CDPH Warns Retailers and Public About the Dangers of Kratom-derived Products and 7-OH

“The 7-0H products become a very different beast from two safety standpoints. Over the past several years, the 7-0H marketed products have been produced with much higher 7-0H contents than Kratom leaves, often without the other alkaloids in it, all pressed into a pill form. Kratom products are found in smoke shops around the state. According to animal studies conducted by McCurdy and other UF researchers, certain compounds in Kratom may also be useful for treating opioid addiction, though no human trials have been performed. He said options are now available for customers looking for energizing effects at low doses, and those who want more opioid-like effects at higher doses.

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Alkaloids found in kratom bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioid drugs, such as codeine. That amount of kratom wouldn’t be considered excessive or unusual, said Mac Haddow, a senior fellow on public policy for the American Kratom Association, a consumer group that advocates for states to regulate kratom, not ban it. Although it’s unclear if the president was referring to 7-OH or natural leaf kratom, it’s another sign the feds have turned over a new leaf on kratom.

• The Food and Drug Administration tested 30 different kratom products in 2019 and found “significant levels” of lead and nickel in them, which researchers said could cause heavy metal poisoning if consumed over the long term.
• Some people use it to help ease the withdrawal symptoms of morphine and ethanol.
• Not all users are understanding that fact, however — while others may seek synthetic products out intentionally.
• He was joined at Wednesday’s news conference by Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA’s Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
• Christopher McCurdy, a behavioral pharmacologist at the University of Florida that has been studying Kratom for years, believes consumption patterns in the United State are different than the plant’s original use.

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“They have no science to back that, that 70H is more addictive than opioids, right? Paula Savchenko, an attorney Alt Law representing 7-0H companies, says that there is not enough evidence of harmful effects to support scheduling it. It has been proven to be highly addictive and easily can be overdosed,” he said during the press conference announcing the ban. Kratom has increased in popularity in both leaf and extract forms around the U.S.

• The patient did have a history of opioid use disorder, but he was in recovery.
• Retailers and supporters of natural kratom have said it treats pain and increases focus and energy with few side effects.
• During the same press conference, Makary noted that there is no intention for the agencies to deem pure kratom as “safe” for use at this time.
• According to animal studies conducted by McCurdy and other UF researchers, certain compounds in Kratom may also be useful for treating opioid addiction, though no human trials have been performed.
• But, she added, “For my patients that come to me and have been using illicit opioids and have switched to kratom, they are reducing their risk.
• “We fully support regulations on kratom,” said Mac Haddow, senior public policy fellow with the industry group, the American Kratom Association.

The leaves of the tree contain more than 40 different active compounds, with the most prevalent being mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine and speciofoline. "After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again," he said. U.S. health agencies are targeting a threat to Americans that is readily available nationwide. Stay informed with ScienceDaily's free email newsletter, updated daily and weekly. In 2025, 60% of cases involving multiple substances resulted in "serious medical outcomes," and about half required hospitalization.

The rise of novel, semi‐synthetic 7‐hydroxymitragynine products. Drug-induced liver injury caused by kratom use as an alternative pain treatment amid an ongoing opioid epidemic. “One of my biggest concerns is the risk of people going back out to opioids that may have used kratom to get off of opioids,” Krouse said.

Kratom has been used for hundreds of years in Southeast Asia as a natural home remedy. WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. “And this is really almost like in the beginning of the prescription opioid epidemic, except you don’t need a prescription. In the beginning, that’s a very enticing aspect of using a drug.”