I have only anecdotal evidence from a good friend kratom is effective without terrible side effects (but I find it's pretty convincing)- but it usually is far MORE effective when combined with nutritional modifications, and gets very complicated for the very people who are less than capable of devoting the time, attention, and energy to self-treat their terrible medical problems. It's obviously NOT the one-pill magic bullet, but then opioids and most of the other powerful drugs the pharmas and ordinary doctors are pushing for for maximizing profit and convenience are definitely not either.