US officials are increasingly issuing warnings about kratom, an herbal supplement with opioid-like effects that has grown in popularity across the nation. The substance, often sold over-the-counter in pill, powder, or liquid form, gained renewed attention this week after it was found in the possession of two University of Mississippi students who died. While kratom was not directly attributed as the cause of their deaths, the incident has prompted broader concerns.

Kratom is derived from a tree native to Southeast Asia, where it has been used for centuries for its stimulant properties. In the US, it entered the market around 2016, often marketed as a natural herbal supplement for pain management, anxiety, and depression. At lower doses, it can act as a stimulant, producing effects described as similar to caffeine. At higher doses, it can induce euphoria and a general high, but also carries risks of adverse side effects, including central nervous system depression, which can lead to serious health consequences.

Regulatory Concerns

Despite its growing use, kratom is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This lack of federal oversight means there is no guarantee of what ingredients or concentrations are present in the products sold. Experts caution that this lack of regulation is a primary danger, as products could be manufactured with unknown substances.

"There's no way to know exactly what you're getting," said Dr. Shane Speights, dean of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University. "You could go and create something in your basement, market it as a supplement, and nobody's really going to check and see what's in it."

Legality and Opposition

Kratom is legal in some US states, but banned in at least 11, including Alabama, Arkansas, and Wisconsin. Massachusetts recently enacted a temporary emergency order to ban it. Ten years ago, the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) attempted to classify kratom as a Schedule 1 drug, citing it as a public safety hazard, but the effort was withdrawn after facing significant public opposition.

Groups advocating for bans argue that such "gas-station drugs are poisoning our communities." Conversely, pro-kratom organizations, such as the American Kratom Association, advocate for regulations that distinguish between natural kratom and synthetic versions that may pose greater risks.

User Experiences and Risks

Users like Jeffrey Deaver, a 58-year-old retired timber cutter in Washington state, have turned to kratom for relief from severe chronic pain when conventional methods proved insufficient. Deaver reported that kratom provided him with pain relief and improved his ability to function and sleep.

However, addiction and withdrawal symptoms are significant risks associated with kratom use. Jana Wu, director of clinical integration at the addiction treatment center Mountainside, noted that users can develop a high tolerance, requiring increasingly larger doses for the same effect. She has worked with individuals consuming up to 20 pills daily, with impacts on their jobs and finances.