Why Kratom and 7-OH Are Facing Federal Restrictions

Written by: Chris Goodman, Content Writer

Last Reviewed: November 13, 2026

Key Takeaways

7-OH occurs naturally in kratom only as a minor alkaloid, but many commercial products contain much more of it than the leaf does.
The FDA says 7-OH can be more potent than morphine and has potential for abuse. There are no FDA-approved drug products containing 7-OH.
Since August 26, 2026, three related substances (mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16) have been temporarily placed in Schedule I.
The DEA’s October 2026 notice proposes controlling 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above a specific threshold. Botanical kratom with trace amounts below that line would not be covered.
A change in the law does not change what is happening in the body. People who use 7-OH every day can become dependent, and stopping can be safer with medical support.

What Are Kratom and 7-OH?

Kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia, Mitragyna speciosa, and the name also covers products made from its leaves. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people report both stimulant-like effects, such as more energy and alertness, and opioid- or sedative-like effects, such as relaxation and pain relief.⁷

The most studied kratom alkaloid is mitragynine. NIDA explains that when mitragynine is digested, the body converts some of it into 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH. Both compounds act on mu-opioid receptors, the same receptors targeted by drugs like oxycodone and heroin, although NIDA notes their effects only partly match those of traditional opioids.⁷

Here is where things get confusing for most people. 7-OH is not just something your body makes from kratom. It is also sold on its own, in concentrated tablets, shots, gummies, powders and dissolvable strips.¹³ Those products are the main target of the current federal push.

Why Regulators Separated 7-OH From the Kratom Leaf

For years, kratom policy was an all-or-nothing debate. What changed is that federal agencies started drawing a line between the plant and the concentrated products built from it.

The FDA describes 7-OH as a minor alkaloid in kratom, and says it shows substantially greater mu-opioid receptor potency than both mitragynine and morphine.² In its July 2025 announcement, the agency said it was specifically targeting concentrated 7-OH products and was not focused on natural kratom leaf products.¹

The DEA’s July 2026 announcement made the same distinction. DEA lab findings showed commercial products often contain higher amounts of 7-OH than botanical kratom, and the agency said its action targets synthesized products and those with elevated 7-OH concentrations, not botanical kratom with naturally occurring 7-OH below the threshold.³

Put simply, regulators see the leaf and the concentrate as two different risk profiles. The plant contains a small proportion of 7-OH, while some commercial products contain elevated concentrations or are made through chemical processing.

The Safety Signals Behind the Federal Push

The DEA’s October 2026 Federal Register notice lays out the data it cited in finding an imminent hazard to public safety:⁵

FDA adverse event reports: 7-OH reports grew from 1 case in 2023 and 2 in 2024 to dozens in 2025. A February 27, 2026 query found 86 cases in the database, 79 reported as serious, including 9 cases resulting in death.
Toxicology data: DEA counted 85 cases involving 7-OH since 2019, 55 of them fatal. For mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, it counted 31 overdose cases between February 2025 and February 2026, 25 of them fatal.
Poison centers: 165 exposure cases were reported from January 1 to July 31, 2025. Among cases involving 7-OH alone, 35 percent had serious outcomes and 67 percent were treated at a healthcare facility.

These numbers come from reporting systems, so they are safety signals, not proof that 7-OH alone caused each event. Some cases also involved other substances.

Marketing and access played a role too. The FDA flagged fruit-flavored gummies and similar products that may appeal to kids and teens, and warned that products may not be accurately labeled for 7-OH content and are sometimes sold as kratom.¹ The DEA noted these products are widely sold online and at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops.³

Then there are the newer lab-made relatives. In its August 2026 scheduling order, the DEA described mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16 as semi-synthetic opioids produced by chemically modifying purified mitragynine or 7-OH. Based on preclinical data, it said mitragynine pseudoindoxyl is about 100 times more potent than mitragynine at the mu-opioid receptor, and that MGM-15 and MGM-16 are about 50 and 240 times more potent than morphine in animal models.⁴

