A trendy “plant tonic” that promises focus and relaxation is quietly becoming a public health concern. Walk into a gas station or vape shop in many parts of the United States and you’ll see them lined up near the counter little blue bottles with the words Feel Free printed on the label. Marketed as a natural way to boost mood, productivity, and focus, the two-ounce shots look as harmless as kombucha or an energy drink. But behind their wellness branding lies an ingredient that doctors, regulators, and recovering users say can wreak havoc: kratom.

What began as a boutique herbal tonic has grown into a nationwide phenomenon. And for some people, that harmless-looking bottle has led to cycles of dependency, debt, and even rehab.

Also Read: What Is Chagas Disease? What Are the Symptoms? Is This 'Kissing Bug' Infection Deadly?

Feel Free is made by Botanic Tonics, a Texas-based company that launched the product in 2020. Its formula blends two herbal ingredients: kava root, traditionally used in Pacific Island cultures for relaxation, and kratom, a Southeast Asian plant with stimulant and opioid-like properties.

At first glance, it seems to fit right into America’s booming functional beverage market. The company advertises it as a caffeine-free energy boost and stress reliever “plant ingredients for productivity and focus.” It’s now sold in more than 24,000 convenience stores, smoke shops, and health food outlets across the country. Priced between $8 and $13 a bottle, the drink has become popular among students, young professionals, and even parents looking for a “natural” alternative to alcohol or coffee.

But what the label doesn’t highlight is the risk of dependence. Feel Free comes with a serving suggestion of one ounce, half a bottle, and a warning that it “may be habit-forming.”

What Are Kratom's Effects?

Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, has been used in Southeast Asia for centuries. Laborers chewed its leaves for energy, while traditional healers brewed it as a tea for pain or diarrhea.

Also Read: COVID Symptoms Are Different In 2025—How Long After Exposure Should You Get Tested?

In the US, kratom began appearing in the late 1990s and quickly developed a following among people looking for alternatives to opioids or antidepressants. Today, nearly 2 million Americans are estimated to use kratom in some form — powders, capsules, extracts, or beverages like Feel Free.

The problem lies in how kratom interacts with the brain. Its alkaloids, primarily mitragynine, bind to the same receptors as opioids. At low doses, kratom can act like a stimulant. At higher doses, it produces sedative and euphoric effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified it as an opioid, citing risks of dependence, withdrawal, liver damage, and — in rare cases — overdose.

Despite these warnings, kratom remains unregulated at the federal level. Only a handful of states, including Alabama, Indiana, and Rhode Island, have banned it outright. In much of the country, it can be purchased legally by anyone, including minors, from gas stations and corner shops.

Why Has Social Media Sparked Alarm on Feel Free Drink?

Awareness of Feel Free’s addictive potential gained traction on TikTok, where users shared cautionary tales of dependency. In one viral video, Texas resident Misha Brown recounted being approached by a teenager who tried to convince him to buy Feel Free from a Circle K store. When he refused, the boy attempted to grab his wallet.

Inside the store, Brown said the attendant explained that customers came in “six times a day” for the product. The video, which garnered more than 23 million views, ignited a wave of comments from young people describing their own struggles with Feel Free — from financial strain to full-blown withdrawal symptoms.

Also Read: World Sexual Health Day 2025: Theme, Significance And What You Can Do To Make Sexual Wellness Everyday Health

For many, what started as an occasional pick-me-up quickly escalated into a daily habit.

Feel Free: How A Wellness Drink Turned Into A Nightmare With Major Health Risks?

Addiction medicine specialists are now sounding the alarm. Dr. Robert Levy, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, has treated numerous patients for kratom dependency. Withdrawal symptoms can mirror those of opioids: nausea, sweating, insomnia, irritability, and severe cravings.

The risk is compounded by Feel Free’s formula. While kratom stimulates, kava depresses the nervous system. Each herb acts on different receptors in the brain, kava on the same ones as benzodiazepines like Xanax, and kratom on opioid receptors. Combined, they can create an overstimulating and destabilizing effect that heightens the likelihood of dependence.

Some users report drinking multiple bottles a day, far exceeding the recommended limit. The cost alone can lead to financial stress, while abrupt attempts to quit often result in withdrawal that drives people back to the drink.

Regulation and Legal Gray Areas

The FDA has repeatedly warned against kratom use, but it remains stuck in regulatory limbo. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposed classifying kratom’s compounds as Schedule I drugs, alongside heroin and LSD, but backed down after intense lobbying from advocacy groups.

More recently, the FDA recommended tighter control of products containing 7-OH, a synthetic kratom derivative with even higher abuse potential. But Feel Free contains natural kratom leaf extract, which falls outside those recommendations.

Meanwhile, Botanic Tonics has faced lawsuits over claims that its marketing misled customers about potential risks. In 2024, the company agreed to a class-action settlement, though it did not admit wrongdoing. It has since updated labels to emphasize warnings — but insists the drink is safe when used as directed.

