Gov. Ron DeSantis last month signed a bill where products containing Mitragyna speciosa can only be sold or given to people older than 21. The law went into effect July 1.
Kratom is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont and Wisconsin. Three other states also restrict the substance: Arizona, Utah and Georgia.
In the Florida, it’s now a second-degree misdemeanor to violate the law, which can come with a fine up to $500 and as many as 60 days in jail.
But what is kratom and what is it used for?
What is kratom?
Kratom refers to both Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and to products derived from its leaves that are marketed as herbal supplements, according to the National Institutes of Health.
What is kratom used for?
Kratom has been used as an energy booster, mood enhancer, pain reliever and antidote for opioid withdrawal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It’s also been used for coughs, depression and anxiety, according to WebMd.
At low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, making users feel more energetic.
At higher doses, it reduces pain and may bring on euphoria.
At very high doses, it acts as a sedative, making users quiet and perhaps sleepy.
FDA kratom warning:FDA warns about herbal drug kratom, used for pain relief: What to know about side effects
Kratom and its use among teenagers
Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, an estimated 0.6% (or about 1.7 million people) reported using kratom in the past 12 months, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Kratom addiction is becoming more common among teens, according to the Child Mind Institute.
Is kratom addictive?
Between 2011 and 2017, more than 1,800 calls relating to kratom ingestion were made to poison centers around the country. The Drug Enforcement Administration lists kratom as a “drug of concern” in the United States.
David Seitz, MD, the medical director of Ascendant, a New York-based rehab program, reports seeing an increase in cases of kratom addiction among teenagers.
“I think the major challenge is a perceptual one,” he said. Young people using think it’s harmless because it’s touted as natural. “They don’t consider it a drug until they get into trouble with it.”
Research indicates that those who use kratom regularly may risk becoming dependent, according to the American Addiction Centers.
This can occur because the body naturally adapts to regular exposure to kratom. When someone stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms can emerge as the body adjusts to no longer having the substance. Physical dependence can lead to cravings to relieve these symptoms.
The risk of dependence seems to be highest for people who frequently consume more than 5 grams per day and more than three times per day.
What symptoms are seen during kratom withdrawal?
Studies suggest that some people may experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking kratom, according to American Addiction Centers.
One case report noted that people who visited hospitals for kratom withdrawal typically showed symptoms that included:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose
- Muscle pain
- Joint stiffness
Do drug tests find kratom in the body?
Kratom doesn’t show up on standard drug tests.
Only some labs test for kratom, and doing so is expensive, according to the Child Mind Institute.
While kratom is not detectable in many routine drug tests, some tests can detect it in both urine and blood, according to Keystone Lab.
Another drug test specifically looks for kratom and can identify it for up to seven days after usage.
What are the side effects of kratom use?
According to the Mayo Clinic, kratom has a number of known side effects, including:
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Chills, nausea and vomiting
- Changes in urine and constipation
- Liver damage
- Muscle pain
Kratom also affects the mind and nervous system:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations and delusion
- Depression and delusion
- Breathing suppression
- Seizure, coma and death
How is kratom taken?
Kratom is mostly taken in the form of a tablet, capsule or extract, according to theDepartment of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration.
The leaves can also be chewed, smoked or brewed with tea.
Can kratom affect unborn babies?
Kratom is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy, according to WebMd.
Babies exposed to kratom during pregnancy have experienced withdrawal symptoms after birth. These babies required special treatment for addiction.
What other names are used for kratom?
Kratom has a long history of use in Southeast Asia, where it is commonly known as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum and biak.
Another names include: mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, katawn, kedemba, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea and Nauclea speciosa.
In the United Kingdom, kratom is promoted as an “herbal speedball,” according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
What does the FDA say about kratom?
The FDA is concerned that kratom, which affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine, appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse and dependence.
There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom, and the agency has received concerning reports about the safety of kratom.
