More Than 150 Deaths Associated With Kratom Herbal Supplement
Many people take herbal supplements. Most of these supplements have unverified benefits and are said to be good for some specific purpose. However, some of these supplements can be dangerous. Kratom is among the most dangerous herbal supplements that you can take. It has been associated with over 150 deaths across the U.S.
Kratom is sold as a powder or capsule. Users can make a tea out of it or take it like a pill. Kratom acts on opioid receptors in the brain and can act as a stimulant in lower doses or a powerful sedative in lower doses. It is taken for a wide variety of ailments such as pain management, depression, anxiety, and more. It is sold as a “miracle cure” for numerous types of conditions.
What users don’t know is that kratom is dangerous. Unlike pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies don’t necessarily tell you about the side effects. In terms of kratom, the side effects include addiction, organ failure, psychosis, and sometimes even death.
Verdicts against kratom manufacturers
There have been two recent verdicts against kratom manufacturers that awarded plaintiffs millions after their loved one died of an overdose. In one case, a 39-year-old man was found dead in his recliner after taking kratom. A medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was kratom poisoning. In that case, the jury awarded the family of the man $2.5 million in damages for wrongful death.
Another lawsuit filed in Washington State awarded a grieving family $11 million after a mother collapsed on her kitchen floor with her infant son nearby.
What is kratom?
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is made from tree leaves. It is generally sold as either a powder or in capsules to individuals for a wide variety of ailments. This includes detox from opioids. Kratom is known to act on opioid receptors in the brain and has long been used as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments. One of the few reasonable uses of kratom is to help with detox from opioids. However, kratom has not been approved by the FDA for any reason whatsoever.
By and large, kratom is legally sold across the United States. Aside from a handful of states that have banned the substance, kratom is legal to buy, sell, and possess. Pushes to add kratom to the list of schedule-1 substances have yet to be accomplished. Kratom is only illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. It is legal in Florida. In some cases, it can be purchased from gas stations.
Part of the problem with kratom is that it doesn’t list its negative side effects on the container. Users are led to believe that kratom is a miracle cure for many ailments. This deceptive marketing encourages misuse of the product which can result in death.
Talk to a Jacksonville Personal Injury Attorney Today
The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Gillette Law represent the interests of those who have been injured due to dangerous or defective products. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation, and we can begin discussing your path to recovery immediately.