A Timeline of Federal Action on Kratom and 7-OH

August 31, 2016: The DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily place mitragynine and 7-OH, kratom’s main active compounds, in Schedule I.
October 13, 2016: The DEA withdrew that notice after receiving numerous public comments challenging it, and asked the FDA for a scientific and medical evaluation.⁶
June 2025: The FDA sent warning letters to seven companies for illegally distributing 7-OH products, including tablets, gummies, drink mixes and shots.¹
July 29, 2025: The FDA recommended scheduling certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act.¹
July 1, 2026: The DEA announced and sent notices of intent to temporarily place above-threshold 7-OH and three related substances in Schedule I.³
August 26, 2026: A temporary order placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16 in Schedule I, effective until August 26, 2028.⁴
October 14, 2026: After an October 8 letter from HHS recommending a new threshold, the DEA withdrew its July 7-OH notice and published a new one covering 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl above that threshold. The order would be published on or after November 13, 2026.⁵

The contrast between 2016 and 2026 explains a lot. The earlier effort sought to schedule kratom’s principal compounds outright and received numerous public comments challenging it. The current effort is narrower, built around a threshold meant to leave typical leaf products alone while covering concentrated and lab-modified products.

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What the Proposed 7-OH Rule Actually Covers

Under the October 2026 notice, 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl would be temporarily placed in Schedule I when a product crosses a proposed threshold. A product meets it through either of two tests: more than 1 mg per gram in solid forms like powders and capsules, or more than 1 mg per milliliter in liquids, or a mass ratio of mitragynine to the scheduled substance of less than 100.⁵

The ratio test is worth understanding. The FDA describes 7-OH as a minor alkaloid in the leaf,² so in plain terms, a product with a lot of 7-OH relative to mitragynine looks different from typical leaf. The ratio is one of two proposed tests, not a ruling on how any single product was made. The notice says some botanical kratom products reportedly contain trace amounts of these substances, which is why only above-threshold amounts would be scheduled.⁵

Once a temporary order takes effect, the manufacture, distribution, sale and possession of covered products become subject to the criminal, civil and administrative provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.³ Temporary orders last two years, with a possible one-year extension while permanent scheduling is pending.⁴

As of November 13, 2026, the temporary order for 7-OH had not yet appeared in the Federal Register. The notice says the order will take effect on the date it is published, so the official Federal Register is the place to confirm current status.

Is Plain Kratom Still Legal?

At the federal level, kratom leaf is not scheduled, and the proposed 7-OH action is designed to leave below-threshold botanical products out. That does not mean the government considers it safe. The October 2026 notice states that neither HHS nor DEA has found below-threshold levels safe to use, and that DEA still views kratom and its alkaloids as drugs of concern.⁵

The FDA’s position on the plant has not softened either. It says there are no FDA-approved kratom drug products, that kratom is not appropriate for use as a dietary supplement, and that it continues to warn consumers not to use kratom because of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures and substance use disorder. The agency has also warned about kratom products contaminated with Salmonella or concerning levels of heavy metals.²

State and local rules vary and sit on top of federal law, so what is allowed where you live can be stricter than the federal baseline.⁵

What These Restrictions Mean If You Use 7-OH Now

If you use 7-OH products regularly, uncertainty about legal status or product availability can be stressful. If you are concerned about your use, talk with a medical provider before making changes.

A few things are worth keeping in mind:

Dependence doesn’t care about the law. 7-OH acts on opioid receptors, and FDA has flagged substance use disorder as a serious risk with kratom products.² Feeling unwell when you stop may be a sign of withdrawal, and a medical provider can help assess what is happening.
Don’t swap one product for a stronger one. In preclinical research, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and the MGM compounds were far more potent, and they are already Schedule I.⁴
Labels may not tell you what you are taking. The FDA has warned that 7-OH content may not be labeled accurately.¹
Talk to a medical provider before stopping after heavy daily use, especially if you also drink, take sedatives or use other opioids. Stopping alcohol or sedatives suddenly after heavy regular use can be dangerous without medical advice.

NIDA notes that no medications are currently approved specifically for kratom withdrawal or kratom-related substance use disorder.⁷ That is exactly why a supervised plan matters. A medical provider can look at what you have been using, how much and for how long, and help you plan next steps. Our guide to kratom withdrawal covers what that process can look like.

When to Reach Out for Help

You don’t need to hit a crisis point to ask for help. It may be time to reach out if:

You are using 7-OH or kratom every day and feel unwell when you don’t.
You need more than you used to for the same effect.
You are worried about what happens when the products you rely on are no longer sold.
You have tried to cut back and couldn’t.
You are mixing 7-OH with alcohol, sedatives or other opioids.
Someone close to you has said they are worried.

