Can you imagine drinking a bottled beverage to make you feel relaxed and only to find out that it is more like doing drugs instead? Well, that’s the case of Feel Free, and what is going on with the Botanic Tonics Lawsuit. There are a lot of people who are feeling this way, and that’s why this lawsuit has become a huge thing right here in the United States. But for some reason, if you’re not familiar with the details of this case, then just keep on reading.
What Exactly Is Feel Free and Who’s Behind It?
Feel Free is a small bottled beverage, somewhat similar to those mini energy shots that are usually found at gas stations. In 2020, a company called Botanic Tonics introduced it to the market. The main concept was to provide a product that made one feel relaxed, concentrated, or more social, yet without the use of alcohol or caffeine. At least, that is what they stated.
Moving on to the ingredients, the two main aspects that make Feel Free so special are kava and kratom. Kava is a root that is famous for producing relaxing effects, and people have been utilizing it for ages. However, with Kratom, things are a bit complicated. If taken in small quantities, it can energize you. Nevertheless, if taken in large amounts, it is likely to behave as an opioid. The worry is exactly due to that.
Why Are People Concerned?
Initially, it was reported by a certain group of users that Feel Free was no longer merely a feel-good drink but an addictive product. People describing their experiences with the product can be found on social media channels like TikTok and Reddit. They claim that they were using it without any particular purpose in the beginning, but very soon, their usage increased considerably.
One user stated that he was consuming one whole case per day, and after that, he went to the bank and withdrew over $30,000 without realizing that he had a problem with him. That’s a heavy one.
And what did people do when they felt the need to stop? They experienced severe withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, difficulty breathing, and in some cases, they had to be taken to the hospital.
When Did It Turn Into This Botanic Tonics Lawsuit?
2023 was the year when the situation got worse. One of the dramatic events was a lawsuit by a group of plaintiffs against Botanic Tonics. The accusation? The company failed to give proper cautions to users about the dangers of kratom. Many people thought they had been deceived, as there were no detailed warnings on the label, and it was promoted as a “safe substitute” for alcohol. It was simply not the case for a lot of people.
Botanic Tonics refused to admit any wrongdoing but afterwards, they consented to a settlement. The following is an account of what came next.
What’s the Settlement All About?
Botanic Tonics reached a resolution worth $8.75 million in March 2025. This sum represents the compensation they will distribute to the U.S consumers of their product Feel Free within the period from March 28, 2019, to March 5, 2025.
The day when the court will make its final decision is set on the 26th of June, 2025. People who have money invested in the affair will probably get their money back a little while after the court gets the green light, if that all goes as planned.
What’s the FDA Saying?
The FDA has been watching kratom closely for quite some time. Actually, they categorized it as an opioid in 2018. If we look in 2025, the FDA made a request to the DOJ to list 7-OH, a substance in kratom, as a Schedule I drug, which is the most restrictive class, like heroin. One can infer a lot from that statement.