Why Is Kratom-Based Drinks Growing Public Health Debate?

The popularity of Feel Free highlights a larger issue: the booming U.S. market for “natural” supplements that skirt the edges of regulation. Unlike prescription medications, products like kratom tonics are not required to undergo rigorous clinical trials or FDA approval before hitting shelves.

That leaves consumers with little reliable information about safety, dosage, or long-term effects. And when a product is packaged like an energy shot, sold next to candy and soda, and advertised as a wellness aid, it’s easy for people — especially young ones — to underestimate its risks.

Should Gas Station Wellness Drinks Feel Free With Kratom Be Better Regulated?

Experts say more research is urgently needed. While some studies suggest kratom may have therapeutic potential for pain management or opioid withdrawal, the risks of dependence and misuse cannot be ignored.

For now, consumers are largely left to navigate the market on their own. Health officials advise those struggling with Feel Free or other kratom products to seek professional help, either through their primary care provider or addiction treatment programs.

Parents are encouraged to talk openly with their children about kratom and similar substances. Signs of use may include mood swings, social withdrawal, digestive issues, or unexplained financial strain.

Also Read: Legionnaires’ Outbreak Canada: 94 Sick So Far, Ontario Food Manufacturer's Cooling Tower Could Be Source Of The Deadly Disease

Feel Free was launched as a lifestyle drink for relaxation and focus, but its addictive potential has become impossible to ignore. It sits at the intersection of America’s appetite for quick fixes, the booming supplement industry, and gaps in regulation.

What looks like a harmless blue bottle can, for some, become the start of a struggle with dependence. Until stronger oversight and clearer science emerge, consumers are left with a difficult truth: “natural” does not always mean safe.

Polio is a contagious viral illness that can lead to paralysis, making its complete eradication important to protect every child from lifelong disability, a mission recognised each year on World Polio Day. This global observance aims to spread awareness about the dangers of polio and the continued worldwide push to end the disease.

The day also serves as a platform for governments, health organisations, and communities to reflect on the progress achieved so far, identify ongoing challenges, and strengthen collective efforts toward a polio-free world. Let’s take a look at when World Polio Day is observed and what this year’s theme focuses on.

Why Is World Polio Day Celebrated?

World Polio Day, observed every year on October 24, aims to raise global awareness about the importance of eradicating polio and maintaining immunization efforts. Recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization, Rotary International, and UNICEF, the day celebrates the progress made against polio while highlighting the work still needed to protect children from this potentially life-threatening disease.

It brings together governments, communities, educators, and health workers in a shared effort to support a polio-free world, underscoring the power of vaccination and the importance of collective action in public health.

World Polio Day: History and Origin

World Polio Day was created to honor Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first effective poliomyelitis vaccine. The observance was officially initiated by Rotary International and is now supported by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which includes key partners like WHO and UNICEF. The day not only commemorates vaccine breakthroughs but also continues the global fight to end polio, a disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children annually. Thanks to worldwide vaccination campaigns, most of the world is now polio-free, though efforts continue in regions where the virus still exists.

World Polio Day 2025 Theme

This year’s theme, End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere, emphasizes the urgent need to vaccinate every child and ensure equal access to protection against polio. It is a call to action for global eradication, highlighting both the responsibility and commitment required to make a polio-free world a reality.

How Does Polio Spread?

Polio is mainly transmitted through the faecal-oral route, meaning it spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the virus. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual. The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines of those infected, and poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene greatly increase the risk of transmission, especially in communities with limited access to clean facilities.

In severe cases, polio can lead to acute flaccid paralysis, which may affect the diaphragm and throat muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention remains the only line of defence. Raising awareness about polio vaccination is therefore essential to protect individuals, especially children, from this potentially life-threatening disease.

Kim kardashian brain aneurysm: Kim Kardashian has revealed that a routine MRI detected a small brain aneurysm, which doctors linked to the stress of her divorce from Kanye West. The 45-year-old reality TV star shared the news on the season seven premiere of The Kardashians while talking with her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, 46. “They found a little aneurysm,” Kim said, prompting a visibly shocked Kourtney to place her hand over her chest and respond: “Whoa.” Here’s a closer look at what this condition involves and how serious it can be.

Kim Kardashian Hints at Brain Aneurysm After Stressful Divorce

Kim Kardashian, the 45-year-old lifestyle influencer and entrepreneur, recently shared a startling health update on her reality show The Kardashians. During a conversation with her sister on season seven, the SKIMS founder revealed that a brain scan had detected a “little” aneurysm. She reportedly attributed it to the stress of her divorce from rapper Kanye West, the father of her daughter, North.

