Arizona Mom Left Dependent on Defibrillator and Lifelong Medication After Severe Reaction to Gas-Station Kratom Gummies

Amanda Goodsell, a 27-year-old mother from Arizona, is recovering at home after a life-threatening reaction to kratom gummy supplements she bought at a gas station to relieve persistent leg pain. The episode left her briefly on life support and required intensive care before she made a gradual recovery.

What Happened

According to reporting from AZ Family and details shared on a GoFundMe page, Amanda had taken the kratom gummies for about a week. Her husband, Mike Goodsell, found her unresponsive in bed. He described her as flushed, with blue lips and foaming at the mouth before he managed to rouse her.

"Everybody knew what kratom was. So, I was like, 'Well, here, just take this.' You could just buy it at the gas station. It's not going to hurt you," Mike told AZ Family.

Medical Crisis and Recovery

Family reports say Amanda "suffered a severe reaction" that caused her heart to stop twice. Doctors placed her on a ventilator and life support; her heart function reportedly fell to around 15 percent, and physicians at one point listed her as being in urgent need of a heart transplant. After intensive treatment, Amanda experienced a marked improvement and was removed from transplant consideration. She has returned home but will require a permanently implanted defibrillator and lifelong heart medication.

Amanda GoodsellCredit: gofundme

Family Impact and Support

Amanda and Mike share 3-year-old twins. The family launched a GoFundMe to help cover mounting medical bills; the campaign has raised more than $8,000. Relatives and friends have described her recovery as a "miracle turnaround."

Regulatory Context and Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that kratom is not an approved drug in the United States and cautions against using it for medical treatment. The agency notes there are no legally marketed prescription or over-the-counter drug products containing kratom in the U.S. and says it will continue to monitor emerging data on the substance.

"If a new drug application (NDA) is submitted for kratom to treat a specific medical condition, FDA will review the scientific data to determine if a drug product containing kratom (or its components) is safe and effective to treat that specific medical condition," the agency said.

PEOPLE and AZ Family reported on the case, and PEOPLE has reached out to the FDA for comment. Medical experts generally advise consulting a licensed clinician before using herbal supplements, particularly for managing pain or other medical conditions.