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Kratom poisonings surged 1,200% over the past decade, and regulators are struggling to keep up with the dangers

The Conversation · · 942 words · By Andrew Kolodny
open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/kratom-poisonings-surged-1-200-over-the-past-decade-…

analyticsAnalysis

72%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 0%
Significant concerns. Multiple propaganda techniques detected.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

19 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

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“Proposals to ban or regulate kratom are making headlines in local newspapers across the United States.”
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“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that hospitalizations and poisonings involving kratom have increased by more than 1,200% over the past decade.”
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — CDC? is a children's puzzle book written and illustrated by author and cartoonist William Steig. Originally published in 1984, it is a sequel to his 1968 picture book CDB! and is of the same concept: …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDC?
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On December 31, 2019, China announced the discovery of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan. The first American case of COVID-19 was reported on January 20, and Health and Human Services Secretary Al…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_Unite…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the national public health agency of the United States. It is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centers_for_Disease_Control_an…
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“Families share tragic stories of lives cut short by kratom overdoses and addiction.”
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“Lawmakers are hearing from lobbyists representing the kratom industry and users who insist kratom is a safe, natural substance that boosts mood and energy, relieves pain, and helps overcome opioid addiction.”
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“Scientific evidence shows that kratom carries real risks that are often downplayed or misunderstood.”
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“Kratom’s rising use over the past decade coincided with the opioid crisis as people searched for alternatives to prescription opioids.”
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“About 1.7 million Americans report using kratom each year.”
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“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers for more than a decade that kratom can cause serious problems, including liver disease, seizures, addiction, and death.”
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“Kratom comes from the plant Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia.”
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Herbal teas or herb teas, technically known as herbal infusions, and less commonly called tisanes, are beverages made from the infusion or decoction of any herbs, spices, or other plant material in wa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal_tea
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mitragyna speciosa is a tropical evergreen tree of the Rubiaceae family native to Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea, where its …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mitragynine is an indole-based alkaloid and is one of the main psychoactive constituents in the Southeast Asian plant Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom. It has also been researched for its …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragynine
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“Kratom’s effects come from compounds in its leaves, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH), which bind to opioid receptors in the brain.”
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“Mitragynine is a weak opioid, while 7OH is a much stronger opioid that can increase opioid effects and lead to overdose.”
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“Deaths linked to kratom were already rising before newer 7OH products appeared on the market in late 2023.”
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“The FDA has been clear: It is not approved for any medical use and should not be used to treat opioid addiction.”
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“Kratom may cause dangerous heart problems, including sudden death, and contains high levels of lead.”
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“Kratom may pose a risk to the fetus if pregnancy occurs and can lead to infants experiencing opioid withdrawal at birth.”
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“States that banned kratom, like Vermont, have not seen worse outcomes in fentanyl overdose deaths compared to other states.”
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“Personal stories from kratom users are not equivalent to scientific evidence.”
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“Controlled studies to determine kratom's benefits versus risks have not been conducted.”
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“The evidence shows that kratom is an opioid with real risks – not a harmless supplement.”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.