Social media is great for recommendations. Whether it’s a new show, a life-hacking tip, or a cool product, many of us discover the “next big thing” because someone we know shares it on social media. If you love kratom, you may want to post about this natural botanical or create fun content about kratom products, kratom benefits, or kratom laws.
However, users should exercise caution when posting about kratom on social media. Many social media platforms impose strict regulations against posts that discuss controlled substances. Although kratom is not illegal at the federal level in the United States, social media content about kratom is often restricted. Your kratom content may be removed or could even get your account banned.
In this article, we’ll share some tips about safely posting about kratom on social media. Whether you’re a kratom advocate and educator or just want to discuss your kratom experience with others, here’s what you need to know to avoid social media restrictions.
Why Social Media Restricts Content
While it can be frustrating to navigate content restrictions on social media, these rules exist for a reason. Misinformation spreads like wildfire on social media. Experts estimate that 67% of Americans have been exposed to misinformation on social media, and 10% of adults have shared “fake news.”
Today, most social media platforms enforce some degree of restrictions to curb this. They also restrict hate speech, threats of violence, content that promotes illegal drug use, and other types of content that may potentially cause harm.
This is particularly important to protect underage users who may be easily influenced. For example, many teens indulge in dangerous social media trends like the “One Chip Challenge” or “Benadryl Challenge,” which can lead to serious bodily injury or death. By restricting content, social media platforms can help reduce their negative impact.
Additionally, most platforms also restrict content that includes unverified medical claims. While kratom offers many natural benefits, research about its health effects is still lacking. Currently, the FDA has not approved kratom (or its active ingredients, known as alkaloids) for the treatment of any medical condition. Therefore, posting health claims about kratom may result in a ban on social media.
Know Your Local Kratom Laws
It’s also important to consider your local kratom laws before posting on social media. While kratom is not illegal nationwide, some states and localities have banned it. If you live in a region where kratom is illegal, posting a video or photo where you’re using kratom could result in legal repercussions.
We also recommend using caution if your employer might see your social media. Although kratom isn’t detectable on a standard drug test, consider how a post about kratom could affect your professional reputation. If you have any reason to believe that using kratom might negatively impact your career, keep your social media posts anonymous. Use filters or creative editing to hide your face.
Kratom Content Restrictions on Social Media
Every social media platform is different, and content restriction policies are constantly evolving. It can be a challenge to keep track of all the rules. Plus, most platforms don’t mention kratom by name. The best way to understand a platform’s stance on kratom content is to consider its rules for wellness supplements and drug use, as most platforms will classify kratom under one (or both) of those groupings.
Kratom on Meta
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, restricts posts that make medical claims, offer medical treatment advice, or promote unregulated supplements. Posts also can’t encourage the consumption of illicit substances or paraphernalia. However, as with most social media platforms, whether a post violates this regulation is determined at Meta’s discretion.
Kratom on TikTok
Like Meta, TikTok’s policy towards kratom generally falls under its community guidelines for drugs and medical misinformation, but violations are also issued based on the platform’s case-by-case judgment.
TikTok is also known for quietly restricting content that uses certain words or phrases. While this content might not be outright removed, it will be suppressed by the algorithm and very few users will see it. This practice is known as “shadowbanning.”
Kratom on X (Formerly Twitter)
X, formerly known as Twitter, prohibits any posts that promote drugs or drug paraphernalia. Its policy explicitly includes “herbal drugs,” which refers to CBD but could potentially be broadened to include kratom.
Post About Kratom Without Getting Banned
While it may seem like it’s impossible to post about kratom on social media without getting banned, there are ways to share content without violating a platform’s rules. Following the guidelines below will help your content avoid restrictions.
Focus on Education
Most social media platforms allow content centered around education. For example, you can try talking about the origins of kratom, the variety of strains, the fascinating science behind its alkaloids, or current kratom laws like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. In other words, stick to neutral facts that can be verified.
Don’t Make Medical Claims
Many kratom users report that it’s helped them overcome various health issues. You may have a similar story of your own. However, anecdotal evidence isn’t a replacement for scientific data. Until more research studies can confirm the potential benefits of kratom, making medical claims about kratom could be considered misinformation. This can result in social media censorship or bans.
If you feel you must discuss kratom’s potential health benefits, craft your language carefully. Don’t make definitive statements or reference specific medical conditions. Instead, discuss kratom from a perspective of curiosity and general wellness.
Don’t Tell Viewers to Use It
Similarly, don’t tell viewers to start using kratom, which strains to use, or how much to take. This could be interpreted as a violation of a social media platform’s policies against encouraging substance use.
Censor Your Captions and Hashtags
Exercise caution with your captions, subtitles, and hashtags. Often, these elements can trigger a social media platform’s detection algorithms and result in an automated ban. That’s why it’s common to see users self-censoring or creative spellings. For example, TikTok is notoriously aggressive for flagging content with expletives, so many users insert asterisks or emojis to cover swear words.
Rather than writing “kratom” in your captions, subtitles, and hashtags, consider “botanical,” “herbal,” a leaf emoji, or a creative spelling such as “kr4tom.”
Add a Disclaimer
Finally, you can reduce the risk of violating social media kratom laws by adding a disclaimer to your content. Make it clear that you are not offering medical advice. Consider a disclaimer similar to the one below:
- “This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.”
Although no disclaimer is foolproof, a statement such as this can clarify your position. If you’re penalized for posting kratom content, it may help you dispute the violation.
Use Kratom Responsibly
At Joe’s Botanicals, we support responsible kratom use. While we’ve seen kratom change lives for the better, we respect the scientific process and know that it’s important to avoid spreading misinformation. If you plan to share about kratom on social media, we hope you’ll follow these guidelines and promote safety.
For high-quality kratom that’s lab-tested for purity, shop Joe’s.
