Kratom: This “Herbal Medicine” Is More Like an Herbal Monster

Every day, more people in Los Angeles and across the U.S. are discovering that what’s often sold as a harmless “herbal medicine,” “natural remedy,” or “herbal supplement” can become a dangerous trap. At New Life House, we’re sounding the alarm: when the plant-based product Kratom (and especially its synthetic cousin, 7-Hydroxymitragynine or “7-OH”) is marketed under soothing, wellness-friendly slogans yet behaves like an opioid, the result is not wellness; instead, it’s a real issue that has negative impacts on your health and life that could be fatal.

What’s considered a herbal medicine?

The term herbal medicine usually refers to mild, naturally-derived treatments like chamomile tea for sleep, echinacea for mild immune support, or ginger for nausea. These are herbs that have been used for centuries and generally carry low risk when used appropriately. They’re often regulated in a way that limits dosage, ensures lot testing, and are marketed transparently.

In contrast, kratom sellers deliberately borrow the language of herbal medicine. Coining phrases like “herbal remedy,” “natural remedy,” or “herbal supplement” so their products appear safe. They place kratom powder or extracts in the same aisle as detox teas or energy-shrooms in gas stations, smoke shops, liquor stores, and online. By doing so, they circumvent the scrutiny applied to prescription medications and opioids.

But here’s the reality: kratom is not a traditional herbal medicine, and especially when it includes synthetic or highly concentrated compounds, it behaves far more like a regulated drug with serious risks. In Los Angeles County, the public health department warns that “kratom and 7-OH products are marketed as natural remedies … Retailers should immediately stop selling any 7-OH products.” [1]

Related: What is Kratom?

Why is kratom marketed this way?

Marketing kratom as an herb allows sellers to capitalize on the wellness trends. Phrases like “natural pain relief,” “plant-based mood booster,” “herbal energy shot,” or “dietary supplement for anxiety” not only sound friendly and familiar, but they also lower the barrier to purchase and use them. Because it is sold widely in convenience stores and online, often without oversight, users may believe it’s essentially safe.

But when you dig deeper:

• Contains 7-OH – The botanical leaf of kratom contains multiple alkaloids, and one key active one (7-OH), when extracted or synthetically concentrated, acts like a potent opioid.
• Unregulated – The product may be labeled “plant alkaloids,” “alkaloid blend,” “herbal extract,” or “dietary supplement,” even though the manufacturer hasn’t submitted it for safety testing or FDA approval.
• No accurate dosing – Because it’s unregulated, users have no reliable dose guidance, purity assurance, or labeling clarity. This can dramatically increase risk for overdose, dependence, and adverse reactions.

What’s the maximum amount of kratom you can take?

There’s no universally safe “maximum dose” of kratom, and that’s part of the problem. Unlike approved medicines, kratom products aren’t regulated for potency, dosage, or purity. That means what the label says and what’s actually in the product can vary widely.

Natural kratom leaf

When using traditional kratom leaf or powder (not synthetic-enhanced), users often report that lower doses behave like stimulants and higher doses like sedatives. Safe boundaries around kratom doses are vague and poorly researched. Some users might take 1-3 g for mild effects; others escalate to 5–10 g or more, each time increasing risk.

Synthetic kratom (7-OH)

Products containing 7-OH or concentrated extracts are particularly dangerous. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 7-OH “is not lawful in dietary supplements and cannot be lawfully added to conventional foods.” [2] Because potency is often unknown and may far exceed natural leaf doses, even a “small” amount can trigger opioid-like sedation, respiratory depression, overdose, and even death.

Related: The Rise of 7oh Kratom Abuse (7-hydroxymitragynine)

Mixing with other substances

Compounding the danger: many overdoses in Los Angeles County in the last year involved 7-OH combined with alcohol, sedatives, or other drugs. For example: “Alcohol was present with 7-OH in many of the fatal overdose cases, in addition to other medications and, at times, illicit substances.” [3]

When kratom or 7-OH is mixed with benzos, stimulants, prescription opioids, or alcohol, the risk of fatal overdose jumps dramatically.

How strong is kratom compared to opioids?

The opioid-like potential of kratom (and especially 7-OH) is critical for understanding the risks.

Natural kratom leaf vs. opioids

Natural kratom leaf acts through the same brain pathways as opioids, but not as strongly. Someone using leaf powder might experience analgesia or sedation, but the onset is slower and the effect is less intense than prescription opioids. That doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Dependence, withdrawal, and side effects have been documented, but the potency gap is significant.

