What Is Kratom? A Complete Guide for 2026

Kratom is the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) that grows in Southeast Asia — mainly Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its leaves have been chewed or brewed as tea for generations in that region. In the United States, kratom is mostly sold as dried leaf powder, capsules, and increasingly as concentrated extracts.

This guide covers what kratom is, how it works in the body, how it is sold, where it stands legally in 2026, and what the research says about its risks. It is the starting point for everything else on Kratom Universe, so each section links to a deeper article.

Unfamiliar with a term? Our kratom glossary explains 20 key words in plain English.

Key takeaways

Kratom comes from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia.
Its main active compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), act on the brain’s opioid receptors and other systems.
Natural kratom leaf is not federally controlled in the US as of October 2026, but several states ban it.
Kratom is not FDA-approved for any medical use, and federal health agencies have documented real risks, including dependence.
Concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products are a different category from leaf kratom and are the main target of 2025–2026 federal action.

Where kratom comes from

Kratom trees can grow to more than 80 feet tall in the humid lowlands of Southeast Asia. Farmers harvest the leaves, dry them, and grind them into a fine powder. Most kratom sold in the US is imported, much of it from Indonesia.

In its native region, kratom has a long history of traditional use. Laborers chewed fresh leaves during long work days, and the leaves were brewed into tea for social and ceremonial settings. That traditional pattern — fresh leaf, modest amounts, a social context — looks quite different from many modern American products, which can be highly processed and concentrated. We cover that history in more depth in Where Does Kratom Come From?

How kratom works in the body

Kratom leaves contain dozens of plant compounds called alkaloids. The two that get the most attention are:

Mitragynine — the most abundant alkaloid in the leaf.
7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) — present only in trace amounts in the natural leaf, but much more potent at opioid receptors. The body also produces some 7-OH when it metabolizes mitragynine.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), kratom can produce both opioid-like and stimulant-like effects. These compounds interact with mu-opioid receptors, and researchers believe mitragynine may also act on adrenergic, serotonin and dopamine systems. For a closer look at each compound, see our guide to kratom alkaloids.

Why people use kratom

Surveys of US kratom consumers find that people report using it for energy and focus, for pain, for mood, and — notably — to self-manage opioid withdrawal or cravings. NIDA funds research into whether kratom compounds could have medical uses, but that research is still early.

It is important to be clear: kratom is not approved by the FDA to treat any condition, and reports of personal benefit are not the same as clinical evidence. Anyone considering kratom to manage pain, mental health or substance use should talk with a doctor first, because there are established, effective treatments for all of these.

How kratom is sold

You will usually find kratom in a few forms:

Powder — dried, ground leaf. The most traditional form available in the US.
Capsules — powder in pre-filled capsules.
Extracts and shots — concentrated liquids, resins or powders with much higher alkaloid levels than leaf.
7-OH products — tablets, gummies and other products built around concentrated or semi-synthetic 7-OH. These are not the same as kratom leaf and carry distinct risks.

We compare these in Kratom Powder vs. Capsules vs. Extracts. Vendors also market leaf by “vein color” — red, green and white — which we explain in Kratom Strains Explained.

Is kratom legal?

At the federal level, natural kratom leaf is not a controlled substance as of October 2026. The DEA proposed scheduling kratom’s main alkaloids in 2016 but withdrew the proposal after public and congressional pushback.

Federal attention has since shifted to concentrated and synthetic products. In August 2026, the DEA temporarily placed three synthetic 7-OH-related compounds into Schedule I, and a separate order covering 7-OH above a set concentration is pending. Leaf kratom with naturally occurring 7-OH below that threshold is not covered.

State law is where things get complicated. A growing list of states — including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Connecticut, Kansas, Tennessee and Massachusetts — ban kratom, while others regulate it with age limits and labeling rules. Full details are in our state-by-state kratom legality guide and our explainer on kratom vs. 7-OH.

Is kratom safe?

The honest answer is that kratom carries real risks, and long-term safety has not been well studied. The FDA warns consumers not to use it. Reported side effects include nausea, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, loss of appetite and insomnia, and more serious events such as seizures and liver injury have been reported. Regular use can lead to dependence and withdrawal.

Product quality is another concern. Because kratom is not regulated as a drug, products have been found contaminated with salmonella and heavy metals, and some contain far more of the active alkaloids than the label suggests. Combining kratom with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or other sedating drugs raises the danger considerably.

Frequently asked questions

Is kratom an opioid?

Kratom is a plant, not a synthetic opioid drug, but its main alkaloids act on opioid receptors and can produce opioid-like effects, including dependence. That is why federal agencies describe it as having opioid-like properties.

Is kratom the same as 7-OH?

No. 7-OH is one compound found in trace amounts in kratom leaf. Many “7-OH” products on the market are concentrated or semi-synthetic and far stronger than natural leaf. See Kratom vs. 7-OH.

Does kratom show up on a drug test?

Not on standard 5-panel tests, but specialized tests can detect it. See Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?

Can kratom be addictive?

Yes. Regular use can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when stopping. If kratom use has become hard to control, free confidential help is available 24/7 from SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Sources

Kratom Universe publishes independent educational information. Nothing on this site is medical or legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with a healthcare provider before using kratom, and check your state and local laws. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call SAMHSA’s free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.