Kratom deaths at SEC college

Kratom, a plant-based substance marketed as a supplement and sold widely in gas stations and smoke shops, is drawing scrutiny after being linked to the deaths of several college students. The substance, derived from a Southeast Asian tree, acts on opioid receptors and can produce stimulant or sedative effects depending on dose, raising concerns about its safety, addictive potential, and lack of regulation. Health experts are warning that kratom is largely unregulated by the FDA and its risks, including potential for dependency and overdose, are not well understood by consumers.