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Kratom & 7-OH

Kratom & 7-OH

Herbal, legal, dangerous. Learn why Kratom and 7-OH can cause serious problems and how to stay safe.​

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What is Kratom

Kratom is often sold as a herbal supplement. It’s made from leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. In South Asia, people chew the leaves as an energy booster. And while it’s legal to sell and use here too, it doesn’t mean that Kratom is harmless. Learn why.

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The Effects of Kratom

In small doses, Kratom acts as a stimulant (upper). People say it lifts their mood, gives them more energy, and helps with anxiety.​

​In higher doses, Kratom acts as a sedative (downer) and pain reliever. The effects are often described as opioid-like.

Side Effects

Depending on the dose and the duration of Kratom consumption, physical side effects can include:​

  • Weight loss​
  • Dry mouth​
  • Nausea and vomiting​
  • Constipation​
  • Liver damage​
  • Muscle pain​
  • High blood pressure


But Kratom can also affect the mind and nervous system, causing​

  • Dizziness​
  • Drowsiness​
  • hallucinations​
  • delusions​
  • Depression​
  • Trouble breathing​
  • Confusion​
  • Tremors and seizures
Risk of Addiction

Although Kratom is sold as a healthy herbal supplement, using it can cause cravings and even substance use disorder (SUD) over time. And quitting the drug leads to withdrawal symptoms not unlike opioids.

Kratom and other drugs

It’s common that people use Kratom in combination with other drugs (Polysubstance Use), which increases the risk of addiction and overdoses.

Kratom Recovery ​

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) can also help people manage their Kratom addiction and begin recovery.​

7-OH is not kratom

Kratom is an herbal extract made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. It contains trace amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine.​​

7-OH, on the other hand, is a highly concentrated semi-synthetic opioid derived from Kratom. And while it’s often sold as Kratom, it’s a completely different and potentially dangerous substance.

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It’s not natural

Despite being marketed as herbal and natural, 7-OH is made in labs and often cut or contaminated with heavy metals and other harmful substances.​

13x Stronger than morphine​

7-OH is incredibly powerful. According to the FDA, the drug is 13 times stronger than morphine and binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain.​

Designed to be addictive​

Packaged like candy and sold over the counter, 7-OH products appear to be harmless. But that’s not true. Besides side effects like dizziness and nausea, using 7-OH can lead to severe liver damage and addiction.​

Fueling the Opioid Crisis​

As of now, 7-OH is not regulated by the FDA or DEA. That means there are no rules on how to produce or sell it. Manufacturers can add anything to their products without labeling it.

But even more worrisome, 7-OH can be bought over the counter without a prescription. This makes the dangerous opioid accessible to a broader and younger audience, leading to a new surge in the opioid crisis.

7-OH isn’t a MOUD

Some people use 7-OH to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. But it’s not an approved method to treat opioid use disorder and can lead to negative side effects.

Ask a doctor about FDA-approved medications (MOUD) instead.

Naloxone works for 7-OH​

7-hydroxymitragynine binds to opioid receptors. So, if an overdose occurs, naloxone, better known as Narcan®, can reverse it. That’s why you should always have it with you, anytime and anywhere.​

Find naloxone near you here.

Free Downloads & Sharables

Use the free materials below to share life-saving information about substance use, overdose prevention, and recovery with your community, family, and friends.

Info Sheets

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Soomaali
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7 Facts About 7-OH
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Soomaali
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Kratom Vs. 7-OH
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Soomaali
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The Facts About Kratom
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