Can You Add Kratom to Your Diet? What the Evidence Says
What does research say about adding kratom to your diet? Learn about the evidence behind claimed benefits, medication interactions and FDA guidance.
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Does adding kratom to your diet offer proven health benefits? Human research hasn’t established that taking kratom as part of a daily diet improves health. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration advises consumers against using kratom because of serious health risks. NIH overview of the evidence · FDA guidance on kratom
Is kratom a dietary supplement or food ingredient?
Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. Products made with kratom are sold in formats such as powder and capsules. FDA says kratom cannot lawfully be marketed in the U.S. as a dietary supplement or added to conventional foods. FDA’s position on supplements and foods
What does research say about claimed benefits?
In a 2024 study, adults who already used kratom recorded their reasons for using it and how they felt afterward. Some reported changes in energy, mood or productivity. The study documented people’s experiences with products they chose themselves. It didn’t test whether adding kratom to a daily diet produces a health benefit. Study of reported experiences among U.S. adults
For more on what human studies have found about alertness, relaxation and drowsiness, see our article on reported kratom effects.
What about side effects and medication interactions?
FDA cites risks including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder. The agency has also documented withdrawal symptoms in some people who stopped using kratom. FDA safety information
In a clinical study of 12 adults, kratom increased the concentration of midazolam in the bloodstream over time. Midazolam was one of two medications the researchers tested. Other medications and kratom products may interact differently. If you use kratom and take medication, tell your pharmacist or other health care professional. Clinical study of kratom and medication interactions
What can a kratom lab report tell you?
A certificate of analysis records the results of specific tests on a sample. It may show which compounds or contaminants a lab checked for. Questions about how a product affects people over time or interacts with medication require different evidence. See what kratom lab tests can tell you.