JAMA: Kratom Poison Center Reports Rose from 19 Cases in 2010 to 1,242 in 2023; Severe Outcomes Affect 13%

Why it matters

Published in the country's most widely read medical journal, this analysis of national poison center data provides the clearest quantitative picture to date of kratom's rising health burden and gives clinicians and policymakers hard numbers to inform treatment and regulatory decisions.

The big picture

America's Poison Centers data has become the primary source for population-level surveillance of kratom harms, tracking exposures since 2010. Prior CDC analyses have documented the overall surge in calls; this JAMA summary focuses specifically on severe outcomes — life-threatening effects, significant residual disability, and death — painting a more detailed picture of clinical severity. The analysis also compares outcomes across regulatory environments, adding evidence to the ongoing debate about whether bans work.

Key findings

• Kratom poison center reports rose 65-fold: from 19 cases in 2010 to 1,242 cases in 2023
• Exposures resulting in life-threatening effects, significant disability, or death increased from 0 in 2010 to 158 in 2023
• Severe medical outcomes were documented in 13% of all kratom exposures
• Adverse effects in severe cases included cardiac dysrhythmias, seizures, respiratory depression, and death
• States with outright bans on kratom consistently showed lower rates of exposure, health care utilization, and severe outcomes than states relying on consumer protection approaches or no regulation
• The findings suggest regulatory measures short of an outright ban may not be effective, according to the researchers

What they say

"States with bans on kratom consistently reported lower rates of exposure, health care utilization, and severe outcomes compared with states relying on consumer-protection approaches or no regulation," the researchers noted, adding that findings suggest regulatory measures short of an outright ban may not be effective.

Bottom line

A JAMA analysis of national poison data finds kratom-related severe outcomes — including cardiac events, seizures, and death — jumped from zero to 158 cases per year since 2010, with 13% of all exposures now classified as serious.