What is Kratom? Is it addictive? The controversial supplement explained
Experts warn that kratom, herbal supplements, like opioids, are addictive, as the FDA moves to limit its powerful compound 7-OH.
After a viral video from Tiktok and a rigorous press conference with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kratom is in the spotlight. But what is that?
Products containing the plant ingredient Kratom are sold nationwide at gas stations, liquor stores and smoke stores. They drink drinks, capsules, powders. Some people have bright, colorful packaging.
However, Kratom is not a factory cafe ind-drink. Healthcare professionals say it is very addictive and can produce similar effects to the effects of opioids and opiates. USA Today spoke with more than 20 people who say they’ve become so addicted to Kratom- for the devastating outcome.
Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients that are often sold as wellness supplements:
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant component that comes from Southeast Asia. It is often sold as an herbal supplement that promotes relaxation and boosts energy.
Dr. Timothy Von, a psychiatrist with UCLA addiction, says the ability of businesses to enter large quantities of Kratom into products that otherwise would be harmlessly apparent are more susceptible to abuse.
“At the heart of this is a plant that was thousands of years old,” says Fon. “It is used in Southeast Asia, chewing leaves as a meth as a pain relief method. And now, through vast modern technology, I have created the capabilities I have, what I call, the fast food kratom.
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What is the difference between Kratom and 7-OH?
Kratom is the name of the entire plant component, and 7-OH, which represents 7-Hydroxymitragynine, is a chemical by-product of Kratom. Some products are made entirely of Kratom plants, while others are specifically formulated at high concentrations of 7-OH. Products sold at 7-OH tend to be stronger, and have recently been scrutinized by the FDA.
What did FDA’s RFK Jr. say about 7-OH about Kratom?
At a July 29 press conference, Food and Drug Director Martin McCurry announced the organization’s intention to crack down on products containing 7-OH. However, McCurry revealed during his press conference that the organization’s focus is on 7-OH, not on the whole of Kratom.
McCurry has announced plans to work with Kennedy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to begin the process of scheduling 7-OH as an illegal substance. This happens when the Drug Enforcement Agency approves FDA sanctions after review.
“I spent 14 years as a heroin addict and 43 years of recovery,” Kennedy said at a press conference. “I had an iron will for most of my life. …This forced me was absolutely impermeable to my will. Part of the problem was just availability.”
Is Kratom addictive?
Healthcare professionals told USA Today that Kratom and 7-OH remain topics that are not commonly understood, but all Kratom products take the risk of addiction, not just those sold at 7-OH. Some of the people who spoke to USA Today said their addiction was only products using Kratom and never tried products with synthetic 7-OH. For others, using products with Kratom has become a gateway for using synthetic 7-OH products.
Dr. Leaf Pheno, chairman of the American Psychiatry Association’s Council on Addiction Psychiatry, believes Kratom has escaped scrutiny because it does not bind to the brain’s receptors, just like drugs like heroin and morphine.
“The shape of these molecules from Kratom is very different from the shape of things like morphine and fentanyl,” says Fenno. “So we can argue that it is not an opioid because it doesn’t have a specific shape like an opioid.
Why are people talking about Kratom now?
There are many Kratom products on the market, but in recent weeks one particular drink has become a virus. On July 25th, Tiktoker, named @yourbestimisha, posted a video with over 19 million views. There, he explained that the teenager stole his wallet outside the gas station after refusing to go inside to buy free tonics, including Kratom. The company behind Feed Free, a representative of Botanic Tonics, is in USA Today, where Feel Free Classic Tonic only contains natural leaf Kratom, with almost undetectable levels of 7-OH.
Botany Tonic representatives take USA Today’s restrictions on age 21 and above very seriously and have contacted this Tiktoker for more details. Company CEO Cameron Korehbandi issued a statement praising the FDA after 7-OH.
“We have advocated exactly this type of regulatory approach, protecting consumers from synthetic derivatives while maintaining access to traditional plant ingredients that have been safely used for centuries,” says Korehbandi.
Earlier this year, the plant-based tonic settled a $8.75 million class action lawsuit filed in March 2023, claiming that the company accidentally sold the Kratom tonic as a healthy alternative to alcohol. In January 2024, the company announced that it would add a warning to its label for classic tonics that “when the product is consumed irresponsibly, it will form habits and harm your health,” and in May 2024 it would add a limit on the product to age 21 and above.
For resources or support due to substance use disorders, samhsa.gov Please call the website or 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
