7-OH Addiction Treatment
7-OH or 7-Hydroxymitragynine is quickly becoming a substance of major concern in the United States. The U.S. (FDA) Food and Drug Administration (2025b) views that 7-OH has the potential to start the next wave of the opioid crisis and that this concentrated product is an emerging public health threat. There was a request by the U.S. FDA (2025a) to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to make 7-OH synthetic concentrates a Schedule I Controlled Substance on July 29, 2025.
Luckily for many there are treatment options, especially if the person catches the addiction before too great a tolerance is built. Here at Recover Clarity, we work with those needing assistance with breaking the addiction to the “legal” 7-OH products. Click below to fill out a contact form and schedule a free consultation.
What is 7-OH
7-Hydroxymitragynine, more commonly known as 7-OH, is one of the alkaloids that come from the plant Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom). This drug also has other street names called 7-Hydroxy, 7-OHMG and just plain ‘7’ (U.S. FDA, 2025c). As this is a naturally occurring alkaloid in Kratom it is only about 2% of the total alkaloids in the plant (U.S. FDA, 2025a).
To learn more about Kratom, read Recover Clarity’s Blog and specifically the article on Kratom Part 1 with additional parts coming soon.
Dangers of 7-OH Concentrates
However, many of the products found online or even at vape stores and gas stations contain synthetically enhanced amounts of 7-OH that would not be naturally occurring in Kratom. These can contain as much as 500% more 7- Hydroxymitragynine then what would naturally occur (U.S. FDA, 2025c).
What is most concerning is the Kratom 7-OH concentrated extracts are 13 times more potent than morphine (U.S. FDA, 2025c). With this potency comes extreme concerns of abuse and physical dependency which can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms once a physiological dependency occurs.
How 7-OH Affects the Brain
7-OH, binds to the same receptors in the brain as that of any other opioid such as Fentanyl, Heroin, Morphine, Hydrocodone and all other opioids and opiates. These receptors, the mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are located in the central nervous system. When these substances bind to the receptors, they activate the receptors which is what leads to increased dopamine (where the pleasure and euphoria come from), reduced pain signals, decreased gastrointestinal movement, and slowed breathing. 7-OH, also binds to other opioid receptors in the brain, but it is the mu-opioid receptors that are of main concern.
As there are the physiological effects of 7-OH there are psychological changes as well. These are changes to the reward pathways which lead to psychological dependence on the substance. Psychological aspects of addiction at times can often be longer lasting than the physiological aspects such as withdrawal. And these can play into psychosomatic responses during recovery from addiction to 7-OH and/or Kratom.
Difference Between Kratom and 7-OH
Kratom is the plant which most people think of at times separately from 7-OH. Truthfully, they are the same, just that in nature Kratom the main alkaloid is Mitragynine with 7- Hydroxymitragynine (also called 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, 7-OHMG, and ‘7’) being only about 2% of the alkaloids naturally occurring in this plant. The 7-OH, seen in many stores, is synthetic and concentrated as those levels would not exist naturally.
So where is the difference?
This is when looking at many “legal” products being sold the 7-OH is synthetically produced in greater than naturally occurring amounts. Between Mitragynine and 7-OH, it is the 7-OH which binds very closely to the mu-opioid receptor sites as well as other opioid receptor sites (Obeng et al., 2021). As both alkaloids will bind to the mu-opioid receptor sites, it is 7-OH that can have 10 to 40 times more effect on these receptors than mitragynine.
This is a vast difference between the two substances, especially making 7-OH concentrates dangerous for abuse with including physiological and psychological dependence.
7-OH Withdrawal
Because of the difference and effectiveness of concentrated 7-OH to the mu-opioid receptor sites, the withdrawal effects can be much stronger than that of natural Kratom. The same withdrawal symptoms of that with all other opioids can be present including but not limited to:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Heaving Sweating
Aches and pains
Insomnia
Elevated heart rate
Chills and Fever
Restlessness
Anxiety
Depression
Changes in Mood
Treatment Options for 7-OH Addiction
For people that have been taking concentrated 7-OH versions of Kratom, more medical intervention may be required than that of normal Kratom Addiction Treatment. Ideally anyone would be able to just self-taper off the substance and become free of the grasp this plant takes on people. Before trying to taper please consult a medical provider and receive guidance.
The type of treatment option that will be best for a person is very individualized and based on many factors. For individuals that have a history of substance use disorders, treatment such as Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) which includes medication of Suboxone may be best fit. Medical detox may be needed to assist during the initial withdrawal management followed by treatment such as Online Suboxone Treatment or by adding in some Addiction Counseling.
Medical Detox
Medical detox could be useful for those suffering from extreme levels of withdrawal. This often is followed by some outpatient treatment, whether with medications or just with additional therapeutic support. As medical detoxes may not sound as appealing as it requires in-person treatment, this level is of the highest care and always a good choice for those concerned about their journey of recovery. When looking at any journey of recovery having a higher level of care is never a bad idea.
Buprenorphine-Based Medications – Suboxone
Any of the Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) could be used to assist with the withdrawal from 7-OH. But it is important to understand the differences between the medications, seek medical opinions, and choose the one that is correct for you. For instance, there are great differences between Methadone vs Suboxone. As well as differences between Sublocade and Suboxone, even though they are both Buprenorphine based medications. Recover Clarity uses sublingual Buprenorphine medications (Suboxone and Subutex) as these have been seen to have the highest success rates for addiction recovery. However, any medication that helps someone break free from addiction and get their life back is always a great thing.
Many medical research institutions do suggest that Suboxone or Buprenorphine based medications would be most recommended for the treatment of Kratom and 7-OH Addictions (John Hopkins Medicine, 2025; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2024). Again, if a person can get off 7-OH without the use of medications that is always the ideal solution. But for anyone with a history of substance misuse, medications can help with not only withdrawal but with future cravings and prevent relapses.
If you or a loved one is in need of treatment, contact us today by clicking below to schedule a free consultation.
References
John Hopkins Medicine. (2025, February). Emerging use of kratom in US: Kratom use disorder experts propose decision-making algorithm for clinicians | Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2025/02/emerging-use-of-kratom-in-us-kratom-use-disorder-experts-propose-decision-making-algorithm-for-clinicians
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2024, June 18). Kratom: Unsafe and ineffective. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171
Obeng S, Wilkerson JL, León F, Reeves ME, Restrepo LF, Gamez-Jimenez LR, Patel A, Pennington AE, Taylor VA, Ho NP, Braun T, Fortner JD, Crowley ML, Williamson MR, Pallares VLC, Mottinelli M, Lopera-Londoño C, McCurdy CR, McMahon LR, Hiranita T. (2021). Pharmacological Comparison of Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: In Vitro Affinity and Efficacy for μ-Opioid Receptor and Opioid-Like Behavioral Effects in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2021 Mar;376(3):410-427. doi: 10.1124/jpet.120.000189.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025a, July 29). 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH): An assessment of the scientific data and toxicological concerns around an emerging opioid threat [PDF]. https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/7-hydroxymitragynin_7-oh_an_assessment_of_the_scientific_data_and_toxicological_concerns_around_an_emerging_opioid_threat.pdf
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025b). Hiding in plain sight: 7-oh products. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/hiding-plain-sight-7-oh-products
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025c). Preventing the next wave of the opioid epidemic: What you need to know about. https://www.fda.gov/media/187900/download