Kratom was linked to 6 L.A. deaths and banned in the county. But the supplement's actual health risks remain a mystery

"Recently, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported it had linked the deaths of six L.A. County residents over the last spring and summer to the use of kratom, a widely available but unregulated supplement sold as a remedy for all sorts of health issues. The deaths prompted public health officials to announce Nov. 7 that they would red-tag and pull from store shelves all products containing either kratom or the synthetic alkaloid 7-Hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, which is derived from kratom."

"Both are currently unregulated and not approved for use in the United States or the state of California as a drug product, dietary supplement or an approved food additive, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Unsurprisingly, business owners who sell kratom feel that the health department has overstepped, going too far without understanding how the supplement is helping many L.A. residents. The deaths, they say, are not necessarily due to kratom products, but to interactions with other substances."

"Perhaps more important are the benefits that kratom users and some experts claim the drug provides. Many say the problem is with 7-OH - a highly concentrated, synthetic version of natural kratom that is subject to adulteration and fraudulent marketing - and that banning the sale of all kratom products could create an even more dangerous underground market of both kratom and 7-OH."

"Indeed, many kratom sellers and users would welcome better regulation, so that they could continue to use the affordable, widely available substance as a way to treat physical pain and mental health issues with more confidence in the efficacy and safety of the products they are selling and buying. During the months of April and July, a total of six L.A. County adults between the ages of 19 and 39 died with kratom and 7-OH in their bodies, along with other substances including alcohol, prescription sedatives and muscle relaxers, and"

Los Angeles County public health officials linked six deaths of residents ages 19 to 39 to kratom and its synthetic alkaloid 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) after fatalities between April and July. Officials ordered Nov. 7 that products containing kratom or 7-OH be red-tagged and removed from store shelves. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies both as unregulated and not approved for use as drugs, dietary supplements or food additives. Business owners argue deaths resulted from interactions with alcohol, prescription sedatives and muscle relaxers rather than kratom alone. Many users and sellers blame adulterated, concentrated 7-OH and favor clearer regulation to ensure product safety and effectiveness.

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