7OH is not Kratom
Know the Difference and Stay Safe
In the evolving kratom industry, a troubling trend has emerged: the sale of products containing isolated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH). These products are marketed as kratom, which they are not.
what is kratom?
Kratom, the common name for the tree Mitragyna speciosa and its leaves, contains a multitude of compounds, with various effects based on the amount consumed (K. E. Smith et al., 2022). Being MTG the most abundant alkaloid and unique to m. speciosa.
In contrast to 7OH, kratom products pose fewer risks. Single-dose studies on kratom leaf in humans have shown that even at high doses, side effects are mild (Reissig, 2024). While in mice, one study administering 1000 mg/kg of kratom tea reported only modest, transient respiratory depression (Wilson et al., 2020).
what is 7OH?
7OH isolate products are manufactured by forcing the oxidation of mitragynine found in kratom to increase the 7-hydroxymitragynine concentration, creating a product that no longer is kratom.
The Science
Animals were dosed orally with 50 mg/kg of 7-hydroxymitragynine which did not result in death however, at that dose, the authors reported severe respiratory depression and seizures, indicating that the compound was approaching a lethal threshold (L. C. Smith et al., 2019). Products with high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) are synthetically altered with no safety data to support their use.
Risks of 7OH use
The concentrated effects of 7OH present several dangers, including:
Risk of Overdose
At human equivalent doses of 285 mg, 7OH caused severe respiratory depression in mice similar to traditional opioids.
Dependency & Withdrawal
7OH isolate products substitute fully for morphine, making it have a high abuse liability.
Unknown Long-term Effects
With no history of safe use and no human clinical trials, 7-hydroxymitragynine products should not be on the market as the impact of long-term use is not known.
How to Know the Difference
How to spot a 7hmg product vs a Kratom product.
Avoid products containing isolated or concentrated 7OH.
Always remember to use traditional kratom products responsibly and be mindful of the product format and indicated serving suggestions.
Consult a healthcare professional if you experience any negative side effects or suspect dependency.