10/26/2026
𝐈𝐭 𝐀𝐢𝐧’𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲
When it comes to kratom, and its natural derivatives, the jury is still out on whether it offers legit benefits or is dangerous.
But it’s a little clearer when it comes to altered, highly concentrated "kratom-related substances" that are created by taking some of the naturally occurring organic compounds from the kratom plant and altering them to make them much more potent.
And when it shows up in edible forms that resemble candy, there’s a greater risk to children and others accidentally ingesting it. Already it has led to medical emergencies and deaths.
“Sometimes it’s just being left out and kids don’t know better,” said Dr. Vi Ngo, the medical director the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard’s Child Protection Team.
Ngo made her remarks at the CACB’s Multidisciplinary Training Event on Child Maltreatment recently held last week at the Space Coast Health Foundation’s Center for Collaboration.
Kratom is an herbal substance extracted from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia. It’s known to have a stimulative effect when consumed in small doses and a sedative effect when smoked or ingested in higher concentrates, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Repeated use, USA TODAY reported, can lead to dependence, and other emergency physical reactions. And because there are many ways in which it can ingested and altered, synthetic and natural forms often get swept up under the umbrella term of simply "kratom."
Kratom-like products are easily accessible at many convenience stores, and online.
Ngo said because it’s mostly unregulated, what is written on the label of a kratom product cannot always be easily verified.
“We need to treat it like a drug,” Ngo said, “not something we buy over the counter like gum.”
