Kratom is a plant-derived substance from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, kratom leaves were chewed or brewed into tea to boost energy, combat fatigue, and improve productivity.^1,2 Kratom is often used to self-treat conditions such as pain, coughing, diarrhea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal.³

Kratom leaves contains bioactive alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), that interact with opioid receptors in the brain.^1,2 Low doses can produce stimulant-like effects, including increased energy and alertness, while higher doses may have sedative or calming effects, including relaxation, reduced anxiety and depression, drowsiness, and sedation.¹ Although kratom dependence is typically less severe than opioid dependence¹, its opioid-like properties and the potency of 7-OH have raised public health and regulatory concerns.

Other Names for Kratom

Other names for kratom include Mitragyna speciosa, mitragynine extract, biak-biak, cratom, gratom, ithang, kakuam, katawn, kedemba, ketum, krathom, krton, mambog, madat, Maeng da leaf, nauclea, Nauclea speciosa, or thang.⁴

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is a naturally occurring substance in kratom that has demonstrated substantially greater µ-opioid receptor potency than kratom’s primary alkaloid constituent, mitragynine, as well as other opioids such as morphine. Its effects include respiratory depression, physical dependence, and opioid withdrawal symptoms.⁵

Emerging patterns of non-medical use have established 7-OH as a dangerous and addictive substance. Regulatory gaps have enabled widespread availability of these products despite their opioid-like properties and necessitate immediate policy intervention to address emerging threats of kratom in public health.⁵

Kratom occupies a complex space as a natural herbal supplement with psychoactive effects. Some individuals use kratom to manage pain or opioid withdrawal symptoms², though the FDA has not approved it for medical use and it remains unregulated in the U.S. Limited clarity and knowledge about kratom's risks and benefits highlights the need for more research.¹ 

Kratom Use Health Risks and Regulatory Concerns:

• Kratom remains unregulated and available across the United States. Although the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has identified kratom as a "drug of concern", kratom and its compounds are not under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom as safe or effective for any medical purposes.²
• Kratom may hae the potential to be addictive leading to dependence.²
• Rising concerns about kratom's addictive potential due to its compounds mitragynine and 7-OH.⁶ The FDA reports that 7-OH carries a significant risk of abuse and associated harms because of its high affinity and activity at mu opioid receptors.⁵
• Studies have found that the concentration of active ingredients can vary among products, making it difficult to know the amount being consumed.⁷

Since kratom is a botanical, it qualifies as a dietary ingredient (under section 201(ff)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. 321(ff)(1)]. Kratom is also considered as a new dietary ingredient (under section 413(d) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 350b(d)]) since it was not marketed as a dietary ingredient in the United States before October 15, 1994.⁴

U.S. and international agencies have warned and expressed concerns about kratom.⁶ The FDA has and continues to warn the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment and am unsafe food additive.³

The FDA has issued an import alert identifying kratom in shipments of dietary supplements. Shipments of kratom have come in forms of capsules, whole leaves, processed leavesl leaf resins, leaf extracts, powdered leaves, and bulk liquids made of leaf extracts.⁴

In July 2025, the FDA recommended the scheduling of kratom and 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act as part of efforts to protect Americans from dangerous illegal opioid substances.⁸

Most routine drug tests used in workplaces, drug screening protocols, or common check ups, typically do not include kratom or its alkaloids. Since kratom testing isn't part of most drug panels, it's difficult to determine how long kratom can be detected in a person's system. Specialized drug detection tests that include kratom testing and its metabolites can be employed.⁹

Rapid Response™ Kratom Test Strips provide a practical, fast, and reliable solution for detecting kratom in urine:

• Detect kratom metabolites (alkaloids) in urine with a detection limit of 500 ng/mL.
• Quick results in just 5 minutes without the need for specialized equipment or lab analysis
• Offers greater transparency and supports informed decision-making
• Cost-effective way to screen for kratom use in a timely manner
• Bridge the gap between rising kratom use and limited detection in conventional testing

By incorporating these specialized test strips, organizations and healthcare providers can enhance awareness, monitor use responsibly, and reduce potential risks associated with kratom.

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Kratom's opioid-like effects have raised concerns among health authorities. Most standard drug tests often do not include screening for kratom, leading to limited awareness of kratom metabolites, while laboratory-based testing may cause delays and can be costly. As kratom trends continue to evolve and regulatory attention increases, Rapid Response™ Kratom Test Strips offer a simple and effective way to enhance awareness, monitor use responsibly, and help strengthen modern drug screening programs.

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References

1. Swogger, M. T., & Walsh, Z. (2018). Kratom use and mental health: A systematic review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 183, 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.10.012
2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). (n.d.). Kratom. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kratom
3. FDA. (2023). FDA and kratom. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom
4. FDA. (2020). Kratom: Import alert 1137. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1137.html
5. FDA. (2023). Kratom: Information for healthcare professionals and the public [PDF]. https://www.fda.gov/media/187899/download?attachment
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2023). Research topics: Kratom. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom
7. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Kratom: What you need to know. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
8. FDA. (2025). Seizes 7-OH opioids to protect American consumers. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-seizes-7-oh-opioids-protect-american-consumers
9. American Addiction Centers. (n.d.). How long does kratom last? https://americanaddictioncenters.org/kratom/how-long-last