“High-quality studies demonstrate kratom increases overdose death risks.”

“High-quality studies demonstrate kratom increases overdose death risks.”
Over the past decade, a small but dedicated scene has developed around Western North Carolina’s kava and kratom bars.
In the midst of a crisis of opioid addiction and overdoses, patients and doctors alike are seeking out alternatives to opioid medication for relieving pain. Ranging from medicinal herbs to acupuncture to biofeedback, options abound — offering both hope and a bewildering array of choices.