The global wellness industry has rarely seen a plant spark as much debate as kratom. Once an obscure botanical native to Southeast Asia, kratom has emerged as a widely used product in the United States, Europe, and beyond. Advocates point to its long history of traditional use and its potential as a safe, natural alternative for wellness. Critics raise alarms about safety, pointing to reports of misuse and harm.

At the center of this debate lies a crucial distinction — one that has too often been blurred. Botanical kratom, when unadulterated, contains a spectrum of 52 natural alkaloids that balance one another and create a safety profile comparable to coffee or sugar. By contrast, products containing 7-OH synthetic — a manipulated or enriched version of one of kratom’s natural alkaloids — present real risks of dependency and harm. Yet these synthetic products are frequently marketed as kratom, creating confusion that harms both consumers and the reputation of the plant itself.

The Industry’s Transparency Gap

The kratom market has grown rapidly but unevenly. Some companies invest heavily in rigorous testing and consumer education. Others cut corners, mislabel products, and exploit consumer ignorance. This uneven landscape has created what many call a “transparency gap.”

Ryan Niddel, CEO of Diversified Botanics — the parent company behind MIT45, Golden Monk, UpRising, KAVAA, Harmonized, and Infinite CBD — sees that gap as the defining challenge for the industry’s future.

“The problem isn’t kratom itself,” Niddel says. “The problem is companies passing off 7-OH synthetic as if it were natural kratom. That deception puts people at risk and destroys public trust. Authentic kratom is safe; synthetic products are not.”

Defining Kratom Safety

Scientists and advocates point out that kratom’s safety profile has been misunderstood. For centuries, in Thailand and Malaysia, kratom leaves were chewed for energy, focus, and relief from fatigue. Today, when responsibly prepared and tested, kratom has shown itself to be safe for consumers seeking natural wellness options.

What has damaged that reputation are the synthetic imposters — products enhanced with 7-OH synthetic. These products, often found in smoke shops and gas stations, are far stronger than natural kratom and are associated with the majority of reported harms. Yet too often, they are all reported under the same label: “kratom.”

“This is a classic case of good being overshadowed by bad,” explains Jake McCloud, a communications strategist and advocate for responsible regulation. “Botanical kratom is safe. 7-OH synthetic is what’s dangerous. If we fail to make that distinction, consumers lose, science loses, and the industry loses.”

The Role of Responsible Companies in Kratom

Responsible companies are stepping in to close the gap. Diversified Botanics has adopted what it calls Radical Transparency wellness — a commitment to third-party testing, clear labeling, and consumer education. Its brands are positioned not only as products but as proof that honesty can be a business model.

The approach is catching attention. Industry analysts note that as policymakers consider new regulations, the companies that embrace transparency will likely shape the rules. “We’re in a moment where consumer trust is everything,” Niddel says. “The responsible companies in kratom will be the ones who survive and lead the industry into the future.”

Advocacy at the Policy Level

Part of that leadership involves advocacy. Niddel has taken his case to Washington, D.C., calling on lawmakers to separate botanical kratom from 7-OH synthetic in law and policy. While his visibility has made him a target for criticism, it has also established him as one of the clearest voices for reform.

This advocacy is not only about protecting his company’s brands. It is about ensuring that consumers are not misled and that the kratom category is not defined by the worst actors.

A Market in Transition

The kratom market is valued in the billions and continues to expand. But with growth comes scrutiny. Regulators are watching closely, and public opinion is still being formed. Companies that rely on secrecy or mislabeling may find short-term profits, but they risk being shut out of the future.

Responsible companies, by contrast, are investing in science and credibility. They are building trust that will allow them to weather scrutiny and thrive in a regulated market. Diversified Botanics positions itself squarely in this camp, betting that Radical Transparency wellness is not just good ethics but smart strategy.

Education as a Foundation

Education is central to this effort. Diversified Botanics and other advocates are funding public education initiatives to explain the difference between authentic kratom and 7-OH synthetic. For consumers, that clarity is the difference between choosing a safe, natural product and unknowingly buying something harmful. For policymakers, it is the difference between banning an entire plant and targeting the real source of risk.

“Consumers are not stupid,” Niddel says. “They know when they’re being told the truth. They just need companies to give them the facts. That’s what responsible companies are here to do.”

The Future of Kratom

The kratom industry is at a crossroads. Will it be defined by shadowy operators pushing unsafe synthetics, or by responsible companies proving that honesty and safety can build sustainable growth?

The answer will determine not only the future of kratom but the broader conversation around consumer trust in wellness.

For Niddel and Diversified Botanics, the mission is clear. Build trust. Protect consumers. Lead with transparency. And prove that kratom safety is not a debate but a fact — as long as the industry has the courage to draw a line between authenticity and deception.

More information is available at diversifiedbotanics.com