Kratom, a Southeast Asian plant related to coffee, has surged in popularity across the United States, available in health food stores and gas stations. Known for its opioid-like effects, kratom is unregulated in most states and marketed as an herbal supplement. Its users claim benefits ranging from mood enhancement and energy boosts to pain relief and assistance with opioid withdrawal. However, medical experts caution that kratom’s natural origin doesn’t negate its potential for serious effects. Dr. Scott Phillips of the Washington Poison Center highlights that kratom contains compounds that interact with brain receptors similarly to opioids.
Despite its benefits, kratom carries risks of dependence and interaction with other substances. Retailers like Guillermo Rojo Martinez of Kratom Kings advocate for regulation to ensure product purity and consumer safety. The FDA does not recognize kratom for medical use, yet its grassroots fanbase continues to grow, driven by personal testimonials and online communities source.
