ZAVALA KCRA THREE NEWS. SOME GROWING CONCERNS TONIGHT ABOUT A SUPPLEMENT CALLED KRATOM. IT’S AN HERB THAT’S BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES. BUT NOW SOME COMPANIES ARE TURNING KRATOM INTO POTENT EXTRACTS. WE’RE NOT TAKING A LEAF OFF A TREE LIKE THEY DO IN MALAYSIA. WE ARE CHANGING THE CHEMICAL MAKEUP. KRATOM HAS TURNED INTO $1 BILLION INDUSTRY. THERE IS NO FDA REGULATION. SOME PEOPLE USE IT FOR NATURAL PAIN MANAGEMENT, BUT OTHERS SAY THEY’VE BECOME ADDICTED TO IT AND IT NEARLY RUINED THEIR LIVES. COMING UP TONIGHT ON THE KCRA THREE NEWS AT 11, HEAR FROM BUSINESS OWNERS, HEALTH EXPERTS AND FORMER ADDICTS ABOUT THEIR URGENT CALL FOR MORE REGULATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO KRATOM AND WHAT DOCTORS HAVE TO S
What is kratom? Learn about the addictive energy boosting supplement being sold in California
Updated: 8:19 PM PDT Apr 24, 2025
Leaves from a tree in Southeast Asia called kratom, or “Mitragyna speciosa,” are used to make energy boosting and pain-relief products. While you may or may not have heard of it, researchers suggest use of the supplement has grown exponentially in North America since the start of the decade. Doctors refer to an extract of the kratom as “gas station heroin.” Some companies are turning it into powder capsules, drinks, vapes and pressed pills, making it far more potent than intended.KCRA 3’s Cecil Hannibal talked to a Sacramento health expert, as well as people who have tried kratom and know others who have become addicted. Sacramento native Josh Whittmershaus describes his first dose of kratom as “a Percocet with a cup of coffee.” To watch a preview of that story tonight, watch the video player above. Tune in to KCRA 3 at 11 p.m. tonight for the full story and more information on the tree leaf turned addictive substance.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Leaves from a tree in Southeast Asia called kratom, or “Mitragyna speciosa,” are used to make energy boosting and pain-relief products.
While you may or may not have heard of it, researchers suggest use of the supplement has grown exponentially in North America since the start of the decade.
Doctors refer to an extract of the kratom as “gas station heroin.” Some companies are turning it into powder capsules, drinks, vapes and pressed pills, making it far more potent than intended.
KCRA 3’s Cecil Hannibal talked to a Sacramento health expert, as well as people who have tried kratom and know others who have become addicted. Sacramento native Josh Whittmershaus describes his first dose of kratom as “a Percocet with a cup of coffee.”
To watch a preview of that story tonight, watch the video player above.
Tune in to KCRA 3 at 11 p.m. tonight for the full story and more information on the tree leaf turned addictive substance.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel