Kratom or what the internet is calling “gas station heroin” is often promoted as a “natural” way to boost energy, ease pain, or relieve anxiety. It’s sold in teas, powders, and capsules at wellness shops, kava bars, gas stations, and online; often right beside herbal supplements and protein powders.
As a Registered Dietitian, I’ve seen how the word natural can create a false sense of safety. That’s exactly what is happening with kratom: a product that acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, yet it’s largely unregulated and lacks clear safety data.
It’s important to understand what research says about kratom, including its risks and side effects, as well as what kratom is and why it is a hot topic.
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical plant in the coffee family that grows naturally in Southeast Asia. Traditionally, people in countries like Thailand and Indonesia chewed the leaves or brewed them into tea to help manage pain, boost energy, or improve mood.
Although kratom stems from this region, it has been banned in both Malaysia (1952) and Thailand (1943) because of the danger it poses and is considered as harmful as opiates and amphetamines. Possession of kratom leaves can even result in fines (1).
Products can be concentrated and consumed in higher doses, which increases the risk of dependence and withdrawal. While it may seem harmless because it’s natural, kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, which are addictive.
“Although not an epidemic in its own right, the current trends in kratom use are cause for steadily growing concern, and it is likely to become a significant public issue in the near future if it continues on its current trajectory” (2).
What the Research Says About Kratom
Current research on kratom's active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), reveals significant concerns regarding their safety and potential for abuse.
Mitragynine (MIT), the main alkaloid (a naturally occurring plant compound) in Kratom, acts as an opioid receptor agonist. Meaning it binds to the same brain receptors as opioids and activates them. Animal studies show this can produce effects similar to opioid drugs, like pain relief, sedation, and potential for dependence.
7-OH, a potent metabolite of mitragynine, is reported to be 10x times more potent than morphine, raising alarms about its abuse potential (3).
At this time the FDA has not approved any kratom products due to insufficient evidence and has issued warnings about the risks associated with its use.
Additional research is needed in this area. Current evidence suggests exercising caution with kratom, as we know there are risks but we do not fully understand all the associated risks. However, it does appear that those who started using it in or around 2020 are now reporting many adverse events.
Reported Risks and Side Effects
There are serious risks of taking Kratom. A 2019 study reported that moderate to heavy daily users of kratom (≥ 3 doses per day) commonly have cravings and withdrawal symptoms similar to those of quitting opioids or having opioid withdrawal.
Of kratom users, 43% reported negative adverse events if they abstained for more than 48 hours (4).
Not only are we seeing user-reported issues, but the American poison centres saw an increase in kratom-related calls, from 18 calls in 2011 to 357 in the first 7 months of 2018.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found 91 cases in which kratom was identified as a potential cause of death from July 2016 to December 2017 (4). As of October 2025, there have been six total confirmed overdoses from synthetic kratom and most recently a fatal overdose in LA.
On many of these products there is a clear warning stating that leaf kratom may be habit-forming and harmful if consumed irresponsibly. And to avoid it if you have a history of substance abuse. That seems to me as if they know these products are dangerous when consumed regularly, yet there is no limit set.
Side Effects of Kratom
The range of side effects even at low doses, is extensive.
Common short-term effects include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and constipation; symptoms that can appear quickly after use. More serious risks have also been reported, such as dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and liver toxicity.
Some users describe withdrawal experiences similar to opioid withdrawal, including irritability, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Because kratom products are not regulated, there’s also the risk of contamination with heavy metals or bacteria during manufacturing. Case in point, the multistate Salmonella outbreak in 2018 linked to kratom. These combined factors make this an unpredictable and unsafe product.
The FDA has issued strong warnings against the use of kratom products due to reports of serious harm like liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. They also confirm that no kratom products are legally approved as medicines, dietary supplements, or food additives in the US.
Initially, what caught my attention about this topic was the number of user reported side effects including addiction that are reported online. I thought addiction to a product you can get at a gas station for $10? Let’s dig into this, and I found story after story.
Real Stories and Warnings from Users
After hearing about this I went on an adventure in Phoenix to see how easy it was to come across kratom. To my surprise, I found it at the first gas station I stopped at.
At the first store, the products were somewhat hidden behind the sales desk. It wasn't very easy to locate them, but I noticed the K and asked the clerk to check it out closely. It was a kratom product marketed as containing 33% more kratom, with 45mg Mitragynine.
