Parents, Grandparents, Teachers and Others: Here Is What You Need to Know about Kratom


By Nancy Kennedy

Maybe you have never even heard of this popular herbal supplement that is marketed as an energy booster, mood elevator, pain reliever, relaxation agent and treatment for the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

But Kratom is out there, everywhere, easily available, and millions of people believe that it is safe, effective and beneficial. It’s possible that members of your family - including the young people - are using Kratom, are addicted to it, or are suffering from some of the harmful effects of its use.

So what is it? Kratom grows in Southeast Asia. It’s an evergreen plant whose leaves contain substances that have psychodynamic effects that can produce stimulation and energy, or relaxation and sedation, depending on the dose. Persons who use it can take it in various forms including pills and tea leaves. Kratom’s popular reputation is that it is a safe alternative to opioid medication for chronic pain management or for the relief of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Many people believe that it helps them significantly.

According to the Mayo Clinic experts, Kratom is neither a safe nor an effective product. It is a dangerous herbal supplement, unregulated and unstudied. It has not been shown to treat any medical conditions. It can produce numerous high risk short- and long-term effects, as listed here:

Harmful Effects of Short-Term Use of Kratom:

  • Anxiety

  • Drowsiness

  • Confusion

  • Elevated heart rate

  • Arrhythmia

  • Respiratory arrest

  • Nausea and Vomiting

  • Hallucinations

  • Seizures

Harmful Effects of Long-Term Use of Kratom:

  • Cognitive impairment

  • Chronic insomnia

  • Psychosis

  • Weight loss

  • Liver toxicity

  • Dependency

  • Addiction

Higher doses can increase the risk and severity of harmful effects. The use of Kratom in combination with other medications, including prescriptions, illicit drugs and over the counter products, can be especially dangerous. Synthetic Kratom products are often very concentrated and have much higher amounts of the opioid substance. Kratom starts to work in minutes, and the effects last a few hours.

Kratom is not an FDA-approved drug in the United States, and there are no FDA-approved drugs containing kratom or kratom-derived substances. Federal and state officials are taking steps to restrict certain kratom products, particularly highly concentrated products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Several states have also enacted restrictions or bans. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has identified kratom as a drug of concern because of questions surrounding its safety and effectiveness.

What is happening with Kratom in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is now taking steps to restrict kratom products. On October 5, 2026, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 2657, which would prohibit certain concentrated and synthetic kratom products while placing strict regulations on natural kratom products. The legislation would prohibit the sale of certain highly concentrated and synthetic kratom compounds, including products containing high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), while requiring natural kratom products to meet labeling, packaging and other safety standards. Sales of natural kratom would also be restricted to people age 21 and older. The bill now must be considered by the Pennsylvania Senate before it could become law.

Parents, grandparents and anyone concerned about kratom use can follow the status of Pennsylvania's legislation through the Pennsylvania General Assembly website by searching for House Bill 2657. For reliable information about the health risks of kratom and current federal actions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides information at its Kratom and 7-OH consumer pages. The FDA warns that kratom has not been approved to treat any medical condition and has been associated with serious risks, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder.