The sudden and tragic death of 37-year-old Jordan McKibban has exposed the hidden dangers of a substance many Americans have never heard of — kratom. Marketed as an “all-natural” supplement, kratom has quietly found its way onto gas station counters and health food store shelves across the United States.
Its appeal lies in its image: a plant-based remedy promising relief from pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. But behind the glossy packaging and herbal branding lies a potentially lethal substance that is largely unregulated, poorly understood, and devastatingly addictive.
Jordan McKibban was a vibrant man with a love for the outdoors and a devotion to his family. In the days leading up to his death in April 2022, he had planted flowers for a friend’s baby shower, cooked meals for his family, and shared hopeful conversations with his mother about building a future with his girlfriend.
He was in love, fulfilled, and looking forward to becoming a father. But one tablespoon of kratom powder stirred into his lemonade — something he believed was safe and natural — would be his last. His autopsy revealed that a compound in the supplement, mitragynine, had taken his life.
His mother, Pam Mauldin, would discover her son lifeless in the bathroom, a sight that would forever haunt her. Despite performing CPR and desperately hoping for a miracle, Jordan McKibban was gone. He died alone, after consuming a product that offered no warnings, no dosage instructions, and no indication of just how dangerous it could be.
The Hidden Dangers of Kratom
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, has a long history of traditional use. In small doses, it acts as a stimulant. In larger doses, it can have sedative effects, similar to opioids. In the United States, kratom is often marketed as a dietary supplement, available in powders, capsules, teas, and even energy drink-like shots — with names and packaging that suggest a healthy, herbal alternative.
Yet, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize kratom as a safe food additive or drug. In fact, it has explicitly stated that products containing kratom are not lawfully marketed in the United States. Despite this, kratom remains widely available, largely due to the lack of comprehensive federal regulation.
Emergency room physicians have increasingly seen patients suffering from kratom side effects: anxiety, dizziness, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and even seizures. Kratom can cause both physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioids. Some users experience uncontrollable cravings, and others unknowingly escalate their intake to toxic levels.
Read : Drug Lord Rafael Caro Quintero and 28 Other Fugitive Cartel Members Extradited to the United States
In Jordan McKibban’s case, he had believed that kratom was a harmless supplement. He wouldn’t even take over-the-counter ibuprofen for his arthritis. He was told that an overdose was impossible — that the worst that could happen was nausea. But the green, cellophane-wrapped bag he used didn’t come with warnings or dosage guidelines. And unlike the strict labeling and recall protocols followed for items like lettuce or potato chips, there is no regulatory mechanism to ensure the safety or accuracy of what kratom users are consuming.
Read : List of Google Revealed Top 20 Destinations for Summer Vacation
Adding to the danger is a highly potent offshoot of kratom — 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH — which is significantly stronger and more addictive than traditional kratom compounds. The FDA recently recommended classifying 7-OH as an illicit substance due to its opioid-like effects and potential to contribute to a new wave of addiction.
A Pattern of Devastation
Jordan McKibban is not the only one whose life was cut short by kratom. Jennifer Young, a mother from Columbus, Ohio, lost her 27-year-old son, Johnny Loring, under similar circumstances. Johnny, a delivery driver and passionate musician, began using kratom for anxiety and focus. When Jennifer first looked it up, she read only glowing reviews and user testimonials. She didn’t see a reason to worry. Kratom was billed as natural, helpful, even life-saving.
But Johnny’s use escalated. He started having seizures. Doctors failed to make the connection to kratom. One day, during a family mushroom hunting trip, he collapsed and never regained consciousness. The toxicology report revealed deadly levels of mitragynine and gabapentin in his system.
Jennifer found about 20 packs of kratom in his room — all purchased legally. The shock of his death plunged her into a deep depression. Her home, once filled with his laughter and music, became silent. One of her surviving children has been hospitalized for panic attacks. Holidays became unbearable. “The void of Johnny is just loud,” she said. “I don’t enjoy anything anymore.”
Jennifer and Pam, now united in grief, have both filed wrongful death lawsuits against kratom manufacturers and distributors. But they also share the painful knowledge that no legal settlement can bring their sons back or fill the emptiness left behind.
The Illusion of “Natural” and the Need for Awareness
One of the most alarming aspects of the kratom crisis is how it preys on public perceptions of health and wellness. The term “all-natural” is powerful. It suggests safety, purity, and wellness — a harmless alternative to pharmaceutical medications. Kratom users like Jordan McKibban and Johnny weren’t reckless; they were health-conscious. They believed they were making a better choice.
But as addiction medicine specialist Dr. Robert Levy explains, “Natural doesn’t mean safe. Arsenic is also from a plant.” He emphasizes that kratom acts on the same brain receptors as opioids, meaning it carries the same risks of addiction and overdose. The presence of 7-OH only heightens those risks.
Levy urges families to have open conversations about the dangers of kratom. Teens and young adults are especially vulnerable, drawn in by viral marketing on platforms like TikTok and seduced by promises of energy, focus, and mood enhancement. Some even see it as a socially acceptable or even healthy habit.
The lack of regulation makes the situation even more dangerous. Without oversight, manufacturers can produce kratom products with wildly inconsistent levels of active ingredients. Labels may be misleading or outright false. Some products may be contaminated with other substances, further increasing the risk of overdose. The reality is, many users don’t understand what they’re putting into their bodies — and by the time they do, it may be too late.
Both Pam Mauldin and Jennifer Young have made it their mission to raise awareness about kratom. They believe that Jordan McKibban and Johnny’s stories can save lives — if people are willing to listen. Their grief is unimaginable, but it fuels a fight that has taken them from hospital waiting rooms to courtrooms, from silent mourning to public advocacy.
They want lawmakers to step in, to regulate kratom like other controlled substances, to require warning labels, dosage instructions, and ingredient verification. They want kratom out of gas stations and convenience stores. And most of all, they want other families to avoid the pain they now carry every day.
“It frustrates me when I see recalls on potato chips and lettuce, but not on this stuff that’s killing people,” Mauldin said. “Jordan McKibban had so much life left. I lost a son, future grandchildren, memories I’ll never get to make.” “I didn’t realize it was so addicting,” added Young. “Now I live in a house that’s too quiet. There’s no money that could replace my child’s life.”
As the debate over kratom continues, one thing is clear: its risks are real, and its victims are growing. It may be sold as a supplement, but for too many, kratom is anything but harmless.