What are kratom and 7-OH, and what are their effects on the body?

Kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia. Mitragynine and 7-OH (or 7-hydroxymitragynine) are the main naturally occurring compounds found in the kratom plant that cause a “high.”

Some products sold as kratom or 7-OH contain artificially elevated amounts of synthetic or semi-synthetic 7-OH. Naturally occurring levels of 7-OH are relatively low in kratom. Products sold as kratom or 7-OH may also contain other additives or contaminants because the industry is not regulated and lacks product testing or oversight.

Neither kratom nor 7-OH are currently considered controlled substances under federal law* though some states have added them to their own controlled substance schedules. This makes it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess kratom and 7-OH in those jurisdictions. Other states have taken steps to regulate the marketing and sale of kratom and 7-OH.

Today in the United States, products labeled as kratom and 7-OH come in many forms. These include powders, capsules, leaves, or extracts. These products are often sold in gas stations, convenience stores, vape shops, and online. Since products sold as kratom and 7-OH have varying levels of potency, they can sometimes affect the body in different and often unpredictable ways.

In lower doses, products sold as kratom can produce stimulant-like effects like increased energy and alertness. They can increase heart rate, anxiety, and blood pressure and have other stimulant-like adverse effects. Higher doses of products sold as kratom can produce sedative or opioid-like effects such as relaxation and pain relief. Consuming large amounts of kratom products may cause nausea, constipation, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and overdose. Kratom is not an opioid, but it partially interacts with the same receptor sites in the brain that opioids do.

Products containing higher levels of 7-OH have more opioid-like effects on the brain and body. These products come with greater risk of physical dependence and overdose since they are significantly stronger than kratom in its natural form.

Rates of kratom use in the United States are significantly lower than other drugs, although there is a growing number of people who use the substance. Even fewer people use 7-OH products. The research on short and long-term health impacts of kratom and 7-OH is limited—this is still an emerging area of study, and these drugs are relatively new in the drug supply.

Reviewed and updated by Dr. Sheila P. Vakharia on 04/01/2026.