Congressional Briefing on Kratom Science

House Canon Building September 20th, 2024. Statements from Congressman Jack Bergman of Michigan and Congressman Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.
Featuring presentations from Dr. Chris McCurdy, University of Florida
Dr. Jack Henningfield, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Dr. Ed Boyer, Ohio StatE University and visiting professor from Harvard School of Medicine
Dr. Kirsten Smith, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

[cg]

Been taking it since 2014, it got me off prescription medication I never should have been prescribed to begin with. It's changed my life and my overall well-being since I began taking it. I am grateful to the farmers in Southeast Asia who work hard to produce pure unadulterated products. I am also so grateful for the many kratom advocates and scientists all over the world who continue to fight the good fight of promoting the TRUTH about kratom!

[Vegan_Jen]

I lost my husband to fentanyl overdose 2 years ago. Our 4 young children and I miss him so much. I wish he had the chance to discover Kratom as I did. I have my kids back in my life now and have been clean 2 years! Thank you for this video and thank you so much for speaking up for Kratom!

[TheConsciousChef_og]

I just want to say THANK YOU to the American Kratom Association. Kratom helped save my life. I was 525 lbs and addicted to methadone. This plant gave me the clarity to taper off opioids and begin a healing journey that led me to lose 350 lbs naturally—no surgery, no meds.

I still live with daily pain from years of morbid obesity, and as a chef, it’s essential I stay functional. Kratom helped me move from surviving to thriving. I’m clean, I’m sober, and I’m reclaiming my health one day at a time.

Kratom is misunderstood by many, but for people like me, it’s been a lifeline. Thank you for your advocacy. 🌿

[WhatAboutBob]

Kratom got me off of a bad pain pill addiction. Now it gives me the energy and confidence and clarity needed to work part-time because my SSDI is not enough money to support my family so I have no choice but to work. Without Kratom, It would not be possible for me. I am an anxiety sufferer, as well as a blood cancer sufferer as well as a bad back sufferer and Kratom helps me with all of my issues. Please do NOT take it away from me! so many peoples survival is because of this leaf.

[Zach______]

I've utilized kratom for 18 years. I have extreme reverence for this leaf.

[Jordan-lylz]

Kratom got me off IV heroin addiction. I was homeless. I now manage an entire department of a great company, i have a wife and 2 kids, a mortgage, I pay taxes, I have savings, and I no longer break the law or go to jail. I went to jail 20 or 30 times and spent multiple years locked up. I went to rehab ab 25 times give or take. I lost count lol. Kratom ABSOLUTELY SAVED MY LIFE!!!!

[TimothyThompsonTumpston]

Kratom has made my life so much more bearable. I deal with PTSD, bipolar and severe panic disorder and use it as medicine. Thank you AKA for your hard work and dedication. 👏👏👏

[Vegan_Jen]

I’m sooo grateful for these scientists

[robbidobb]

My brother took his life when the pain became too much to bear before he was even 40. I wish I had known about kratom then

[lindag]

As someone with chronic pain...kratom has been a lifesaver.

[RoniShawn]

1:26:56 I wish they would stop saying “user”. That eludes to using drugs in a lot of the public eye because they don’t understand. We need to say consume. I learned that very early on

[WesR]

Kratom saves lives. Mine is one of them!

[jeanninestacy]

Kratom gave me my life back. I was in such pain I had to quit work at the age of 63 and I never thought I would retire. Pain management did nothing for me. I ran across a documentary on Kratom, did my research and started. What a difference. I have Lupus and Ankylosing Spondylitis among other conditions. My pain doctor is fine with my use of kratom but, I have had one refuse me treatment if I persisted.

[Toddis]

Maybe we could have a new slogan:

"Kratom, actually safe and effective 😉"

[ellyningalls]

Much love to everyone on this panel- excellent work!! ❤️

[barrym]

I was extremely dependent on alcohol, it was killing me and taking time away from my kids, I would come home from work and drink every night until I passed out. Discovered kratom and decided to give it a try. It took away my desire to drink and I rarely ever consume alcohol. I honestly can't tell you the last time I did. I remember getting tipsy a few years back and I hated it. If I drink anymore it's a glass of wine and done. I believe if I hadn't discovered this plant 7 years ago I wouldn't be here. Or I would be on the streets and not able to see my kids.

[RoniShawn]

Kratom saved my life from a pending death I’m sure. I got out of the drug scene before street fentanyl came. THANK YOU GOD for this plant! I have my family back, I can function again because it controls my pain, and it helps my anxiety!
If everyone consumed this plant, big pharma would go BANKRUPT! And that’s what we need!

[MichaelDawson-flyo]

Almost 6 months dry... this little plant helped tremendously.

[G-S-D]

I can't thank you all enough for what you've done. it has changed my life I can get up and go to work. Without being loaded. I've never had such good pain relief in my life. I am 59 years old I had a back injury when I was in my 40s and all they do is dope me up with opioids. Haven't taken an opioid in years. I can't thank you all enough

[plantbasedman]

I am a new KRatom business owner, I live in Bali Indonesia and I am honored to be able to help people positively to get over their ailments and pain, the goal is to increase quality of life.