Kratom is a natural substance native to Southeast Asian that has been used for improving mood, increasing alertness, and managing pain. Kratom leaves can be chewed or brewed to product a stimulant effect. Kratom has also been used as an analgesic and as opioid substitute. Although kratom is not a scheduled drug under the US Controlled Substance Act, it does have the potential for misuse and adverse effects such as acute kidney injury, respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, coma, and death. Therefore identifying potential risk factors for kratom use is crucial in preventing further kratom misuse in the US. This study examines demographic and behavioral factors associated with kratom use among college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 81,513 US college students who participated in the 2019-2020 Healthy Minds Study (HMS). Participants were asked if they had used kratom within the past 30 days. Respondents were also asked to report age, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, exercise, alcohol use, and cannabis use. Questionnaires were used to assess depression and anxiety symptoms. Data was analyzed using logistic regression models to assess for associations between student’s demographic and behavioral factors and kratom use.
Results of the data analysis showed that 310 participants reported kratom use during the past 30 days. Compared to White participants, identifying as Black/African American, Asian or Hispanic was associated with lower kratom use. Women were less likely to use kratom than men, transgender, and non-binary participants. Sexual minority students were more likely to report kratom use. Kratom use was also associated with depression, past 2-week alcohol use, and cannabis use. Exercise and anxiety were not significantly correlated with kratom use.
Takeaway: Among college students, kratom use may be associated with being White, male, transgender, non-binary, identifying as a sexual minority, use of alcohol and cannabis, and depression symptoms.