Key points

Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from the leaves of a tree in Southeast Asia.

Kratom-7 OH is a synthetic form of kratom that is highly potent.

Kratom-7 OH has risks similar to opioids.

Kratom, a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family, has become widely available in the United States in various forms for several years now. It is often sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and online. As an addiction psychiatrist, I saw use and abuse of kratom explode during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This herbal extract has been used medicinally for centuries in Thailand and other Asian countries. Its leaves have traditionally been chewed or smoked as a remedy for managing pain and fatigue. In the United States, manufacturers have sold it in pill or capsule form to treat mood, p

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