Episode Details

Kratom Exposures Surge: CDC Report Shows a 1200% Increase in Poison Control Calls

The podcast episode delves into the CDCs recent report revealing a staggering 1200% increase in kratom-related calls to poison control centers, from 258 in 2015 to 3434 in 2020. This translates to over 14,000 reports in a decade, with a notable spike post-2020. The surge aligns with the introduction of high-potency, lab-altered kratom variants and its growing popularity across all age groups and demographics.

Kratom, derived from crushed leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, is marketed for pain relief, mood enhancement, and opioid withdrawal assistance. However, the FDA warns against its use due to potential liver damage, seizures, and addiction risks. Despite not being approved as a supplement or food additive, approximately 1.7 million individuals aged 12 and above used kratom in 2021.

The podcast also discusses the demographics of kratom users, with men constituting two-thirds of solo kratom cases and three-quarters when mixed with other substances. The forty-to-fifty-nine-year-old age group nearly matches the twenty-to-thirty-nine age group in kratom-related reports.

Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, have banned kratom outright. Minnesota is considering legislation to raise the buying age to 21 or make it prescription-only, highlighting the role of poison centers as early indicators of such trends.

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