Kratom is a plant product made from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Small amounts can act like a mild stimulant, while larger amounts cause opioid-like effects. Kratom is not approved by the FDA for any medical use, and regular use can lead to dependence, addiction and withdrawal.
If this is an emergency: Call 911 if someone who has used kratom is very hard to wake, has slow or shallow breathing, or has a seizure. The risk is higher when kratom is mixed with alcohol, opioids or other sedating drugs.
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What Is Kratom?
Kratom comes from an evergreen tree in the coffee family. It grows in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. For generations, people there have chewed the leaves or brewed them into tea, often to fight tiredness during hard physical work.
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The leaves contain dozens of active compounds. The two most studied are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, often called 7-OH. These compounds act on the same brain receptors that opioids do, along with other brain systems.
Is Kratom an Opioid?
Kratom isn’t an opiate, because it doesn’t come from the opium poppy. But its main compounds attach to the brain’s opioid receptors, so experts describe its effects as opioid-like. That’s why regular use can lead to tolerance, dependence and withdrawal, much like opioids.
At lower amounts, kratom can also have stimulant-like effects. This mix makes kratom hard to fit into a single drug category.
Kratom Street Names
Kratom is sold under many brand and strain names. Common street names include Biak, Ketum, Kakuam, Thang and Thom (DEA).
How People Use Kratom
In the United States, kratom is sold online and in smoke shops, gas stations and some kava bars. It comes in several forms:
- Powder made from dried, ground leaves, often labeled “not for human consumption”
- Capsules and tablets filled with powder or extract
- Tea brewed from the leaves or powder
- Liquid extracts and small “shots”
- Concentrated products high in 7-OH, which can be much stronger than leaf powder
People say they use kratom for energy, pain, anxiety, low mood, sleep or to ease opioid withdrawal. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use, and there’s little quality research in people to back up these uses (FDA).
Using kratom to get off opioids can trade one dependence for another, because kratom causes its own withdrawal (AJHP). If you’re trying to stop opioids, talk to a doctor about FDA-approved treatment options.
Kratom Effects at Different Amounts
Kratom’s effects change with the amount taken, the product’s strength and the person using it (JAOA). Products aren’t standardized, and labels may not match what’s inside, so it’s hard to know how much you’re really taking. We don’t list amounts here, because kratom isn’t regulated as a medicine and there’s no established safe dose.
| Amount | Effects people commonly report |
|---|---|
| Smaller amounts | Feeling alert, energetic, talkative or social; less appetite; faster heartbeat |
| Larger amounts | Opioid-like effects such as pain relief, calm, drowsiness and a dreamy or euphoric feeling; nausea, constipation, itching and sweating |
| Very large amounts or concentrated products | Heavy sedation, confusion, agitation, seizures and slowed breathing, especially when mixed with other drugs |
Tolerance builds with regular use. Over time, many people need more kratom to feel the same effects, which raises the risk of side effects and dependence.
Kratom Side Effects and Risks
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Itching and sweating
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety, irritability or agitation
Serious Risks
- Liver injury. Cases of liver damage have been reported after kratom use.
- Seizures and heart effects. Poison center reports include seizures, fast heart rate and agitation after kratom use (CDC).
- Dangerous drug mixes. Combining kratom with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or other sedatives raises the risk of heavy sedation and breathing problems. Kratom may also change how your body processes some prescription medicines.
- Contamination. Some kratom products have been found to contain salmonella bacteria or heavy metals.
- Overdose deaths. Kratom has been found in some overdose deaths, and in most of those deaths other drugs were also involved (CDC).
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Babies born to mothers who use kratom regularly can go through withdrawal after birth. Kratom’s safety during breastfeeding hasn’t been established (InfantRisk Center).
Long-term heavy use has also been linked to darkening of the skin on the cheeks, tremors and weight loss.
Is Kratom Addictive?
Yes. Kratom can cause tolerance, physical dependence, cravings and withdrawal, the same features seen with other addictive substances (JAOA). Some people develop kratom use disorder, where they keep using even though it harms their health, work or relationships.
Warning signs include:
- Needing more kratom to get the same effect
- Feeling sick, anxious or achy when you go without it
- Trying to cut back and not being able to
- Spending a lot of money or time getting and using kratom
- Using kratom to cope with stress, pain or low mood
Learn more about kratom addiction and its warning signs.
Is Kratom Legal in Florida?
Kratom’s legal status keeps changing, and it differs by state, county and product type. Treat this section as a general overview, not legal advice.
Federal law. At the time of writing, kratom is not a federally controlled substance. In 2016, the DEA announced plans to place kratom’s main compounds in Schedule I, then withdrew that notice after public comment (DEA). The DEA still lists kratom as a drug and chemical of concern (DEA).
FDA position. The FDA warns people not to use kratom and has not approved it for any medical use (FDA). Federal officials have also moved to restrict concentrated 7-OH products.
Florida. Kratom leaf products have generally been legal for adults to buy in Florida, but state rules on some kratom products, including concentrated 7-OH products, have changed in recent years. Local rules can be stricter; Sarasota County, for example, has banned kratom.
Legal doesn’t mean safe. Kratom products aren’t reviewed by the FDA for strength or purity before they’re sold.
Stopping Kratom: Withdrawal and Treatment
If you use kratom every day, stopping suddenly can bring on withdrawal, such as aches, diarrhea, a runny nose, anxiety, poor sleep and strong cravings (AJHP). These symptoms can make it hard to quit alone. Our guide to kratom withdrawal symptoms, timeline and detox explains what to expect.
Talk to a doctor before you stop, especially if you also drink alcohol or take benzodiazepines. Withdrawal from those substances can be dangerous.
The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health treats kratom use at our Lake Worth campus. Care can start with medical detox and continue in residential, partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. If you also live with anxiety or depression, our dual diagnosis care treats both conditions together.
Your care team sets the length of stay based on your needs. See how kratom addiction treatment works.
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Kratom FAQs
Is kratom an opioid?
Not technically. Kratom doesn’t come from the opium poppy, so it isn’t an opiate. But its main compounds act on the same brain receptors as opioids, which is why it can cause opioid-like effects, dependence and withdrawal.
At smaller amounts, it can also act like a stimulant. Many experts describe it as an opioid-like substance.
Is kratom safe?
The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and warns people not to use it. Risks include liver injury, seizures, dangerous interactions with other drugs, contaminated products and dependence.
Products vary widely in strength, and labels may be wrong. If you use kratom, tell your doctor about it and about any other substances you take.
Is kratom legal in Florida?
At the time of writing, kratom leaf products are generally legal for adults in Florida, but the rules are changing. Florida has acted on some kratom products, including concentrated 7-OH products, and some local areas, such as Sarasota County, ban kratom. Check current state and local laws before assuming any kratom product is legal.
Can you get addicted to kratom?
Yes. Regular kratom use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal when you stop. Some people develop kratom use disorder, where they keep using even when it harms their health, money, work or relationships.
Signs include cravings, needing more to feel the same effect, and failed attempts to cut back. Treatment can help.
Does kratom show up on a drug test?
Kratom isn’t part of most standard drug screens. Specialized lab tests can detect kratom’s main compound, mitragynine, in urine or blood.
How long it can be found depends on how much and how often someone uses it. Some employers and treatment programs order these specific tests when kratom use is a concern.
What’s the difference between kratom and kava?
Both are plant products, and they’re sometimes sold in the same places, including kava bars. Kava comes from the root of a South Pacific plant and is mainly used to relax.
Kratom acts on opioid receptors and carries risks of dependence and withdrawal. Read our full comparison of kratom vs. kava.
