Kratom deaths have been reported, but most reported deaths involved other drugs or contaminants too, so you should take overdose signs seriously without assuming every case was caused by kratom alone. If someone is unresponsive, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, seems confused or hallucinates, has chest pain, a very fast heartbeat, severe vomiting, or may harm themselves, call 911 now.
If this search is about you or someone close to you, help is available without judgment. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is free, confidential, open 24/7 in English and Spanish at 1-800-662-HELP (4357); you can text 435748 or use FindTreatment.gov. For a mental-health or suicide crisis, call, text, or chat 988.
How many deaths have involved kratom?
CDC reported 27,338 overdose deaths across 27 states from July 2016 through December 2017. Kratom was found in 152 cases, or 0.56%, and a medical examiner or coroner listed it as a cause of death in 91 cases. Seven of those 91 cases had kratom as the only substance found, although CDC says other substances still could not be ruled out.
That is the part worth holding onto: kratom appeared alongside multiple substances in almost all of the deaths in this CDC report. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs were the most common co-occurring substances, followed by heroin, benzodiazepines, prescription opioids, and cocaine. Testing practices differed by jurisdiction, so the report cannot tell you exactly how much a particular kratom product contributed in any one death.
A 2026 CDC MMWR report found that poison-center reports involving kratom grew in number and complexity from 2015 through 2025. A poison-center report can name more than one substance, so it cannot always identify which one drove the outcome.
NIDA says a very small number of deaths have been linked to kratom products compared with other drugs, and nearly all of those cases involved other drugs or contaminants. The practical takeaway is simple: do not dismiss a possible overdose, and do not assume the facts of one reported death apply to every person who uses kratom.
What is driving overdose deaths in the United States?
For the overall U.S. overdose crisis, opioids are the leading driver in the CDC figures provided here. CDC reports that about 105,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2023, with nearly 80,000 involving opioids. That is a national figure across all drugs, not a finding that kratom is the leading cause of overdose death.
What are the warning signs of a kratom overdose?
NIDA describes serious reactions associated with kratom exposure that can include confusion, tremors, seizures, high blood pressure, slow breathing, nausea and vomiting, heart and lung problems, and liver problems. FDA says kratom compounds may cause sedation, nausea or vomiting, constipation, physical dependence or withdrawal, and respiratory depression that may lead to death.
| What you see | What to do now |
|---|---|
| Unresponsiveness, slow or troubled breathing, seizure, confusion, or hallucinations | Call 911 immediately. |
| Chest pain, a very fast heartbeat, or severe vomiting | Get urgent medical care. |
| Thoughts of suicide or self-harm | Call, text, or chat 988. Call 911 if there is immediate danger. |
MedlinePlus says naloxone may help address an opioid overdose and help prevent death when given quickly. Kratom is not federally classified as an opioid, and an emergency is not the time to wait and see whether naloxone will address a particular exposure: call 911.
What can kratom affect in your body and brain?
NIDA says mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the best-studied kratom compounds. They can produce opioid- and stimulant-like effects, and NIDA describes reported psychiatric, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, and liver problems.
NCCIH says these compounds interact with opioid receptors in the brain. People have reported increased energy, alertness, and rapid heart rate, along with relaxation and confusion. That can affect how alert, settled, or emotionally steady someone feels, but the available research does not point to one predictable personality change.
For a plain-language look at the compounds in the plant, see Kratom Alkaloids.
Is daily kratom use bad for you long term?
The honest answer is that long-term effects are still being worked out. NIDA says there is little evidence showing how kratom affects a person over time. Case reports have linked regular, long-term use in large amounts with serious liver problems in a small minority of people, while the role of other substances and underlying health conditions remains unclear.
NCCIH lists nausea, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, seizures, high blood pressure, and liver problems among reported effects. It also notes that some kratom products have contained harmful contaminants, including heavy metals and disease-causing bacteria.
FDA warns about serious adverse events including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. If you use kratom daily and something feels off, bring the product label plus a full list of medicines and other substances to a clinician. That gives them the information they need to help you sort out what may be going on.
Can kratom cause dependence or withdrawal?
Yes. NIDA says some people experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms after stopping regular kratom use, and NCCIH says regular users may have withdrawal symptoms when they stop. Researchers are still learning how often kratom-related substance use disorder occurs.
A 2022 review in Psychiatric Clinics of North America reported that daily, high-dose use may lead to kratom use disorder and opioid-like withdrawal after stopping. The review also explains why death reports need care: almost all involved other psychoactive substances. A 2021 Journal of Addiction Medicine review found only a small body of published treatment cases and no formal guidelines for kratom-related dependence.
What if you quit kratom cold turkey?
Stopping can feel rough, and there is no one timeline that fits everybody. FDA lists restlessness, body aches, fatigue, irritability, and cold sweats among reported withdrawal symptoms for 7-OH products. NIDA says regular kratom users may have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, but the available information does not give a reliable schedule for every person.
Please do not build your own taper plan from an article or change a prescribed medicine on your own. A clinician can look at kratom, 7-OH products, alcohol, prescribed medicines, and any other substances together. Withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can be dangerous and needs medical care.
Where can you get help to stop?
Start by telling a clinician or substance-use treatment provider exactly what has been going on. They can check for other withdrawal risks, review your medicines, and help you decide what level of support makes sense.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) offers free, confidential treatment referral and information 24/7 in English and Spanish. You can also text 435748 or use SAMHSA’s National Helpline. FDA says buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder; whether any treatment fits your situation is a decision for you and a clinician.
What is the law on kratom and 7-OH?
NCCIH says kratom is legal and available in many parts of the United States, while the DEA identifies it as a drug of concern and it is not federally scheduled as a controlled substance. FDA says kratom is not lawfully marketed in the United States as a drug product, dietary supplement, or food additive in conventional food.
Kratom, 7-OH, and cannabis laws differ by state and can change. Check the current rules where you live before buying, carrying, or traveling with them. For travel questions, see Traveling with Kratom.
What should you do next?
- Call 911 now for overdose signs, including trouble breathing, seizures, severe confusion, chest pain, or unresponsiveness.
- Call, text, or chat 988 if you feel unsafe or have thoughts of self-harm.
- Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), text 435748, or use FindTreatment.gov if you want help stopping.
- Talk with a clinician before changing prescribed medicines.
- Check current state and local rules before possessing or traveling with kratom or 7-OH products.
If someone becomes unresponsive, has trouble breathing, has a seizure, is confused or hallucinating, has chest pain, a very fast heartbeat, severe vomiting, or may harm themselves, call 911. Withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can be dangerous and needs medical care.
By KratomCBDDirect.com Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.
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