While Mitragynine is not as addictive as 7-OH, it still has potential for addiction. It also says on the packaging in all capital letters that it is not intended for daily use. I asked the clerk what it was, and she told me it was an energy shot. This is additionally problematic if the staff has not been trained on the dangers of kratom.
Because they were tucked away I couldn’t get a good picture, so I ventured to a second store slightly further into South Phoenix, where I found even more options with 7-OH.
The infamous “Feel Free” products were displayed proudly on the counter. These are advertised as a plant-based and vegan alternative to alcohol. However, each bottle has a warning of the risk of habit-forming behaviors when consumed regularly.
On the front of the register, there was another brand of bottles. One empty box labeled extra strength, with kratom. Interestingly, this product uses a proprietary blend that doesn’t specify the amounts of ingredients but does list 80mg of mitragynine on the label.
User Experiences with Kratom
Most of the online discussions about Kratom lean negative, with many users sharing experiences of unwanted side effects or difficulty stopping use. The few positive reports often come from individuals who have used Kratom while transitioning off other substances, describing it as a temporary way to manage withdrawal symptoms rather than a long-term solution.
On the Reddit page r/quittingkratom with over 53k followers there are countless anecdotes about experiences with kratom addiction, side effects, and overall negative reviews of kratom use. While Reddit is not a scientific source, it is a place for personal stories about quitting and withdrawing from Kratom.
Direct *Negative* User Quotes
Here are some quotes that I found on Reddit and from YouTube videos recounting kratom experiences.
“I'm in detox for kratom extract beverages. I got hooked because I really liked the way it feels. But when I tried to get off it on my own, pure hell set in. The dope sickness is for real. I'm 4 days free and looking forward to being discharged and living clean and sober.”
“Yesterday might have been the first full day off Kratom in years. I was so lethargic and could barely move. I couldn’t get any sleep.”
“For the past 6 months, I’d been taking high doses of kratom daily, around 120g per day. I’d wanted to quit for a long time, but kept postponing it. Then everything changed when I had an epileptic seizure.”
Another study found that doses in excess of 15g may mimic an opioid toxidrome (5). Which sounds like what this user was experiencing.
“One day I was tired and needed energy so I decided to try it [kratom]. It’s been three weeks and I can’t quit. My habit is getting up there pretty high. I just took 80 milligrams to start my day.”
“I've been using kratom extracts, consuming about 1000mg a day for several years. I’ve lost control over my life. The depression is so extreme I can barely handle it. I've been trying to quit for too many months to count.”
“I am constantly using kratom as a substitute for alcohol and have been in denial that I have a problem since I've fully quit alcohol and I've had 2 seizures since starting this product.”
“I quit cold turkey almost a week ago. The withdrawals suck.”
“I started withdrawing from 7-OH the very day I stopped. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t stop moving like a ******** writhing centipede. It was awful. I’ve never been in so much pain. It was agony.”
User Case Study
I also thought it was worth mentioning the case study of a 38 year old woman’s severe kratom withdrawal after attempting to use kratom in place of suboxone for opioid addiction. She did show classic kratom withdrawal after overdosing on her depression medications. There were many factors in this case study, but it shows that easy access to and misinformation about kratom can be very dangerous.
Safe Alternatives for Kratom
If you’ve considered Kratom for pain, fatigue, or anxiety, there are safer, evidence-based options that can help. Of course, always check with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking other medications.
For chronic pain, approaches like gentle movement, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory eating patterns including antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, may help reduce symptoms without the risk of dependence.
For fatigue, consistent sleep routines, balanced meals, and hydration make a meaningful difference in energy levels. Also looking into stress and anxiety levels.
If anxiety or stress is the concern, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and/or regular exercise have strong research showing improvements.
Working with a healthcare professional can help personalize these strategies to your needs.
The Bottom Line
Kratom’s marketing often hides a simple truth: it is dangerous.
With limited research that is not positive, no standardized dosing, and reports of serious and addictive side effects, it’s a product that deserves caution. Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it at all.
If you’re looking for ways to manage stress or pain, talk with a healthcare professional who can guide you toward safer, evidence-based options that won’t send you to rehab.
Share Your Thoughts