Kratom Poison Center Reports Surge Over Last Decade, Study Reveals
Kratom, a psychoactive plant known for its opioid-like effects at high doses, has been associated with a significant increase in poison center reports and serious medical outcomes across the United States. Research published in the journal Addiction indicates that reported exposures to kratom have surged dramatically in the past decade.
According to the study, the number of kratom exposures reported to Poison Centers in the U.S. escalated from just 19 cases in 2010 to 1,242 cases in 2023, marking an increase of over 6,500 percent. Additionally, the prevalence of severe cases has risen sharply, with 158 reported in 2023, compared to none in 2010. The research defined severe medical outcomes as those involving life-threatening effects, significant lasting disabilities, or fatalities.
The investigation also highlighted significant disparities among states based on kratom regulations. States that have instituted bans on kratom were found to have consistently lower rates of reported exposures, severe medical outcomes, and healthcare utilization compared to those with consumer protection policies or no regulations whatsoever.
Kratom Health Risks and Regulatory Challenges
Dr. Ryan Feldman, senior author and a researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin, noted, “Kratom is not scheduled under the US Controlled Substances Act or approved for medical use by the FDA, which leaves US states to set their own regulations. Several US states do not regulate kratom at all, and they consistently had worse outcomes in this study than states that banned kratom use.”
Research has documented that kratom can lead to serious health complications, including seizures, irregular heart rhythms, liver damage, and respiratory issues. Nearly one in seven cases involving single-substance kratom exposure reported to poison centers resulted in hospitalization, and one in 16 necessitated admission to a critical care unit. The risks are further compounded when kratom is combined with other drugs, as it may interfere with their metabolic processes.
As concerns surrounding kratom’s risks continue to mount and its use persists, policymakers across the country are evaluating regulatory options. Current policy discussions are characterized by a lack of high-quality evidence, emphasizing the urgent need for more rigorous and unbiased research to inform legislation. The findings from this recent study suggest that the complexities surrounding kratom will remain a pressing issue in public health discourse moving forward.
