In this episode of ASAM Practice Pearls, Dr. Stephen Taylor hosts researchers Dr. Kirsten Smith and Katie Hill to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). They examine kratom’s complex pharmacology, review current research on kratom and 7-OH, discuss kratom’s addiction potential, withdrawal patterns, and the challenges of kratom in the clinical setting. The episode provides listeners with a basic understanding of kratom and 7-OH products, helping clinicians better understand where to begin when treating patients who use kratom and kratom-derived products.
The target audience for these comprehensive level episodes includes all medication prescribers and care team members.
This session addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care and Procedural Skills, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, and Medical Knowledge.
Learning Objectives
These are the learning objectives for season 2. Not all learning objectives will be covered in every episode.
Explain emerging evidence and clinical considerations for different substances to enhance assessment and support safe, effective treatment planning for individuals with substance use disorders.
Apply up-to-date, evidence-based, and patient-centered strategies and guidance to enhance patient engagement, promote safety, and improve outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders across various healthcare settings.
Recognize how structural, social, and cultural factors influence substance use, treatment access, and patient–clinician interactions, and implement strategies to enhance equity and deliver culturally responsive, inclusive addiction care.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered health advice.
We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.
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Registration Open: 02/09/2026 - 02/09/2029
Close Access Date: 02/09/2029
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Kirsten Smith
PhD, LMSW
Dr. Kirsten Smith is a leading expert on kratom, with over 90 peer-reviewed publications on kratom and related topics like kava and tianeptine. From 2023-2025, she was an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. She joined Hopkins after earning her Master’s from the University of Kentucky, PhD from the University of Louisville, and completing a 4-year postdoctoral fellowship at National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program (NIDA IRP).
At NIDA IRP, she completed her K99-funded project that involved a national ecological momentary assessment of daily kratom use and a controlled drug administration sub-study that investigated the acute effects of commercial kratom products. Her R00-funded study at Johns Hopkins examined kratom pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of kratom and assessed spontaneous kratom withdrawal among chronic consumers. She also received an R01 to study the safety, tolerability, and abuse potential of kratom in healthy adults, which is ongoing. She has conducted surveys and qualitative research on kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
Dr. Smith is currently transitioning from academia to clinical practice but consults on kratom regularly and welcomes opportunities for collaboration.
Dr. Smith has the following disclosures:
1. Consultant, International Plant and Herbal Alliance (ended) 2. Consultant, Amin, Wasserman, Gurnani Law (ended) 3. Consultant, Frost, Brown, Todd Law (ended) 4. Expert Witness, Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP 5. Expert Witness, Snell & Wilmer 6. Expert Witness, Michael Best Law (ended) 7. Expert Witness, Pierce, Davis, Perritano LLP 8. Consultant, Porto Law Firm
These relationships are not with ineligible companies and are not ACCME-defined relevant financial relationships.
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Katherine Hill
MPH
Yale University
Katherine (Katie) Hill is a PhD candidate in Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at Yale School of Public Health. Her research interests include substance use and harm reduction. Her doctoral research employs mixed methods to evaluate the impact of emerging substances, such as xylazine and kratom, on people who use drugs.
Katherine Hill, MPH
1. Expert Witness, PS Law Group (ended)
These relationships are not with ineligible companies and are not ACCME-defined relevant financial relationships.
In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credits Available
Physicians: .5 Credit
Nurses & NPs: .5 Nursing Contact Hour
PAs: .5 Credit
Interprofessional Continuing Education: .5 Credit
Certified Counselors: NBCC Contact Hours not offered American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
NAADAC: CE Credits not offered
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Recorded 04/06/2026 | 35 minutes
This 35-minute podcast episode was released on April 6, 2026. Access the episode on your favorite streaming service or listen here.
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Up to 0.50 medical credits available | Certificate available
Up to 0.50 medical credits available | Certificate available
Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.