What Is 7-OH? A New Kratom Extract, Explained

What is 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine)?

7-OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a compound found in the kratom plant. In the natural leaf it exists in only tiny amounts. The FDA reports that it makes up less than 2% of the total alkaloid content in kratom leaves.¹ What has changed is that companies now concentrate this one compound to very high levels and sell it on its own, in tablets, gummies, drink mixes, and shots.²

So “7-OH products” typically aren’t sold as a leaf or a tea. They are a concentrated extract of one opioid-like compound. Kratom itself is a plant with a long history of use; for the full background on the leaf, see All About Kratom. This article stays focused on 7-OH.

Quick Summary

• 7-OH is a single compound, not the whole kratom leaf. It shows up in only trace amounts in the plant, but it is concentrated to high levels in products sold as gummies, tablets, and shots.
• It acts like an opioid. The FDA describes it as substantially more potent at the body’s opioid receptors than morphine.
• “Natural” does not mean low risk. The concentration is what makes these products different and higher risk.
• The legal status is changing. Federal agencies have taken several actions involving concentrated 7-OH, and the DEA began a temporary scheduling process in July 2026. As of August 11, 2026, that process is still underway.

How is 7-OH different from traditional kratom?

Traditional kratom is the whole leaf. Concentrated 7-OH is an extract of one compound from it, and the concentration is the concern.

In the natural leaf, 7-OH is present only at trace levels, so someone drinking a kratom tea gets very little 7-OH. Concentrated products are different. Researchers describe them as chemically enriched or semi-synthetic, delivering far more 7-OH than the leaf ever would, and chemically distinct from botanical kratom.³

Regulators have drawn the same line. In 2025 and 2026, both the FDA and the DEA moved to restrict concentrated 7-OH. The FDA’s action on 7-OH targets concentrated and synthetic 7-OH products, not natural kratom leaf that contains only trace, naturally occurring 7-OH.⁴ Likewise, the DEA’s July 2026 action does not apply to botanical kratom below a set threshold of the compound.^5,6 In other words, the concern is about the concentrated extract, not the plant itself.

How are concentrated 7-OH products made?

7-OH is a metabolite of mitragynine, the main compound in kratom. That means when a person takes kratom, the body naturally converts a small amount of mitragynine into 7-OH. This process, called metabolism, happens through enzymes in the liver.⁷

Concentrated 7-OH products work differently. Instead of relying on the body to make a little, they deliver a large amount directly, bypassing normal metabolism. So these products are not simply “strong kratom.” They are a concentrated or semi-synthesized form of one opioid-like compound.³  

7-OH vs. morphine: how strong is it?

The FDA describes 7-OH as showing substantially greater potency than morphine on the body’s opioid receptors.¹ These receptors, the mu-opioid receptors, are the main ones classic opioids act on. That is why the FDA treats 7-OH as an opioid rather than an herbal supplement.

You may see specific numbers online about how much stronger 7-OH is than morphine. In animal studies, 7-OH was approximately 4 to 6 times more potent than morphine in measures of pain relief. Because these findings come from animal research, they should not be interpreted as a direct comparison of effects in people. The FDA describes 7-OH as having substantially greater potency than morphine on the body’s opioid receptors.

What are the known effects of 7-OH?

Because 7-OH acts on the same receptors as other opioids, it can produce opioid-like effects. The FDA lists sedation, nausea and vomiting, constipation, physical dependence and withdrawal, and respiratory depression among the effects associated with it.¹  

People often group 7-OH with drugs such as heroin and oxycodone. Its effects are not identical, and scientists are still studying how they compare.⁹ That does not make it low-risk. It is an opioid, and it can still be harmful.

What are the risks? Is 7-OH addictive? Can it lead to overdose?

Regular use of concentrated 7-OH can lead to dependence and withdrawal. A published case report describes opioid withdrawal after stopping concentrated 7-OH make clear that concentrated products differ from kratom leaf in this respect.¹⁰  A World Health Organization review found that 7-OH carries a real potential for misuse.¹¹  

If you have found it hard to cut back or stop, that does not mean something is wrong with you. Dependence on a substance like 7-OH is a medical condition, and it is treatable. 7-OH withdrawal can look like opioid withdrawal; for what that process involves, see Kratom Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline & Treatment Options.

