A Southeast Asian plant once confined to counterculture festivals is now crossing into mainstream wellness circles. Kratom — a leaf related to the coffee family — is being promoted in smoke shops and online forums as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and even opioid addiction. Devotees brew it into tea or take it in capsules for what many describe as a mild mood lift rather than an intense high.
Health agencies warn that kratom can be habit-forming. As debate continues, kratom stands at the intersection of herbal tradition and regulatory scrutiny.
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