Sharp Growth in Kratom-Related Poison Center Calls Raises National Health Concerns

Between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers throughout the United States recorded a dramatic increase in calls reporting adverse and potentially life-threatening effects linked to kratom, a plant-based substance increasingly available in various forms. New findings published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that 14,449 kratom-related calls were made to poison centers nationwide during the decade, with calls in 2025 alone reaching 3,434—more than a twelvefold rise compared to a decade prior.

The data reflect a striking escalation in both usage and health incidents tied to kratom, which can act as a stimulant at low doses and mimic opioid effects at higher ones. While kratom has a history of traditional use in Southeast Asia for pain relief and energy, U.S. users have increasingly sought it out for anxiety and other symptoms. Researchers and public health officials are expressing concern about the market’s recent shift toward synthetic, highly concentrated kratom products, particularly those containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have a greater potential for abuse due to their strong effects on opioid receptors.

Analysis of the National Poison Data System showed that about 62% of reported incidents involved people consuming kratom alone, while 38% included its use with other substances, including alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cannabis, stimulants, and antidepressants. Hospitalizations for adverse reactions after kratom consumption rose sharply: incidents where adults took only kratom and had adverse effects went from 43 cases in 2015 to 538 in 2025. The number swelled to 919 in 2025 for serious or fatal outcomes. Combining kratom with other drugs was linked to even more hospitalizations and deaths.

Over the 10-year period, 233 deaths were recorded in connection to kratom, most often in combination with other substances. In California, state poison control authorities noted their data tracks closely with national figures, reporting over 900 kratom-related calls during the same timeframe.

The surge in poison center reports has drawn the attention of local leaders, particularly in Los Angeles County, which banned the sale of kratom and its synthetic forms in November after several deaths were linked to these products. Experts attribute the spike in incidents not only to changing consumer patterns but also the proliferation of unregulated kratom formulations across the country, available online and in retail outlets.

Though cases involving kratom remain a small fraction of all poison center calls, the speed and severity of increases have prompted calls from health officials for greater awareness and regulatory scrutiny. Authorities continue to monitor developments as the kratom market rapidly evolves.