ETHA Co-Founder Talks Kratom and Pain on "Heal Podcast"

ETHA's very own Alexander Karp, co‑founder and head of R&D, recently joined Lily Patrascu on the Heal Podcast to share his deeply personal journey from chronic pain to purpose, and how kratom became a game changer for his health and mission.

From Back Pain to Medicinal Botanicals

On this episode of Heal Podcast Alexander opens up about the debilitating back injury he suffered during his freshman year of high school. He tried various conventional treatments, including physical therapy, muscle relaxers, and inversion therapy, but unfortunately they offered little help. In 2016 he found kratom and it was only then, with kratom's help that he experienced dramatic relief. When he consumes kratom, Alexander experiences his pain going from from a 10 to a 2–3. Kratom literally gave him his life back. 

A scientist at heart, this kratom transformation ignited his scientific curiosity and ultimately led him to co‑found ETHA, aiming to bring transparency, consistency, and safety to medicinal botanical wellness.

Science + Experience = Trust

With ten years of engineering experience at Hewlett Packard and General Electric, combines with a childhood shaped by his pharmacist mom, Alexander takes a thoughtful, science-based approach to kratom and its potential. He’s has done very deep research into everything kratom, digging through studies all the way back to the 1960s, and continues to explore how kratom’s alkaloids affect safety and effectiveness.

Hear more from Alexander here: kratomstoriespodcast.com.

On the Heal Podcast, Alexander keeps things balanced as he reiterates that kratom isn’t a miracle cure, but when used wisely, it may help with pain, low energy, mood, and even substance-use struggles. He also highlights out that while there’s a mild risk of dependence, kind of like with caffeine,  because of kratom's composition, if used properly, from a reputable source and not mixed with other substances, it has a low potential for abuse.

Natural Option for Wellness

Throughout the interview, Alexander describes how kratom can fit into a broader wellness plan:

• Pain relief – offering an alternative to opioids and NSAIDs

• Energy & mood – supporting daily natural vitality and emotional balance

• Recovery support – assisting those with past substance abuse history

The important things to recall about kratom. Alexander stresses safe consumption: start with low doses, choose lab‑tested products, and stay informed on state and federal regulations.

Heal Podcast and ETHA

This episode brings ETHA’s mission to light: educating consumers, advocating for policy reform, and raising industry standards. Alexander’s credibility as a user, scientist, and business leader aligns perfectly with ETHA’s commitment to integrity and community wellness.

Tune In & Live Fully

If you’re curious about botanicals, managing chronic pain, or curious about ETHA’s unique approach, this podcast is essential listening. It’s a mix of personal storytelling, grounded research, and actionable guidance. This is the kind of value Alexander and ETHA aim to bring their own podcast and its listeners, the ETHA customers and all kratom-curious public. To hear more from Alexander and Victor directly, tune in to their podcast:

LISTEN TO ETHA PODCAST: Live Fully with Kratom.

LISTEN TO HEAL PODCAST: Alexander on Heal Podcast