Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from a tree-like plant native to Southeast Asia.
Over the past decade, kratom has grown in popularity across the United States. In Southern Colorado — including Colorado Springs, Pueblo and La Junta — a handful of bars serving kratom drinks are operating or about to open. But as kratom becomes more popular, so too do questions about its benefits, risks and regulation.
David Kroll, a professor and program director in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at CU Anschutz, has studied kratom for nearly a decade. Kroll said some people use kratom recreationally — while others rely on it to relieve depression, stay off prescription opioids or avoid alcohol. He said the problem is that it runs the risk of causing people to depend on it, similar to opioids.
While some people use kratom recreationally or to relieve depression, “some people use it to stay off prescription opioids. Some people use it to stay off alcohol,” Kroll said.
“Some people see its great benefit and some people see its potential risks. And the truth is… both,” he said. “It runs the risk of physical and psychological dependence, similar to maybe kind of the medium strength opioids.”
Read the complete story at rmpbs.org/me
Kratom is an herbal extract that comes from a tree-like plant native to Southeast Asia.
Over the past decade, kratom has grown in popularity across the United States. In Southern Colorado — including Colorado Springs, Pueblo and La Junta — a handful of bars serving kratom drinks are operating or about to open. But as kratom becomes more popular, so too do questions about its benefits, risks and regulation.
David Kroll, a professor and program director in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at CU Anschutz, has studied kratom for nearly a decade. Kroll said some people use kratom recreationally — while others rely on it to relieve depression, stay off prescription opioids or avoid alcohol. He said the problem is that it runs the risk of causing people to depend on it, similar to opioids.
While some people use kratom recreationally or to relieve depression, “some people use it to stay off prescription opioids. Some people use it to stay off alcohol,” Kroll said.
“Some people see its great benefit and some people see its potential risks. And the truth is… both,” he said. “It runs the risk of physical and psychological dependence, similar to maybe kind of the medium strength opioids.”
Read the complete story at rmpbs.org/me
