opioid medications.

In lower doses, kratom may increase energy, alertness, and feelings of euphoria. At higher doses, it may reduce pain and anxiety but can also cause drowsiness, hallucinations, seizures, liver damage, and other serious health effects.

Unlike prescription medications, kratom products are not approved or regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, products can vary significantly in strength, purity, and ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are taking.

Why are healthcare professionals concerned?

Kratom is used by people for many different reasons. Some seek increased energy or focus, while others hope it will relieve pain, improve mood, or help with opioid withdrawal. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that kratom can cause physical dependence and addiction, intense opioid-like withdrawal symptoms such as muscle aches and chills, vomiting, and fatigue, and mental health changes after repeated use.

“Nobody can say with confidence what happens to a person’s mental health after years of regular kratom-use, and that’s because the little information researchers have is based on surveys and case reports rather than controlled studies,” says Teri Andersen, LMAC, LPCC, a behavioral and mental health counselor at Tioga Medical Center. “However, we do know that repeated use can lead to dependence and addiction, and in some users, memory and concentration problems.” Andersen adds that withdrawal-related depression and anxiety is often described by users as worse than what drove them to try kratom in the first place.

While overdose from kratom alone is uncommon, the risk increases substantially when it is combined with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other substances.

Particularly concerning are newer products marketed as 7-OH, 7-hydroxymitragynine, Hydroxie, legal opioid, or enhanced kratom. “These products are highly concentrated and contain much larger amounts of one of kratom's most potent compounds,” says Nelson. “They pose an even greater risk for addiction, overdose, and other serious health effects than traditional kratom products.”

Where can you find kratom and what does it look like?

Unlike many substances that raise public health concerns, kratom is often sold openly and is available in a variety of forms including powder, capsules, gummies, drink mixes and teas, liquid shots, and highly concentrated extracts.

Kratom products may be available at gas stations and convenience stores, vape and smoke shops, CBD and hemp retailers, supplement stores, and online marketplaces. Many of these products are sold in brightly colored packaging and marketed as herbal supplements or wellness products, often without clearly communicating the potential risks. Social media and online influencers frequently promote kratom while minimizing or omitting information about possible adverse effects.

Start the conversation

Whether it's with a teenager, spouse, friend, coworker, or another family member, conversations about kratom are an important part of reducing misinformation. Keeping the conversation respectful and judgment-free encourages honest discussion and creates opportunities to share accurate information.

Andersen emphasizes that substance use is often rooted in an underlying mental health concern. "Substance use isn't the problem—it's the solution people have found to cope," she explains. "People often turn to substances because they're trying to feel different or manage difficult emotions. Approaching the conversation with empathy instead of criticism, and choosing connection over control, helps keep communication open and reduces the likelihood of triggering defensiveness."

When to seek help

If you have questions about kratom or concerns about substance use, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you understand the risks, recognize warning signs, and discuss treatment options if needed.

If someone becomes difficult to wake, has trouble breathing, experiences a seizure, or collapses after using kratom, call 911 immediately.

"Parents don't have to be experts, and neither do adults trying to make informed choices for themselves," says Nelson. “Simply being willing to ask questions, seek reliable information, and talk with a healthcare provider can go a long way toward preventing serious health problems."