Ep. 64: A Mother’s Fight After Losing Her Son to Kratom — Patti Wheeler

Patti Wheeler spent fifteen years traveling the world as a flight attendant, then became a mother to twin sons, Gannon and Wyatt, and an author of the beloved Travels with Gannon & Wyatt book series. On October 25, 2022, everything changed: her son Wyatt, 27, died after taking kratom — in his twin brother’s arms. He’d turned to kratom as a way to stop drinking, with little or no awareness of the potential risks associated with its use.

In this episode, clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner talks with Patti about who Wyatt was before she lost him, and what the science actually says about kratom — its effects on the brain, its risks, and its potential benefits. Dr. Glasner and Patti also discuss how Patti turned unimaginable grief into action — executive producing the documentary Kratom: Side Effects May Include (directed by Jamie and Jason Neese of The Umbrella Academy) and founding the nonprofit A Beautiful Life Stolen — along with the political fight over regulating 7-OH and kratom extract, and what Patti wants every parent and lawmaker to understand.

You can watch the full episode here:

Chapters:2:16 Turning Grief Into Advocacy — and Facing the Backlash6:07 What Patti Wheeler Wishes She'd Known about Kratom10:17 Who Patti Was Before Kratom Changed Everything15:28 Wyatt's DUI and His First Brush With Kratom19:53 October 2022: The Warning Signs in Aspen26:37 The Smoke Shop, the Concentrate, and the Science of 7-OH33:49 The Night Wyatt Died41:19 The Toxicology Report: Setting the Record Straight45:13 The Regulatory Fight: What Should Happen to Kratom and 7-OH50:28 Becoming a Documentary Producer52:36 What Would Wyatt Say?

Content note: this episode includes a detailed account of a child’s death and may be difficult for some listeners.

Learn more / get involved: Documentary: Kratom: Side Effects May Include — kratomsideeffectsmayinclude.com

Patti’s nonprofit: A Beautiful Life Stolen — abeautifullifestolen.com

If you or someone you love is struggling with kratom dependence: SAMHSA National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357

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📩 Send your questions or topic requests: AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

🧩 Learn more about Dr. Glasner: https://drglasner.com

#Kratom #KratomAwareness #7OH #AddictionScience #OpioidCrisis