A Minneapolis-based woman is warning her audience about the dangers of kratom, a product she says is highly addictive and expensive to maintain.
The Circle K worker, TikToker @monica.lewinsky30, shared a viral video with more than 109,000 views detailing the financial and health risks of regular kratom use.
“I had this guy in my class last year and he would come into my work every day and get four, five, six shots of Feel Free kratom a day,” she said.
She explained that each shot costs $8 to $9, meaning his daily purchases added up quickly. “ This is just an assumption based on [him buying kratom] five days a week. Together, 52 weeks, a year [would be] $14,138. That is a full semester of tuition at the university that I go to,” she added.
To put the cost in perspective, she compared it to smoking cigarettes: “ For him to match that with a pack of Marlboro Reds, he would have to smoke four packs of cigarettes a day to match how much kratom he’s consuming.”
She ended her video with an incredibly blunt warning: “So yeah, don’t try kratom.”
Her audience largely supported her message, citing personal experience with the product. One commenter wrote, “I think it would even be more than what you added up because I’ve heard the addiction progresses really quickly…. I couldn’t even imagine.”
Some clarified her messaging, adding that Feel Free is not a “full kratom product.”
“Feel Free is kava not kratom…” one person said, “I spend $70 every 2 weeks [on Kratom].but I take breaks every couple months.”
What is kratom?
Kratom is a powder made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which grows in Southeast Asia. Its cultivation and processing are very labor-intensive, and high import costs contribute to its steep price tag in the United States. Different strains of the leaf are sold at varying price points, with an ounce typically costing $6-12.
Although it is marketed as a natural remedy, the powder is not regulated in the United States. This means products can contain contaminants such as heavy metals or even salmonella, which can be lethal.
What is “Feel Free”
Unlike what the commenter on @monica.lewinsky30’s post stated, “Feel Free” is, in fact, a kratom-based product. It contains both kava and kratom, however, making it slightly different than other straight kratom items on the market.
The NY Post posted an article reporting that the drink is severely addictive with incredibly concerning side effects. The article cited sources that “Feel Free” has similar effects to Xanax but is readily available at gas stations around the country, with users experiencing active withdrawals after using it for extended periods. Like @monica.lewinsky30 reported, it does cost between $8 to 9, with some stores selling it for $8.69 individually.
What are the health risks?
The Mayo Clinic has described the powder as “unsafe and addictive” in a blog post. The organization reported that users experience stimulant-like effects in small doses and sedative effects in larger amounts. But side effects can include drowsiness, depression, confusion, trouble breathing, liver damage, tremors and seizures.
According to a study cited by the Mayo Clinic, “people who took kratom for more than six months reported withdrawal symptoms like those from opioid use… People who use kratom may begin craving it.”
Medical professionals generally advise against using kratom because of these risks.
In a comment to The Mary Sue, @monica.lewinsky30 clarified that the Feel Free classic shots are now “10.88 with tax” at her local Circle K. She also added that pricing is “set by [her] store specifically,” and may vary by location.
@monica.lewinsky30 correction, don’t buy gas station kratom? #college #LanguageLearning #fyp #advice #storytime ♬ Piano famous song Chopin Deep deep clear beauty – RYOpianoforte
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