Natural kratom is used by millions of Americans and is studied by NIH as an addiction treatment. The synthetic 7-OH opioids sold under its name are not kratom. This site helps consumers, lawmakers and reporters tell the difference.
Explore the site
Botany, pharmacology, NIDA and NIH findings.
02Ban vs. regulate, the KCPA, local ordinances.
03Fact sheet, terminology, experts.
04What 7-OH is and how to read a label.
05Survey data and veterans.
06Facts, the ask, your story, showing up.
By the numbers
40yrs
Average age of an American kratom consumer.
Johns Hopkins, 2020
60%
Employed full time — working adults, not the headline picture.
Grundmann et al., 2025
91%
Use kratom for pain; fewer than 3% meet criteria for a moderate or severe use disorder.
Johns Hopkins, 2020
In their own words · 1 / 6
“Kratom saved me from being just another casualty of the opioid epidemic.”
Jourdain, Louisiana
Veteran, 32 · Heroin recovery, six years clean; back pain
Latest Video
Hearing testimony
Testimony from state capitols on kratom policy
Congressional briefing
Congressional briefing, October 2026
Advocate stories
Real people and their kratom stories
Natural vs. synthetic
In the last few years, nefarious actors have been synthesizing novel opioids, intentionally mislabeling them and selling them as kratom. Failing to distinguish natural kratom from synthetic “kratom” is dangerous to public health and the public interest.
What can be called kratom
Only products that meet all three standards below should legally be called “kratom,” “Natural Kratom,” or a product containing kratom.
No synthetics
Natural kratom products cannot contain any synthetic ingredients.
Natural alkaloid profile
Products must keep the alkaloid profile found in nature. No concentrating of any minor alkaloid is permitted.
100 : 1 ratio
At least 100 parts mitragynine to 1 part 7-OH and MP (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl) combined.
In their words
“Kratom saved me from being just another casualty of the opioid epidemic.”
Jourdain · Louisiana
Veteran, 32 · Heroin recovery, six years clean; back pain
“I haven't touched a hard drug in over 3 years now all because of kratom.”
Steve · California
Disabled combat veteran · Recovery from heroin and fentanyl
“I was able to fully function again.”
Clifford · New Jersey
28-year military veteran, deputy fire chief · Back and hip pain, PTSD
“Kratom has saved my life. I was able to quit using opiates for my chronic back pain.”
James · Missouri
Vietnam veteran · Chronic back pain, PTSD, depression
“Kratom helped me deal with the alcohol cravings, it completely crushed them.”
Matthew · California
US Army veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom · PTSD, depression
“Kratom significantly relieved my pain, enabling me to participate in physical therapy.”
Corbin · Florida
Six years of military service · Severe back injury
About AKA
The American Kratom Association is a consumer advocacy organization, not a trade association. We work to keep kratom consumers safe through science-based regulation, honest labeling, and the removal of synthetic products sold as kratom.
Latest from Kratom Science News
Records identify the products as "Smax" Pseudo-DHM tablets, a synthetic MGM-15 product now in Schedule I. AKA holds an Oxford press conference Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. CT.
Read the full release (PDF) ↗AKA asks the Lafayette County Sheriff to identify the products, distinguish natural kratom from synthetic opioids, and disclose testing status.
Read the full release (PDF) ↗AKA urges Congress to pass S. 5383 and H.R. 10272 to remove synthetic 7-OH, pseudo, MGM-15 and MGM-16 products from store shelves.
Read the full release (PDF) ↗Rutgers-led preclinical study finds mitragynine reduced meth-seeking in rats without reducing motivation for food. Published in Psychopharmacology.
An expert forum's published conclusions on the nature and severity of kratom withdrawal.
Grundmann et al., Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: 1,049 current consumers among 11,545 respondents.
