7-OH is proof that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean safe. And that’s not only because of the numerous side effects it brings to the body and mind. It’s also hard to quit.
Quitting isn’t impossible, though.
This post explores the addictive side of 7-OH, how it compares to traditional kratom, what the withdrawal phase entails, and how to detox safely.
Is 7-OH Addictive?
The short answer is: Yes, 7-OH can and does cause physical dependence.
In fact, the kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) plant itself can be addictive. Considering that 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) is one of the psychoactive compounds in the plant, it’s not hard to see how it’s going to be addictive simply by association.
Side Note: While 7-OH does exist in nature, many products actually contain a synthetic (or a semi-synthetic) version of the compound.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly makes 7-OH products addictive.
What It Targets: Opioid-Like Action
7-OH is an opioid, which means that it targets the same parts of the brain as opioids such as heroin and fentanyl.
The exact target for 7-OH is called the mu-opioid receptor. At lower doses, it has a stimulant effect. Higher doses, however, offer pain relief.
But regardless of the dose, the effects of 7-OH are short-lived. This drives people to use again to satisfy their cravings. After a while, the brain chemistry adapts to the presence of 7-OH around the opioid receptors. Take it away, and you end up with withdrawal symptoms.
How Potent It Can Be: Kratom vs. 7-OH
Suppose you wanted to compare natural kratom to the 7-OH sold in corner stores in the form of gummies, pills, shots, drink mixes, and whatnot. You’d quickly realize that it’s not a 1:1 comparison at all.
It’s true that both contain the addictive 7-hydroxymitragynine alkaloid. However, commercially sold products are way more concentrated than kratom in its botanical form.
To put things into perspective, a kratom leaf may contain around 114–134 ng/mg of 7-OH. Meanwhile, the concentration of some commercial kratom analogs on the market is as high as 593 ng/mg!
And you can’t really pick up a product and look at the label to find out the amount of 7-OH inside it for sure. Why? Well, so far, there are no FDA-approved 7-OH products. This leaves manufacturers with a bit more leeway in how they prepare and test their formulas.
It’s also worth noting that 7-OH’s action on the mu-opioid receptor is substantially more potent than mitragynine (the primary alkaloid in kratom plants).
Surprisingly, its receptor-binding affinity is higher than that of common opioid drugs as well. For example, it has 13-fold higher potency than morphine!
7-OH Addiction at a Glance
Dependence on 7-OH is no joke. It can easily turn into a substance use issue that affects your health, relationships, career, and financial stability.
How It Starts
7-OH remains mostly unregulated (although some counties voted to ban kratom) and widely available all over Illinois.
As a result, 7-OH addiction can start with one piece of candy. Someone walks into their local convenience store, comes across a 7-OH (maybe gummies or a chewable tablet) in fun-colored packaging, and they assume it’s a harmless herbal supplement.
So they buy one to try. But that one dose gives them a sense of euphoria that they will spend time and money chasing, perhaps even driving them into debt.
It doesn’t help that many kratom and 7-OH products are marketed as a natural remedy for anxiety or chronic pain. Manufacturers may claim their products are energy/focus enhancers as well.
Some people are also under the impression that kratom can be used to ease the withdrawals associated with opioid use disorder. That said, there’s a major safety concern around this application. After all, kratom and 7-OH can spawn a whole new substance dependence.
And, of course, 7-OH can also start recreationally on its own or as part of a polysubstance use pattern.
Common Signs
Some of the side effects of using 7-OH are:
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Sedation
- Shallow breathing
Diagnosis
You can’t really say that someone is suffering from an addiction to 7-OH based solely on the signs.
A licensed healthcare professional has to consider all the psychosocial aspects first. Usually, the diagnosis is based on guidelines such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS).
Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Kratom use disorder, like other forms of addiction, hardly exists in isolation. In many cases, it’s tied to deeper issues and unresolved trauma.
When someone suffers from both 7-OH abuse and a mental health condition, that’s called a dual diagnosis. Luckily, treatment professionals know and understand how mental health and substance use disorders intertwine.