What Is A Brain Aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is a weak or thin spot in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that balloons out and fills with blood. Many aneurysms remain unruptured and asymptomatic for years, but if they rupture, they can cause a life-threatening stroke known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage, according to the National Library of Medicine. The Mayo Clinic notes that about 85% of aneurysms are found in the brain’s anterior circulation.

Certain individuals are at higher risk, including those with hypertension, genetic disorders, a family history of aneurysms, regular smokers, heavy alcohol users, or infections that affect blood vessels (mycotic aneurysms). Plaque buildup in artery walls can also increase the risk, according to the National Institutes of Health.

What Is A ‘Little’ Brain Aneurysm?

Brain aneurysms are relatively common, but most are not serious, especially if they are small. The majority of aneurysms do not rupture and often do not cause symptoms or health problems. Many are discovered incidentally during scans for unrelated conditions, just like Kim Kardashian’s was found during her routine MRI.

When Kim referred to a “little” brain aneurysm, she meant a small aneurysm, typically under 3 millimeters, which is far less likely to rupture. These tiny, unruptured aneurysms usually produce no symptoms and are often detected by chance during imaging for other medical reasons.

Early Warning Signs Of An Aneurysm

Most brain aneurysms go unnoticed until they leak or rupture. However, as they expand, they can press on nearby nerves, producing early warning signs. Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic list potential symptoms such as persistent, localized headaches often behind the eyes or in the temples, blurred or double vision, and pain behind the eye. Other signs may include a drooping eyelid, unequal pupil size, facial weakness or numbness, slurred speech, and balance problems.

Is A Brain Aneurysm Serious?

Brain aneurysms can be serious, but it largely depends on their size and location. Many small aneurysms, like Kim Kardashian’s “little” one, often remain harmless and may never rupture.

While Kim Kardashian found out about her condition during a routine MRI, doctors can also spot aneurysms through an angiography, which helps detect any unruptured bulges in blood vessels. These are more frequently seen in women between 30 and 60 years old, and when combined with other risk factors, this group is considered higher risk. Physicians recommend managing blood pressure, quitting smoking, and keeping a close watch on vascular health as preventive steps.

Salmonella egg recall: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging people to avoid eating, selling, or serving certain eggs from the Black Sheep Egg Company. The Arkansas-based producer voluntarily recalled these eggs last month after concerns about possible Salmonella contamination. The recall, which began in late September, affects over six million eggs nationwide, according to FDA reports.

Which Egg Brands Were Recalled For Salmonella?

Black Sheep Egg Company supplies eggs to both wholesalers and retailers, and some of the recalled eggs may have been repackaged under different brands by other companies. Large shipments were also sent to restaurants and stores. As of October 17, the FDA reports that no illnesses have been linked to this recall.

Despite the recall, thousands of these eggs may still be on store shelves or sitting in your pantry. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Recalled Eggs:

• Black Sheep Egg Company: 12-count cartons of free-range large Grade A brown eggs, best by dates: 8/22/2025–10/31/2025, UPC: 860010568507
• Black Sheep Egg Company: 18-count cartons of free-range large Grade A brown eggs, best by dates: 8/22/2025–10/31/2025, UPC: 860010568538
• Kenz Henz: 12-count cartons of Grade AA large pasture-raised eggs, best by dates: 10/11–10/14 and 10/16–10/17, UPC: 86949400030, sold in retail stores in Houston, TX

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella refers to the illness caused by Salmonella bacteria, which typically leads to diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other digestive symptoms. This form of food poisoning, known as gastroenteritis, is the most common bacterial foodborne illness in the U.S.

To differentiate it from other diseases caused by different strains of Salmonella, such as typhoid fever, this type of infection is also called salmonellosis.

What Happens If You Get Salmonella?

A Salmonella infection occurs when enough bacteria survive your stomach acid and immune defenses to cause illness. Once inside, the bacteria invade and damage the cells lining your intestines. This interferes with your body’s ability to absorb water, leading to stomach cramps and watery diarrhea as your body tries to flush out the infection, as per Cleveland Clinic.

What Health Risks Do Salmonella-Contaminated Eggs Pose?

Salmonella-contaminated eggs can be particularly dangerous for children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Eating these eggs may cause salmonellosis, with common symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, the infection can require hospitalization and may even be life-threatening for high-risk individuals.

Recent outbreaks linked to contaminated eggs have affected several states, leading producers and retailers to issue recalls under guidance from the FDA and Centers for Disease Control.

Symptoms usually appear within six hours to six days after exposure and can become serious if dehydration or other complications occur. Public health officials recommend discarding recalled eggs, thoroughly washing hands and surfaces, and seeking medical attention if symptoms develop after consuming potentially contaminated eggs.

What to Do If You Have Recalled Eggs

The FDA advises that consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve the recalled eggs. You can either return them to the store for a refund or safely dispose of them.

If you have unlabeled eggs in your fridge and aren’t sure whether they are part of the recall, it’s safest to discard them to avoid any risk of Salmonella infection.