(508) 794-4400
kratom capsules

7-Oh vs Kratom: What To Know

In recent years, 7-OH and kratom have been the focus of several public health warnings as well as changes to local, state, and federal laws. Common questions about these substances include how do they work, what dangers do they pose, and are there significant differences between 7-OH vs. kratom?  

At Lake Avenue Recovery Center, our team provides personalized addiction treatment in a respectful and highly supportive environment. For details about how we can help you or a loved one, contact us today.

Learn more about drug rehab in Worcester, MA or verify your insurance now.  

What Are 7-OH & Kratom?

To appreciate the similarities and differences between 7-OH vs. kratom, it can be helpful to first review some fundamental information about each substance separately.

Understanding Kratom

Kratom consists of dried leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, a member of the evergreen family that grows naturally throughout Southeast Asia. 

In areas where this tree is indigenous, people have used kratom for hundreds of years for many purposes, including as an energy booster and in various medical practices.

Kratom’s effects can vary depending on how much a person uses:

  • In smaller doses, kratom acts like a stimulant. This has made the substance popular among manual laborers who were seeking a way to stave off fatigue.
  • In larger amounts, it functions more like an opioid, with effects that include improved mood, slowed heartbeat and breathing, and reduced pain. 

Traditionally, people used kratom by chewing leaves, brewing them into a tea, or mixing them into a topical poultice. In the U.S. today, kratom is often sold in powder or capsule form. 

There are currently no federal laws regarding the sale and use of kratom, though many states and municipalities have banned or regulated the substance.

Basic Facts About 7-OH

Kratom contains more than 50 identified alkaloids, which are naturally occurring compounds that can affect the body and/or mind. 

The two main psychoactive alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH):

  • Mitragynine occurs in much larger amounts, accounting for about 67% of alkaloid content in a typical kratom plant. 
  • 7-OH only makes up about 2% of the plant’s alkaloid content, but it is much more powerful than mitragynine. 

Though 7-OH occurs in such a relatively small amount, scientists have found ways to create a semi-synthetic version by putting mitragynine and certain other alkaloids through a complex chemical process. 

This means that 7-OH products contain a concentrated version that produce much stronger opioid-like effects than what people experience when they use kratom. According to a report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 7-OH may be up to 13 times more potent than morphine and 46 times more potent than mitragynine. 

The dangers posed by concentrated 7-OH prompted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to recently announce that it would be temporarily classifying it as a Schedule I controlled substance. Schedule I is reserved for substances that the U.S. government has determined have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

Comparing 7-OH vs. Kratom

Similarities and differences between 7-OH vs. kratom include:

  • Sources: Kratom is a natural product, made of processed plant material that was derived directly from dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. 7-OH products typically contain a semi-synthetic substance that was chemically extracted and concentrated.
  • Approval: Neither kratom nor 7-OH have been approved by the FDA for any purpose. In fact, the organization has warned against using both substances.
  • Effects: Kratom can have both a stimulant- and opioid-like effect depending on how much a person takes. 7-OH only produces opioid-like effects. 
  • Potency: Since products that are marketed as 7-OH usually contain a concentrated, semisynthetic version of the substance, they are typically much more potent than traditional kratom.
  • Addiction: People who use either substance can become dependent, but 7-OH is more likely to cause addiction due to its higher potency in concentrated form. 
  • Withdrawal: Both 7-OH and kratom can cause similar withdrawal symptoms when someone who has become dependent on either substance abruptly stops using it.
  • Overdose: According to the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), 7-OH poses a greater risk of overdose than kratom does. 

Signs of Addiction to 7-OH or Kratom

When a person develops an addiction, their substance use ceases to be a choice and becomes a compulsion. The good news is that addictions are treatable conditions. But you can’t get help until you realize that you have a problem.

Warning signs that you’ve become dependent on 7-OH or kratom include:

  • Using 7-OH or kratom in greater amounts or for a longer period of time than you intended
  • Developing powerful urges or cravings for 7-OH or kratom
  • Spending significant amounts of time acquiring, using, and recovering from the effects of 7-OH or kratom
  • Continuing to use 7-OH or kratom even after having a physical, psychological, or social problem that was either caused or worsened by your previous use of the substance
  • Lying to or otherwise deceiving loved ones about your use of 7-OH or kratom
  • Neglecting your responsibilities at home, in school, or at work due to your use of 7-OH or kratom
  • Using the substances in ways that pose a clear physical danger, such as by combining them with other drugs or driving while under their influence
  • Developing tolerance, which means you need to use more 7-OH or kratom than you used to in order to experience the substances’ effects
  • Having withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using 7-OH or kratom

If these symptoms sound familiar to you, a good first step is to consult with your doctor or schedule an assessment at a reputable treatment provider such as Lake Avenue Recovery.

In addition to providing you with an accurate diagnosis, the professional who conducts your assessment can help you understand the scope of the challenge you’re facing and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Withdrawal From 7-OH and Kratom

When you become addicted to 7-OH or kratom, your body will begin to rely on the substance to maintain an appropriate balance of certain neurotransmitters or other brain chemicals. If you then abruptly stop using the substance, your body will struggle to perform this function on its own. 

This temporary imbalance can cause a variety of distressing symptoms that are collectively referred to as withdrawal. 

Withdrawing from 7-OH or kratom isn’t usually as difficult as going through the same process for alcohol or opioids, but it can still be quite unpleasant.

Potential symptoms of 7-OH and kratom withdrawal include:

  • Powerful cravings
  • Increased perspiration
  • Runny nose
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Depression

When you try to get through withdrawal on your own, symptoms like these can quickly push you back into active use of 7-OH or kratom. Another benefit of getting professional addiction treatment is that you may be able to receive medical and therapeutic support to help you manage your withdrawal symptoms and prevent immediate relapse.

Learn More About Treatment for Addiction to 7-OH or Kratom in Massachusetts

Lake Avenue Recovery is a premier provider of customized outpatient programming for adults who have become addicted to 7-OH, kratom, or other substances. We also offer dual diagnosis services for clients with co-occurring mental health concerns.

Treatment at our center in Worcester, MA, occurs in two highly supportive environments, a high-intensity outpatient program and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) with an evening option.

To learn more call 508-794-4400 or verify your insurance now.