Kratom Effects: Myths, Facts and Everything in Between

1.7 million Americans aged 12 and older used kratom in 2021. The FDA cites that from the national drug use survey on its kratom page.

What is kratom?

Kratom “refers to both Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and to products derived from its leaves that are marketed as herbal supplements.” That’s NIDA.

Anthropologists say it has been used there “for hundreds of years as a multi-purpose remedy in traditional medicine,” per NIDA.

What compounds are in kratom?

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). NIDA names those two first.

7-OH is “only a minor constituent that comprises less than 2% of the total alkaloid content in natural kratom leaves,” the FDA says. It also writes that 7-OH “demonstrates substantially greater mu-opioid receptor potency” than mitragynine.

Does kratom act like a stimulant or a sedative?

NIDA: “People who use kratom report both stimulant-like effects (increased energy, alertness and rapid heart rate) and effects that are similar to opioids and sedatives (relaxation, pain relief and confusion).”

Dose is the open question. NIDA says “studies have not yet established that these effects depend on the amount or method of kratom consumed.”

Under 6 g per use. Regular users in several recent studies self-reported “less than 6g of botanical kratom per consumption,” per the FDA.

What does the FDA say about kratom?

“FDA will continue to warn the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment.” Direct from the FDA kratom page.

The FDA has warned consumers “not to use kratom because of the risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder (SUD).”

Salmonella and heavy metals turned up in some products, it says.

Deaths have been tied to kratom in rare cases. In most of them kratom was used with other drugs, and its role is unclear, says the FDA. NIDA says nearly all of these cases involved other drugs or contaminants.

What is on kratom product labels?

Kryptic Kratom Extract: approximately 500 mg Mitragyna speciosa leaf extract per capsule, 2 servings. $18.75.

K-Chill Extract Capsules. About 500 mg ground leaf per capsule, max 2 in 24 hours. $18.75.

Kryptic Kratom Tincture lists a 7.5 mg serving, 2 per bottle, with mitragynine, propylene glycol, citric acid, natural flavors and sucralose. $18.75.

K-Chill Tincture: 15 ml, double serving. $18.75.

21 or older on every page.

Where do the kratom numbers come from?

1.7 million users in 2021, under 2% 7-OH in the leaf, under 6 g a use. Those are FDA figures. NIDA’s page covers the effects and the research it funds. Label facts for all four products are in the kratom shop section.