Over the past few years, there has been an increase in products that claim to contain kratom, many of which tell consumers they can increase energy, boost moods or even fix pain. But officials said many of the products that claimed to contain kratom actually contain a synthetic version of the drug, which can be dangerous for consumers.
- Advocates for kratom and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics want consumers to be aware of products containing synthetic 7-OH.
- Synthetic 7-OH can activate the same part of your brain as opioids, causing a risk of addiction.
- “Kratom” products that test over 1% 7-OH are not legal in Oklahoma.
What is kratom?
The kratom leaf comes from a tree native to Southeast Asia. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the plant can act as a stimulant in low doses and a sedative in high doses. The leaves can be used in tea, turned into capsules, tonic or pressed tablets.
Kratom as a supplement has been available in the U.S. for decades, but became widespread around 2015, according to the National Library of Medicine.
A study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used kratom in 2021.
According to the DEA, kratom can be addictive, and abuse of the supplement has increased in recent years.
What is Synthetic 7-OH?
7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in kratom leaves. The amount of 7-OH in kratom is small. The FDA said it makes up less than 2% of the total alkaloid content.
The synthetic version of 7-OH is what many officials are warning about. MGM- 15 is the synthetic derivative of 7-OH and is highly concentrated.
Health officials warn that MGM-15 and synthetic 7-OH activate the same receptors in your brain as prescription opioid pain medications, heroin, and fentanyl.
RELATED: “Gas Station Heroin:” Legal to sell, deadly to take
Behind a growing number of Oklahoma overdoses is a product most people can’t tell apart from the plant it’s named after.
Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics warns of synthetic 7-OH dangers
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics wants Oklahomans to be aware of the dangers of synthetic products.
Mark Woodward with OBN said in the last three years, the state has seen an increase in overdoses related to products claiming to be kratom. He said these products can be highly addictive due to the high potency of synthetic 7-OH.
“Some people have called a gas station heroin, because it can have the same type of effect on the body as an opiate,” said Woodward.
Woodward said these products are not the same as kratom, which has been around for decades.
“A new variation of Kratom has shown up, and that’s what people need to understand,” he said. “We’re talking about a synthesized version that in the last couple of years, companies have started manufacturing.”
OBN said the synthetic kratom can be up to 30 times more potent than the natural plant.
Mark Woodward with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics said the agency thought about outlawing kratom in 2013 because other states started to.
Groups push for clearer understanding of kratom
The Global Kratom Coalition is an advocacy organization that works with manufacturers, consumers and scientists to educate on the differences between natural kratom and synthetic kratom.
GKC executive director Matthew Lowe said this distinction is important.
“Not all kratom is equal,” said Lowe. “Not all products that are calling themselves kratom are in fact kratom.”
Lowe said that in 2023, companies began introducing concentrated 7-OH. He said these products have sparked the increase in exposures, poison control calls and deaths.
“I think something that’s critical for everyone to understand is that the DEA, the FDA and the HHS made it very clear that they are not targeting natural kratom leaf,” said Lowe. “If you look on their website(s) with the information that they’ve put forward, they’ve very clearly stated that these products are not natural kratom … and they represent a significant public health crisis.”
Is kratom legal in Oklahoma?
All ‘kratom” products in Oklahoma must meet guidelines of the Kratom Protection Act. The law passed in 2025, is meat to put more regulations on what stores can sell.
Under this law, he sale of kratom products that test over 1% 7- is not legal in the state, according to OBN.
Products marketed as kratom are also required to labels with the following information:
- A list of the ingredients, which shall include the common or usual name of each ingredient used in the manufacture of the product, listed in descending order of predominance;
- That the sale or transfer of kratom to a person under eighteen (18) years of age is prohibited;
- The amount of total kratom alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine contained in the product;
- The amount of total kratom alkaloids, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine contained in packaging for the product;
- The name and the principal street address of the vendor or the person responsible for distributing the product;
- Any federal food allergen labeling requirements, if applicable, and clear and adequate directions for the consumption and safe and effective use of such product
- Serving sizes
- Any precautionary statements as to the safety and effectiveness of the product, including a warning that a consumer should consult a health care professional on questions about the use of kratom and that the product may be habit-forming:
- A statement that says “”These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
OBN also wants stores to be more aware of the products they have on their shelves.
“So there’s efforts now underway to educate stores about the fact that they could be selling illegal products,” said Woodward.
The FDA has formally recommended that 7‑OH be listed as a Schedule I substance.