Concentrated 7-OH can cause overdose. Like other opioids, it can slow breathing, and the risk increases as the dose increases. Severe respiratory depression can become life-threatening. Reports have also documented deaths involving 7-OH, although some cases involve other substances as well. What research cannot yet settle is how much of that risk comes from 7-OH on its own. A 2019 CDC report looked at kratom in general, not 7-OH specifically; it found kratom in a number of overdose deaths, but nearly all of those cases also involved other substances.¹² That question is still open, and concentrated 7-OH products are new enough that the evidence is still coming in. In the meantime, caution is the reasonable approach.

How long does 7-OH last and stay in your system?

Published human data suggest that 7-OH has a plasma half-life of approximately 3 hours after kratom exposure.¹³ That does not tell us exactly how long concentrated 7-OH products last or remain detectable in the body, because those products have not been studied as well in people.

Is 7-OH legal? The 7-OH ban explained

As of August 2026, the federal government is in the process of restricting concentrated 7-OH. This is called scheduling: the government sorts controlled substances into five groups based on their medical use and their risk of misuse. It is not a final, permanent ban yet.

On July 1, 2026, the DEA began a temporary process to place concentrated 7-OH, above a set amount, into the most restricted group, Schedule I.⁵ The earliest the temporary scheduling order could take effect was August 5, 2026. As of August 11, 2026, the federal scheduling process remains underway.⁶ Importantly, it targets concentrated and synthetic 7-OH, not the natural kratom leaf.⁵  

This did not happen all at once. The FDA sent warning letters to companies selling 7-OH products in July 2025,² recommended scheduling later that month,¹⁴ and seized a shipment of the products in December 2025,¹⁵ before the DEA’s action.

Several states have also restricted 7-OH on their own, and these laws change quickly.⁶ And no matter what the law says where you live, that does not change the health risks of concentrated 7-OH.

Why do many people think 7-OH is “just kratom”?

A lot of the confusion comes from marketing. Because 7-OH comes from the kratom plant, products are sold as a kind of kratom, even though researchers describe them as chemically distinct from botanical kratom.³ They are widely available online and in gas stations, corner stores, and vape shops, which can make them feel casual and low-stakes.¹⁴ 

But “natural” does not mean low-risk. The plant holds only trace amounts of 7-OH. Companies concentrate that one compound to high levels, so the starting material is natural but the finished product acts like a strong opioid. For the fuller story on the leaf itself, see All About Kratom.  

When to consider professional treatment

If 7-OH has become hard to stop, or if stopping brings on withdrawal symptoms, that’s a medical situation, not a personal failure. You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to ask for help. 

Eleanor Health can help assess the safest next step. Our clinicians regularly care for people with substance use disorders and can determine whether withdrawal can be managed safely in an outpatient setting or whether a higher level of care is needed. For many people, outpatient treatment is appropriate and may include medications for addiction treatment (MAT), therapy, and peer support, and ongoing medical care based on individual needs in the states where Eleanor operates. Most insurance is accepted, though coverage and available services vary by state. 

If your care team determines that medically supervised detox is the safest option, we’ll help connect you with the appropriate level of care and continue supporting your recovery after you’re medically stabilized.

If you’re outside the states we serve or need immediate help finding treatment, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP [4357]) provides free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referrals and information in English and Spanish.

If you are ready to talk about options, Eleanor Health can walk you through what care looks like.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7-OH the same as kratom? No. Kratom is the botanical leaf; 7-OH is a single compound found in the leaf in only trace amounts. The products sold as “7-OH” are concentrated extracts of that one compound, which researchers describe as chemically distinct from botanical kratom.³  

Is 7-OH stronger than morphine? Yes. In animal studies, 7-OH was approximately 4 to 6 times more potent than morphine in measures of pain relief. These findings come from animal research, so they do not tell us that 7-OH is exactly 4 to 6 times stronger in people. The FDA describes 7-OH as having substantially greater potency than morphine on the body’s opioid receptors. 

How long does 7-OH last or stay in your system? Human data suggest a plasma half-life of approximately 3 hours after kratom exposure. That is different from how long the effects last or how long 7-OH may be detectable in the body. Those questions are less certain for concentrated 7-OH products. not yet established.

