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The recent deaths of two students at the University of Mississippi have drawn attention to kratom, a substance found packaged at the scene. While law enforcement continues its investigation, officials have urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding the circumstances or causes of these fatalities.
Kratom is not federally scheduled as a controlled substance nor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), yet it remains a concern for the agency. Despite this, several states have moved forward with bans on the substance.
The scrutiny intensified due to kratom’s association with hundreds of deaths and adverse health effects across the United States. However, health authorities acknowledge significant challenges in establishing direct causality. Many reported cases involve exposure to multiple substances, complicating efforts to identify which was primarily responsible for the negative outcomes.
Understanding Kratom
Kratom originates from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia and part of the coffee family. Its leaves contain psychoactive compounds that produce both stimulant and opioid-like effects.
The substance is commonly sold throughout the United States in various forms, including powders, capsules, extracts, gummies, teas, and beverages, available both in physical stores and online.
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