Kratom-Related Calls to Poison Control Surge Over 1,200% in 10 Years

Researchers warn of rising health risks from synthetic kratom products

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:19pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, ghostly X-ray image showing the intricate internal structure of a kratom leaf, conceptually representing the health risks and medical complications associated with this unregulated supplement.Poison control centers warn of a surge in kratom-related health emergencies, driven by the growing popularity of synthetic versions of the plant-based supplement.Los Angeles Today

Over the last decade, poison control centers across the U.S. have seen a dramatic increase in calls related to kratom, a plant-based supplement often used for pain relief or to boost energy. Researchers analyzed data from the National Poison Data System and found that kratom-related calls jumped over 1,200% from 2015 to 2025, with more than 23% of the total 14,449 calls coming in 2025 alone. The rise is linked to the growing popularity of synthetic kratom products that are highly concentrated and not clearly labeled, leading to confusion and serious health issues for consumers.

Why it matters

Kratom is currently unregulated at the federal level, allowing easy access to both natural and synthetic forms through online sales, gas stations, and smoke shops. Public health officials are concerned about the potential for abuse and the serious medical consequences, including hospitalizations and deaths, associated with kratom use, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol and opioids.

The details

The data showed that over the last 10 years, 62% of the kratom-related calls to poison control centers were from people who said they consumed the drug by itself, while the other 38% were from people who combined it with another substance. Those who consumed kratom with another substance combined it most frequently with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cannabis, stimulants, and antidepressants. Hospitalizations for adverse health effects from kratom alone increased from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025, and for serious or fatal effects, the number grew from 76 to 919 over the same period. There were 233 kratom-related deaths reported over the 10-year study, with 184 cases involving multiple substances.

  • Between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers across the nation received 14,449 calls related to kratom.
  • In 2025, there were 3,434 kratom-related calls, representing a more than 1,200% increase from 2015 when only 258 calls were reported.

The players

National Poison Data System

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

California Poison Control System

The state's poison control system, which is currently reviewing its own data on kratom-related calls and finding parallels to the national report.

Rais Vohra

Medical director of the California Poison Control System, who stated that the state has received over 900 kratom-related calls during the study period, reflecting about 10% of the national call volume.

Kait Brown

Clinical managing director for America's Poison Control Centers, who said the easy access to unregulated kratom and synthetic products contributes to the increase in calls.

William Eggleston

A pharmacist and the assistant clinical director of the Upstate New York Poison Center, who noted that while the increase in kratom-related calls is undeniable, it still represents a small percentage of overall calls handled by poison control centers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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

What’s next

Researchers and public health officials will continue to monitor the data and trends around kratom use, particularly the rise of synthetic products, in order to better understand the health risks and potential need for regulation.

The takeaway

The surge in kratom-related calls to poison control centers highlights the growing public health concerns around this unregulated supplement, especially as more potent synthetic versions enter the market. This data underscores the need for greater oversight and consumer education to address the potential for abuse and serious medical consequences associated with kratom use.