'Feel Free' Drink Is a Drug, Former Addict Claims, But Company Disputes Allegation
'Feel Free' Addictive Drink Is Like a Drug ... Former Addict Says
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UPDATE
5:27 PM PT -- The makers of "feel free" tell us their product does not contain the ingredient at the center of FDA concerns. They say unlike other products labeled "kratom," "feel free" is comprised of natural, whole leaf kratom, and of noble kava root infused in water.
UPDATE
They add, "feel free" does not contain any synthetic ingredients ... and they contend whole leaf kratom has been safely consumed for over 200 years.
Jasmine Adeoye used to down 12 bottles a day of the virally popular "feel free" herbal drink ... she got hooked and says the kratom-laced beverage is like an addictive drug.
Jasmine joined us on "TMZ Live" Monday and told us about her experience with kratom and "feel free" ... telling us why she, and lots of others online, are sounding the alarm.
Warnings about "feel free" are spreading on TikTok and Jasmine says the drink should absolutely not be available over the counter ... at least based on her experience.
She says she turned to the beverage after deciding to sober up from binge-drinking alcohol ... hearing about it on a wellness podcast. But, slowly, she says she went from drinking one "feel free" a day to up to 12 at the height of her addiction.
The drinks contain kratom, which the FDA in 2018 declared as opioid-like ... but Jasmine says she didn't know the ingredient was in the beverage before she got hooked. She said it gave her a euphoric feeling and was similar to painkillers.
The FDA warning references a "concentrated byproduct" of the kratom plant -- known as 7-OH -- which has been banned in some states. Although the makers of "feel free" say their product does not contain that byproduct, Jasmine tells us why she feels it should, nevertheless, be better regulated.
Catch the full interview on "TMZ Live."
