I've been taking kratom for nearly a decade now
I take the pure leaf, in capsules, not the extract. I can count on one hand how many times I've ever taken the extract, and I believe that shit is way too strong to just sell otc. The regular kratom, on the other hand, I've never had any bad reactions to, even when I went cold turkey and stopped taking it for a year. I take kratom most days to help with my anxiety, some days I skip it and the only side effect I've ever noticed is being slightly more anxious and on edge. The only thing that helps my anxiety the same way kratom does is thc, but I can't always consume that and risk using too much and not being under the influence. With the amount of kratom I take, I never feel 'high' or 'out of it', I just feel calmed down.
All of that being said, I live in a state that is about to ban kratom. I've called and emailed my representatives to tell them how long I've taken kratom and how helpful it has been for me, but I suppose that wasn't enough. I'm less worried for myself, and more worried about those in this state that have been taking it for chronic pain, or to get off harder drugs. I'll be fine; irritable, but fine. I'm not worried about withdrawal as I don't use a large amount or the extract, but other people won't be so fine.
I used to keep my kratom use very quiet, afraid of any assumptions or judgements, but the past couple of months I just can't keep my mouth shut when I hear someone talking negatively about it, because regular kratom helps more than it harms.
(Also, as a side note, I've been routinely going to doctors since I've been taking kratom, and every time my blood work and everything else has been A+)
Edit: this is just my personal experience, I've known one person who DID experience withdrawal, although she was ONLY taking the extract.