Tragic Loss Sparks Urgent Warning: The Hidden Perils of a Widely Used Natural Supplement Revealed

Ever wonder if something marketed as a ‘natural’ miracle could actually be more nightmare than nirvana? Well, buckle up because the story of Kratom—a trendy supplement touted as a cure-all from anxiety to opioid withdrawal—takes a dark, devastating turn. Despite being sold at your local gas station and hyped by influencers like they’re handing out candy, this stuff isn’t the health tonic it claims to be. Seriously, one wrong sip, and a 37-year-old dad from the US lost his life, leaving behind a grieving mom on a mission to shout the warning from the rooftops. It’s a tale that makes you question just how often we swallow what celebs and online hype throw our way—sometimes with deadly consequences. Ready to dig into the messy truth about Kratom and why the FDA is waving a big red flag? LEARN MORE

Warning: This article contains discussion of drugs which some readers may find distressing.

The dangers of a popular ‘natural’ supplement have been exposed after a man from the US tragically died after taking it.

Advertising drugs has been common parlour across the world, with more and more healthy people convinced to take medicines they often don’t need by online influencers or through their promotion on TV or social media.

The worrying trend of influencers promoting weight loss drugs is further proof of that, while we constantly see things like healthy gummies or mushrooms being used by celebrities as a new ‘health trend’.

Kratom is one such drug in the US that supposedly helps to treat symptoms such as pain, coughing, diarrhoea, anxiety and depression, opioid use disorder, and opioid withdrawal; however, it comes with a whole host of side effects.

Side effects of taking Kratom

According to Mayo Clinic, the ‘unsafe and ineffective’ drug can lead to serious side effects including: Dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, constipation, liver damage, muscle pain and high blood pressure.

It can also affect the nervous system and the mind, which can cause seizures, hallucinations, drowsiness and trouble breathing, while it has also been linked with a number of deaths in the US.

The effects of kratom have come to light in recent years (Getty Stock Image)

Safety warnings issued

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned people not to use kratom because of the possible harm it can cause, while the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has called it a drug of concern.

Despite this, it remains reliably available from a lot of gas stations in the US, which has failed to follow in the footsteps of the UK, who in 2016 prohibited the sale, import, and export of kratom under the Psychoactive Substances Act.

The FDA adds: “Kratom is not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement. FDA will continue to warn the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment.”

Jordan’s tragic death and his mum’s warning

A warning has also been issued by the grieving mother of Jordan McKibban, who died in 2022 after putting a tablespoon of a powdered kratom supplement into his lemonade.

The 37-year-old had been preparing a meal for his family but was found unresponsive in his bathroom and tragically never woke up, despite his mother, Mauldin, performing CPR.

McKibban’s mother has been fighting for there to be more regulations around the sale of kratom (mctlaw)

She has issued a severe warning about the dangers of the drug after it sadly claimed the life of her son.

Speaking to the New York Post in a heartbreaking interview, Pam said that her son ‘shouldn’t be in the cemetery’.

“I’ve lost my son. I’ve lost my grandchildren that I could have had, I’ve lost watching him walk down that aisle, watching him have a life that I get to watch with my other kids. I’ve lost enjoying these years with him.”

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