A New Era For Kratom: What The Latest FDA Study Reveals About Kratom Leaf
For years, kratom has been clouded by controversy, largely fueled by media portrayals that paint a negative picture of this natural plant. Much of the confusion stems from a lack of distinction between kratom leaf and its more concentrated extracts, leading to a fragmented and inconsistent regulatory landscape. As the co-founder of Super Speciosa, I’ve seen firsthand how misinformation can skew public perception and hinder progress toward balanced regulation. But now, thanks to the recent FDA study we were part of, the conversation around kratom—especially the raw leaf—could finally be shifting.
Laying The Groundwork For Regulation
In the early 2010s, government agencies began issuing warnings about kratom use, setting the tone for how many Americans still view the plant today. This created a stigma similar to that faced by cannabis. By 2016, the DEA nearly scheduled kratom as a controlled substance, and despite subsequent efforts to ban it, including under the Trump administration in 2018, no concrete regulations have been put into place at the federal level. The industry remains unregulated, with products on the market ranging from traditional kratom leaf to highly concentrated extracts that pose very different risks to consumers.
This is where the FDA’s recent study comes in. It’s the first to examine the effects of kratom leaf in human subjects, focusing solely on the leaf—not the more potent extracts that have often been at the center of negative reports. While more studies are needed, this study provides critical data about the safety and potential benefits of kratom in its natural form.
Key Takeaways: Safety, Efficacy, And The Road Ahead
No Serious Adverse Events (SAEs): One of the most significant findings is that there were no SAEs reported, meaning no deaths or hospitalizations, even when participants took larger-than-recommended serving sizes.
Well-Tolerated Raw Kratom: The study demonstrates that kratom leaf is well-tolerated by users when used responsibly. This supports the …