View, Print, and Download pdf. front of card

View, Print, and Download pdf. Back of card

Kratom Fact Card

What is Kratom?

  • Kratom is a tropical tree (Mitragyna speciose) native to Southeast Asia.  It has recently become popular as a psychoactive substance in Western countries (Cinosi et al, 2015).

How is Kratom Used?

  • Kratom can be taken in capsule, pill or extract form, and/or the leaves can be chewed, smoked, or made into teas.

What are the Concerns?

  • Kratom affects the same opioid brain receptors as morphine and appears to have properties that expose users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and dependence.
  • Some kratom products have been found to contain high levels of heavy metals.
  • Kratom is not federally regulated as a supplement or drug. There are no FDA-approved uses for kratom.
  • Some marketers use deceptive claims that kratom products can treat Opioid Use Disorder or alleviate other medical conditions. To date, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

The Effects of Kratom in Humans are Dose-Dependent:

  • In small doses, kratom produces a stimulatory effect resembling drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines.
  • In larger doses, kratom produces a sedative, pain-reducing effect resembling drugs such as opiates.
  • Opioid withdrawal symptoms have also been known to occur upon cessation.

Minor and Severe Side Effects of Kratom Use:

  • Minor side effects include: nausea, sweating, constipation, etc.
  • Severe side effects include:
    • seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, and even death.
    • dependence, tolerance, addiction, and withdrawal symptoms.

In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began issuing a series of warnings about kratom and has now identified at least 44 deaths related to its use. Most kratom associated deaths appeared to have resulted from adulterated products or taking kratom along with other potent substances such as opioids, antihistamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and stimulants. It is illegal to buy, sell or possess kratom in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Kratom is legal but unregulated in Montana.

                    Information provided by SAMHSA. for more information, please visit samhsa.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status.