What is kratom, and why is Boston considering a crackdown on the drug?

What is kratom, and why is Boston considering a crackdown on the drug?

Do not consume kratom if you are taking any prescription medication. The US FDA has not approved kratom as a dietary supplement. By purchasing our products you agree that you are aware and in compliance with your local county, state, or federal regulations. These statements and products presented on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. We do not offer free shipping on all products at this time, only on special free shipping sale days.

• For others, using products with kratom became a gateway to using products with synthetic 7-OH.
• Kratom leaves contain two compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydromitragynine (7-OH), that can have opioid-like effects in higher doses.
• Kratom may interact with SSRIs, SNRIs, anti-psychotic medications, and other prescription drugs.
• Ryan Scafe, Director of Client Relations at Renew Ministries, noted the rising number of people struggling with kratom dependency.

What to know about synthetic kratom, the supplement being banned in SoCal and across the U.S.

It has also been used for pain management, and some individuals have turned to kratom to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms. When kratom was combined with other substances, such as illegal drugs or antidepressants, hospitalizations increased nearly 1,300%, from 40 to 549. Researchers say the rapid increase — including a significant spike last year — is tied to wider availability of kratom and the growing strength of newer products. At Kratom Country, we make it easy to buy kratom online with a wide selection of premium products, transparent testing, and fast, reliable shipping. A new, purified compound from kratom called 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7 hydroxy or 7-OH) is now being sold in pill form. “Similarly, with kratom—while not nearly as potent as a stimulant—it is unusual that it also acts like an opioid when taken at a higher dose.”

Kratom Legality by Country 2026

The United Football League embraced kratom beginning in 2024, naming one sponsor as the official supplier. Athletes, team executives and training staff in the NFL, NBA and MLB told The Athletic they had never heard of kratom or did not believe it was commonly used. “I look fit and super healthy, so people would be surprised that this was an issue,” he said.

After years of demonizing kratom as an addictive, opioid-like substance with no approved medical use, federal health officials are finally acknowledging the herbal supplement could actually be used to treat opioid addiction. But he said natural kratom leaf products helped him get into recovery for opioid use disorder. Though the legislature is considering more permanent solutions, Ohio has enacted an emergency rule, expiring in June 2026, Open Kratom that bans synthetic kratom products. 7 OH (otherwise referred to as 7-OH, 7-hydroxy, and 7-hydroxymitragynine) is a potent kratom alkaloid that occurs naturally in the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa). Trouville’s son Tyrell died of mitragynine toxicity in 2024 after, she said, he regularly drank kratom products and considered it safe and natural.

“Its availability is a cause for concern since Los Angeles residents might use kratom without a full understanding of its risks,” the statement read. Other states are working on legislation that would tighten kratom regulations that include testing, age restrictions and labeling. Some states, including Arizona, Minnesota and Texas, prohibit the sale of products with 7-OH to minors.