When it comes to home remedies and experimenting with ‘legal drugs’, 7 Hydroxymitragynine tends to be the most common one people abuse. In recent years, products containing kratom and its potent compound, 7-hydroxymitragynine, have gained a false reputation as a safe, plant-based solution.¹

This psychoactive stimulant, found in Kratom, is known for mimicking the effects of opioids. However, it is not as safe as the internet claims it to be. The FDA has begun to warn the public about the side effects of 7-hydroxymitragynin.² If you or a loved one is struggling with Kratom abuse, Nurture Nexus Recovery Center offers addiction treatment services that can help!

In August 2025, the state of Florida issued an Emergency Rule banning 7-OH products and declaring them as dangerous as opioids.³

Quick Consultation

What is 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

7-Hydroxymitragynine is one of the two psychoactive chemicals found in the Southeast Asian plant Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa). It actually consists of around 2% of the alkaloids found in Kratom. Instead, it is mainly released in the body when the alkaloid mitragynine is metabolized.³

At low doses, 7-Hydroxymitragynine acts as a stimulant, increasing energy, alertness, and sociability. At higher doses, it produces sedative and opioid-like effects.⁴ This leads to pain relief, euphoria, and relaxation, but also carries the risk of addiction and severe side effects.

Is Kratom The Same As 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

As discussed above, 7-Hydroxymitragynine is an alkaloid found within the Kratom plant in trace quantities. The Kratom plant itself has around 40 alkaloids, two of which are psychoactive, i.e., 7-Hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine.

Why Is 7-Hydroxymitragynine Called Legal Morphine?

7-Hydroxymitragynine is called legal morphine because high doses of the substance mimic opioid effects such as pain relief, elevated mood, dizziness, and its associated high.¹² However, at high doses, 7-Hydroxymitragynine is 10x more potent than morphine (opioid). Since it is not a controlled substance, nor is it illegal in the US, it is often referred to as ‘legal morphine’.

5 Reasons To Avoid Using 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Understanding the risks of 7-hydroxymitragynine is the first step toward making an informed choice for your health. Here are five main reasons to avoid using 7-Hydroxymitragynine:

1. Kratom is Not A Substitute for Drugs

There is a common misconception that 7-Hydroxymitragynine is a safe substitute for medication to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.⁵ While the compound interacts with the brain’s receptors the same way as medications like Suboxone, it is dangerous to interchange the two. There is a great risk of developing an addiction and possibly causing more complications.

2. It Comes with A Variety of Side Effects

The side effects of 7-Hydroxymitragynine⁶ range from uncomfortable to life-threatening based on the amount you’re consuming. They include:

Neurological issues: Tremors, seizures, and psychosis.
Cardiovascular issues: Increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
Gastrointestinal problems: Chronic constipation, anorexia, and weight loss.
Organ damage: In some cases, severe liver injury has been linked to kratom use.

Another essential thing to remember is that these side effects become more pronounced if you’re abusing other substances along with Kratom or if you have underlying health conditions.

3. There Isn’t Enough Evidence of Its Health Benefits

Unlike medications and remedies that the FDA has approved, 7-Hydroxymitragynine is still relatively new.⁷ The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the FDA have both highlighted this significant knowledge gap. As a result, we lack a complete understanding of its long-term health effects, its interactions with other medications, and its potential impact on vulnerable populations like the elderly or pregnant women.

4. The FDA is Actively Regulating Kratom Distribution

Over the years, the FDA has begun a gradual crackdown against products with Kratom or 7-Hydroxymitragynine.⁸ In fact, the FDA has issued several warnings, seized products with 7-Hydroxymitragynine, and proposed to put Kratom as a controlled Schedule I drug.⁹ All this action against products containing 7-Hydroxymitragynine is reason enough to believe it may be harmful to health.

