GOOD, BAD OR WHO KNOWS? –
May 27, 2023 – Kratom is extracted from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The products are marketed as herbal supplements that users claim relieve pain, boost energy, treat anxiety and ease withdrawal symptoms from opioids.
The FDA said kratom contains psychoactive ingredients and binds to the same opioid brain receptors as morphine. The agency says the unregulated substance appears to put users at risk of addiction and abuse.
A trade group, the American Kratom Association, disputes the claim and says the FDA has “unfairly demonized” kratom for more than a decade.