7-OH and enhanced kratom extracts

7-OH changes the equation: the FDA and public-health agencies warn that this compound “can be more potent than morphine.” [2] In the Los Angeles area, synthetic kratom products containing 7-OH have been sold in forms like gummies, drink-shots, or tablets and have caused fatal overdoses in otherwise healthy young adults. [3,4] For example, one news outlet reported on “7-OH, often described as ‘gas station heroin’, has been linked to three additional deaths” in Los Angeles County. [5]

Dependency and withdrawal

Because kratom and especially 7-OH activate opioid receptors, dependence can happen easily. You can develop a tolerance (needing more to get the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms when stopping. That dependency dynamic mirrors classical opioid abuse patterns.

Related: Is Kratom Addictive?

Why the term “gas-station heroin”?

Retailers sell kratom and especially 7-OH products in gas stations, smoke shops, liquor stores, and online with candy-like packaging, fruity flavors, mixes, and minimal warning labels. The Los Angeles County public-health advisory states: “These products are unregulated and may contain unknown concentrations of 7-OH… At low doses, 7-OH can have stimulant-like effects, and at higher doses it has opioid-like effects.” [3]

Because of its availability in everyday places and potency similar to opioids, its nickname “gas-station heroin” fits the danger it poses when used without caution.

What’s happening here in Los Angeles?

• The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently reported six fatal overdoses tied to 7-OH ingestion among otherwise healthy 18–40-year-olds. [3]
• The FDA has issued warning letters to companies illegally marketing 7-OH-containing products and is recommending that 7-OH be classified under the Controlled Substances Act. [2]
• Public-health departments (e.g., the City of Pasadena) are actively cautioning residents: “The safest choice is to avoid all 7-OH products.” [6]
• Retailers are being urged to immediately stop selling 7-OH products. [3]
• Despite these actions, the marketing of kratom as a “natural remedy” continues, putting local communities at risk.

Related: Kratom Overdose: Dangers, Symptoms, and What You Should Know

What should someone do if they, or a loved one, is using or considering using kratom/7-OH?

• Don’t assume “herbal” means “safe.” If the product is enhanced, contains 7-OH, or is packaged with claims of high potency, treat it like a drug with opioid-level risk.
• If use is already ongoing and you observe increased tolerance, mixing with alcohol/drugs, withdrawal symptoms, or loss of control, it might be time to seek help.
• At New Life House in Los Angeles, we offer structured sober living for young men. If detox or medical supervision is needed, our partner Clear Behavioral Health provides kratom withdrawal management.
• Carry naloxone (Narcan) if you or someone you know is using 7-OH or high-potency kratom. Overdose from respiratory depression is a real danger, and treating a kratom overdose is like treating an opioid overdose.
• Never use kratom alone, never mix with alcohol/benzos/illicit drugs, and always seek professional guidance when experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
• Advocate for awareness in your community: know that kratom isn’t always the benign “herbal cure” it claims to be.

The Real Story: Kratom’s “Herbal” Claims Are Putting Lives at Risk

Kratom is a rapidly escalating public-health issue masquerading as a natural remedy. As more young adults in California experiment with kratom products purchased at gas stations, smoke shops, or online, the risk for dependence, overdose, and long-term harm grows.

New Life House is committed to raising awareness, educating families, and supporting young men caught in the cycle of kratom use. No one needs to navigate this alone. If you’re concerned about kratom or synthetic 7-OH use, reach out today. Kratom addiction treatment in Los Angeles is available, and recovery is absolutely possible.

References

1. Angeles, C. O. L. (2025, October 15). Additional fatal overdoses tied to synthetic kratom in Los Angeles County – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. https://lacounty.gov/2025/10/10/additional-fatal-overdoses-tied-to-synthetic-kratom-in-los-angeles-county/
2. Office of the Commissioner. (2025, July 29). Hiding in plain sight: 7-OH products. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/hiding-plain-sight-7-oh-products
3. LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES. (n.d.). http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=5179
4. Office of the Commissioner. (2025, July 15). FDA issues warning letters to firms marketing products containing 7-Hydroxymitragynine. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-warning-letters-firms-marketing-products-containing-7-hydroxymitragynine/
5. Harter, C. (2025, September 13). Synthetic kratom linked to three fatal overdoses in L.A. County – Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-13/synthetic-kratom-linked-to-3-fatal-overdoses-in-la-county
6. Pasadena Public Health cautions against use of kratom and 7-OH products – Public Health Department. (2025, November 18). Pasadena. https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-health/news-announcements/pasadena-public-health-cautions-against-use-of-kratom-and-7-oh-products/