The Growing Toll of America's Booming Kratom Industry

Summary

The video script explores the complex world of Kratom, a plant-based substance with a history of traditional use in Southeast Asia but now increasingly popular in the West. It discusses Kratom's potential as a treatment for pain and opioid addiction, its unregulated market with dangerous concentrated forms, and the tragic stories of those who have lost their lives to Kratom overdose. The script also touches on the ongoing debate over its regulation, the rise of 7-hydroxymitragynine products, and the legal battles faced by companies that sell Kratom.

Takeaways

• 🎩 Jordan McKibben tragically passed away due to Kratom use, highlighting the potential dangers of this substance.
• 🌿 Kratom's popularity has surged over the last decade, with an estimated 1.7 million users in the US by 2020.
• 🤔 Some individuals use Kratom as a means to combat alcoholism and manage pain, suggesting it has potential benefits.
• 🚨 The Kratom industry is worth over a billion dollars and is expanding rapidly, with new extracts and concentrates entering the market.
• ⚠️ There is a significant lack of regulation in the Kratom market, leading to concerns over safety and consumer protection.
• 🧪 Research is ongoing to evaluate Kratom's potential for pain treatment and as a treatment for opioid addiction.
• 🌱 Kratom has a long history of use in Southeast Asia, but its relatively new status in the West has led to challenges in understanding its effects.
• 📈 The rise of 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7OH), a more potent and addictive alkaloid in Kratom, has caused alarm among some experts.
• 💊 There are concerns about the marketing of Kratom products, with lawsuits alleging misleading claims about their ingredients.
• 🏥 The FDA has warned against Kratom use and is conducting studies to understand its effects, but results are not expected until 2027.
• 📉 The number of Kratom-related deaths has increased significantly, raising questions about its safety and the need for regulation.

Q & A

What was the cause of Jordan McKibben's death mentioned in the script?

The cause of Jordan McKibben's death was Kratom.

What is Kratom and how has its popularity changed over the last decade?

Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, with two primary psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that affect the nervous system. Over the last decade, its popularity has exploded, with an estimated 1.7 million people using it by 2020.

What are the potential benefits of Kratom mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that Kratom is being researched for its potential to treat pain and help with opioid addiction, with mitragynine showing promise in treating opioid addiction.

What concerns are raised about the safety of Kratom in the script?

The script raises concerns about the lack of regulation, the increase in concentrated and extract products that are potentially more dangerous, and the risk of addiction and overdose, especially with the rise of 7-hydroxymitragynine products.

What is the significance of 7-hydroxymitragynine in Kratom?

7-hydroxymitragynine is a more potent and addictive alkaloid than mitragynine alone, with a higher binding affinity to opioid receptors in the brain, making it significantly more potent.

What is the current legal status of Kratom in the United States?

Kratom is legal to buy in every state except for six and Washington DC, meaning that 7-hydroxymitragynine is also fully legal to be sold alongside Kratom products.

What role does the global Kratom Coalition play according to the script?

The global Kratom Coalition is an industry trade group that supports companies in the Kratom industry and has fought attempts to tighten restrictions on the drug.

What are the claims in the lawsuits mentioned against Kratom companies?

The lawsuits claim that Kratom companies failed to disclose the addictive nature of their products and that their products have led to overdoses, addiction, and even death.

What is the FDA's stance on Kratom as portrayed in the script?

The FDA warns against using Kratom and has not labeled it as a controlled substance, but it has been listed as a drug and chemical of concern by the DEA.

What actions are being taken to address the issues with Kratom as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions ongoing research, regulation efforts, and lawsuits against Kratom companies. It also discusses the need for clear labeling, regulation, and potential medical supervision for Kratom products.

What personal impact does the script suggest Kratom has had on individuals and their families?

The script shares personal stories of individuals who have found Kratom helpful for sobriety and pain management, as well as those who have experienced addiction, overdose, and loss due to Kratom.