On the surface, kratom seems safe enough; it comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa and is an herbal substance. Although kratom has potential therapeutic uses, it also carries a risk for addiction that cannot be ignored.
What is Kratom?
Kratom, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “refers to both Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and to products derived from its leaves that are marketed as herbal supplements.”
The federal research institute notes that “Kratom leaves contain many chemical compounds (known as bioactive alkaloids) that can affect the body. The most well-studied compounds related to kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.”
Kratom as a supplement is often sold as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever, and sometimes as a remedy for the symptoms of withdrawal from opioids. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration reported that consuming the tree leaves results in both stimulant effects (in low doses) and sedative effects (in high doses).
The Mayo Clinic warned against the use of kratom in a June 2024 post, noting, “Depending on the amount of active ingredient in the product and the health of the user, taking kratom can be harmful. There are too few studies to be able to rate the claims about the benefits of kratom.”
Is Kratom Addictive?
There are no uses for kratom approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the FDA has warned people not to use kratom products because of potential negative effects from consuming it.
Although American Addiction Centers reported that “There is convincing evidence that kratom has significantly less potential for dependence and overdose than other stimulants and traditional opioids,” people can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking kratom. There is indeed evidence that people who use kratom regularly may risk becoming dependent.
7OHMZ Kratom Addiction Lawsuits
Currently, kratom as an herbal supplement is starting to be targeted by wrongful death lawsuits.
In July 2023, a jury in Washington awarded a $2.5 million verdict in the first kratom wrongful death trial in the country, NPR reported. In a different case, a mother from Florida ordered a concentrated kratom extract off the internet and later died from what a medical examiner concluded was acute kratom intoxication. In May 2023, a federal judge ordered the vendor to pay more than $4.6 million in damages to the family she left behind.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the FDA, an estimated 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used kratom in 2021. Considering the risks involved, the deaths linked to its use, and the potential for kratom addiction, that number is alarming.
If you or a loved one became addicted to 7OHMZ kratom tablets or similar kratom supplements, you may be entitled to compensation. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our law firm for a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation to learn more today.
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