Kratom, a supplement derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, is under growing scrutiny due to concerns about its safety and potential for addiction. This herbal extract is available in various forms, including drinks, pills, powders, and brewed tea. While it is marketed as an energy booster, relaxant, and pain reliever, reports of addiction, seizures, and even deaths have raised alarms among health officials.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced plans to target 7-OH, a synthetic byproduct of kratom, which is sold in convenience stores and gas stations. The FDA has warned consumers against using kratom, citing risks such as substance use disorder and severe health complications, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol.

Matthew Rossheim, a researcher on intoxicating substances, emphasized the misconception that kratom is safe because it is plant-based. He stated, "There's a common misperception that because it's plant-based ... it's safe or non-addictive, but for kratom that's absolutely not true." He noted that kratom products are widely accessible and often lack proper labeling.

Kratom is currently banned in six states and regulated in at least 18 others. Jasmine Adeoye, 29, shared her experience with kratom, stating that she became addicted to a kratom beverage called Feel Free Classic while trying to quit alcohol. "You're advertised this alcohol alternative, so you feel like it's something totally safe and you start to believe there's something wrong with you when you become addicted to this," she said. Adeoye is now using social media to raise awareness about the dangers of kratom.

The American Kratom Association advocates for regulations to keep dangerous kratom products off the market, including labeling requirements and restrictions on sales to minors. There have been numerous wrongful death lawsuits related to kratom, including a recent class action against Botanic Tonics, the manufacturer of Feel Free. The lawsuit claimed the product was misleadingly marketed as a safe alternative to alcohol. Botanic Tonics has since settled the lawsuit and expressed regret for any confusion caused by their marketing.

Experts warn that kratom can lead to serious health issues, including nausea, vomiting, and even death. The Drug Enforcement Administration has documented a rise in kratom-related incidents, with national poison control centers reporting over 1,800 calls about kratom exposures from 2011 to 2017. A recent analysis found kratom linked to over 4,100 deaths from 2020 to 2022.

The FDA is pushing to classify 7-OH as a Schedule I substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This classification would place it alongside other illicit drugs. The agency is concerned about the increasing availability of concentrated 7-OH products, which can be significantly more potent than natural kratom.

Mac Haddow, a senior fellow on public policy at the American Kratom Association, supported the FDA's crackdown on 7-OH, stating, "These 7-OH products are not kratom. They are chemically altered substances that carry potent opioid-like effects and pose an imminent threat to consumers." The federal government is taking steps to address the risks associated with kratom and its derivatives, aiming to protect public health.