The Silent Danger in “Natural” Kratom: Lives Shattered, Families Mourning
Across towns in the U.S., kratom is sold in powders, gummies, and brewed beverages, often labeled “all-natural” and easily affordable. But beneath its benign marketing lies a hidden risk — one that has claimed lives and left grieving families searching for answers. Two mothers now speak out, sharing the heartbreaking consequences their sons endured.
Jordan McKibban, 37, from Washington State, was living a purposeful life — cooking for his blended family, planning a future with his girlfriend, and quietly helping friends whenever he could. In April 2022, after mixing kratom into his lemonade following a long day at work, Jordan collapsed in his bathroom and never regained consciousness.
His mother, Pam Mauldin, remembers the desperate attempts to revive him and the heart-wrenching sight of first responders carrying him away — a moment that forever altered her family.
Although kratom is native to Southeast Asia and promoted as a natural remedy for pain, anxiety, or depression, its active compound, mitragynine, can act like opioids. This carries serious risks: addiction, overdose, and even death.
Despite repeated FDA warnings, kratom remains easily accessible in stores, online, and even at convenience shops, often without clear safety instructions. Mauldin emphasizes the deception: Jordan had been told that overdosing was impossible.
Certain kratom strains, especially those containing 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), are far more potent and highly addictive. Dr. Robert Levy of the University of Minnesota warns, “Just because something is plant-based doesn’t mean it’s safe — arsenic comes from plants, too.”
In Columbus, Ohio, Jennifer Young faced a similar tragedy. Her 27-year-old son, Johnny Loring, began using kratom to manage anxiety and stay alert at work. When he started experiencing seizures, neither she nor his doctors suspected kratom.
Weeks later, during a family mushroom-hunting trip, Johnny collapsed. Toxicology tests revealed lethal levels of mitragynine combined with gabapentin. Discovering stacks of kratom packets in his room, Young was confronted with the grim reality of its dangers.
Both mothers have filed wrongful death lawsuits, but no legal remedy can restore Jordan or Johnny. Their experiences underscore a sobering truth: a product marketed as “natural” and harmless can be deadly. The combination of widespread availability and minimal regulation puts countless families at risk.
Conclusion
The deaths of Jordan McKibban and Johnny Loring serve as a stark warning: kratom is far from the safe supplement it is often presented to be. Its easy access, lack of oversight, and misleading marketing have left families devastated.
As awareness grows and calls for stricter regulation mount, these mothers hope their stories prevent further tragedies. Their message is urgent: natural does not automatically mean safe.