The recent deaths of two University of Mississippi students have reignited concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with kratom. Packaged kratom, purchased from a retail store, was discovered at both campus locations where the students were found deceased on Monday.

Authorities have not yet confirmed if kratom played a role in the students' deaths. However, experts emphasize that kratom, a plant-based substance often marketed for pain relief or to aid in opioid withdrawal, carries significant risks. Jessica Steinman, chief clinical officer at No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles, explained that kratom can lead to dependence, dangerous interactions, and serious health complications.

"Kratom acts as a stimulant at low doses, which could provoke heart arrhythmia," Steinman told Fox News Digital. "At high doses, it acts more like an opioid, and so can suppress breathing."

Kratom is increasingly available in storefronts, gas stations, smoke shops, and health food stores, often promoted as an energy booster. Steinman noted that individuals are purchasing and using the substance in excessive amounts and incorrectly.

"It's affecting the opioid receptors in people's brains," she said. "It can cause them to be overly sedated, it can slow down their breathing and general function of their lungs."

Steinman also warned that kratom can become highly addictive. She distinguished between traditional kratom products with lower active compound levels and newer 7-OH products, which are often concentrated or enhanced for stronger effects. These 7-OH products contain 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent opioid-related compound found in kratom.

While kratom laws vary, regulators are increasingly focusing on concentrated 7-OH products and synthetic kratom-related compounds. Steinman suggested that the uptick in kratom use among young people may stem from social media or peer influence. College students might be using it as a stimulant to stay awake for studying or to boost energy, or for its opioid-like effects to cope with stress or anxiety.

"It does give someone that sedating high, that kind of numbing out from feeling anything very difficult, not wanting to have to deal with stress or anxiety," Steinman explained.

The substance becomes more dangerous when combined with other substances like alcohol, marijuana, or benzodiazepines, which can prove lethal.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Steinman advised that individuals using kratom who experience slowed or shallow breathing, excessive drowsiness, or difficulty waking up may be facing serious sedation that can impair breathing. Prompt medical care is crucial in such instances.

She also highlighted the risk of addiction and withdrawal symptoms, which can include seizures if use is reduced or stopped abruptly. Anyone experiencing a seizure should seek emergency medical care.

Regarding the argument that kratom is safe because it is natural, Steinman countered, "Just because something's from the earth doesn't make it healthy — people can get addicted and compulsive with lots of things." She elaborated that while marijuana is not typically considered addictive to the brain, people can become psychologically dependent on the feeling it provides, a similar pattern observed with kratom. However, kratom directly affects the brain's opioid receptors.

Industry Response

Dallas Vasquez, CEO and co-founder of Mitra9 Brands, differentiated between botanical kratom products with trace levels of 7-OH and those formulated with added, enhanced, concentrated, or synthetic 7-OH. He noted that the FDA has specifically identified added or enhanced 7-OH products as a concern.

Vasquez stated that Mitra9 uses botanical kratom extract from natural leaves, not isolated or synthetic 7-OH. Their products are labeled for adults 21 and older with precautionary statements, including recommendations to avoid exceeding serving sizes, not to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, to consult a physician if taking medications or managing health conditions, to avoid combining with alcohol or other substances, and to keep out of reach of children.

Mitra9 supports stronger national standards for testing, labeling, potency limits, and age restrictions, according to Vasquez. "Consumers deserve to know exactly what is in what they buy, and bad actors should be removed from the market," he said.