Mother Warns of Deadly Risks of Kratom After Son’s Death

A mother is speaking out about the dangers of the supplement kratom after her 27-year-old son, Robert “Wyatt” Wheeler, died after using it for just six weeks.

Wyatt Wheeler tragically passed away in October 2022, having begun using kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia often used for self-treatment of conditions like anxiety and opioid withdrawal, less than two months prior. His case is not isolated; 37-year-old Jordan McKibban is another documented fatality linked to the supplement, which has earned the nickname “gas station heroin” due to its accessibility in the United States. While some users report benefits at low doses, the potential for severe consequences is raising alarm.

Although banned in the UK, kratom is widely available in the US in gas stations, vape shops, and online, often marketed as a food product despite warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it is “not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement.” The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also lists kratom as a “Drug and Chemical of Concern,” citing its potential for addiction. Wyatt’s mother, Patti Wheeler, is now featured in a new documentary, Kratom: Side Effects May Include, sharing her story and advocating for greater awareness. “He found this kratom alternative to try to take the edge off during a party. We just had no way of knowing that it was as addictive as it was,” Patti told PEOPLE. Just two weeks after reassuring his mother about the supplements she found in his bathroom, Wyatt suffered a seizure and died while his twin brother attempted to help him.

The FDA lists potential side effects of kratom as including nausea, itching, seizures, and hallucinations. Patti Wheeler described the harrowing experience of witnessing the effects of kratom, stating, “It’s not pretty at all. There’s convulsing…people bite their tongue and there’s blood. I heard the stories. I know what my son Gannon went through that day.” Despite facing opposition from kratom supporters, Wheeler remains determined to share her story and prevent further tragedies, hoping to educate the public about the risks associated with the supplement. This case highlights the growing concern over unregulated herbal supplements and their potential dangers.

Authorities continue to monitor the use and sale of kratom, and the FDA has issued numerous warnings about its potential health risks.