Kratom poison center cases have surged 6,500% in the U.S.

Kratom, a plant with psychoactive properties that can mimic opioids at high doses, has led to a significant increase in reported cases to America's Poison Centers over the last decade. According to a study published in Addiction, the number of kratom exposures reported surged from just 19 in 2010 to 1,242 in 2023, marking a staggering 6,500% rise.

Severe outcomes have also become more prevalent. In 2010, there were zero severe outcomes, while in 2023, there were 158. Researchers defined severe outcomes as those involving life-threatening effects, lasting disability, or death.

The study also revealed significant variation among states based on their kratom regulations. States that had banned kratom consistently experienced lower rates of reported exposure, severe medical outcomes, and healthcare utilization compared to states with consumer protection policies or no regulations at all.

Dr. Ryan Feldman, the senior author from the Medical College of Wisconsin, noted, "Kratom is not scheduled under the US Controlled Substances Act or approved for medical use by the FDA, allowing individual states to regulate it as they see fit—some do not regulate it at all and have seen worse outcomes than those with ban in place."

Kratom has been associated with serious health issues such as seizures, irregular heart rhythms, liver damage, and breathing problems. Shockingly, nearly one in seven single-substance kratom exposures requiring hospitalization, and one in sixteen necessitating critical care unit admission. The risks amplify when kratom is used with other substances, as it can interfere with the body's metabolic pathways, potentially worsening the effects of the other drugs involved.

As kratom usage continues to grow and concerns about its risks escalate, lawmakers across the nation are deliberating on the most effective ways to regulate its use. However, the limited high-quality evidence available underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive, unbiased research to inform legislative decisions. The kratom issue appears poised to persist in the foreseeable future.