A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that kratom-related poisonings in the United States have surged by approximately 1,200% over the last decade, with a sharp spike recorded in 2025.
Pharmacology professor Walter Prozialeck of Midwestern University said the findings were not surprising. He noted that the recent surge is almost certainly linked to the introduction of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH.
7-OH is a largely synthesized compound found only in trace amounts in the natural kratom leaf. Because 7-OH has been marketed in energy drinks and other products since 2024, poison control calls often fail to distinguish between the synthetic derivative and the natural plant.
"The difference between 7-OH and the natural kratom plant... is arguably the most important scientific distinction right now," said Austin Zamarripa, a psychiatry professor at Johns Hopkins University.
Risks of blanket bans
While natural kratom has shown relative safety in human and animal studies, 7-OH carries risks similar to opioids, including severe addiction, withdrawal, and suppressed breathing rates.
Despite these distinctions, several states have already implemented or proposed blanket bans on all kratom products. Experts warn these bans could harm individuals using the natural plant for pain management or addiction recovery.
According to a recent survey, roughly half of kratom users struggle with chronic pain, while 40% use the substance to assist in recovering from addiction to opioids, alcohol, or stimulants.
For users like Jeff Maslan, 68, a California resident, the plant serves as a vital alternative to opioids. Maslan, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis, reported using kratom to manage withdrawal symptoms following surgeries.
Another California resident, identified only as Steven, turned to kratom after his prescription oxycodone was revoked. He described the experience of opioid withdrawal as being in extreme pain with skin that felt like it was "crawling."
"When I took it, the withdrawal just went away," Steven said. "My whole body didn’t feel like it was on fire."
