Kratom-Related Calls to Poison Control Centers Surge 1,200% in Last Decade

Researchers say synthetic kratom products are fueling a rise in serious health issues and hospitalizations.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal molecular structure of a kratom leaf in shades of glowing blue and white against a dark background, conceptually illustrating the growing public health concerns around this unregulated herbal supplement.An X-ray view of the molecular structure of kratom, a plant-based supplement that has seen a surge in poisoning-related calls to U.S. poison control centers.Los Angeles Today

A new analysis of data from the National Poison Data System found that poison control centers across the country received over 14,000 kratom-related calls between 2015 and 2025, with more than 3,400 of those calls coming in 2025 alone - a 1,200% increase from 2015. The data showed a rise in hospitalizations for adverse and serious health effects, including deaths, linked to kratom consumption, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines.

Why it matters

The surge in kratom-related calls to poison control centers highlights the growing public health concerns around this unregulated herbal supplement, which has been linked to a range of serious medical issues. As synthetic and highly concentrated forms of kratom gain momentum in the market, there are increasing worries about the potential for abuse and overdose, particularly when combined with other substances.

The details

The analysis of data from the National Poison Data System found that between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers across the nation received 14,449 calls related to kratom. More than 23% of those calls, or 3,434, were made in 2025 alone - a more than 1,200% increase from the 258 calls reported in 2015. The data showed that 62% of the calls were from people who said they consumed kratom by itself, while the other 38% were from people who combined it with another substance. Hospitalizations for adults who had consumed kratom alone and experienced adverse effects increased from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025. For those who took it in combination and were hospitalized with an adverse health effect, the total jumped from 40 in 2015 to 549 last year. The numbers were even higher for hospitalizations where the health effects were more serious or fatal, climbing from 76 reports in 2015 to 919 last year for those who took kratom alone, and from 51 in 2015 to 725 last year for those who took it in combination with another substance.

  • In 2025, poison control centers across the country received 3,434 kratom-related calls.
  • Between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers received a total of 14,449 kratom-related calls.

The players

National Poison Data System

A database that collects information on calls to poison control centers across the United States.

California Poison Control System

The poison control center for the state of California, which is reporting similar findings to the national analysis.

Rais Vohra

Medical director of the California Poison Control System.

Kait Brown

Clinical managing director for America's Poison Control Centers.

William Eggleston

Pharmacist and assistant clinical director of the Upstate New York Poison Center.

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What they’re saying

“We have about 10% of the national population and about 10% of the national call volume with poison control. And so, not surprisingly, we were able to identify over 900 cases of calls related to kratom in that same period.”

— Rais Vohra, Medical director of the California Poison Control System

“It's accelerating, which I think is one of the main points of the [published] report.”

— Rais Vohra, Medical director of the California Poison Control System

“There are new formulations that are a little bit different than how people have used it, at least historically.”

— William Eggleston, Pharmacist and assistant clinical director of the Upstate New York Poison Center

“Undeniably there is an increase in calls related to kratom.”

— William Eggleston, Pharmacist and assistant clinical director of the Upstate New York Poison Center

What’s next

Researchers and public health officials will continue to monitor the data and trends around kratom-related calls and hospitalizations, particularly as synthetic and concentrated forms of the substance become more prevalent. Policymakers may also consider further regulation or restrictions on kratom products to address the growing public health concerns.

The takeaway

The surge in kratom-related calls to poison control centers over the last decade highlights the emerging public health crisis around this unregulated herbal supplement, which is increasingly being consumed in new and potentially dangerous forms. As synthetic kratom products gain traction, there are growing worries about the potential for abuse, overdose, and serious medical complications, especially when combined with other substances.