Opioids
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Street names: Ketum, Thang, Kakuam, Biak
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Low dose: stimulant energy, focus
- High dose: opioid-like sedation, pain relief
- Mitragynine acts on opioid receptors
⚠Key risks
- Opioid-like dependence and withdrawal (insomnia, muscle aches, irritability, diarrhea)
- FDA links to seizures, liver damage, hallucinations
- Salmonella contamination — 2018 outbreak, 35+ deaths linked to tainted kratom
- Unregulated products — unknown alkaloid content, contamination
- Naloxone DOES reverse kratom overdose (opioid receptor activity)
- Gateway to opioid use for some
✚Overdose signs
- Seizures
- Respiratory depression (high doses)
- Liver injury signs (jaundice, dark urine)
- Hallucinations, confusion
📋Quick facts
Also known asKetum, Thang, Kakuam, Biak
CategoryOpioids
Schedule / classNot federally scheduled (US) — FDA warnings; illegal in 6+ states; banned Thailand (re-legalized 2021), some EU
AppearanceGreen powder, capsules, extracts, liquid shots sold at smoke shops/gas stations
Street price~$10–$30 per ounce powder; extracts $20–$50; shots $8–$15
Legal statusNot federally scheduled; illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin; FDA warns against all use
Last updated2026-09-17
Sources: FDA, Mayo Clinic, NIDA
Category comparison — Opioids
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) | Not federally scheduled | Opioid-like dependence and withdrawal (insomnia, muscle aches, irritability, diarrhea); FDA links to seizures, liver damage, hallucinations | ~$10–$30 per ounce powder |
| Tianeptine (Gas Station Heroin) | Not federally scheduled | 'Gas station heroin' — produces opioid dependence WITHDRAWAL as severe as oxycodone/heroin; FDA: linked to coma, respiratory depression, seizures, and DEATH | ~$15–$40 per bottle |
| Heroin | Schedule I | Extremely addictive — physical dependence in weeks; Overdose: breathing slows or stops | ~$10–$40 per bag |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
?Frequently asked questions
What does Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) look like?
Green powder, capsules, extracts, liquid shots sold at smoke shops/gas stations
What are the signs of a Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) overdose?
Seizures; Respiratory depression (high doses); Liver injury signs (jaundice, dark urine) Call emergency services immediately and give naloxone if available — it reverses opioid overdoses.
How addictive is it?
Opioid-like dependence and withdrawal (insomnia, muscle aches, irritability, diarrhea) Dependence can develop with regular use.