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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kratom is the leaf of a tree in Southeast Asia that is growing in popularity in the United States.
It is marketed as a herbal supplement to relieve anxiety, stress and pain while boosting energy levels.
Many users claim that Kratom even helped them to get rid of an opioid addiction.
According to a recently released government report, kratom is causing 91 overdose deaths in the country over an 18-month period, according to the CDC.
Most of those who died also took heroin, fentanyl or other drugs. But in seven cases, kratom was the only drug in the person's system at the time of death.
Kratom is sold legally but is not regulated. That's why health officials think it's dangerous.
According to the DEA, Kratom can be ingested in a variety of ways: as a pill, crushed and smoked, or infused as tea. It is listed on their website as a "Drug of Concern".
The American Kratom Association on Thursday issued a statement claiming that its product was safe, but warning customers not to buy chemically altered or improved Kratom by synthesis.
Currently, you can buy Kratom in the Carolinas without a prescription. The FDA stated that there was no evidence that kratom was safe or effective for medical use.
RELATED: The herbal supplement kratom is linked to more deaths in the United States
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