Survey of 8,000 US Kratom Users Reveals Pain Relief Dominates

Why it matters

This large-scale survey paints the most detailed portrait of US kratom users to date, showing that the typical user is a middle-aged professional self-treating chronic pain — not a recreational drug seeker.

The big picture

The demographic profile and self-reported benefits documented here directly challenge the DEA's 2016 attempt to schedule kratom, providing evidence that millions of Americans rely on it for legitimate therapeutic purposes.

Key findings

• • 8,049 of 10,000 surveyed kratom users responded; typical user was middle-aged (31–50), middle-income, self-treating pain (68%) or emotional/mental conditions (66%)
• • Kratom showed a clear dose-dependent effect — lower doses were well-tolerated, higher doses (5g+) caused GI side effects like nausea and constipation
• • Primary use motivations: chronic pain, opioid withdrawal, and mood disorders
• • Survey conducted through the American Kratom Association in October 2016

What they say

Anonymous cross-sectional online survey of 10,000 current kratom users; 8,049 completed; conducted by Oliver Grundmann, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2017).

Bottom line

The vast majority of US kratom users are middle-aged professionals using it therapeutically for pain and mood, with side effects primarily dose-dependent and GI-related.