For centuries, people across Southeast Asia have relied on kratom—a leafy tree native to the region—as a gentle home remedy for minor aches, pains, and a caffeine-like boost to daily life. Traditionally brewed as tea, natural kratom has been regarded by many as a benign and culturally embedded plant medicine. But in recent years, kratom has found itself at the crossroads of American commerce, drug policy, and scientific scrutiny, sparking new debates about its safety and regulation in the United States.
From Village Tea to “Gas Station Heroin”
Kratom’s journey from a folk remedy to a $1.5 billion American industry has transformed how the substance is produced, marketed, and consumed. Unlike the simple teas made from fresh kratom leaves abroad, U.S. consumers now encounter highly-concentrated kratom-infused products—energy drinks, gummies, capsules, and extracts. These items are widely available at vape shops, convenience stores, and online retailers—a shift that has prompted critics to dub the most potent derivatives “gas station heroin.”
What’s fueling the controversy most acutely is a chemical known as 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). This alkaloid, only present in minute quantities in natural kratom leaves, can be chemically concentrated or synthetically produced, leading to much stronger products. Public health officials, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), contend that 7-OH can be far more potent than morphine, raising serious concerns about opioid-like risks and abuse potential.
Regulatory Patchwork and Federal Uncertainty
Despite kratom’s widespread use, regulation remains inconsistent. Instead of unified federal controls, a patchwork of state laws governs kratom’s sale and labeling. For example, South Carolina enacted restrictions in July 2025, limiting sales to adults aged 21 and up and imposing new requirements on ingredient transparency, but leaving certain loopholes for more concentrated products.
Momentum for further regulation is growing at both state and federal levels. In response to the FDA’s formal request, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation in July 2025 about potentially classifying 7-OH as a Schedule I substance—placing it alongside heroin and LSD as illegal under federal law. While no timeline has been set for a decision, several states including Ohio and Utah are actively considering outright bans on kratom or its concentrated derivatives.
Industry Perspectives and Advocacy
The regulatory conversation is vigorous and multi-sided. On one flank are organizations like the American Kratom Association, which has voiced support for banning chemically manipulated kratom compounds such as 7-OH, while emphasizing the distinction between traditional leaf products and synthesized or concentrated forms. “This is a chemically manipulated product that poses an imminent threat to consumers and shouldn’t be on the market,” said Mac Haddow of the association in a recent interview.
Conversely, trade groups such as the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust argue that millions of Americans find pain relief and improved quality of life from kratom-based products when used responsibly. They contend that the FDA’s approach may be overly alarmist, stating, “If 7-OH were truly the threat being claimed, the data would show it. It doesn’t.” Such voices stress that natural kratom has a favorable safety profile in centuries of use as a mild stimulant and analgesic.
Scientific Findings: Differentiating Natural Kratom and Concentrates
Science offers critical perspective for policymakers and consumers alike. According to Christopher McCurdy of the University of Florida—one of America’s leading kratom researchers—the distinction between natural kratom leaf and highly concentrated extracts is a pivotal one. Mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom, has mild-to-moderate effects depending on dosage: acting as a stimulant at low levels and producing sedative, pain-relieving effects at higher amounts.
Mitragynine achieves its effects by binding modestly to opioid and serotonin receptors, contributing to its use as a remedy for minor discomfort and mood enhancement. By contrast, 7-OH, present only in trace amounts in the plant, binds far more tightly to opioid receptors—making it 10 to 20 times stronger than morphine in some laboratory studies. This dramatic potency difference means that concentrated and synthetic kratom products present markedly greater risks than the whole leaf.
McCurdy emphasizes that reliance on natural kratom leaf carries less concern for abuse and adverse effects. “I don’t really see that there’s too much problem with the leaf material as it exists in nature,” he told Statehouse Report. “But as with anything, when you look at increasing exposure to a substance, you increase the effects and you increase the risk of harm.” The escalation from mild use to potential harm is most pronounced with high-dose or chemically altered kratom derivatives, a salient point for scientific and regulatory consideration.
South Carolina: A Microcosm of the National Debate
Recent legislative efforts in South Carolina illustrate the dilemmas faced nationwide. State Senator Russell Ott had never heard of kratom until a constituent’s call set him on a path of investigation. His initial attempt to ban kratom in S.C. was met with resistance and failed to gain traction. A subsequent bill targeting industry practices—such as sales to minors, poor ingredient labeling, and synthesized products—passed the legislature in May 2025, though after intense lobbying the provision banning 7-OH was removed.
Ott’s experience highlights both the challenges and complexities inherent in regulating a rapidly evolving sector. As he noted, “I put as many guardrails around it as I possibly could.” Ott remains committed to further action, expressing his willingness to support a future ban should the opportunity arise.
Patient and Family Stories: Pain Relief and Personal Costs
Amidst the policy debates, kratom continues to make an impact—both positive and negative—in the lives of users and their families. One South Carolina professional, speaking anonymously, described how his adult children first introduced him to kratom, finding emotional support and temporary relief from pain. He likened its effects to those of prescription opioids, but also detailed worrying after-effects and concerns about addiction within his family. “Eventually, they’re going to have to go through the withdrawal and just do it,” he reflected, sharing both the benefits and burdens that have come with kratom consumption.
Looking Forward: Safety, Regulation, and Tradition
The struggle to balance kratom’s ancient medicinal tradition with contemporary safety concerns continues to unfold across the U.S. Regulatory agencies like the FDA and DEA are attempting to address the risks associated with concentrated or synthetic kratom products, particularly those containing 7-OH. Meanwhile, advocacy organizations, researchers, and lawmakers strive to preserve legal access to natural kratom while protecting public health.
Natural kratom, as used for centuries, is generally viewed as safe by scientific experts and long-term users alike, with adverse effects most commonly associated with excessive or chemically altered use. Ultimately, the ongoing debate will require a nuanced approach that acknowledges kratom’s legacy, cultural value, and therapeutic promise, while ensuring rigorous safeguards against abuse and poorly regulated products.
In the midst of fast-changing legal and commercial landscapes, consumers, policymakers, and researchers must work together to ensure that kratom’s role in American society is both safe and respectful of its natural origins. As federal agencies deliberate on new rulemaking and states continue to adjust their own laws, the kratom story remains far from finished—an evolving tale shaped by science, tradition, commerce, and the real-life experiences of Americans nationwide.