BILLINGS — A Southeast Asian plant marketed as a natural energy booster and mood enhancer is drawing scrutiny from health officials after users report severe addiction and physical side effects from high potency kratom-based products sold at convenience stores.

Raylee Reinhart, a mother of three, discovered the hard way that kratom's promise of "plant-based, natural energy" can lead down a dangerous path. After completing alcohol abuse treatment in 2023, Reinhart found herself consuming eight to 10 Feel Free kratom shots daily, experiencing hair loss and escalating dependency.

"It tastes disgusting, seriously disgusting. But the feeling that it gives you is like really relaxed, no anxiety," Reinhart said. "You just basically feel completely calm and it kind of would give you like the fee

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