Kratom is a plant product sold as powders, capsules, teas and extracts. Its main compounds act on the same brain receptors as opioid drugs. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and warns people not to use it, because of risks that include liver damage, seizures and addiction.
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Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and part of the same plant family as coffee. In the United States it is sold online and in stores as crushed leaves, powder, capsules, liquid extracts and concentrated products.
Sellers often market kratom as a natural supplement, but that label says nothing about safety. The FDA says there are no prescription or over-the-counter drugs containing kratom, and that kratom is not lawfully sold as a drug, a dietary supplement or a food additive. The DEA states that kratom has no legitimate medical use in the United States. Claims that certain “strains” or leaf colors are energizing, calming or anti-inflammatory come from vendors, not from approved research.
Strength varies widely from one product to the next. The DEA reports that at least 54 alkaloids have been found in kratom, and their levels change with the plant and how it was processed. Some products have also been found to contain heavy metals or Salmonella bacteria.
How Kratom Affects the Body and Brain
The two best-studied compounds are mitragynine, the most plentiful, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, usually called 7-OH. 7-OH is present only in small amounts in the leaf, and the body also makes some of it when it breaks down mitragynine. Both bind to mu-opioid receptors, the same receptors that codeine and other opioids act on. The FDA notes that 7-OH is much more potent at these receptors than mitragynine. In animal research described by the DEA, the pain-relieving effect of both compounds was blocked by naloxone, the medicine used to reverse opioid overdoses.
People report stimulant-like effects, such as more energy and alertness, at lower amounts and opioid-like sedation and euphoria at higher amounts. NIDA cautions that studies have not confirmed effects follow amount this neatly. According to the DEA, effects begin within 5 to 10 minutes and last 2 to 5 hours. Common side effects include:
- nausea and constipation
- itching and sweating
- dry mouth and more frequent urination
- dizziness and drowsiness
- loss of appetite
Short- and Long-Term Risks
The FDA warns of serious adverse events from kratom, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder. NIDA describes case reports of confusion, tremors, seizures, and heart, lung and liver problems. These serious effects are uncommon, but they are hard to predict, so there is no way to know in advance who will be affected.
The DEA reports that long-term use has been linked to weight loss, poor appetite, insomnia, darkening of the skin and liver damage. Some people have developed psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and confusion.
Some situations carry extra risk:
- Mixing kratom with other substances. NIDA reports that combining kratom with other drugs has been linked to severe effects, including liver problems and death.
- Pregnancy. The FDA reports newborns exposed to kratom before birth have shown withdrawal signs such as jitteriness, irritability and muscle stiffness.
- Concentrated 7-OH products. The FDA has seized 7-OH products and sent warning letters to companies marketing them.
Overdose: Signs and What to Do
Kratom use has been linked to overdoses and deaths in the United States. In most deaths, other drugs or contaminants were also involved, and the FDA says kratom’s exact role is often unclear. That does not make it safe, especially when it is combined with opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines or other sedatives.
Call 911 right away if someone:
- is unresponsive or cannot be woken
- is breathing very slowly or not at all
- is having a seizure
If opioids may be involved, give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it, and stay with the person until help arrives.
Is Kratom Addictive? Dependence and Withdrawal
Yes, kratom can lead to dependence and addiction. The FDA lists substance use disorder among its risks, and the DEA reports withdrawal in people who use it regularly. NIDA notes that surveys suggest a minority of people who use kratom develop withdrawal or substance use disorder symptoms, and that withdrawal is usually described as mild to moderate. Researchers are still learning how often this happens.
Kratom withdrawal can look like a milder form of opioid withdrawal. According to NIDA, there are no approved medical therapies for kratom withdrawal or kratom use disorder. Stopping is more complicated if you also use opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, because withdrawal from those can be dangerous. In that case, get medical supervision instead of stopping on your own. Our guide to medical detox in Florida explains what that care looks like.
Signs that kratom use may have become a problem include:
- needing more to get the same effect
- feeling sick, restless or low when you go without it
- trying to cut back and not being able to
- using it even though it is hurting your health, work or relationships
Kratom and the Law
Federal law. Kratom is not a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act, according to the DEA. NIDA notes that the DEA lists it as a drug of concern, and the FDA has acted against concentrated 7-OH products.
