The FDA Decides To Study Kratom

The FDA is funding its first-ever clinical trial to study whether kratom is addictive. This will finally give scientific evidence to back up what tens of thousands of people who found out the hard way already know.

For years, kratom has been sold as a “natural alternative” for pain relief, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal. 

But the unregulated industry has turned a mild plant into a highly concentrated, psychoactive drug—with no oversight and a growing number of people struggling to quit. Now, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine are running a study to finally put some science behind what many already know: kratom, especially in its extract form, is addictive.

The Study: What’s Happening?

Researchers will take at least 60 participants and give them either a placebo, oxycodone, or kratom in different doses (ranging from 8 to 16 grams). Then they’ll rotate through different substances over time. Participants will report how the substances make them feel—whether they experience euphoria, cravings, or withdrawal—so scientists can measure kratom’s true addiction potential compared to opioids.

The study is expected to take three years to complete, so don’t expect regulation or major policy changes anytime soon. But if the results confirm that kratom does have a high addiction risk, expect more states to start banning or restricting it.

The Real Issue: Kratom Extracts, Not Just the Leaf

Here’s the part a lot of kratom defenders don’t want to talk about: kratom extracts and the raw leaf are not the same thing.

• The traditional way of using kratom—chewing the leaf or brewing tea—has a much lower potency and is less likely to cause serious dependence.
• Modern kratom extracts? Completely different story. These are concentrated products, often 10 to 100 times stronger than the natural leaf. They hit opioid receptors hard, and regular users report severe withdrawal when trying to quit.

Yet, companies keep selling these extracts under the same “natural” marketing as the raw plant. The result? People who thought they were taking something mild  end up dealing with full-blown dependence.

Withdrawal and Dependence: A Reality Check

Kratom extracts are often marketed as a way to escape opioid addiction, but a lot of people just end up dependent on kratom  instead. And quitting isn’t easy.

Kratom withdrawal can feel very similar to opioid withdrawal, with symptoms like:

• Restlessness and irritability
• Anxiety and depression
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Insomnia

And if you’ve been using high-potency extracts, withdrawal can last weeks instead of days.

Take The Next Step To Move Forward

The FDA study on kratom is a step in the right direction, but you don’t have to wait for their conclusions to take control of your recovery. If you’re struggling with kratom dependence—especially from extracts— there is a way forward. Your brain can heal, your energy can return, and life can feel normal again.

Real recovery isn’t about replacing one substance with another—it’s about building yourself back up, step by step. With the right support, quitting doesn’t have to mean suffering. It can mean freedom, clarity, and a future you actually want to wake up to.

You got this.