5. You’re More Likely to Get Sick Than High

Apart from the supposed health benefits and ‘high’, there is a good chance of the user getting sick instead. The market for 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Kratom products is unregulated, which leads to excess amounts of heavy metals in Kratom powders¹⁰, risk of contamination, and diseases such as Salmonella¹¹. Constant use lowers your immunity and potentially causes adverse health effects.

How Addictive is 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

Research suggests that 7-Hydroxymitragynine has a high addiction potential. Since it’s much stronger than morphine (opioid) at large doses, it tends to interfere with the body’s natural dopamine levels. Some side effects of a Kratom addiction¹³ can also be quite severe, including:

Muscle aches
Anxiety or irritability
Insomnia
Nausea
Intense cravings

Signs of Kratom Addiction

An addiction to 7-Hydroxymitragynine or Kratom quickly gets out of hand once the body develops a dependence on it. Some of the signs of Kratom addiction¹⁴ are:

You’re unable to stop consuming Kratom or 7-Hydroxymitragynine products
You use 7-Hydroxymitragynine products to cope with pain
It is hard to say no to 7-Hydroxymitragynine or Kratom-related products
You’re experiencing the adverse side effects of Kratom use, but don’t stop
You’ve been reserved and cannot continue your daily life as normal

Medical Expert Opinion on 7-Hydroxymitragynine Use

“If the FDA is warning against a substance, it is always with good cause. Academia and scientists do their due diligence when reporting the adverse effects of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. It may seem like a temporary solution, but it can lead to an addiction in the long run!”

-Dr. Taiye Popoola

Treatment Options For 7-Hydroxymitragynine Abuse

We treat 7-Hydroxymitragynine addiction in a similar way to how we treat drug addiction or other substance abuse cases. Our treatment programs combine psychotherapy approaches like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing alongside medications such as Suboxone to manage withdrawals.

Outpatient Program

Standard outpatient programs are conducted 1-3 days a week for short 1-3 hour sessions. They’re great for low-intensity addiction cases where the patient has to manage addiction treatment with work or school.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are suitable for patients who need more treatment hours during the day without being admitted overnight. We provide daily sessions of 3-5 hours each with a flexible schedule.

Partial Hospitalization Program

With more demanding cases of addiction, partial hospitalization programs (PHP) allow the patient to be medically supervised during treatment sessions. They last anywhere from 6-8 hours a day with varying frequency.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

7-Hydroxymitragynine use has been linked with dependence and withdrawal symptoms. To treat these, we make use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) that prevents withdrawal symptoms and controls cravings.

Take The First Step Towards Recovery From Kratom Addiction in Texas Today!

An addiction to 7-Hydroxymitragynine is just as dangerous as one to illegal opioids such as morphine. Even if the FDA has not banned this substance yet, there is no denying its addictive potential.

At Nurture Nexus Recovery Center, we offer professional opioid addiction treatment services to help you with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Call us at (214) 838-7488 or contact us to schedule an appointment today!

FAQs Regarding 7-Hydroxymitragynine

Is 7-Hydroxymitragynine Illegal to Use?

No, currently there are no laws that have declared 7-Hydroxymitragynine as illegal, but the FDA is moving to classify it as a Schedule I drug. However, the State of Florida has banned the use of 7-Hydroxymitragynine under an Emergency Rule.

What Type of Drug is 7-Hydroxymitragynine?

7-Hydroxymitragynine is a terpenoid indole alkaloid and opioid drug. It is currently sold unregulated in the US, but there are efforts to classify it as a Schedule I drug.

How Long Does 7-hydroxymitragynine Stay in Your System?

7-hydroxymitragynine stays in your system for around a week if used sparingly with intervals in between. It will show up on a saliva, blood, or urine test, depending on the intensity of the 7-OH and the amount taken. However, people have also reported that it stays in your hair follicles for up to 90 days.

7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH): Risks, Legality, and Safer Treatment Alternatives to Kratom

Dr. Oluwole Popoola

Reviewed By:

Dr. Taiye Popoola

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