What is 7-OH?
7-Hydroxymitragynine is a \u03bc-opioid receptor agonist that occurs in trace amounts in the kratom plant and in much higher concentrations in extracts marketed under the name 7-OH.
Chemistry in one paragraph
7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is an oxidized metabolite of mitragynine — the main alkaloid in Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) leaf. Chemically, it's a corynanthe-type indole alkaloid with a hydroxyl group at the 7-position of the indoloquinolizidine core. Trace 7-OH exists in raw kratom leaf at typically <0.05% of dry weight; in mammalian metabolism, mitragynine partially converts to 7-OH in the liver via CYP3A4.
Pharmacology in one paragraph
7-OH binds the human μ-opioid receptor with affinity substantially higher than mitragynine itself and produces opioid-like effects (analgesia, euphoria, sedation, respiratory depression at high enough doses) in animal models. It's usually described as a partial μ-opioid agonist with G-protein-biased signaling characteristics in some assays, though receptor-biology debates continue. Tolerance and physical dependence develop with repeated dosing similarly to other μ-opioids; abrupt cessation produces withdrawal.
What "7-OH products" actually are
The products marketed as "7-OH" are concentrated extracts — either tablets, capsules, or liquids — that contain 7-OH at levels far above what occurs in raw leaf. A typical 7-OH tablet contains 5–80mg of 7-OH per unit. By comparison, you would need to consume hundreds of grams of dry leaf to ingest equivalent total 7-OH from natural material.
How 7-OH differs from kratom leaf
Both are kratom alkaloid products, but their pharmacological profiles are different enough that experienced kratom-leaf users often report concentrated 7-OH feels qualitatively distinct — more sedating, more euphoric at low doses, more addictive in self-report data. The kratom industry trade organizations have publicly distanced themselves from concentrated-7-OH products; several state KCPA laws explicitly cap 7-OH at small percentages of total alkaloid content to prevent concentrated products from being sold as "kratom."
Related compounds
Other alkaloids appearing in this market:
- Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl — also a μ-opioid agonist, derived from mitragynine, reported more potent than 7-OH in animal studies
- DHM (dihydromitragynine) — hydrogenated mitragynine derivative
- MGM-15 and MGM-16 — synthetic mitragynine analogs (not natural)
Further reading
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