What is kratom, the 'gas station heroin' alarming officials in the US?

Kratom, an herbal supplement derived from a Southeast Asian tree, has gained widespread popularity in the United States since around 2016, where it is sold in concentrated pill, powder, or liquid forms at convenience stores and gas stations. The product, which has opioid-like effects, is marketed for pain relief, anxiety, and depression management, though it remains unregulated by federal authorities, meaning consumers cannot verify what they're actually consuming. While some users like retired timber cutter Jeffrey Deaver report miraculous pain relief, medical experts warn of serious risks including addiction, withdrawal symptoms, hallucinations, and potentially fatal central nervous system depression at higher doses.