Brandon Clarke said its just kratom His death has the substance under scrutiny. The Athletic

With the law in force, Tennessee becomes the eighth U.S. state to fully prohibit kratom, joining Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island’s earlier status, Vermont, Wisconsin, and others on the restricted list. The bill is named for a Chattanooga man whose 2024 death was linked to an interaction between kratom and prescription medication. “When it comes to these synthetic compounds, it's like we're playing whack-a-mole," said Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) at the JCARR meeting in April. "We ban one and they create another. Lawmakers have long said they struggle with keeping up with the rapid evolution of synthetic substances. There are bills that would put more regulations on all forms of kratom.

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• “Because the partnership carried the league’s endorsement, some players understandably viewed that as a signal that the product had been appropriately vetted,” Jacobs said.
• All establishments selling kratom products in Ohio would be required to remove the items from their shelves.
• After years of demonizing kratom as an addictive, opioid-like substance with no approved medical use, federal health officials are finally acknowledging the herbal supplement could actually be used to treat opioid addiction.
• Botanic Tonics disagrees and says when used as directed by healthy adults, Feel Free presents no significant or unreasonable risk.
• Always listen to your body, and consult a healthcare provider if you have questions or health conditions.
• 7-Hydroxymitragynine is a potent kratom alkaloid designed for controlled, targeted effects for more experienced kratom users.

But it has recently emerged in the U.S. as an unofficial remedy for anxiety, pain and drug addiction, with companies marketing it in the U.S. as all-natural and safe for consumption. The FDA and HHS announced a call to action against 7-OH products in a press conference on Tuesday, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described its growing availability and the weight of addiction on the American people. While vendors may advertise kratom as safe and "all-natural," the composition can vary widely and may not accurately reflect the product labeling, experts caution. Americans most commonly use kratom for self-treatment of chronic pain and to help battle opioid withdrawal symptoms, he added. It has also been used for pain management, and some individuals have turned to kratom to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.

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Alkaloids found in kratom bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioid drugs, such as codeine. That amount of kratom wouldn’t be considered excessive or unusual, said Mac Haddow, a senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association, a consumer group that advocates for states to regulate kratom, not ban it. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy is still considering whether to ban natural kratom. The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review approved naming synthetic kratom as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in Ohio.

The FDA has issued import alerts and warning letters but has not banned the plant. Misuse of our products may lead to dependence. It’s a potent kratom alkaloid designed for careful, responsible use. Read more about kava vs kratom and find out how these two botanical-based ingredients can complement each other to support you everyday wellness. Read our deep dive into kava vs kratom. Setting a new standard for kratom purity.

• “That right there is legal pain medicine,” Clarke said.
• Check out all of our products, like kratom capsules and 7-Hydroxy tablets, to unlock a naturally better you.
• According to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who’s launching a federal crackdown on 7-OH — the synthetic byproduct of the kratom plant — it’s dangerous.

The Ohio State Pharmacy Board is now considering additional rules that could further restrict 7-OH—and potentially natural kratom—in the state. The patchwork of state laws reflects growing concern among regulators that synthetic kratom is being sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and specialty stores with little oversight. At least 12 states — Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin—have enacted full bans on 7-OH products.

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However, reports also increased significantly among people ages 40 to 59, indicating broader The Bulk Kratom use across age groups. (Its effectiveness in reducing opioid cravings has not been thoroughly evaluated.) The substance can act as both a stimulant, increasing energy, and a sedative, helping users feel calmer and less anxious. Of those, 184 involved multiple substances.

So, what is kratom?

Our mission is to raise awareness, connect and educate pain sufferers, caregivers, healthcare providers and the public about the pain experience. Once dismissed as “unproven,” kratom is finally being recognized as a potential solution to one of America’s biggest health problems. Ironically, much of the hysteria about kratom has been fueled by the same federal health agencies that now want to learn about its benefits. In a PNN survey of over 6,000 kratom users, about one in ten said they used kratom as a treatment for OUD or alcoholism, with over 90% saying it was “very effective.” Many said kratom reduced their cravings and helped ween them from drugs.

Most users aren’t seeking a caffeine-like boost—they’re looking for the opioid-like effects to manage pain or avoid prescription opioids. “Similarly, with kratom—while not nearly as potent as a stimulant—it is unusual that it also acts like an opioid when taken at a higher dose.” CBS12 also spoke with Talavera’s son, who warned families about what he called the hidden dangers of kratom. In 2023, CBS12 reported on a separate wrongful death case involving Krystal Talavera, a Boynton Beach mother of four who died after drinking kratom tea.