Kratom Poison Calls Up 1,200%: Essential Parent Safety Guide
CDC reports a 1,200% jump in kratom-related poison-control calls, with teens especially at risk. This guide explains what kratom is, why it’s landing kids in hospitals, and the concrete steps parents can take to protect their families.
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Kratom and Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know as Poison Control Calls Surge
If you haven't heard of kratom yet, you're not alone. But a recent report from the CDC makes one thing clear: this substance is becoming harder to ignore. Between 2015 and 2025, poison control centers across the United States saw an approximately 1,200% increase in kratom-related exposure reports. In raw numbers, that's a jump from 258 calls in 2015 to 3,434 in 2025. Hospitalizations have climbed just as sharply, from 43 to 538 over the same period.
For parents, these numbers are a signal. Kratom is widely available, often misunderstood, and increasingly finding its way into the hands of teenagers. Here's what you need to know to keep your family informed and safe.
What Is Kratom, Exactly?
Kratom is an herbal product derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. It comes in many forms you might see on a store shelf: powders, capsules, tablets, loose-leaf teas, and concentrated extracts. Some products are marketed as natural energy boosters or mood enhancers, which can make them sound harmless at first glance.
But the science tells a more complicated story. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), kratom acts as a stimulant at low doses and produces opioid-like or sedative effects at higher ones. Users may experience increased energy and alertness, or alternatively, relaxation and pain relief. Side effects can include nausea, dizziness, constipation, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and in more serious cases, tremors, seizures, and slowed breathing.
Why the Spike in Poison Control Calls?
The CDC's recent findings document 14,449 kratom exposures reported to U.S. poison centers over the past decade. Experts believe the actual number of negative experiences is much higher, since many cases go unreported. A 2024 study estimated that nearly 2 million Americans use kratom regularly.
What's especially concerning is how often kratom is taken alongside other substances. The CDC found that when users combined kratom with alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or prescription medications like benzodiazepines, about half of those cases required inpatient hospitalization. The interaction risks are real and can escalate quickly.
The Teen Connection
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable. Dr. Anthony Jaworski, director of the Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, has voiced concern about how social media ads and online personalities may influence teens to try kratom. The product is often presented as a "natural" wellness aid, which can lower a young person's guard.
The CDC's data also highlights a troubling overlap between kratom use and the youth mental health crisis. Previous research indicates that approximately one-third of kratom users meet criteria for another substance use disorder, and roughly two-thirds report using kratom to self-manage depression or anxiety. For teens already struggling with emotional well-being, this creates a risky pathway.
Regular, long-term kratom use has been linked to liver damage, and dependency is a documented risk. Because the active compounds in kratom behave similarly to opioids like morphine, habitual use can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
How Accessible Is It?
Alarmingly accessible. Kratom is currently banned in only six states: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin. In 23 other states, sales are regulated to some degree, but that still leaves it widely available. You can find kratom at gas stations, smoke shops, some grocery stores, health food stores, and countless online retailers.
Last July, the FDA announced plans to place 7-OH, a concentrated kratom byproduct popular among young adults, on the federal controlled substances list. But for now, kratom itself remains unregulated at the federal level, meaning there are no standardized safety checks, dosing guidelines, or quality controls protecting consumers, including teens.
What Parents Can Do
You don't need to become a pharmacology expert to protect your child. Small, intentional steps can make a meaningful difference:
Start the conversation early. Talk to your tweens and teens about kratom the same way you would about alcohol, vaping, or prescription medications. Explain that "natural" does not mean safe, and that products sold on store shelves aren't automatically vetted for health risks.
Build healthy skepticism. Teach your kids to question marketing claims, especially those they see on social media. Just because an influencer promotes something as a wellness hack doesn't make it safe or effective.
Stay aware of what's in your community. Dr. Jaworski suggests paying attention to what local vape shops and smoke shops are advertising. If kratom is easy for you to spot and purchase, it's easy for a teenager to access too.
Model mindful behavior. Your relationship with substances, supplements, and stress-management habits sets a powerful example. When kids see adults turning to healthy coping strategies, they're more likely to do the same.
Know the warning signs. If your teen experiences unexplained nausea, dizziness, agitation, or sedation, and you suspect substance use, trust your instincts. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or seek medical help.
Keep the door open. The most protective factor in a teen's life is a strong, trusting bond with a caring adult. Make sure your child knows they can come to you with questions or mistakes without fear of judgment.
The Bottom Line
Kratom isn't going away, and the data shows it's touching more families every year. But information is a parent's best defense. By understanding what kratom is, where teens encounter it, and how to talk about it openly, you can help your child navigate a landscape full of misleading "wellness" products. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need to show up, stay curious, and keep the conversation going.