On July 29, 2025, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that FDA was taking steps to stem the growing availability and use of 7-OH. 7-OH is more formally known as 7-hydroxymitragynine and is sometimes called 7-hydro, 7-hydroxy, 7-OHMG, 7-HMG, or 7. It’s a naturally occurring component in kratom.
Concentrated 7-OH products first appeared around 2023 in vape stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and online. It is available in many forms, including tablets, drink mixes, shots, fruit-flavored gummies, and candies. Some are even packaged as ice cream cones.
7-OH is one of the two main psychoactive components in kratom but is naturally present only in small quantities. Producers of these products are using synthetic chemical steps to convert a more abundant but less potent psychoactive kratom component called mitragynine into 7-OH.
7-OH activates mu-opioid receptors and is a potent pain reliever. Some people purchase it to get a legal high due to its euphoric effects. Others buy it to treat depression and anxiety.
Some people start using Kratom, which produces stimulant effects in low doses. As they develop tolerance to Kratom, they switch to 7-OH. Like opioids, 7-OH can become addictive.
According to U.S. Poison Control Centers, patients overdosing on 7-OH display many of the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose. Symptoms included nausea and vomiting, agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, trouble breathing, sleepiness or loss of consciousness, and seizures.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is reviewing the FDA’s scheduling recommendation for 7-OH, which would restrict its availability. Florida has already classified concentrated forms of 7-OH as a schedule 1 controlled substance, making it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute those products.
Reference
Anderer, S, What to Know About 7-OH, the New Vape Shop Hazard, JAMA. 2025; 334(12):1045-1046. 10.1001/jama.2025.13592
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