Natural supplement kratom comes with doctors warning after being dubbed gas-station heroin

Natural supplement kratom comes with doctors warning after being dubbed gas-station heroin

“It’s like cannabis in that people might mistakenly think it is safe because derived from a plant,” Dr. Weimer says. But its primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), are known as atypical opioids, or partial opioid agonists, because they bind to the brain’s receptors, albeit in a different way than morphine or oxycodone. “And if you use it regularly enough, say consistently for two weeks, then you're going to be at risk for opioid withdrawal and dependence because of its opioid properties.” “Like any substance you use, it can have negative effects if you’re using it too much, in large quantities, or for too long,” Dr. Weimer says. In higher doses, however, it has the opposite effect, acting as a sedative with opioid properties.

Mental health

In August 2024, the FTC voted unanimously to ban marketers from using fake user reviews created by generative AI chatbots (including ChatGPT) and influencers paying for bots to increase follower counts. The FTC asked OpenAI for comprehensive information about its technology and privacy safeguards, as well as any steps taken to prevent the recurrence of situations in which its chatbot generated false and derogatory content about people. In July 2023, the FTC launched an investigation into OpenAI over allegations that the company scraped public data and published false and defamatory information. In February 2026, OpenAI banned accounts linked to a Chinese government transnational repression campaign targeting dissidents. In October 2025, OpenAI banned accounts suspected to be linked to the Chinese government for violating the company's national security policy. OpenAI said it has taken steps to effectively clarify and address the issues raised; an age verification tool was implemented to ensure users are at least 13 years old.

When you consume whole-leaf kratom powder or a full-spectrum extract, you're getting 7-OH as nature intended, balanced with mitragynine and dozens of other alkaloids. If you’re interested in using natural agents to support your wellness routine, it’s worth learning more about the benefits of kratom and kava. San Diego has banned kratom sales, while other municipalities have considered restrictions. Florida remains one of the more accessible states for kratom users, though local ordinances in some counties may add restrictions. The Texas Department of State Health Services issued warnings in 2025 about concentrated 7-OH products, citing a spike in poison control calls.

• “I just want to help people know that they’re not alone and to see that there’s hope on the other side. Because when I was in it, I truly was like, I have no idea how I’m gonna get out of this,” she said.
• In late March 2023, the Italian data protection authority banned ChatGPT in Italy and opened an investigation.
• In Bonneville county, Idaho, the coroner reported in October 2025 that four local deaths in the previous 18 months were due solely to acute drug toxicity of mitragynine, the primary active compound in kratom.
• Dr. Kristin Martin, an addiction physician and chair of the American Osteopathic Associations Conjoint Committee on Addiction Medicine, said kratom is still an emerging area of research.
• For more information, visit  and learn more at kratomanswers.org.
• Food and Drug Administration, which issued warning letters to seven companies for illegally distributing products containing concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

PLANT BASED INGREDIENTS

But that hasn’t stopped states and local governments from banning 7-OH or natural leaf kratom for their opioid-like qualities, as many have in recent months. “You market kratom products for the treatment or cure of opioid addiction and withdrawal symptoms. "For years, opponents of kratom have attempted to portray natural kratom leaf as a public health threat," said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the American Kratom Association (AKA), an association of kratom vendors. "When the natural plant kratom is altered and consumed, you can experience opioid effects similar to getting high with morphine or heroin," the health expert adds.

The mu-opioid receptor is the primary target for our bodies’ own endorphins and also opioids like morphine and fentanyl. “Kratom was one problem, but that was a lower dose of exposure of the compound that binds to the mu-opioid receptor,” Perrone said. But addiction specialists and researchers say that 7-OH is a different, more potent and much more dangerous beast. The patient did have a history of opioid use disorder, but he was in recovery. “It looked really like fulminant opioid withdrawal,” she said, “had all the components of opioid withdrawal.” In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver.

In state-level kratom news, Tennessee’s House Bill 1649 — known as “Matthew Davenport’s Law” — was signed into law and takes effect July 1, 2026. Food and Drug Administration, which issued warning letters to seven companies for illegally distributing products containing concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). The biggest national kratom news this week came from the U.S. The people selling those products should not be allowed to hide behind consumer confusion. To be clear, truly synthetic kratom analogs such as MGM-15 and MGM-16 raise legitimate safety and enforcement concerns. They are chemically altered compounds that may be sold in candy-like products, drinks, tablets, and other forms that blur the line for consumers.

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Cheech & Chong's hemp-derived products contain legal hemp that complies with the 2018 Farm Bill and contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol by dry weight. Once you understand how all the pieces fit — from region to timing to drying method — you can actually choose how you want kratom to show up for you. Right now, kratom is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin — and a few local areas have their own rules too. There’s also ongoing research into kratom use, but please note that the FDA hasn’t signed off on any medical uses yet. Most people handle it well in reasonable doses — but if you go overboard, side effects like nausea, constipation, or brain fog can creep in. Even good kratom can hit wrong if you take too much or treat it like a free-for-all.

The Food and Drug Administration warns against using kratom for medical treatment and says no kratom products are approved in the United States. Look for natural-leaf products with published third-party lab testing, clear 21+ age verification, accurate labeling, and GMP-aligned practices. Traditional natural-leaf kratom powder and capsules are regulated separately, primarily through state Kratom Consumer Protection Acts. Stick with transparent vendors that sell natural-leaf powder and capsules, publish lab testing, verify age (21+), and label products clearly. Natural kratom leaf is naturally dominant in mitragynine, with 7-OH present only in trace amounts. Rounding out the week’s kratom news, Florida’s emergency rule restricting concentrated 7-OH — first issued by the state Attorney General in August 2025 — is set to expire on June 30, 2026.

A lesser known therapeutic use of kratom is to reduce cravings for opioids and other substances. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has approved an Investigational New Drug application to see if mitragynine – one of the many alkaloids in kratom – could be used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). "The US Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern. Apart from the eight states where it is banned, kratom is available online and in petrol stations in the US, whereas in the UK, it is not allowed to be sold legally. These kratom consumer protection acts dictate how the product is made, how it is marketed, and who is eligible to purchase. A variation on a ban is the decision to add kratom or one of its primary compounds, 7-OH, to a state’s controlled substances schedule.

This shift is also influencing newer formats like Kratom seltzers, which borrow heavily from familiar energy drink flavor profiles. With evolving consumer tastes and the rise of functional beverages, choosing the best energy drink flavor today requires more thought than simply picking something sweet.As we move into 2026, energy drink flavors are becoming lighter, cleaner, and more refined. Flavor has become one of the most important decision factors, shaping how often people reach for a can and whether they stick with a brand long Q Kratom term. Energy drinks are no longer just about caffeine. Duration is affected by individual metabolism, body composition, food intake, and the specific alkaloid profile of the product.What is the best Kratom drink for beginners?