Kratom is a plant that grows in Southeast Asia. Its leaves have psychotropic and opioid-like pain-relieving effects. However, research into its efficacy is lacking, and it may cause adverse reactions, especially at high doses.

Individuals living in areas where kratom grows sometimes use it to treat diarrhea, pain, cough, and fatigue.

People living in the United States have shown increasing interest in using this substance as an alternative to opioid pain relievers. Other people use kratom to experience the psychotropic effects, which individuals call a “high.”

Other names for kratom include:

  • thang
  • kakuam
  • thom
  • ketum
  • biak

In this article, learn more about kratom, including safety concerns and possible effects.

Kratom leaves in bags 1Share on Pinterest
Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

While some people use kratom as an alternative to prescription pain medications, such as opioids, very little research has investigated how it affects the body.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source has not approved its use for medical purposes.

While kratom is currently legal in the United States, the Drug Enforcement Agency lists it as a Drug of Concern due to several potential safety issues.

Kratom may cause adverse reactions, especially at high doses. These reactions include seizures, liver damage, psychosis, and other serious toxic effects.

People who have medical conditions and those who otherwise take medications may have a higher risk of adverse reactions to kratom.

It is crucial to note that the FDA does not monitor or regulate kratom supplements for their dosage or purity. The FDA advises people against using kratom due to the risk of serious adverse events.

Kratom has several effects on the body, depending on the dose.

People use kratom in many ways, including chewing the leaves whole, brewing them as a tea, or crushing the leaves and swallowing or smoking them. They may use higher doses to help treat a severe cough, diarrhea, or the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Stimulant effects

At lower doses, kratom can act as a stimulant, giving users more energy. They may feel more awake and alert, social, and talkative.

Sedative effects

In higher doses, kratom can have a sedative effect. This is similar to the effects of opioids, which cause users to feel tired, calm, and euphoric.

In some cases, high doses can cause effects similar to an opioid overdose. They make a person very tired and sedated, even to the point of losing consciousness.

Kratom can cause a range of adverse side effects, including:

Mixing kratom with other drugs or medications can worsen side effects or cause additional effects. This is because the drugs may interact with each other.

Kratom comes with the risk of some severe complications, which is why the FDA advises people not to use itTrusted Source.

Below are some of the possible complications relating to kratom use.

Overdose

Like opioid drugs, it is possible to overdose on kratom, especially when taking very high doses.

A kratom overdose can resultTrusted Source in extreme sedation and loss of consciousness. This is more common in people who are taking other drugs at the same time.

Substance use disorder

Kratom can be addictive. Someone who uses the drug frequently may experienceTrusted Source withdrawal symptoms, which can includeTrusted Source:

A person who has substance use disorder or who regularly uses kratom may need medical help to stop using the drug safely.

Liver damage

In rare casesTrusted Source, kratom has caused acute liver injuries.

Symptoms of liver damage include:

In most cases, people fully recover from liver damage after they stop using kratom.

Death

Researchers have found several deaths with links to the use of kratom.

The risk of life threatening complications appears to be higher in people who take additional drugs.

While kratom is legal in the United States, it poses serious threats, particularly to people who have medical conditions and those who otherwise take medications.

Though it may have some potential medical benefits, there is very little research to support its use.

Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using kratom due to the risk of serious adverse events. The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements that contain kratom and has not approved its use for any medical purpose.