Is Kratom Safe?
Kratom is often marketed as a natural supplement, but “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. High doses can cause serious side effects, and it can also lead to dependence, withdrawal, liver damage, and dangerous interactions with other medications.
Watch the video to learn more about the risks of kratom and why it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before using it. If you have questions about kratom or a possible exposure, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 for fast, free, and confidential guidance.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with a top-down view of a white bowl filled with green kratom powder next to scattered green kratom capsules on a wooden table, and a white text box overlay reading “Is kratom safe to use?”. The Missouri Poison Center logo is in the bottom right corner.
Sound: [Light, quirky instrumental music begins.]
Person 1: Dude.
Visual: A man in a flamingo-patterned shirt (Person 1) holds up a single translucent capsule between his thumb and forefinger.
Person 1: Kratom.
Visual: A man in a blue t-shirt with “#Poison. Prevention” on it (Person 2) sits at a desk in a room with blinds.
Person 2: Alright, so here are four reasons why you shouldn’t take kratom.
Visual: Person 1 pops the capsule into his mouth and swallows.
Person 1: But it’s legal. That means it’s fine, right?
Person 2: Several states have already banned it.
Person 1: Well, those states are stupid.
Person 2: Reason one.
Visual: A title card appears: “Reason 1 of 4 to not take Kratom”.
Person 2: At high doses, you can experience sedation,
Visual: Stock footage of a woman with her head down on a desk. A text box reads “SEDATION”.
Person 2: agitation,
Visual: Stock footage of an angry-looking man yelling into his phone. A text box reads “AGITATION”.
Person 1: I’m always tired and annoyed.
Person 2: seizures.
Person 1: Ok, so that one’s less good.
Visual: A title card appears: “Reason 2 of 4 to not take Kratom”.
Person 2: You can get addicted. Tolerance, withdrawal, all that stuff.
Person 1: Sounding less attractive now.
Visual: A title card appears: “Reason 3 of 4 to not take Kratom”.
Person 2: There are toxic side effects like nausea,
Visual: Stock footage of a man leaning on a toilet with his eyes closed.
Person 2: tremors,
Visual: Stock footage of a person’s hands shaking.
Person 2: hallucinations,
Visual: Stock footage of a grid of green, bloodshot eyes opening.
Person 2: death.
Visual: Stock footage of a figure in a black hooded robe, resembling the Grim Reaper, walking along a rustic fence.
Person 1: Why you gotta ruin this stuff for me, dude? Do you enjoy this?
Visual: A title card appears: “Reason 4 of 4 to not take Kratom”.
Person 2: And it can screw with your liver.
Person 1: So does the beer that I have after work every day.
Person 2: And increases the risk of toxicity from many medications.
Person 1: But it’s natural!
Person 2: AND unregulated.
Person 1: It helps with my pain and anxiety and stuff.
Person 2: I know, but there are other ways to handle that stuff that are much safer.
Person 1: Ugh, fine. What do I do with the dose I already took, though?
Person 2: Well, you can keep that one.
Visual: A blue box appears with the text “Save the Missouri Poison Center’s number in your phone. Poisoned? Give us a call!” and the phone number “1-800-222-1222”.
Person 1: Yeah, that’s, that’s fair.
Visual: Person 1 turns and walks away, the scene cuts to Person 2 at his desk looking at Person 1 suspiciously.
