Kratom reaches 2.1 million American users. Dependence appears in 39 percent of those who take it regularly. Adverse reactions such as nausea occur in 22 percent of cases while constipation affects 40 percent of daily consumers.
Key Takeaways
- Nausea reported in 22% of users.
- Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.
- 39% of users report dependence.
- Banned in 16 countries including UK, Sweden.
- Kratom banned in Thailand since 1943.
- Kratom used for pain relief in traditional Thai medicine.
Recent kratom statistics show growing global interest, with usage concentrated among adults seeking alternative relief.
Related reading
01 · Category
Adverse Effects and Safety19 stats
01
Nausea reported in 22% of users.
02
Vomiting occurs in 14% at high doses.
03
FDA reported 44 deaths associated with kratom 2011-2017.
04
Liver toxicity in 0.1-1% of chronic users.
05
Constipation in 40% of daily users.
06
Dizziness reported by 18%.
07
Seizures in 1.3% of adverse events to FDA.
08
91 kratom-related deaths had opioids co-detected.
09
Itching in 15% of users.
10
Dry mouth in 12%.
11
Hepatotoxicity cases often resolve upon cessation.
12
Tachycardia in 7% of high-dose users.
13
Weight loss unintended in 10%.
14
Hallucinations rare, <1%.
15
Hypersensitivity reactions in 0.5%.
16
Neonatal abstinence syndrome in exposed infants.
17
1522 FDA complaints 2012-2019.
18
Sweating in 9% of users.
19
Appetite suppression in 28%.
Interpretation
Adverse Effects and Safety Interpretation
Think of kratom as a stern librarian who quiets pain's noise, but she’ll frequently fine you with nausea, constipation, and a racing heart, while the fine print warns of rare but severe overdrafts on your health, especially when mixed with other substances.
02 · Category
Botanical and Chemical20 stats
01
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.
02
The primary alkaloids in kratom leaves are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
03
Mitragynine constitutes about 66% of total alkaloids in Thai kratom.
04
Kratom leaves contain over 40 different alkaloids.
05
Paynantheine is another major alkaloid at around 8.6%.
06
Speciogynine makes up approximately 6.6% of alkaloids.
07
Kratom's alkaloid profile varies by strain and origin.
08
Fresh kratom leaves have higher alkaloid content than dried.
09
Mitraphylline is present at 0.4-1% in some varieties.
10
Kratom trees grow to 3-5 meters in height.
11
Leaves are glossy green, elliptical, 14–20 cm long.
12
Harvesting typically occurs when leaves are 3-4 months old.
13
Alkaloid extraction efficiency is higher with ethanol.
14
Commercial kratom products often adulterated with synthetics.
15
Mitragynine molecular weight is 398.5 g/mol.
16
7-Hydroxymitragynine is 10-46 times more potent than mitragynine.
17
Speciociliatine levels vary from 0.1-1.5%.
18
Kratom pollen is dispersed by wind.
19
Dried leaves sold as powder contain 1-6% mitragynine.
20
Rhynchophylline present at trace levels <0.1%.
Interpretation
Botanical and Chemical Interpretation
While it may present itself as a simple, leafy bundle of 40+ chemical mysteries, kratom is essentially a botanical Russian roulette where the bullet—a wildly variable alkaloid cocktail headlined by the potent duo of mitragynine and its vastly stronger sibling—can be unpredictably loaded by strain, processing, and unfortunately, human tampering.
03 · Category
Dependence and Withdrawal18 stats
01
39% of users report dependence.
02
Withdrawal symptoms similar to opioids in severity.
03
Cravings peak at 48 hours post-cessation.
04
Daily use leads to tolerance in 88%.
05
Average withdrawal duration 3-10 days.
06
Muscle aches in 65% during withdrawal.
07
Insomnia affects 72% in withdrawal.
08
Anxiety peaks withdrawal day 2-4.
09
50% use kratom to avoid opioid dependence.
10
High-dose users (15g+) more likely dependent (OR=3.2).
11
Rhinorrhea common in 55% withdrawal cases.
12
Irritability in 60% during detox.
13
25% report failed quit attempts.
14
Tapering reduces withdrawal severity by 40%.
15
Polysubstance use increases dependence risk 2-fold.
16
Yawning in 45% of withdrawal symptoms.
17
Depression during withdrawal in 35%.
18
Long-term use >1 year correlates with 70% dependence.
Interpretation
Dependence and Withdrawal Interpretation
While it offers a path away from harder opioids for many, kratom often forges its own shackles, presenting a near-textbook, flu-like opioid withdrawal that a significant portion of its users find surprisingly difficult to escape.
More related reading
04 · Category
Legal and Chemical1 stats
01
Banned in 16 countries including UK, Sweden.
Interpretation
Legal and Chemical Interpretation
While the substance's prohibition in 16 nations, from the UK to Sweden, suggests a global consensus for caution, its continued legal status elsewhere highlights the ongoing, and often heated, debate between perceived risk and personal liberty.
05 · Category
Legal and Regulatory17 stats
01
Kratom banned in Thailand since 1943.
02
DEA proposed Schedule I in 2016 but withdrew.
03
Legal in 44 US states as of 2023.
04
Banned in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin.
05
FDA warns against sale as dietary supplement.
06
Australian Schedule 9 prohibited substance.
07
EU novel food status denies market sale.
08
Malaysia regulates as medical substance.
09
0.8% of US adults tried kratom lifetime.
10
Import alerts by FDA since 2012.
11
Kratom Consumer Protection Act passed in 5 states.
12
WHO review did not recommend scheduling in 2021.
13
Utah first state to age-restrict sales to 21+.
14
New Zealand classifies as prescription only.
15
Canada unscheduled but import restrictions.
16
Indonesia legalized cultivation in 2020.
17
30 states have no specific kratom law.
Interpretation
Legal and Regulatory Interpretation
The world’s regulatory bodies are engaged in a frantic, contradictory tug-of-war over kratom, with one side yanking it toward prohibition and the other toward cautious commerce, leaving a trail of confused laws and determined consumers in its wake.
06 · Category
Therapeutic Uses and Benefits20 stats
01
Kratom used for pain relief in traditional Thai medicine.
02
Mitragynine acts as partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors.
03
45% of users report pain relief as primary reason.
04
Kratom reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms in 70% of cases.
05
Improves mood and energy at low doses (1-5g).
06
91% of surveyed users report satisfaction with kratom for chronic pain.
07
Enhances focus and productivity in 68% of users.
08
Lowers anxiety scores in self-reports by 50%.
09
Used by 2.1 million Americans in 2021.
10
Aids in smoking cessation for 15% of users.
11
Mitragynine IC50 for mu-opioid is 198 nM.
12
Reduces depression symptoms in 48% of chronic users.
13
Improves sleep quality in 40% of regular users.
14
76% use for mental health conditions.
15
Alleviates fatigue in 82% of users.
16
Effective for diarrhea in traditional use.
17
7-HMG binds mu-opioid with Ki=0.36 nM.
18
35% report better social functioning.
19
Used as nootropic by 12% of users.
20
Reduces alcohol consumption in 25%.
Interpretation
Therapeutic Uses and Benefits Interpretation
It appears kratom, the former traditional medicine, has modernized into a Swiss Army knife for self-treatment, offering a complex trade of mild opioid-like relief for pain and withdrawal while doubling as a stimulant, mood booster, and social lubricant for millions.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Kratom Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/kratom-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Kratom Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/kratom-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Kratom Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/kratom-statistics.
Sources & references
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level