If you or someone you know is in emotional crisis, call or text 988. If anyone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to an emergency department.

If someone has stopped breathing, cannot be woken or may have overdosed, call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person until help arrives.

Talking With a Professional

A lot of people who use 7-OH started with kratom for pain, energy or to ease off other opioids. Many never thought of it as a drug problem because they bought it at a store. A good clinician won’t judge any of that. They will want an honest picture so they can keep you safe.

Helpful things to share in a first conversation:

Which products you use, including brand names if you know them, and how often.
About how much you take in a typical day.
Any alcohol, prescriptions or other substances you use alongside it.
What happens when you skip a dose or try to cut back.
Any health conditions, including pain or mental health concerns.

A simple way to open the conversation: “I’ve been using 7-OH products every day for a while, and I’m worried about stopping. Can you help me figure out a safe plan?”

If you are considering care at Discovery Point Retreat, you can learn about kratom addiction treatment and medical detox, and ask which services are currently available at each location. You can also check your insurance coverage before you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 7-OH illegal now?

Three related substances, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 and MGM-16, have been temporarily in Schedule I since August 26, 2026.⁴ For 7-OH itself, the DEA’s October 14, 2026 notice proposed a temporary order covering products above a set threshold, to be published on or after November 13, 2026 and effective the day it is published. As of November 13, 2026, that order had not yet appeared in the Federal Register.⁵ Check the Federal Register for the current status.

Is kratom being banned?

Not at the federal level. The October notice proposes a threshold-based action, and the DEA has said its 7-OH action does not apply to botanical kratom products with naturally occurring 7-OH below the threshold.³ Federal agencies still warn against using kratom, and state rules vary.

Why is 7-OH treated differently from kratom leaf?

The leaf contains only small amounts of 7-OH, while some commercial products contain elevated concentrations or are made through chemical processing.²³ The FDA says 7-OH can be more potent than morphine, and the DEA notice cites reports of serious events and deaths involving 7-OH.¹⁵

Can you get addicted to 7-OH?

7-OH acts on the same opioid receptors as prescription opioids, and HHS has confirmed that synthetic 7-OH has a high potential for abuse.³ Regular use can lead to dependence, and feeling unwell when you go without it may be a sign of withdrawal.²

What should I do if I can’t stop using 7-OH before the ban takes effect?

Don’t try to push through alone, and don’t switch to stronger lab-made products. Talk with a medical provider or an addiction treatment team about a supervised plan. Call (855) 245-7133 to talk through options confidentially.

Does naloxone work on 7-OH?

NIDA reports that in lab models, 7-OH can slow breathing and naloxone reverses that effect.⁷ If you think someone is overdosing, call 911, give naloxone if you have it, and stay with them until help arrives.

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Takes Steps to Restrict 7-OH Opioid Products Threatening American Consumers.” Accessed November 2026. fda.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “FDA and Kratom.” Accessed November 2026. fda.gov
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “DEA to Temporarily Schedule 7-OH and Related Substances to Protect Public Safety.” Accessed November 2026. dea.gov
Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Register. “Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 in Schedule I.” Accessed November 2026. federalregister.gov
Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Register. “Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl Above a Specified Threshold in Schedule I.” Accessed November 2026. federalregister.gov
Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Register. “Withdrawal of Notice of Intent to Temporarily Place Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine Into Schedule I.” Accessed November 2026. federalregister.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Kratom.” Accessed November 2026. nida.nih.gov

Resources

988 Lifeline: Call or text 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7
Emergency: Call 911

This article is general education and is not medical advice.

If 7-OH or kratom has become something you can’t go a day without, you don’t have to wait for a ban to make the decision for you. Call Discovery Point Retreat at (855) 245-7133 to talk with our admissions team about next steps.

Reviewed By: Donnita Smart, LCDC Executive Director - Ennis

Donnita Smart is the Executive Director of Discovery Point Retreat with over a decade of leadership experience in addiction treatment and recovery services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of North Texas at Dallas and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, with a proven track record in managing multi-site programs, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth. Donnita leads with compassion, accountability, and collaboration, driving programs that support lasting recovery for individuals and families.

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