(DCNF)—As fewer Americans overdose from fentanyl, a new drug is taking the country by storm.
Kratom is an herbal substance derived from a plant found in Southeast Asia, Yale Medicine reported. While proponents have claimed kratom can bolster user’s moods and energy levels, experts warned the Daily Caller News Foundation that some kratom-related products can potentially lead to addiction, withdrawal symptoms and even overdose.
“It [kratom] is becoming more widespread both in reports of exposures and in sales,” Dr. Chris Holstege, a medical toxicologist at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, told the DCNF. “During the past 11 years, U.S. poison centers received a total of 14,449 kratom exposure reports; the record high 3,434 reports in 2025 represent an increase of approximately 1,200% compared with the 258 reports in 2015. The number of calls in 2026 to U.S. poison centers have already surpassed the total number of exposures in 2025. This rapid increase in exposures is consistent with U.S. record kratom import volumes.”
“Kratom is an opioid and can have central nervous system depressive effects like other opioids, causing sedation, respiratory depression and death depending on the dose taken and depending on what other substances are taken with kratom,” Holstege continued. “Like other opioids, it can cause addiction to occur in those who use it chronically and there is a potential of withdrawal symptoms if chronic use is stopped.”
Kratom is currently legal in almost all U.S. states and is not federally regulated, per the University of Utah Health. Kratom also contains psychoactive compounds that interact with opioid receptors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Trump administration has been cracking down on illicit opioids such as fentanyl in recent months. In 2025, there were 69,973 estimated drug overdose deaths in the U.S., marking a decrease of nearly 14% from the 81,313 deaths estimated in 2024, the CDC reported in May.
Meanwhile, total overdose deaths involving opioids dropped from 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025, according to the CDC’s estimates.
“There is concern for the emergence of new products with even greater concentration or greater potency than the active ingredients found naturally within the kratom plant,” Holstege explained. “These products place the public at growing risk of overdose, addiction and death. There are also products emerging in drink form and being marketed to youth as an alcohol alternative, [and] these products are being found with increasing frequency in convenience stores and vape shops around our university campus.”
Moreover, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is an opioid-like chemical found in the kratom plant that can cause major health issues at high concentrations, per the Texas Department of State Health Services. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously referred to 7-OH as an “emerging opioid threat.”
Still, the FDA notably suggested in an Aug. 20, 2025 X post that 7-OH products may drive “the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic” in the U.S.
“The next potential phase of the opioid crisis may be defined by the emergence of novel synthetic opioids like 7-OH, combined with an increasing [prevalence] of concurrent use of opioids and other controlled substances,” according to the FDA.
Phone calls to U.S. poison centers related to kratom rose more than 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, alongside a corresponding increase in hospitalizations, according to a UVA Health analysis published in March. There were also a record-high 3,434 kratom-related deaths reported to poison centers in 2025 alone, marking a significant jump from just 258 in 2015, the research shows.
“In [a kratom-related] overdose, patients may develop opioid toxicity including slow or arrested breathing and may become comatose,” Washington Poison Center chief clinical officer Jimmy Leonard told the DCNF. “There are some cases of people with severe liver injury as well.”
“We have seen significant increases in the number of calls to poison centers about kratom since early 2025,” Leonard added. “Increased calls may be related to increasing use, media coverage, worsening toxicity, or some other unknown reason. We have had cases of young children [requiring] naloxone after exploratory ingestion of 7-OH. We’ve seen a global increase in the number of cases due to withdrawal, but the proportion is relatively steady.”
Various kratom and 7-OH products have become widely available in smoke shops, vape shops, gas stations and convenience stores across the nation in recent years, according to Michigan Medicine. Kratom products are available in a spate of forms, including teas, powders, capsules and gummies, according to Ventura County Public Health.
In December 2025, the FDA announced that the U.S. Marshals Service had seized 73,000 units of 7-OH products — worth about $1 million — from three Missouri-based firms as part of a broader effort to “protect American consumers.”
The U.S. Marshals Service did not respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
Some lawmakers have recently issued public warnings about the potential dangers of using kratom products. Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey issued an emergency order in August restricting the sale of kratom across her state in an attempt to “get dangerous products off store shelves.”
Moreover, Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds claimed in a Tuesday statement that kratom “is not a supplement, it is not a medicine, and it is not safe.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.