Kratom is accounting for a dramatic rise in ED visits, Elizabeth Tracey reportsKratom is accounting for a dramatic rise in ED visits, Elizabeth Tracey reports
Alcohol And Drug Abuse – Johns Hopkins Medicine Podcasts
Elizabeth Tracy and substance use expert Eric Strain discuss what kratom is, how it acts in the body, and why emergency department visits tied to it have risen sharply. The episode focuses on accessibility, unregulated status and contamination risks, especially for those concerned about substance use.
1:08•4 May 2026
Kratom on the Corner Shelf: Hidden Risks Behind a ‘Natural’ High
Episode Overview
- Kratom is a plant-based drug that is easily bought at convenience stores, petrol stations and online in the United States.
- There has been a reported over thousand-fold increase in emergency department visits linked to kratom use.
- At lower doses, kratom can act like a mild stimulant similar to caffeine.
- At higher doses, kratom can produce opioid-like effects, raising concerns for people with or at risk of substance use disorders.
- Products sold as kratom may contain substances other than kratom, adding further risk and unpredictability.
“It works as sort of like a mild stimulant at some doses, kind of like caffeine. But it also then can have some opioid-like effects as well, especially as the dose goes up.”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? One of them is simply keeping up with new substances that can quietly creep into everyday life, and kratom is a perfect example. This short Johns Hopkins Medicine episode takes a clear, no-nonsense look at a drug you might have seen at petrol stations and corner shops but perhaps never questioned.
Health journalist Elizabeth Tracy speaks with substance use disorder expert Eric Strain, who lays out what kratom is and why it’s raising concern in emergency departments. Kratom is described as a plant-based drug that’s easy to buy in convenience stores, gas stations and online, and is currently unregulated in the United States.
Strain explains that at lower doses, “it works as sort of like a mild stimulant … kind of like caffeine,” but as the dose increases, “it also then can have some opioid-like effects as well.” For anyone in recovery, supporting someone with substance use issues, or simply trying to stay informed, the episode highlights how quickly a substance like this can become a hidden risk.
You’ll hear that there’s been a reported “over a thousand-fold increase in emergency department visits due to kratom use,” a jump that should make anyone pause before treating it as harmless. Strain also points out that products labelled as kratom, especially those bought casually or online, “may not contain only kratom,” raising extra red flags around contamination and unpredictable effects. This brief but focused conversation is ideal for people who want straight facts without scare tactics.
It encourages you to think twice about so-called ‘legal highs’ or ‘natural’ products and how they might fit into your own recovery, relapse prevention, or harm reduction plans. It’s a reminder that staying alcohol- and drug-free often means staying curious and cautious about what’s on the shelf next to the crisps and energy drinks. What substances in your environment are you taking for granted as safe?
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