Three additional fatal overdoses associated with the synthetic compound kratom, known by its nickname “gas station heroin,” have been confirmed in Los Angeles County, officials said Friday.

The recent overdoses of residents between the ages of 18 and 40 brought the total of local deaths now tied to the substance to six, according to the county Medical Examiner.

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Kratom, an herbal medicine, comes from evergreen tree leaves in Southeast Asia and has opioid and stimulant effects. Authorities warn the drug can be addictive and lead to psychosis in high doses.

Alcohol was present with the compound known as 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH in many of the fatal overdose cases, in addition to other medications a

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