Jeffrey Deaver, a retired timber cutter from Washington, has been using kratom for four years to manage severe chronic hip and knee pain after finding no relief from doctors. Kratom, an herb with opioid-like effects, has gained popularity in the US over the past decade and is available over-the-counter in various forms. Recently, kratom was found with two deceased University of Mississippi students, prompting warnings despite their deaths not being linked to the herb. Kratom is native to Southeast Asia and has been used for its stimulant properties. In the US, it is sold in concentrated forms and is not federally regulated, raising concerns about its safety. It is marketed for pain management and anxiety relief, but at higher doses, it can cause euphoria and hallucinations, posing risks of adverse effects.
QUESTION: How might the lack of regulation on kratom products impact public health and safety?
What is kratom, the ‘gas station heroin’ alarming officials in the US?