Is 7-OH addictive? Yes. Regular use of concentrated 7-OH can lead to dependence and withdrawal. Research shows opioid-like reinforcing effects, and clinical reports describe people developing withdrawal after stopping. If it has become hard to stop, that is a treatable medical condition, and help is available.

Is 7-OH legal? Is there a 7-OH ban? As of July 2026, 7-OH is in a temporary federal scheduling process, not a finalized ban. The DEA began the process on July 1, 2026 for concentrated 7-OH above a set threshold and certain synthetic derivatives, and several states have their own restrictions.^5,6 Because this is moving quickly, the status may have changed since publication.

Can you overdose on 7-OH? Yes. 7-OH acts on opioid receptors and can cause dose-dependent respiratory depression, meaning higher doses can slow breathing enough to become life-threatening. Fatal cases involving 7-OH have been reported, although some involved other substances as well.

What should I do if I cannot stop using 7-OH? Reaching out is a good next step, and you do not need to be in crisis to do it. 

Eleanor Health can assess your situation and help determine the most appropriate level of care. Many people can safely begin treatment in an outpatient setting, while others may need a higher level of care before starting ongoing treatment.

If you’re outside the states we serve or need immediate help finding treatment, the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP [4357]) provides free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referrals and information in English and Spanish.

Sources

1. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA and kratom. Updated July 13, 2026. Accessed July 23, 2026. FDA and kratom
2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA issues warning letters to firms marketing products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine. Published July 15, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2026. FDA warning letters
3. Alsbrook S, Pro G, Koturbash I. From kratom to 7-hydroxymitragynine: evolution of a natural remedy into a public-health threat. Pharm Biol. 2025;63(1):896-911. doi:10.1080/13880209.2025.2590311
4. US Food and Drug Administration. Hiding in plain sight: 7-OH products. Updated July 13, 2026. Accessed July 23, 2026. Hiding in plain sight: 7-OH products
5. US Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA to temporarily schedule 7-OH and related substances to protect public safety. Published July 1, 2026. Accessed July 23, 2026. DEA announcement
6. Drug Enforcement Administration. Schedules of controlled substances: temporary placement of 7-hydroxymitragynine above a specified threshold in Schedule I. Notice of intent. Fed Regist. Published July 6, 2026. Doc No. 2026-13580. Accessed July 23, 2026. Federal Register notice
7. Kruegel AC, Uprety R, Grinnell SG, et al. 7-Hydroxymitragynine is an active metabolite of mitragynine and a key mediator of its analgesic effects. ACS Cent Sci. 2019;5(6):992-1001. doi:10.1021/acscentsci.9b00141
8. Matsumoto K, Hatori Y, Murayama T, et al. Involvement of mu-opioid receptors in antinociception and inhibition of gastrointestinal transit induced by 7-hydroxymitragynine, isolated from Thai herbal medicine Mitragyna speciosa. Eur J Pharmacol. 2006;549(1-3):63-70. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.08.013
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Kratom. Updated March 11, 2026. Accessed July 23, 2026. NIDA: Kratom
10. Lybik N, Cone B, Skelton S, Elfessi Z. Management of acute withdrawal from 7-hydroxymitragynine after high-dose chronic use: a case report. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2026;66(3):103047. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2026.103047
11. World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. Forty-fourth report. World Health Organization; 2022. WHO Technical Report Series No. 1038. WHO report
12. Olsen EO, O’Donnell J, Mattson CL, Schier JG, Wilson N. Notes from the field: unintentional drug overdose deaths with kratom detected—27 states, July 2016-December 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(14):326-327. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6814a2
13. Cinosi E, Martinotti G, Simonato P, et al. Following “the roots” of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): the evolution of an enhancer from a traditional use to increase work and productivity in Southeast Asia to a Recreational Psychoactive Drug in Western Countries.
14. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA takes steps to restrict 7-OH opioid products threatening American consumers. News release. July 29, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-restrict-7-oh-opioid-products-threatening-american-consumers
15. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA seizes 7-OH opioids to protect American consumers. News release. December 2, 2025. Accessed July 23, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-seizes-7-oh-opioids-protect-american-consumers