Florida law. The Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act (section 500.92, Florida Statutes) makes it illegal to sell or give kratom products to anyone under 21. Since 2025, Florida’s Attorney General has used emergency rules to restrict concentrated 7-OH products, placing 7-OH and some related compounds in Schedule I. The Legislature did not make that restriction permanent in its 2026 session. Florida’s rules on kratom and 7-OH are changing, so check the current law before relying on any summary, including this one.
Treatment for Kratom Use in Florida
Care usually starts with a medical assessment. A doctor or treatment team will ask about kratom, any other substances you use, your liver health and your mental health, then recommend a level of care. Depending on your needs, that may include:
- Withdrawal support at a Florida detox center, especially if you also use opioids, alcohol or sedatives.
- Counseling in an outpatient or intensive outpatient program, so you can keep working or caring for family.
- Residential treatment when use is severe or other conditions need closer care.
- Medication-assisted treatment if you also have an opioid use disorder.
Our directory lists licensed Florida facilities using SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov data. You can search Florida rehabs by city and type of care.
Paying for treatment
Ask each program which insurance plans it accepts, what your costs will be and how soon it can see you. If you have no insurance or not enough coverage, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) can refer you to your state office for state-funded treatment, and can often point you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. The call is free and confidential, and you will not be asked for personal information.
Getting Help Now
- Emergency: call 911 if someone is unresponsive, not breathing normally, having a seizure or chest pain, or is in danger.
- Crisis: call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, if you or someone you love is thinking about suicide or is in emotional crisis.
- Treatment referrals: the SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, is free, confidential and open 24/7 in English and Spanish.
- Poison questions: Poison Control is available at 1-800-222-1222 for questions that are not emergencies.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kratom: Effects, Risks and Treatment for Kratom Dependence
What is kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia, Mitragyna speciosa, whose leaves are sold as powders, capsules, teas and extracts. Its main compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), act on the same brain receptors as opioid drugs. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use and has warned consumers not to use it. Product strength varies widely, so its effects are hard to predict.
What are the effects of kratom?
At low doses, people report stimulant-like effects such as more energy and alertness; at higher doses, kratom causes opioid-like sedation and euphoria. The DEA reports that effects begin within 5 to 10 minutes and last 2 to 5 hours. Common side effects include nausea, itching, sweating, dry mouth, constipation and loss of appetite. Long-term use has been linked to weight loss, insomnia and liver damage.
Is kratom addictive?
Yes, kratom can lead to dependence and addiction, although researchers are still learning how often this happens. The FDA lists substance use disorder among kratom's risks, and the DEA reports withdrawal in people who use it regularly. NIDA notes that withdrawal is usually described as mild to moderate. If you find it hard to cut back or stop, talk with a doctor or a treatment provider.
What are kratom withdrawal symptoms?
Kratom withdrawal can look like a milder form of opioid withdrawal. Reported signs include muscle and bone aches, jerky limb movements, watery eyes, hostility and aggression. There are no FDA-approved medications specifically for kratom withdrawal, so medical support matters, especially if you also use opioids, alcohol or other drugs. A Florida detox center can assess your situation and help you through withdrawal safely.
Is kratom legal in Florida?
Kratom leaf products are legal for adults in Florida, but state law makes it illegal to sell them to anyone under 21. Kratom is not a controlled substance under federal law. Since 2025, Florida's Attorney General has used emergency rules to classify concentrated 7-OH and related compounds as Schedule I drugs, so many concentrated kratom-derived products are illegal in the state. These rules are still changing.
Can you overdose on kratom?
Yes, kratom use has been linked to overdoses and deaths, though most deaths also involved other drugs or contaminants. The FDA also lists seizures and liver toxicity among its risks. Mixing kratom with opioids, alcohol or sedatives raises the danger. If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly or having a seizure, call 911. If opioids may be involved, give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it.
Where can I get help for kratom dependence in Florida?
You can find licensed Florida treatment programs that help with kratom and opioid dependence through our free directory or the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, which is confidential and open 24/7. Care often starts with a medical assessment and help with withdrawal, followed by counseling in an outpatient or residential program. Search programs by city and service on our Florida rehab directory.
