PENNSYLVANIA — A new national survey suggests that kratom, the once–trendy herbal extract marketed as a natural fix for pain and focus, may be losing its cultural shine. Thirty-nine percent of Pennsylvanians now say the substance should be banned outright — a level of concern that places the Commonwealth near the center of a widening national debate over regulation, safety, and addiction.
The findings come from a survey of 3,003 respondents by Renaissance Recovery, a nationwide addiction and mental-health treatment network. The results paint a complicated portrait of a wellness product that has moved from obscure herbal remedy to gas-station counter staple in just a few years.
Kratom — often found in powdered teas, capsules, or “feel-good” energy shots — is used by an estimated 1.7 million Americans, according to federal data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Supporters argue it offers relief for chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. But critics warn that its active compounds can be addictive, interact with other substances, and spark dangerous overuse — concerns serious enough that the DEA still lists it as a “drug and chemical of concern.”
Public opinion in Pennsylvania reflects this tension. While 39 percent favor banning kratom entirely, residents are sharply divided on how it should be regulated if kept legal. Thirty percent say it should be controlled like tobacco, with age limits and health warnings; 26 percent say it should follow an alcohol-style licensing model; and 43 percent believe kratom should be prescription-only.
When asked to compare its risks to more familiar substances, most Pennsylvanians were unconvinced that kratom is a safer alternative. Fifteen percent viewed it as less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, 59 percent said it carries comparable risk, and 26 percent said it is more dangerous.
Awareness remains uneven. More than one in three residents (35 percent) admit they had never heard of kratom at all. Among those who had, social media appears to be its most powerful messenger: 21 percent learned about it from influencers, with another 21 percent hearing about it from friends and family. Only 7 percent were introduced to kratom through medical professionals.
Concerns about youth access are even more pronounced. Nearly three-quarters of Pennsylvanians (73 percent) say kratom products should be restricted to those 21 and older, and 68 percent say they should not be sold in locations where children can easily see them. The survey also revealed low confidence in parental awareness: only 15 percent believe parents understand what kratom is or how it works, while 62 percent say parents either lack confidence or likely have no idea at all.
That uncertainty may be why 65 percent of Pennsylvanians believe kratom could become “the next vaping” — a widely available, youth-pitched product that gains popularity faster than adults can monitor it.
Kratom’s place alongside traditional medicine also remains fraught. Thirty-one percent of survey respondents said they would consider using kratom instead of a prescribed pain medication if it were cheaper or easier to obtain, while half said they would not.
“Kratom’s unchecked availability has become a quiet epidemic — devastating those seeking recovery and straining the very communities trying to help them heal,” said Alina Nejadian, LMFT, clinical director at Renaissance Recovery. “It’s marketed as natural, but that doesn’t mean risk-free. Our data shows Americans are starting to recognize that — they want transparency and regulation before this turns into the next public-health crisis.”
As nationwide debate accelerates and lawmakers weigh potential regulation, Pennsylvania’s shifting attitudes signal a growing skepticism toward an herb once billed as harmless — and a belief that the Commonwealth may soon need to decide what to do about kratom’s uncertain place in the wellness marketplace.
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