A 33-year-old from Bedford has a long recovery ahead of him after overdosing on a little-known substance called kratom, which his family says is available for purchase in corner stores across Texas.
Kratom comes from a southeast Asian tropical plant and can produce both stimulant and sedative effects, depending on the amount ingested, a fact sheet from the Drug Enforcement Agency explained.
As Linda, who did not wish to release her last name, reportedly told NBC 5, her son Josh began taking legally-obtained kratom sometime last year to help with his depression. He would drink eight to 10 kratom drinks a day. He would also vape and take pills of the substance.
In late March, Josh overdosed and ended up in the ICU with his lungs 50% damaged.
These complications may be linked to his diabetes, a metabolic disorder that is on the rise in North Texas due to growing rates of obesity.
“Thankfully, he is coming out of the woods but he’s still having hallucinations,” Linda told NBC 5.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not pursued a ban on kratom, it has issued a warning to the public about how it affects the receptors of the brain. It has also conducted numerous seizures of products containing the substance.
Kratom has recently gained popularity in the United States, especially among those seeking to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
In fact, some, like Mason Marks, a health law professor at Florida State University, have suggested that kratom “fills an important niche in the public health ecosystem.”
As such, a ban would lead to a rise in opioid-related overdoses and suicides, Marks argued in an op-ed in Stat News.
Yet both the fact that kratom isn’t regulated and the lack of knowledge about it have raised concerns among doctors and lawmakers.
Dr. Andrew Yockey, an assistant professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of North Texas who has done research on kratom, told NBC 5 that more studies must be done on the substance.
“The research is mixed, but it’s showing a positive effect on opioid withdrawal,” said Yockey.
Still, “While kratom is somewhat beneficial, it’s also harmful,” Yockey noted, asserting that kratom is addictive.
Its lack of regulation and how easy it is to obtain are also concerning.
“It’s like you can put anything in it,” Yockey explained. “I’m worried these substances may be tainted with something else. Or you might get kratom off the street and it could be laced with something.”
Lawmakers across the country have also voiced their concerns, with approximately 30 state legislatures currently debating the regulation of kratom.
In Texas, where kratom is currently legal for anyone over 18, House Bill 861 and Senate Bill 497 have been introduced to crack down on the substance.
Along with making the sale of it to minors a civil penalty, it will aim to ensure that vendors follow safe manufacturer standards and label their products.
Linda is particularly concerned about how kratom might harm minors.
“I know [my son] is an adult. This is completely on him. He knew better. At the same time, there’s that 17-year-old, 18-year-old who probably should know better but doesn’t,” Linda told NBC 5.
There are thousands of unregulated substances that can inflict harm and even death. Personal responsibility might be the answer. Name one regulated product that’s not a problem now.
A person can overdose on water. No one is propsing a law to restrict water. When are we going to hold addicts resonsible for thier addiction and stop blaming pharmacies and other individuals. There is not an addict in the world that is not aware of his/her addiction.
I’m in the Medical Field & I successfully got off opiates after herniating 4 disks several years ago using Kratom. It is no more addictive than coffee.
As an addiction counselor for the past 30 years, I consider this safe harm reduction. If the concern is something being added, like fentanyl, there are pocket test kits available to check for fentanyl in substances. This man had metabolic disorder, that’s not kratom overdose, it’s years of diabetes and poor diet.
As someone who has taken this plant responsibly and successfully for over 5years for chronic pain, I can attest to the fact this individual was taking an incredible amount and doesn’t surprise me at all there were some unwanted consequences. I do hope he recovers and and gets sober. There were obvious addiction issues at play. This plant has helped so many, including our men and women who fought for our country but choose to take the natural route of recovery. We at the AKA are fighting for more regulations to keep our plant safe.
Side note…you can’t vape kratom (my guess is delta thc) but you can get extracts as shots from convenient stores as this individual did per the article.
You aren’t shutting down McDonald’s for obesity….adjustments were made to the menu make awareness.
Problem is this plant was not at fault as it was abused. When you are in recovery you must change your behavior and take personal responsibly for your choices/actions. Sending prayers for this family.
I’m happy to hear that this Mother realizes that he was abusing kratom. The headline of this article is ridiculous because anyone who just reads that part it going to think that kratom caused a death. I’m 69 years old and have been taking kratom responsibly for 7 years to help manage my pain. It works. I’ve never had to take more than 8 grams a day. The amount this guy was taking is ridiculous. I’m not at all surprised that he had adverse effects. He needs help with his addiction issues, not necessarily the kratom.