Public-health information · Research, risks, and help

FAQ

Direct answers to common questions about kratom, 7-OH, dependence, withdrawal, regulation, and help resources.

Updated

4 sources

Direct answer

Start by distinguishing the compound 7-OH from the product containing it. FDA's clinician letter separates concentrated products from trace leaf content. FDA letter to health care professionals

Two details to keep in view

The percentage in FDA's leaf comparison refers to total alkaloids, not total leaf weight. FDA 7-OH scientific assessment

The October 14, 2026 notice is not an effective 7-OH scheduling order; it identifies November 13 as the earliest publication date for an order. DEA October 14, 2026 notice of intent

Where should I go for help?

Suspected overdose requires 911 immediately, not a treatment-referral or crisis call. CDC overdose response guidance See Get Help for the distinct support pathways.

Sources

  1. FDA letter to health care professionals
  2. FDA 7-OH scientific assessment
  3. DEA October 14, 2026 notice of intent
  4. CDC overdose response guidance
What is 7-OH?

7-OH is 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent kratom alkaloid and metabolite. The main public-health concern is not trace 7-OH in natural leaf, but concentrated products sold as tablets, gummies, shots, and similar forms.

FDA 7-OH scientific assessmentFDA scheduling recommendation press release
Is kratom the same thing as 7-OH?

No. Kratom usually refers to Mitragyna speciosa leaf or leaf-derived products. FDA describes 7-OH as a minor natural constituent of kratom leaf, while concentrated 7-OH products can have a very different risk profile.

FDA 7-OH scientific assessment
Why do people call some 7-OH products gas station heroin?

The phrase is informal and imprecise, but it points to opioid-like effects, dependence concerns, and retail availability in gas stations, vape shops, smoke shops, and online stores.

FDA scheduling recommendation press release
Is 7-OH FDA-approved?

No. FDA says there are no FDA-approved 7-OH drugs, and 7-OH is not lawful in dietary supplements or conventional foods.

FDA scheduling recommendation press release
How potent is 7-OH?

Potency depends on the experiment. A guinea-pig tissue study reported a 13-fold comparison with morphine, repeated by FDA, but its printed response values do not reproduce that ratio. It is not a verified human potency multiplier or dosing rule.

FDA 7-OH scientific assessmentMatsumoto et al. 2004 7-OH pharmacology
Can 7-OH cause withdrawal?

FDA reports opioid-like withdrawal syndromes in surveillance and social-media data tied to concentrated 7-OH products, and preclinical work supports dependence potential.

FDA 7-OH scientific assessmentFDA letter to health care professionals
Has DEA finalized a federal 7-OH ban?

As of October 14, 2026, DEA has published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above a specified threshold. The notice says a temporary order will be published on or after November 13, 2026. A notice of intent is not an effective order, and state laws must be checked separately.

DEA October 14, 2026 7-OH and MGPI notice of intentFDA Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products (October 2026 update)
What products are most concerning?

FDA has focused on concentrated 7-OH products including tablets, gummies, drink mixes, shots, candies, and products marketed as enhanced or spiked kratom.

FDA 7-OH warning letters announcementFDA letter to health care professionals
Where can someone get help for dependence or withdrawal?

For U.S. treatment referrals, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For crisis support, call or text 988.

SAMHSA National Helpline988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Can natural kratom still have risks?

Yes. Distinguishing leaf from concentrated 7-OH does not mean leaf products are risk-free. FDA maintains broader concerns about kratom safety, unlawful marketing, and unapproved therapeutic claims.

FDA 7-OH scientific assessmentFDA scheduling recommendation press release

Related reading

What Is 7-OH?7-OH explained: 7-hydroxymitragynine, concentrated product forms, potency evidence, and regulatory concern.What Is Kratom?7-OH versus kratom leaf: a plain-language explanation of mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and why product concentration matters.Regulatory Tracker7-OH regulatory developments: dated FDA, DEA, HHS, and state-level actions, with kratom leaf tracked separately.Get Help7-OH and kratom help resources: confidential crisis support, substance-use treatment referrals, and clinician guidance.