Most people haven’t heard of kratom. What is it, and who’s using it?

Over the past several years, the kratom plant and supplements derived from it have gained increasing attention from public health officials. This broad category of products, which largely avoid any regulation, has seen significant increases in potency and has become ubiquitous in smoke shops and gas station aisles. Health authorities have cautioned that concentrated compounds such as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) pose an emerging public health threat, and federal policies to curb their availability are currently pending.

In the meantime, multiple states and smaller localities have imposed emergency bans on 7-OH, and in some instances, on all kratom products.

Despite the warnings and the growing popularity, many Americans remain largely unaware of kratom or the newer derivative products. These supplements are formulated with compounds bearing scientific names like 7-OH, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), and dihydro-7-hydroxy mitragynine (MGM-15), but are frequently labeled with catchy names like Dozo Perks, Roxy, and UltraOhmz Pseudo Supreme.

A recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center reveals that approximately two-thirds (66%) of Americans have never heard of kratom. Among those who have some familiarity with the substance, only a limited number fully understand the distinction between its natural leaf form and the more synthetic products available on the market.