Kratom
Useful mainly for no established therapeutic use; harms outweigh unproven benefits.
Quick decision guide
May help most
no established therapeutic use; harms outweigh unproven benefits
Common dosing range
No legitimate clinical dose
When to expect effects
Not applicable
Watch out for
addiction, dependence, liver injury, seizures, and fatal respiratory depression, especially with other depressants
What is it
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a Southeast Asian tree in the coffee family whose leaves contain alkaloids (notably mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) with opioid-like and stimulant effects. It is sold widely as a 'dietary supplement' in the United States but the FDA has not approved it, and its legal status varies by state and country.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
opioid withdrawal or pain (self-treatment) Mixed Evidence | Unproven; not established in controlled trials | none established | Not applicable |
opioid withdrawal or pain (self-treatment)
- Effect
- Unproven; not established in controlled trials
- Best fit
- none established
- Time
- Not applicable
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
opioid withdrawal or pain (self-treatment)
Mechanism onlySome people self-treat pain or opioid withdrawal with kratom because its alkaloids are partial mu-opioid agonists, but this rests on mechanism and anecdote, not controlled clinical trials. Documented harms include physical dependence, addiction, hepatotoxicity, seizures, respiratory depression, and death, often in combination with other substances. 7-hydroxymitragynine is far more potent at the mu-opioid receptor and concentrated products are especially dangerous.
Bottom line: There is no controlled evidence that kratom safely treats withdrawal or pain, and its documented harms are serious.
Evidence is mixed
Self-reported benefit is offset by a substantial record of dependence, overdose, and death; no rigorous efficacy trials support therapeutic use.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
2 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Dried leaf powder / capsules / tea
Most common form.
Variable potency; alkaloid content depends on strain and processing.
Concentrated extract / 7-OH-mitragynine products
Particularly hazardous; FDA has flagged these specifically.
Markedly more potent and dependence-forming.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
physical dependence and withdrawal
addiction
hepatotoxicity
seizures
respiratory depression
death (often with other substances)
neonatal abstinence syndrome in exposed infants
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding people
- anyone with a history of substance use disorder
- people with liver or cardiovascular disease
- people taking opioids or benzodiazepines
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid entirely; use in pregnancy can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Interactions
additive respiratory depression and overdose risk
additive CNS and respiratory depression
enzyme inhibition can raise drug levels
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Is kratom a safe natural alternative to opioids?⌄
No. Kratom acts on opioid receptors, can cause dependence, withdrawal, overdose, and death, particularly with concentrated extracts or in combination with other drugs.
Is kratom legal?⌄
Federally it is not scheduled as a controlled substance in the U.S., but several states and many countries ban it. The FDA has not approved it for any use.
Can I get addicted to kratom?⌄
Yes. Physical dependence and addiction are well-documented.
References by claim
Track Kratom with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.