Viral kratom supplement sparks health warnings and social media scrutiny ABC7 Los Angeles
They emphasize that using kratom can lead to serious and even fatal outcomes, particularly when combined with alcohol, medications, or illicit drugs. Serious health outcomes linked to kratom have also surged. Choosing the best kratom product comes down to your goals, experience level, and preferred format. Today, kratom is widely available online, making it easier than ever to explore different strains and product types from trusted vendors. “The VR Kratom compound itself, even though it’s present in only 1% of the plant or less, is really potent,” Moss warns.
Ban on synthetic kratom in effect in Ohio, but more action could be coming
"It's a strange, insidious drug that imperceptibly steals your soul," Jason says. He asked that his last name be withheld out of fear that sharing his addiction struggles could damage his career. "And so, the argument can be made that they're not opioids, because they don't have a specific shape like opioids. And that's despite the fact that they work in a very similar way." Company CEO Cameron Korehbandi has also released a statement applauding the FDA for going after 7-OH.
- There, the 235 grams of kratom and 7-OH deputies said they found inside Clarke’s duffel bag carried the weight of a felony drug trafficking charge, one prosecutors put on par with heroin possession.
- Do not drive or use heavy machinery while using this product.
- Food and Drug Administration recommended that 7-OH be federally regulated as a controlled substance.
- At the time of his arrest in April, Clarke had a THC vape pen on him and a prescription for a painkiller often used for sports injuries, according to the dashcam audio.
- Lawmakers have long said they struggle with keeping up with the rapid evolution of synthetic substances.
- At first, he says, he used kratom like an energy drink.
Local Health Services/Offices
A CBD and kratom dispensary is pictured in New York City. In 2025, 60% of cases involving multiple substances resulted in "serious medical outcomes," and about half required hospitalization. Over the 10-year period, more than 14,400 kratom exposures were reported. To better understand the trend, UVA Health researchers led by Rita Farah, PhD, MPH, PharmD, analyzed kratom-related calls reported to the National Poison Data System. Because the products are not regulated, consumers cannot be sure what they are taking. Traditionally, people have used the leaves by chewing them, crushing them, or brewing them into tea for pain relief and mood enhancement.
year-old girl swept into ocean identified after body recovered in Laguna Beach
Arkansas outlawed the plant a decade ago – long before Clarke crossed into the state in April on his way to show off his new supercharged Corvette ZR1. Reaching inside, they found seven smaller bags containing capsules of green powder and a few chewable tablets. After the FDA's news conference, "I almost started crying," she says. Maloney is still struggling with the financial fallout of her addiction, but she believes that, one day, that will be fixed too. She also has healed her relationship with her daughters, whom she lets give her random drug tests − whatever it takes to earn their trust back.
The leaves of the tree contain more than 40 different active compounds, with the most prevalent being mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine and speciofoline. "After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again," he said. U.S. health agencies are targeting a threat to Americans that is readily available nationwide. Stay informed with ScienceDaily's free email newsletter, updated daily and weekly. However, reports also increased significantly among people ages 40 to 59, indicating broader use across age groups.
The FDA "demonstrated the exact kind of data-driven, proactive regulatory excellence needed to safeguard unwitting consumers across the U.S.,” said Ryan Niddel of Diversified Botanics, a Utah-based company that sells kratom supplements. The agency’s recommendation will be reviewed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which sets federal rules for high-risk drugs including prescription medicines and illicit substances. “7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. "We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic.” Testimonials on this website are not intended as claims that our products can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.
Kratom Tablet Variety Trio Bundle
Kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. While GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy hold promise for both weight loss and diabetes management, their potential for accidental misuse requires caution. But the substance is increasingly being used in foods, too.
In one video, a CBD Kratom employee recommends an orange soda made with kratom extract to UFL players, extolling its pain relief capabilities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom to be used for any purpose and warns consumers of “serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder.” The kratom leaf is harvested from a tropical evergreen tree indigenous to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and imported into the United States. Clarke’s arrest and subsequent death has put a spotlight on kratom, they said, at a time when lawmakers in many states are deciding whether to regulate or ban it.