Recently, an energy booster supplement called Kratom has gained more popularity. This is largely due to the increased sales and marketing of a new and more powerful variation of the supplement called 7oh kratom or 7-OH (7-hydroxymiragynine).
The kratom plant is a tropical tree that originates in Southeast Asia. At first, kratom was seen as a promising medicinal plant that could function as a pain reliever, provide energy, suppress appetite, and help people struggling with opioid use disorder overcome addiction withdrawal symptoms.
Natural kratom products are becoming less common, while stronger concentrates and extracts of its chemical compounds are gaining popularity. Kratom has something called 7-hydroxymitragynine in it, which can give effects similar to opium. This has raised concerns that it could replace morphine for its pain-relieving effects, which means it’s more potent than we realize.
As with most things that grow naturally, Kratom cannot meet the demands compared to the supply. This is why a synthetic form of 7-oh kratom has dropped onto the market. Since the origins come from a plant, many people don’t understand the potential risks of kratom, or synthetic 7oh use .
What is 7oh? Understanding 7-hydroxymitragynine and Its Origins
The chemical 7-oh is one of the active indole alkaloids in kratom. Mitragynine is the primary alkaloid, and natural kratom leaves only contain trace amounts of 7-oh (about 2%). When 7-oh is extracted from the plant to be more potent, the risks are greater. 7OH is an opioid agonist, so when you take it, you get a morphine-like experience and can experience pain relief and sedation .
How Strong is 7oh? Comparing Potency to Traditional Kratom
Regular kratom is potent to an extent, but 7-oh can be up to 10 times as strong . This translates to stronger effects, so more overall pain relief and prolonged sedation. The potency is so different is concerning due to the health risks and developing dependence on 7-oh.
What Does 7-hydroxymitragynine Do?
When you ingest 7-oh, it interacts with opioid receptors in the brain and functions like an orally active opioid analgesic. The reason this is so concerning is that opioid receptors are the same ones that drugs like morphine, heroin, fentanyl, and other illicit opioids target.
Typical short-term effects of kratom use are sedation, pain relief, and feelings of euphoria. Other side effects are nausea, sweating, dizziness, agitation, constipation, tremors, and even seizures. Although traditional kratom has similar side effects, it is not as potent as 7-oh.
Is Kratom Illegal in the US?
There is no current federal regulation of kratom in the United States. In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) attempted to classify kratom as a Schedule I drug. After receiving some comments from congress members and advocacy groups, they listed it as a drug and chemical of concern .
Some states have deemed kratom illegal, while others have regulations like age-restricted buying of the product. In California, you can buy, sell, and possess kratom if you aren’t in San Diego, which is the only city that has banned kratom. Most retailers market kratom and 7-oh as a natural or herbal remedy. This helps avoid FDA scrutiny, which is worrisome for consumers when they don’t know the true dangers of using kratom or 7-oh.
Availability and Marketing of 7-OH Kratom
Kratom exists in the gray area when it comes to marketing. The FDA has not approved kratom for any medical use. They have issued warnings not to use it due to the potential risks .
Kratom suppliers have come up with unique ways to get around FDA guidelines and still appeal to consumers by marketing it as an herbal remedy or a wellness and performance-enhancing supplement.
Where 7oh Kratom is Sold
Kratom is widely and easily found in smoke shops, convenience stores, online retailers, and gas stations. The broad access makes it particularly dangerous for young people to stumble upon kratom or 7oh and try it without understanding the risks.
7oh Kratom Drug Products
7oh kratom also comes in various forms, which makes it even more accessible. Items like capsules, tablets, powders, chews, gummies, and liquid kratom extracts exist. These products are normally displayed in fun or appealing packages, so young people are drawn to trying them.
We have provided young men a safe space to build life and coping skills, and community in Los Angeles since 1985. Learn more today.
What are the Downsides of Kratom Use?
Although kratom is marketed and sold as a remedy or enhancement supplement, its risks heavily outweigh any potential benefits.
Related: Is Kratom Addictive?
Short-Term Effects Include:
- Pain relief
- Euphoria
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Respiratory depression
Serious Health Risks Include:
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
- Substance abuse
- Physical dependence
- Kratom use disorder
Do You Get Withdrawals From Kratom?
While kratom was originally thought to help people overcome opioid addiction by mitigating withdrawal symptoms, you can become dependent on it, and it can lead to substance abuse or addiction. Kratom withdrawal is very similar to opioid withdrawal. Some common kratom withdrawal symptoms are:
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
Warning Signs Your Loved One May Be Using 7oh Kratom
When trying to see if your loved one may be using 7oh kratom, it could be as simple as finding kratom products in their things or disclosing that they are using it. Due to the idea of it being a natural or herbal remedy, they may talk about it freely. If they have developed a dependence on 7oh kratom, it’s important to notice changes in behavior like agitation, secrecy, sweating, physical ailments, and anxiety.
Related: Signs of Drug Use in Your Child
How New Life House Can Help with Kratom Addiction
If you feel like you have become dependent on 7oh kratom, or a loved one has, it’s important to get professional help. At New Life House, we have a solution for young men struggling with addiction. Our program is structured with the incorporation of various therapeutic modalities, holistic methods, and community building.
Being in a long-term recovery house for 7oh kratom abuse will help your overall sobriety journey. Addiction to 7oh kratom is difficult to overcome alone, which is why being in a program that can support and offer you life and coping skills and useful tools for your sobriety journey could be the best move for you.
Related: Kratom Addiction: What is it and When to Get Help
Reach Out For Help Today
Overall, even though kratom is advertised as a completely safe and herbal option, that is not the case. 7oh kratom is highly potent and can be addictive. With the right support, recovery is possible. If someone you love is dependent on 7oh kratom, it’s important to have an open, nonjudgmental conversation with them. Let them know that there are programs and sober living environments that can help support them, like at New Life House. The comprehensive approach we use in our recovery home for young men changes lives.
Contact us today to learn more about our sober living programs throughout Los Angeles, CA. Take that first step to begin your sobriety journey and break free of your dependence on kratom.
References:
- DEA. (n.d.). Kratom. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Kratom-2020_0.pdf
- Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
- Kruegel, A. C., Uprety, R., Grinnell, S. G., Langreck, C., Pekarskaya, E. A., Rouzic, V. L., Ansonoff, M., Gassaway, M. M., Pintar, J. E., Pasternak, G. W., Javitch, J. A., Majumdar, S., & Sames, D. (2019). 7-Hydroxymitragynine is an active metabolite of mitragynine and a key mediator of its analgesic effects. ACS Central Science, 5(6), 992–1001. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscentsci.9b00141
- Kratom Resources » Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology » College of Pharmacy » University of Florida. (n.d.). https://csp.pharmacy.ufl.edu/research/kratom/
- Kratom Regulation: federal status and state approaches. (n.d.). Congress.gov | Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11082
- Office of the Commissioner. (2024, August 5). FDA and Kratom. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom
Last Updated on July 18, 2025
