A new analysis from the University of Virginia Health System highlights a sharp rise in kratom-related incidents across the United States over the last decade. The study covers a decade of data, showing a 1,200% increase in calls to poison centers from 2015 through 2025 according to the latest reports. Health officials warn this trend correlates with wider availability and increased potency in newer products available on the domestic market.
Key Details
Poison centers recorded a peak of 3,434 cases in 2025, compared to just 258 during the start of the study period in the mid-2010s. Hospitalizations involving only kratom rose more than 1,150%, climbing from 43 cases a decade ago to 538 recently as usage patterns shifted. When combined with other substances, hospitalizations increased nearly 1,300%, rising from 40 to 549 cases during the same timeframe.
During the study period, researchers identified 233 deaths associated with kratom use across the nation over the ten-year observation window. Of these fatalities, 184 involved multiple substances, highlighting the danger of mixing the plant with other drugs or illicit substances. Experts emphasize that serious medical outcomes occurred in 60% of cases involving multiple substances, often requiring immediate hospital intervention.
"The data reflects a concerning trend," said researcher Chris Holstege, MD, the director of UVA Health's Blue Ridge Poison Center. He noted that local clinical practice mirrors the national data, with more patients presenting serious complications related to product consumption. Holstege stated that products contain chemicals of varying concentrations such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which have complex pharmacological actions.
Kratom originates from the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia and has a long history of traditional use in that region. Traditionally, users chew the leaves or brew them into tea for pain relief and mood enhancement without medical supervision or regulation. The substance acts as both a stimulant to increase energy and a sedative to reduce anxiety in various clinical or home settings.
In the United States, products often contain undisclosed ingredients and are far more potent than natural leaves found in nature. Because the products remain unregulated, consumers cannot verify what they are ingesting or the concentration of active alkaloids within the mixture. Kratom has also been linked to possible liver damage in clinical settings, complicating treatment protocols for affected individuals.
Data shows a steady rise from 2015 through 2019, followed by a plateau from 2020 to 2024 before the recent surge in 2025. A sharp surge occurred in 2025, driven by wider market availability and the growing strength of newer extracts and pills on the market. Most cases involved men, especially those in their 20s and 30s, though usage is broadening to older demographics significantly.
What This Means
Reports also increased significantly among people ages 40 to 59, indicating broader use across age groups nationwide beyond the younger generation. Researchers describe the trend as concerning and are calling for closer monitoring of products entering the supply chain and distribution networks. They emphasize using kratom can lead to serious and even fatal outcomes, particularly when combined with alcohol or prescription medications.
Officials want the public to be aware that these products contain chemicals of varying concentrations that cause complex interactions with other drugs. Rita Farah, PhD, led the analysis of calls reported to the National Poison Data System to better understand the specific trends driving these numbers. Future developments will likely focus on regulation and public education efforts to mitigate these growing risks and protect public health standards.
