About this episode
Kratom: Legal high or dangerous addiction? Nick Pell breaks down this gas station opioid alternative here on Skeptical Sunday! Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher Nick Pell ! Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1257 On This Week's Skeptical Sunday: Kratom is coffee's rebel cousin with a split personality. This plant from the coffee family produces contradictory effects based on dose: low amounts deliver stimulant energy, while high doses act as a mild opioid mimicking weak Vicodin. Daily high-dose kratom use (10+ grams) creates opioid-like addiction. Withdrawal symptoms mirror opioid withdrawal but milder: anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms lasting a week or more with minimal medical support. Kratom exists in regulatory limbo due to supplement laws. DSHEA (1994) treats it as food, not a drug, requiring no FDA approval. This creates quality control nightmares with zero potency or purity standards across products. Scientific research on kratom is scandalously sparse. Most knowledge comes from Reddit posts and YouTube videos rather than rigorous studies, leaving a potential opioid-replacement tool completely unstudied despite addiction crisis. Informed decision-making beats fear or hype. Research dosage, sources, and risks before trying any substance. Understanding how kratom works empowers you to make smarter choices about whether it fits your needs or should be avoided entirely. Connect with Jordan on Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube . If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know! And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course ! Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom! Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger ! This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors : Superpower Health Inc: $49 gift box with gifted membership: superpower.com/gift and tell 'em we sent you Apretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340 Jaspr: Visit jaspr.co and use code JORDAN for $400 off Homes.com: Find your home: homes.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .