Kratom Use and Severe Medical Outcomes Surge in the U.S. Over Past Decade, New Study Finds

Kratom use is surging in the United States, with life-changing consequences, according to a new study published in the journal Addiction. The research found that kratom exposures reported to U.S. Poison centers increased by more than 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, rising from 258 cases in 2015 to 3,434 cases in 2025. This dramatic increase includes a marked surge in 2025, which researchers say is tied to wider availability of kratom and the growing strength of newer products.

The study, which analyzed data from the National Poison Data System, also found that hospitalizations involving only kratom rose more than 1,150% over the same period, climbing from 43 cases in 2015 to 538 cases in 2025. Severe medical outcomes linked to kratom use have surged alongside the increase in poison center calls, with multiple-substance exposure reports—often involving addictive substances and antidepressants—being associated with the most severe clinical outcomes.

While kratom has traditional uses in Southeast Asia for pain relief, mood enhancement, and to relieve symptoms of opioid withdrawal, modern formulations in the U.S. Have evolved from natural leaf preparations to high-potency alkaloid extracts. These stronger, unregulated products are now widely sold in gas stations, vape shops, and online, raising concerns about toxicity and safety. Experts warn that the combination of increased availability, product potency, and polysubstance use is turning kratom into a growing public health concern.

Researchers emphasize that ongoing surveillance through systems like the National Poison Data System is critical to identifying high-risk patterns of use and guiding public health education and clinical care. The findings underscore the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with kratom, particularly when used in combination with other substances, and highlight the importance of regulating kratom products to protect public health.