Kratom Awareness & Community Education

Your health and safety matter. Learn the facts about kratom and how it affects our community.

What Is Kratom?

Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is the name of a leaf from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain two major active chemicals that affect the brain: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).

At low doses, kratom can produce stimulant effects that give people energy. At higher doses, it can produce opioid-like effects that may cause relaxation and sedation.

What Is 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)?

7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), when concentrated, acts like a powerful opioid and binds to the same brain receptors involved in addiction, overdose, and dependence.

Because kratom and 7-OH products are unregulated, they may cause addiction, serious health harms, withdrawal symptoms, overdose, and death.

As of October 2025, the sale of 7-OH products is prohibited statewide, with product embargoes enacted under California’s Health and Safety Code.

Forms of Kratom

• Powders
• Capsules
• Drinks / shots
• Gummies
• Chocolates
• Pre-mixed beverages

Health Concerns

Kratom products are often marketed as “natural” remedies for pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal. However, kratom is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any medical use. The DEA has also listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.

There is no known safe dose of kratom. Effects vary widely between products, and contamination is common.

Adverse Health Effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
• Seizures
• Liver damage
• Slow/Shallow Breathing (Hypoventilation)

Kratom can cause serious health emergencies and even death, especially when mixed with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other stimulants or depressants.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

The safest choice is to avoid kratom or 7-OH products.

• Avoid mixing kratom with alcohol or other drugs
• Know the signs of overdose and how to respond
• If someone is unresponsive, administer naloxone, call 911 immediately, keep the person awake and breathing, place them on their side, and stay until help arrives
• Carry naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, including 7-OH
• Contact Poison Control at www.poisonhelp.org or call 1-800-222-1222
• The safest choice is to avoid buying or consuming products with kratom or 7-OH.  These products may be sold in stores as powders, capsules, drinks/shots, gummies, chocolates, or pre-mixed beverages.  Always read packaging and labels to avoid accidentally buying or consuming kratom or 7-OH. 

If you find kratom or 7-OH products being sold for consumption, call the California Department of Public Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232 or submit an electronic report here.

Support & Resources

Naloxone (Narcan) is available for FREE to individuals who live or work in Madera County. Madera County Department of Public Health provides:

• Quick 5-minute Narcan training
• Free Narcan kits
• Educational materials and fact sheets
• Referrals to additional support services

To pick up Narcan:

• Call (559) 675-7893 to schedule an appointment
• Find the Mobile Health Team in the community Monday–Friday (except Tuesdays)

Treatment & Help

• Behavioral Health Services
• Crisis Line: (559) 533-1000
• School and youth support programs