At Illinois Recovery Center (IRC), our treatment philosophy acknowledges the importance of individualized treatment.
Treatment
7-OH dependence is a treatable condition. Depending on the case, addiction treatment professionals select from a range of evidence-based interventions (cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups, etc.) to form a personalized treatment plan.
But almost all treatment plans start with a detox phase that manages the 7-OH withdrawal symptoms.
7-OH Withdrawals
7-OH and kratom withdrawal might not be as intense as the typical opioid withdrawal. That’s not to say that it’s safe, though. It’s still an unpleasant and potentially deadly process.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you’re familiar with addiction, you probably know that there are a few common symptoms that pop up during the detox phase. Think cold sweats, vomiting, and general fatigue. In cases of 7-OH dependence, a lot of these still apply.
Here’s a closer look at the physical and psychological symptoms of 7-OH withdrawal:
| Physical Symptoms | Psychological Symptoms |
| Fast heart rate Muscle aches Profuse sweating Chills Nausea Diarrhea Seizures | Anxiety Irritability Strong cravings Insomnia Suicidal thoughts |
Withdrawal Timeline
It’s hard to predict the exact 7-OH withdrawal timeline since every case is different.
That said, the symptoms usually begin within hours of cessation. For heavy users, the withdrawals typically last for days.
Worst-Case Scenarios
Most people can push through the withdrawals without major complications. However, it’s not unheard of for things to go incredibly wrong.
One patient, for instance, ended up with a cardiovascular event that would have been fatal had he not been in a hospital already. The care team had to resuscitate, intubate (put him on mechanical ventilation), and sedate him for a few days until the withdrawals passed.
That’s why quitting cold-turkey at home from an addiction to 7-OH (or any opioid, for that matter) isn’t recommended. It can be incredibly dangerous, with potentially fatal respiratory and cardiac complications.
Detoxifying from 7-OH Safely
Now that we’ve clarified what the withdrawals look like, you might be wondering if and how it can be done safely. And it definitely can be made safer with medical detox.
24/7 Supervision
In medical detox programs, patients receive round-the-clock care from clinicians and healthcare professionals who know what warning signs to look for.
You want a care team that checks your vitals and keeps an eye out for serious complications.
Pre-Intake Assessment
Monitoring patients once they’re in the program might not always cut it on its own. Many rehab facilities do a thorough assessment before sending the patient to detox as well.
During this assessment, they gather information about:
- The patient’s alcohol/drug use patterns
- Last 7-OH consumption (time, dose, product type, etc.)
- Prior history of addiction, especially to opioids
- Any mental or medical conditions that might get exacerbated during the withdrawals
Medication Management
Detox facilities also offer medication management, which can be crucial for something like 7-OH withdrawals. For instance, some patients are given buprenorphine or buprenorphine-naloxone combinations.
Buprenorphine is the first-choice treatment for opioid use disorders. It’s classified as an opioid receptor partial agonist. The “agonist” part can seem a bit confusing.
Buprenorphine does bind to and activate the same receptors as 7-OH (a full agonist, rather than a partial one). However, its effects are weaker than 7-OH. So, when you take it as prescribed, it can actually curb the cravings.
Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist. It binds to the receptors only to block them, essentially preventing the opioid effects. Adding it to buprenorphine reduces the odds of people misusing the buprenorphine-naloxone combination itself.
But of course, you need a prescription for these medications. That won’t be an option if you choose to detox without professional help. A medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, however, will help you get the combinations you need.
You Can Defeat 7-OH Withdrawals
Many start using 7-OH thinking that it’s harmless, only to find out that quitting is much harder and more dangerous than they expected.
There’s still a light at the end of the long tunnel.
Yes, recovering from this drug dependence is going to be challenging. But it is possible to detox from 7-OH and quit for good.
If you or someone you love needs help with 7-OH or kratom abuse, get in touch with Illinois Recovery Center. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide guidance along the way.
