A heartbroken mother is warning others about the dangers of kratom, a popular herbal supplement, after her 37-year-old son, Jordan McKibban, died suddenly. In April 2022, Jordan mixed powdered kratom into a lemonade drink at his Washington home. Hours later, his mother found him collapsed in the bathroom. CPR attempts failed.
Kratom, made from a Southeast Asian plant, is often sold in powder, gummy, or drink form. It’s marketed as a “natural” remedy for anxiety, pain, and depression. But experts say it can act like an opioid and be highly addictive.
“I’ve lost my son. I’ve lost my future grandchildren,” said Pam Mauldin. “He shouldn’t be in the cemetery.”
Doctors now warn kratom can cause dizziness, high blood pressure, and even psychosis. Despite hundreds of reported deaths, kratom remains easy to buy at stores and gas stations. A lawsuit linked to Jordan’s death claims some kratom products are 63 times more dangerous than other herbal supplements.
Health experts and parents urge better regulation to prevent more tragic losses like Jordan’s.
