Kratom vs. caffeine: what each is, the rules and the labels
Kratom and caffeine often show up on the same can, but they're different things and they're regulated differently. This page covers what each is, its legal status and what labels tell you. It doesn't cover how either one feels.
The short answer
Kratom is a plant: the leaf of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree from Southeast Asia in the coffee family. Caffeine is a single compound found in coffee, tea, guarana and cacao, and it's added to sodas and energy drinks. Kratom contains no caffeine. A kratom drink only has caffeine if the brand added it.
| Kratom | Caffeine | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A leaf (or an extract of it). Its main alkaloid is mitragynine. | A compound in coffee, tea, guarana and cacao, also added on its own |
| Contains caffeine? | No | Yes |
| FDA status | No FDA-approved kratom products; the FDA warns consumers not to use it | Allowed in foods and drinks; the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most adults |
| Legal status | Not federally scheduled, but banned or restricted in some states and cities | Legal; sold everywhere |
| On the label | Varies: mg of mitragynine, "kratom extract", "kratom leaf" or a lab certificate | Usually mg per can on energy drinks |
| Habit-forming? | Kratom can be habit-forming with regular use | Not covered here; see the FDA's caffeine guidance |
Regulation in more detail
- FDA. The FDA says there are no FDA-approved kratom drug products, and it hasn't approved kratom for any use. It has also moved to restrict products made with concentrated 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine), a minor kratom alkaloid.
- States and cities. Some ban kratom outright and others set rules such as age limits. Brands publish where they won't ship: White Rabbit Energy, for example, lists Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont and Wisconsin, plus several counties and cities (White Rabbit Energy). Check your local rules.
- Caffeine. Caffeine is regulated as a food ingredient. Energy drinks usually print milligrams per can: Celsius, for example, lists 200 mg (Celsius).
When a can has both
Some kratom drinks add caffeine and print both amounts. 1836 SuperFit lists 37.5 mg mitragynine and 160 mg caffeine per can, and Club13 Kratom Cola lists 75 mg mitragynine and 40 mg caffeine. Others don't list caffeine at all. See kratom energy drinks, brand by brand for the full table and sources.
Reading a label
- Find the kratom line: mitragynine in mg, or just "kratom extract" or "leaf".
- Find the caffeine line: mg per can.
- Check the serving size. One can is one serving.
- If something isn't listed, it's unknown, not zero. Ask the brand.
BBCo's kratom elixirs are brewed with kratom leaf, and caffeine isn't listed on their product pages. See the elixir lineup.
Who should skip kratom
- Kratom drinks are for adults 21+.
- Kratom can be habit-forming with regular use. The FDA hasn't approved it for any use, and it's restricted in some states and cities, so check your local rules.
- Skip it if you're pregnant or nursing, in recovery from alcohol or other substance use, or take any daily medication. Talk to your doctor if you're unsure.
- One can is one serving. Don't drink it with alcohol or other botanicals, and don't drive after drinking it.
Related: Kratom energy drinks · Energy drinks with kratom, label by label · What is kratom?