Warning: This article contains discussion of drugs which some readers may find distressing.
This is what happens to your body when you consume 'natural' supplement kratom, after a man in the US died from taking it.
Thanks to a sharp rise in online wellness culture, it is now easier than ever to access medications marketed as organic and natural. It's a market which has proven to be extremely lucrative, thanks to influencers sowing distrust in mainstream medicine in favour of alternative treatments.
From vitamin gummies promoted by celebrities to substances such as methylene blue, it's no surprise to learn that the global wellness industry is valued at an estimated $6.3 trillion (£4.7 trillion).
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However, there is a dark side to supplements marketed as 'natural' online, with one US mother desperately trying to raise awareness about kratom, after her son died while using it.
What is kratom?
According to Mayo Clinic, kratom is a substance which comes from the leaves of a evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa, which grows in Southeast Asia.
In low doses, kratom works as a stimulant, giving users a mood and energy boost. Meanwhile in higher doses the drug has a sedative effect, inducing a similar effect to opioid drugs. Kratom is also used by some recovering opioid addicts in order to combat withdrawal symptoms.
Kratom can be consumed in various forms, including mixing it into drinks, taking it in capsules and chewing on Mitragyna speciosa leaves.
What happens to your body when taking kratom?
American Addiction Centres states that kratom can take anywhere between five to 15 minutes after dosage for users to feel the impact on their body and up to five hours before the effects wear off.
As well as the induced 'high', which depends on the dosage, kratom users can also experience a number of side effects – both physical and psychological.
Kratom's physical impact on the body includes effects such as: dry mouth, nausea, muscle pain and high blood pressure. Meanwhile psychological effects include: drowsiness, hallucinations and delusions.
According to the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) kratom can also induce psychosis in some users.
How safe is kratom?
Concerns about the safety of kratom are on the rise, with The New York Post recently publishing an investigation in a number of deaths related to the drug in the US.
This includes the story of Jordan McKibban, with his mother Pam telling the outlet her son was discovered lifeless after mixing the substance into his drink back in 2022.
"I’ve lost my son. I’ve lost my grandchildren that I could have had, I’ve lost watching him walk down that aisle, watching him have a life that I get to watch with my other kids. I’ve lost enjoying these years with him," she said.
"I have to go to the cemetery, and I hate going to the cemetery. He shouldn’t be there."
The legality of kratom varies by country. While legal in the most of America, kratom is currently banned in the UK under the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Brenna Cooper