Overview

• The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices formally advised against using Kratom for medical purposes because its safety and efficacy have not been verified
• The agency cited animal and human studies linking Kratom to neurological harm, dependency, withdrawal symptoms and damage to the liver and kidneys
• Forensic experts at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf documented a March 2024 death solely attributed to Kratom poisoning
• A joint expert commission is reviewing Kratom’s legal classification and several state authorities have begun imposing sales bans on products marketed with health claims
• Kratom’s leaves contain mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine alkaloids that produce opium-like effects despite centuries of traditional use in Southeast Asia