Kratom Use Among Americans Is at an All-Time High

The Trend: Maybe you’ve stopped into a gas station or convenience store recently and seen kratom for sale in pill or powder form. The plant from Southeast Asia has stimulant effects at low doses and provides some pain relief at higher doses, which is why it has gained traction in recovery and rehabilitation communities. But now it’s reached a much broader audience, particularly among younger adults. A recent national study found more than 5 million Americans have tried it, with adults ages 21-34 reporting the highest use, up from 1.6% of Americans in 2021 to 1.9% in 2024.

What People Are Saying: People who use it say it’s relatively safe and far less euphoric than classic opioids, and some research supports that. But the aforementioned national study found that most kratom users also had a substance use disorder, which has experts calling for more caution.

What to Know: Part of what’s driving some alarming recent headlines about kratom is a synthetic derivative called 7-OH, which is far more potent and linked to a 1,200% spike in poisonings over the last decade. The two products are very different, even when sold side by side. 7-OH carries some of the dangers of opioids, including addiction.