Kratom Poison Center Reports Surged 6,500% Over 13 Years, Study Finds

Why it matters

A peer-reviewed national analysis links unregulated kratom markets to sharply higher rates of severe medical outcomes, giving policymakers data to distinguish between regulatory approaches and outright bans.

The big picture

Kratom poison center reports climbed from 19 cases in 2010 to 1,242 in 2023 — a 6,500% increase — while severe outcomes including death rose proportionally. The study, published in the journal Addiction, is one of the most comprehensive analyses yet of state-level regulatory differences. States with complete bans consistently reported fewer severe outcomes than states with consumer protection laws or no regulation at all.

Key findings

• Kratom poison center reports rose from 19 in 2010 to 1,242 in 2023, a 65-fold increase
• Severe medical outcomes climbed from zero in 2010 to 158 cases in 2023
• Nearly 1 in 7 single-substance kratom exposures led to hospital admission; 1 in 16 required critical care
• Ban states consistently showed lower exposure rates and fewer severe outcomes than less restrictive states
• Kratom can cause seizures, irregular heart rhythms, liver damage, and breathing problems — especially when combined with other drugs

What they say

"As kratom use rises, and concerns over kratom and its risks increase, legislatures across the country are debating the best ways to regulate its use. Ongoing policy debates reflect limited high-quality evidence, highlighting the need for more rigorous, unbiased research to guide legislation," said Dr. Ryan Feldman of the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Bottom line

The largest U.S. analysis of kratom poison center data finds severe outcomes rising in tandem with use — and states with total bans faring measurably better than those with partial rules or none at all.