Podcast Summary

Podcast: We're All Insane
Episode: Addicted to Gas Station Heroin
Date: October 12, 2025
Guest: Jasmine (from Austin, TX)
Main Topic: Jasmine shares her journey through addiction to kratom extracts—marketed as a "wellness shot" called Feel Free—its impact on her mental, social, and financial health, and her road to recovery.

Episode Overview

This episode features Jasmine, who gives a raw, deeply personal account of her addiction to Kratom extracts, commonly referred to as "gas station heroin." She outlines her substance use history, how a popular influencer-endorsed wellness tonic triggered her addiction, its destructive escalation, and her eventual recovery. Jasmine emphasizes the overlooked dangers of "wellness" products sold in mainstream spaces, the importance of community and honesty in recovery, and the necessity for greater public awareness and regulation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jasmine's Background and Substance Use History

• Began binge drinking in high school and college, also smoked weed daily in her senior year of college.
• After moving to Austin (from Alabama), she found herself in a drinking-heavy social environment, bonding with friends primarily over partying and substances.
• Jasmine began to consciously seek a deeper relationship with faith and eventually quit alcohol and marijuana cold turkey in June 2022, motivated by spiritual conviction.
• Quote:

  "I realized for the first time in my life that I had never had, like, true, deep, intimate relationship with Jesus. And I was like, I really want to have that. And I feel like this is something that is keeping me from that because I'm using substances to cope with everything..."
  — Jasmine [04:21]

2. Discovery of 'Feel Free' (Kratom/Kava Wellness Shot)

• Sought alcohol alternatives during sobriety; discovered Feel Free tonic, heavily marketed as a kava/mood-boosting supplement on wellness podcasts and social media.
• Initial use made her feel ill, but a subsequent experience was euphoric and gave her social confidence—"It was a godsend, especially for someone newly sober."
• Quote:

  "I just felt so sick and dizzy. I felt awful...I was so confused, because I was like, this could not be the product that the host of my favorite podcast were raving about."
  — Jasmine [11:00]

3. Escalation of Addiction

• Started using Feel Free more regularly, especially as a coping tool for a toxic, stressful remote job.
• The tonic’s effects (the high and euphoria) diminished over time, leading to increased consumption to chase the original feeling.
• Kept her growing dependence secret; most friends and family thought of the tonic as a harmless wellness shot.
• Financial costs escalated dramatically, from an affordable treat to a crippling daily expense ($120+ per day, $15,000 in debt).
• Quote:

  "At this point, I was drinking 6–8 bottles a day...I was puking a lot...couldn’t really keep food down...it was just a really brutal way to live."
  — Jasmine [32:05]

4. Signs of Severe Addiction and Impact

• Suffered withdrawal when unable to access the tonic (especially during trips to Alabama where it was illegal).
• Developed physical symptoms: vomiting, dry/flaky skin, constant fatigue, social withdrawal, inability to enjoy food, relationship impacts.
• The tonic—although legal and sold as a wellness product—activated opioid receptors and caused classic withdrawal symptoms similar to heroin or prescription opioid dependence.
• Quote:

  "I was literally going into opiate detox from a wellness tonic—which is so crazy..."
  — Jasmine [52:12]

5. Rock Bottom and Turning Point

• Lowest point: 9–12 bottles per day, maxed out credit cards, payday loan, and complete financial destabilization.
• Isolation, shame, hiding her addiction from fiancé and friends, physical/mental exhaustion.
• Crisis and withdrawal occurred after her engagement, when her mom stayed with her and Jasmine couldn’t get a fix. Hospitalization for dehydration followed.
• The decision to come clean was spurred by a powerful moment of spiritual conviction.
• Quote:

  "I felt the Holy Spirit convict me to come clean about my addiction to my loved ones and spare, like, no details. It was just this immediate, like, wash of 'you gotta, like, confess right now.' And, like, now is the time."
  — Jasmine [54:37]

6. Process of Recovery

• Immediate, honest disclosure to her mother, fiancé, and close friends; received empathy, support, and non-judgmental responses.
• Severe physical withdrawal for a few days; about two weeks for physical healing; months for the mental/emotional recovery.
• Utilized social media (TikTok) to share her story publicly, garnering massive resonance and support, though initially scared due to the stigma and shame.
• Quote:

