Kratom cases are rapidly rising across the U.S., with poison center calls, hospitalizations, and deaths all increasing sharply. Experts warn that stronger products and risky drug combinations are turning this widely sold substance into a growing health concern. Credit: Shutterstock A new University of Virginia Health analysis shows a sharp rise in kratom-related calls to poison centers across the United States. Between 2015 and 2025, reports increased by more than 1,200%, alongside a notable