Kratom comes from a plant called Mitragyna speciosa, which grows in Southeast Asia.

• Its leaves contain chemicals called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or “7-OH.”
• 7-OH is more potent, meaning its effect on the body is stronger and more harmful.
• These chemicals affect the brain by attaching to certain brain receptors.

How kratom affects someone depends on how much they use and how strong the product is.

Small amounts can act like a stimulant and make a person feel more awake.

Larger amounts, especially those with more 7-OH, can act like an opioid and may cause dangerous side effects.

Some kratom products are sold in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops. Because of this, people sometimes call them "gas station heroin."

Kratom plants naturally have mitragynine and small amounts of 7-OH. But these chemicals can also be changed or made in a lab to create very strong synthetic products. These synthetic versions may have high levels of 7-OH and other powerful chemicals.

Kratom products can be very different from each other. Because kratom is not well regulated and labels are often missing or unclear, it is not possible to know what is in a product, how strong it is, or how it might affect you.

Yes.

Kratom can cause many physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms.

Some of these include:

• feeling sick to your stomach,
• getting dizzy,
• constipation, or
• hallucinations.

It can also cause withdrawal symptoms that are similar to opioids.

Other possible effects include

• dry mouth
• confused or unusual thinking
• itching
• seizures
• sweating
• needing to urinate more than usual.

Overdoses can happen, especially when:

• Using highly potent products;
• Using highly potent products that are mixed with unknown substances; and
• Using other substances with kratom, especially opioids (like fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, or methadone), alcohol, benzodiazepines, or sedatives.

Use naloxone for people who have an overdose from kratom.

If the person has trouble breathing or stops breathing, naloxone should be given as though it were an opioid-related overdose.

Although rare, kratom-involved deaths have been reported, including locally in the Capital District. In 2026, one overdose death was associated with the use of a kratom product in Albany County.

People are at greater risk of death if they mix kratom with other substances or if they have ongoing health issues.

Yes.

Physical dependence develops when an individual takes kratom products often and consistently.

This results in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.

Many people take kratom products and do not realize that it could be harmful or that dependence can occur.

Withdrawal can happen when regular or daily use of kratom products is stopped.

 People can experience symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal, such as

• anxiety
• agitation
• muscle spasms
• runny nose
• hot flashes
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• restlessness
• fever.

These symptoms usually start 5 to 48 hours after stopping kratom.

Kratom use disorder (addiction) can occur when people using kratom products compulsively crave these products despite adverse consequences including overdose, withdrawal, or disruptions in their relationships and ability to work, go to school, or take care of their family.

For people using kratom products who have an overdose and have reduced or stopped breathing, naloxone should be administered as though it were an opioid-related overdose.

Although there are no United States Food and Drug Administration approved medications for kratom use disorder, please speak with your physician about medication options.

It is important for a healthcare provider to be informed about a person’s use of kratom products and their use of any other substance (like opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or sedatives). This helps with providing appropriate treatment. If using a kratom product, be sure you share this information with your healthcare provider.

Individuals seeking assistance with triage or linking to substance use service can call the Albany County Department of Mental Health Mobile Outreach, Treatment, and Overdose Response (M.O.T.O.R.) program, at (518) 447-2067, Monday – Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm. NOTE: this is not an emergency service, and it is not direct treatment; individuals will receive assistance getting linked to direct treatment.

Counseling and mutual support groups are also effective treatments to support recovery. If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone now about substance use or gambling, contact the 24/7 OASAS HOPE LINE at 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).

If you, or a loved one, uses kratom products:

• Know what you are using. Try to check the label and see what ingredients are listed. But remember that many kratom products do not have good labels and may not list everything inside. That means you might not really know how strong the product is or what chemicals it contains.
• Use the lowest amount possible. Using smaller amounts may lower the chance of harmful side effects, and always monitor for slowed or difficulty breathing. Call 911 immediately if someone is difficult to wake, stops breathing normally, or becomes unresponsive.
• Have a safety plan. Use kratom products with a trusted person present who could help you get medical care or call 911 in case of a crisis.
• Avoid mixing kratom with other substances. This includes including opioids, alcohol, benzodiazepines, prescription drugs or other sedatives. Mixing substances can be especially dangerous.
• Keep naloxone nearby. Naloxone is a medicine that can help reverse an opioid overdose. Some kratom products act like opioids. Having naloxone on hand can save a life in an emergency. If you don’t know how to use it, ask a doctor, pharmacist, or community health worker.
• Know who to call for help. If having an emergency related to kratom use, call 911. If someone using kratom develops concerning side effects that are not life threatening, or needs more information, call the Upstate New York Poison Center | SUNY Upstate at 1-800-222-1222 (available 24 hours/7 days a week).

For Community Members

• FDA and Kratom | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Kratom | Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

For Providers

• Kratom: What Clinicians Need to Know | NYS Department of Health

The prohibition takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 1, 2026.

Under the Order, a “Covered Product” means any Kratom product.

The Order defines “Kratom” to include any substance, material, mixture, compound, preparation, extract, or finished good containing any part of the Mitragyna speciosa plant or specified kratom alkaloids, as well as any product held out as kratom.

Existing inventory of Covered Kratom Products must be handled in one of the following ways:

Quarantine: Securely contain the products in a non-public storage area pending inspection. The products must be removed from customer-facing shelves and areas of public access.

Return: Return the products to the supplier. The return of Covered Kratom Products to a supplier does not constitute a prohibited sale or distribution under the Order.

Destroy: If you choose to dispose of the products rather than quarantine or return them to the supplier, the destruction must be done under the direction of the Albany County Department of Health. For more information, please contact Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4569.

A person or entity found in violation of the Order may be subject to:

• An initial civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation;
• Up to $2,000 per violation for repeated or subsequent violations; and
• A separate violation for each day that a violation continues.

Civil penalties are subject to written notice and an opportunity for a hearing.