Kratom vs 7-Hydroxymitragynine
Kratom vs 7-Hydroxymitragynine Explained | Purpose Healing Guides Your Recovery Journey
The Differences Between Kratom and 7-Oh Kratom Products
Kratom was introduced to the United States following the Vietnam War, brought over by veterans and people who immigrated from Southeast Asia. Even with a long history, though, it wasn’t until the past decade or so that it really became popular. Many of the kratom products available today are also very different from those used during the Vietnam War.
One of the biggest differences comes down to a single compound found in the kratom plant: 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). This compound makes using kratom more dangerous, producing stronger, more sedative effects, as well as stronger addictive potential and withdrawal symptoms.
Understanding the differences between kratom vs. 7-hydroxymitragynine is one of the ways you can protect yourself, and this guide from Purpose Healing Center is here to help.
Where Does Kratom Come From?
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia. It’s popular in countries like Thailand and Indonesia, where leaves might be used to brew kratom tea. Some people also chew on the leaf.
Its usage is much different in the United States. You might turn to kratom in hopes it will help manage mood, boost your energy, or relieve pain. Even with stories about how it “helps”, it’s important to remember kratom is psychoactive. Like any psychoactive drug, it comes with risks that get worse with heavy use.
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Indole Alkaloids in the Kratom Plant
The different compounds responsible for the effects you feel after ingesting kratom are called indole alkaloids. There are multiple alkaloids found in kratom plants (40 of them to be exact!). Of these, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) are the most common active compounds.
Mitragynine is responsible for effects like energy stimulation and pain, but the effects vary a little depending on your dose. 7-OH is present in smaller amounts in the whole plant, but when extracted, it becomes more potent. You also lose the balance and synergy from the different alkaloids when 7-OH is extracted and taken alone.
What are 7-OH Kratom Extracts?
7-hydroxymitragynine is a major alkaloid responsible for the relaxing, sedative effects you feel from taking kratom. It rounds out the effects of mitragynine and other alkaloids when they are all ingested at once, such is the case with whole leaf extract.
When 7-OH is extracted or chemically enhanced, kratom’s effects feel much stronger. This increases the risk of tolerance and dependence, particularly for a plant like kratom that interacts with the opioid receptors in your brain.
Combined Effects of Kratom Use and 7-Hydroxymitragynine
Whole, natural kratom leaves produce a spectrum of effects because the different alkaloids interact with each other. Most people feel mild energy at lower doses. At higher doses, relaxation and pain-relieving effects are more common.
The balance is one of the reasons people find kratom versatile. If you’re taking 7-OH in its concentrated form, though, the balance changes. You’ll feel more sedated, like you’ve taken an opioid. This makes 7-OH more intense, but also more habit-forming.
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What’s the Difference Between Kratom and 7-OH Kratom?
Kratom is sourced from the natural leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. The leaves have different alkaloids that work together, creating effects like energy, focus, and pain relief.
When certain alkaloids (like 7-OH) are extracted, the extract has a more concentrated, potent effect.
7-OH is much stronger and more intense than kratom. This appeals to people looking for relaxation or relief, but it’s also more dangerous. 7-OH has more health risks and a higher potential for dependence and abuse. When combined with alcohol, marijuana, or other sedatives, it can even interact with your lungs the same way as opioids and cause respiratory depression.
Is Kratom Leaf or 7-OH More Potent?
Kratom leaves produce gentler effects, though they too come with some risks. This happens because the alkaloids work in harmony, so the way it affects you is more predictable. 7-OH, by contrast, is highly potent in small amounts.
Research shows it bonds to your brain’s opioid receptors more strongly than morphine. It might feel like it’s hard to moderate how much kratom you’re using if you’re taking 7-OH, and its strong, opioid-like effects are the reason why.
What Compounds Are in Commercial Kratom Products?
In countries where kratom is popular, people use the plant to make tea or chew on the leaves directly. Commercially, kratom looks much different. Kratom powder, tea, extract, or enhanced “herbal” supplements are all made from plain leaf kratom. Some products stay as close to the natural leaf as possible, and others fortify them.
A major problem is that there are no standardized labels for kratom. It’s hard to know the exact concentration of kratom products. Some brands don’t even list the alkaloids that you’re taking.
Is 7-OH More Dangerous?
The many alkaloids in natural kratom leaves are balanced. When a single ingredient like 7-OH is isolated and concentrated, it comes with more risks. It binds strongly to your mu opioid receptors, so you’ll develop tolerance faster than you would with kratom. Once you’ve developed tolerance, stopping feels uncomfortable.
The lack of regulation also makes it impossible to know how much 7-OH you’re really consuming. It’s easy to become dependent without realizing it, eventually leading to challenges with withdrawal once you’re ready to quit.
Many people are surprised to learn that, while not as intense as withdrawal from prescription opioids, the symptoms are very similar to withdrawal following opioid addiction.
What is the Legal Status of 7-OH Kratom and Kratom Leaves?
The official, federal status of kratom is legal, but that isn’t the end of its official status. It’s banned in some cities and states, and the FDA has not approved it for medical use or in the form of dietary supplements. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) considers kratom a “Drug of Concern”.
Kratom is also regulated in some areas under the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The KCPA regulates the sale of kratom and places limits on things like how much 7-hydroxymitragynine can be in a product. It is not in place everywhere, though.
7-OH specifically is considered more risky than kratom. The FDA sent letters warning sellers and manufacturers about products containing high levels of 7-OH, and the Department of Health and Human Services has recommended that 7-OH be labeled a controlled substance.
Are There Safer Alternatives to Kratom?
If you are currently using or considering using kratom to manage occasional or chronic pain, energy, or mood, know that you have choices. And, many of these choices have fewer risks.
Non-opioid pain medications, holistic therapies, counseling, and lifestyle approaches like mindfulness or physical activity can also help you reach your goals.
If you are going to use kratom, stay aware. Choose natural leaf products over enhanced ones, but be aware that there are still some risks.
The best way to avoid dependence and side effects is to explore non-kratom options. They do exist, and many of them have a much more proven history of helping you heal than kratom.
When Should I Consider Addiction Treatment for Kratom?
If the way you’re using 7-OH or kratom feels difficult to manage, treatment might be a good next step. For example, if you have withdrawal symptoms when you aren’t using, need more kratom to experience the same effects, or find yourself slipping into habits that disrupt daily life, it can be a sign to get help.
Even though it might not seem like using kratom is “bad” because of its therapeutic potential and easy accessibility, the addictive properties and risks are also very real.
Professional addiction treatment can give you a safer, more comfortable way to stop use.
At Purpose Healing, we can help you address your physical dependence and make withdrawal easier. We also address the underlying emotional challenges that may have existed before you started using kratom for an escape.
Find Support to Quit Kratom at Purpose Healing
They may come from the same plant, but kratom and 7-OH are very different. 7-OH concentrated extracts have effects that are harder to control. They also come with a much higher risk of dependence.
The good news is that if you are struggling with your kratom usage, even a little bit, there is help. At Purpose Healing Center, with locations across Arizona, we help you feel confident in your ability to stop using kratom.
From safe detox, medication-assisted treatment, and inpatient treatment to counseling and outpatient care, we personalize the process to help you with precisely the right level of support.
We give you better solutions for the things that may have led you to choose kratom in the first place, helping you rediscover a healthier path forward. To find solutions for kratom dependence, please reach out confidentially now.
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