  "I just always tell people...you gotta tell your spouse. That is the most important relationship you have. And you have to open up to someone close to you. That is the first step to getting clean. For me, it was just putting it out there."
  — Jasmine [61:18]

7. Awareness, Stigma, and the "Wellness" Problem

• Discusses how kratom is often used as a "harm reduction" tool, but highlights danger of trading one addiction for another, especially without medical supervision.
• Points out the deceptive marketing, lack of regulation, and common misconceptions about what's truly "safe" or "natural."
• Warns that there are many similar products on the market now, marketed as mood boosters or wellness shots, with little to no oversight.
• Advocates for regulation, clear labeling, public education, and for people to research before trying similar products.
• Quote:

  "It'd almost be easier if I was addicted to heroin and I could say I got addicted to heroin...Because a lot of people don't get taken seriously when they say they're addicted to Kratom."
  — Jasmine [23:55]

8. Long-Term Healing and Paying it Forward

• Jasmine remains fully sober (other than caffeine)—no alcohol, drugs, kava, or mind-altering substances.
• Now helps lead an all-encompassing recovery/support program at her church.
• Emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma and root causes—not just "swapping" one drug for another.
• Firm in her faith, and sees her experience as source of empathy and a calling to help others through their own struggles.
• Quote:

  "The hardest drug you will ever do is full sobriety...I encourage it so much because it is the most freeing thing I've ever done for myself."
  — Jasmine [73:17]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:56 — Jasmine introduces herself and her purpose: raising awareness for Kratom addiction.
• 04:21 — Decision to quit drinking/smoking due to spiritual convictions.
• 08:00 — Discovery of Feel Free via influencer podcast; first experience.
• 11:54 — First negative reaction to Feel Free; initial confusion.
• 13:00–18:00 — Escalation of use; use as a social and wellness substitute.
• 24:00 — Explanation of what kratom extracts are, similarities to opiates.
• 29:02 — Kratom as harm reduction, but risk for addiction; lack of regulation.
• 32:05 — At peak addiction: 6–8 bottles per day, physical deterioration, financial impact.
• 39:15 — Routine of addiction: how she structured her day around dosing.
• 41:34 — Financial spiral: $15K in debt, using payday loans for "wellness" products.
• 52:12 — Withdrawal and the moment she decided to come clean to loved ones.
• 54:54 — Jasmine’s confessions to family; reactions were supportive, not judgmental.
• 59:50 — Discusses TikTok sharing; impact of public storytelling.
• 61:18 — Advice for others: the necessity of honesty and opening up in recovery.
• 66:56 — Regulatory shortcomings: warnings, legality, predatory marketing.
• 71:58 — Social dependence on substances, even seemingly innocuous ones.
• 74:00 — What real recovery looks like: self-acceptance, ongoing self-work, finding meaning in sobriety.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You can be so high functioning—and still be physically addicted to something."
  — Jasmine [60:54]
• "Addiction doesn't just have one look. There are so many different types—it's not just heroin or alcohol."
  — Jasmine [62:35]
• "I'm a true believer of forgiveness...even if someone is wrong to you, you're supposed to treat them with kindness and love."
  — Jasmine [67:40]
• "Sometimes I feel like I talk about it so much on social media, but it's just so important to keep bringing awareness."
  — Jasmine [75:00]

Key Takeaways

• "Wellness" products, especially those marketed as natural or social tonics, can have hidden, serious risks—even when sold openly in respectable venues.
• Kratom extracts can cause physical addiction and withdrawal comparable to opioid drugs.
• Full honesty with loved ones is the cornerstone of true recovery; support is more often present than stigma would have you believe.
• Addiction "looks" different for everyone: it's not always visible, and high-functioning people can still be suffering.
• More public education, regulatory oversight, and open conversations are desperately needed—so that innocent curiosity or self-care doesn't turn into years of suffering.

Further Resources Mentioned

• FeelFreeClassAction.com
• Reddit support groups for kratom/Feel Free addiction
• Narcotics Anonymous and all-encompassing church-based recovery programs

Closing Thought

Jasmine’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers hidden in plain sight, especially in an era of influencer marketing and wellness fads. Her experience highlights the need for vigilance, honesty, supportive communities, and better regulation. As she says, "What starts as something innocent can easily turn very dark, very fast—and sharing our stories is a powerful way to protect others."