An Idaho mother died in February 2026 after years of using kratom, an herbal supplement she believed was a safer alternative to prescription anxiety medication. Kirsty Boswell, 50, was found unresponsive after lying down for a nap, with toxicology reports later indicating potential organ damage, possibly from long-term use of the substance.
Boswell had been battling anxiety and had previously been prescribed alprazolam, known as Xanax, but sought to stop taking the medication due to dependency concerns. In 2021, she discovered kratom, which she thought would provide relief without a prescription. It is readily available in smoke shops, convenience stores, and online, often marketed as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, and even opioid addiction.
However, experts warn that kratom's active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), interact with the brain's opioid receptors, similar to potent drugs like oxycodone. At lower doses, it can increase alertness, while higher doses may cause sedation and pain relief, leading some to dub it 'gas station heroin.' Concentrated forms, such as 7-OH, are of particular concern.
Boswell's daughter, Lauren Lopez, stated that her mother had become addicted to kratom in her attempt to quit Xanax, experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms that led her to consume increasing amounts of the supplement. Lopez expressed that her mother likely would not have continued using kratom if she had understood its potential fatal risks. Toxicology investigations could not definitively determine if Boswell overdosed or if her death resulted from cumulative damage over time, though the medical examiner suggested the latter was more probable.
Boswell's autopsy report listed pulmonary edema, a condition where fluid builds up in the lungs, which has been observed in other fatal kratom cases, especially involving high doses or potent extracts. The substance's opioid-like effects can also suppress breathing, potentially leading to fatal oxygen deprivation. Medical professionals have also raised concerns about potential long-term effects on organs, with studies linking kratom to liver injury and case reports suggesting links to heart rhythm disturbances.
Unlike prescription medications, kratom is not subject to rigorous safety testing or mandatory warning labels, contributing to a lack of awareness about its risks among users. The American Kratom Association reports the industry is valued at $1.5 billion annually.
Poison control centers have seen a dramatic increase in kratom-related calls, with a reported 1,200 percent jump between 2015 and 2025. Many of these incidents are attributed to kratom being mixed with other substances or the use of more potent, concentrated products. Other fatalities linked to kratom include Krystal Talavera in Florida, who died from acute mitragynine intoxication after consuming a product called 'Space Dust,' and Matthew Torres in Oregon, who suffered a seizure attributed to kratom use while seeking pain relief.
In an effort to address concerns, the Trump administration previously proposed adding 7-OH to the Controlled Substances Act's Schedule I, though a final decision has not been made. In the absence of federal action, individual states have implemented varying regulations. Some states, like Alabama and Arkansas, have outlawed kratom by classifying its active ingredients as controlled substances. Others, including Texas and Arizona, regulate product potency, while Florida and Kentucky have moved to ban concentrated 7-OH products. This creates a complex legal landscape where the substance's availability and legality differ significantly across state lines.
Addiction specialists note that the marketing of kratom often downplays its potential for dependence, drug interactions, and opioid-like effects, leading users to underestimate the dangers. Lopez emphasized the importance of understanding what one consumes and cautioned that 'natural' does not always equate to safe.