UVA Health Analysis Reveals 1,200 Percent Surge in Kratom-Related Poison Center Calls and Rising Hospitalization Rates

UVA Health researchers report a record surge in kratom-related poison center calls and hospitalizations, warning of high potency and dangerous drug interactions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 9:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Virginia Health System

The Escalation of Kratom Exposure and Potency

The availability of kratom in non-traditional retail environments has led to a decade of unprecedented growth in toxic exposure reports. Between 2015 and 2025, calls to national poison centers regarding the substance increased by more than 1,200 percent, signaling a shift in how the drug is consumed and marketed. According to Chris Holstege, MD, director of UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center, the trend is driven by both wider commercial access in gas stations and vape shops and the emergence of highly concentrated new formulations. While historically used as a traditional leaf-based tea in Southeast Asia, modern American iterations often take the form of potent extracts and pills that lack standardized oversight.

Rising Clinical Complications and Hospitalization Trends

The physical toll of kratom consumption is evidenced by a sharp rise in emergency medical interventions. Hospitalizations involving only kratom increased by over 1,150 percent during the study period, while those involving kratom mixed with other substances, such as antidepressants or illicit drugs, rose by nearly 1,300 percent. Researchers noted that by 2025, half of the reported exposures required hospitalization, with 60 percent of multi-substance cases resulting in serious medical outcomes. These complications often stem from the drug's complex pharmacological profile, which allows it to act as both a stimulant and a sedative depending on the dosage and the specific chemical concentrations present in the product.

Demographic Shifts and the Risk of Undisclosed Additives

While the majority of reported exposures involve men in their 20s and 30s, the data reveals a significant increase in use among individuals aged 40 to 59. This expanding demographic footprint suggests that more people are turning to kratom for various reasons, including pain management and mood enhancement, without fully understanding the risks. Because the market remains largely unregulated, consumers frequently ingest products containing undisclosed substances or varying levels of active chemicals like mitragynine. The lack of quality control means that users cannot verify the purity of their purchase, which the researchers identify as a primary factor in the 233 kratom-related deaths recorded during the 10-year analysis.