Many in the United States have likely, at this point, heard of kratom as a potentially addictive substance but fewer might be aware of 7-Hydroxymitragynine, or what has become better known as 7-OH. With an influx of 7-OH and kratom related products comes an increase in questions from the community at large, we at Long Island Center for Recovery wanted to take the time to fully explore what we know about 7-OH so that individuals can feel up to speed and educated on the topic surrounding this new and potentially addictive substance.
7-OH or 7-hydroxymitragynine is a powerful psychoactive compound which is found naturally in trace amounts of the Mitragyna speciosa plant, also known popularly as kratom. Despite being found in this naturally grown substance, 7-OH is a highly concentrated derivative and is synthesized specifically for its enhanced levels and effects compared to its natural counterpart but is vastly unregulated and often marketed as the same as kratom when it is far removed from its natural counterpart.
Street names for 7-OH recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) included 7-Hydroxy, 7-OHMG, and ‘7’ and it can often be picked up at local smoke shops, dispensaries, or even gas stations as a tablet, gummy, drink mix and even as a shot.
Once consumed, 7-OH operates in the body much like an opioid, connecting itself and stimulating the mu-opioid receptor (mMOR), elevating pain to some degree as well resulting in psychedelic effects for the individual.
Many would ask when exploring, ‘what is 7-OH?’ is it also an opioid? The answer isn’t as direct as you might think. 7-OH affects the body much like an opioid would and is actually classified, along with kratom, as an ‘atypical opioid’. An atypical opioid by definition is a pain-relief medication that treats pain by using both opioid and non-opioid biological pathways in the body. Unlike traditional or conventional opioids (such as morphine or oxycodone) which rely entirely on activating mu-opioid receptors, atypical opioids use a combined approach.
It’s also important to note that, while potentially addictive when used out of their prescribed use, many opioids are FDA approved medications with specific benefits and uses. 7-OH products are not approved by the FDA.
The risks associated with 7-OH are apparent and amounting rapidly with each growing day. Below are the effects associated with 7-OH.
Perhaps more apparent than the list of effects 7-OH has on the body are the actions of the United States government. As recent as July 2026, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily placed 7-hydroxymitagynine (7-OH) into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Prior to DEA issuing this notice, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed that the synthetic 7-OH had no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. These noticed were followed up by this quote from DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, “Today’s action targets highly concentrated, synthetic 7-OH products, which pose a growing threat to public safety and health. Temporarily scheduling these substances underscores the emphasis this Administration has put on the safety, health and well-being of the American people.”
To only add to the public scrutiny of 7-OH products, the FDA itself has recently released an article titled: Preventing The Next Wave of the Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know About 7-OH, which really says it all. There is a wealth of information in the article posted by the FDA, which we have linked in the references of this article, but one the finer notes is on the topic, is 7-OH addictive? The answer is yes, as we have mentioned several times, the substance emulates the effects of opioids, but it important to note how effective and potent the 7-OH products truly are. In an analysis from the National Library of Medicine, 7-OH proved to be 10-fold more potent then it’s natural counterpart, mitragynine, and in the FDA article, it was suggest that that number could reach levels of 500% higher concentrations, which would suggest that some 7-OH products are 13x more potent than morphine.
At Long Island Center for Recovery, kratom and 7-OH withdrawal is not treated as a generic supplement issue. Our team understands the high-potency of 7-OH products, extracts, tablets, gummies, or drink shots. Treatment would begin with a detailed assessment of the exact product and 7-OH levels being used, the amount, frequency, duration of use, withdrawal pattern, co-occurring substance use, medical history, psychiatric symptoms, and overall safety needs. We look at the full clinical picture because traditional whole-leaf kratom and concentrated 7-OH products can present very differently.
LICR’s healthcare team is experienced in treating 7-OH withdrawal, including cases that present with a more opioid-like pattern of dependence. Care is individualized and may include medical and nursing monitoring, prescription and non-prescription adjunctive medications, hydration, nutrition, sleep support, counseling, holistic therapies, and structured daily programming.
We hope you learned more about what 7-OH is and the risks associated with such a substance. If you or a loved one is in need of any addiction treatment services in the future, please reach out to Long Island Center for Recovery at 800-344-5427, and we’d be happy to assist you or your loved ones in any way possible.
References:
National Library of Medicine: 7-Hydroxymitragynine Is an Active Metabolite of Mitragynine and a Key Mediator of Its Analgesic Effects
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6598159/
United States Drug Enforcement Administration: DEA to Temporarily Schedule 7-OH and Related Substances to Protect Public Safety
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/07/01/dea-temporarily-schedule-7-oh-and-related-substances-protect-public
United States Food and Drug Administration: Preventing The Next Wave of the Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know About 7-OH
https://www.fda.gov/media/187900/download#:~:text=7%2DOH%20is%2013x,Need%20to%20Know%20About%207%2DOH
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