7-OH Is Not the Same as Traditional Kratom Leaf
Laughing Lion Herbs has never sold concentrated or isolated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, MGM-16, or other synthetic or semi-synthetic kratom alkaloid products.
Our Position on 7-OH
We have sold traditional kratom products since 2015, and we believe consumers deserve a clear distinction between botanical kratom and the newer generation of highly concentrated or chemically modified products being marketed under the kratom name.
7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly called 7-OH, is related to mitragynine, the primary alkaloid in kratom. Trace amounts of 7-OH may be detected in processed kratom leaf, and the human body can also convert some mitragynine into 7-OH.
That is very different from products manufactured to deliver concentrated, isolated, enhanced, or semi-synthetic 7-OH in tablets, gummies, shots, powders, strips, and similar products.
⚠ Why Concentrated 7-OH Raises Safety Concerns
7-OH acts as a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist. Concentrated 7-OH products can expose consumers to amounts far beyond those associated with traditional kratom leaf.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that consumers avoid products containing enhanced or concentrated 7-OH. FDA has warned that these products have not been demonstrated to be safe or effective for any medical use and may carry risks including dependence, withdrawal, and other serious adverse effects.
Recent scientific reviews have likewise raised concerns that isolated and semi-synthetic 7-OH products may carry substantially different risks from traditional botanical kratom.
Why Calling Everything “Kratom” Can Be Misleading
Traditional kratom leaf (Mitragyna speciosa) contains a complex mixture of naturally occurring alkaloids, with mitragynine being the predominant alkaloid. 7-OH is present only at very low levels in ordinary leaf material compared with products specifically manufactured or enhanced to contain high concentrations of it.
Because many concentrated 7-OH products are marketed using the word “kratom,” consumers may reasonably assume they are comparable to traditional powder, capsules, or tea. Chemically and pharmacologically, that comparison can be misleading.
FDA has specifically distinguished its concerns about concentrated 7-OH products from traditional kratom leaf products.
Federal Agencies Have Taken Action
In 2025, FDA increased its warnings and enforcement activity involving concentrated 7-OH products.
In July 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced the beginning of a temporary scheduling process involving 7-OH above a proposed threshold and three related substances:
- Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl
- MGM-15 (dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine)
- MGM-16 (9-fluoro-dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine)
Importantly, DEA stated that its action does not target botanical kratom products containing naturally occurring 7-OH below the specified threshold.
What Laughing Lion Herbs Does — and Does Not Sell
Since our founding in 2015, Laughing Lion Herbs has never sold concentrated or isolated 7-OH products.
We also do not sell:
- Synthetic or semi-synthetic 7-OH products
- Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl products
- MGM-15 or MGM-16 products
- Products “spiked” with isolated 7-OH
- Products formulated to mimic high-potency 7-OH products
Our goal is to remain focused on responsibly manufactured and transparently tested botanical kratom products rather than chemically modified products designed to dramatically increase exposure to individual opioid-active alkaloids.
What Consumers Should Look For
Read labels carefully. Products marketed as 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, 7-HMG, enhanced 7-OH, pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, or MGM-16 should not be assumed to have the same composition or risk profile as traditional kratom leaf.
Be particularly cautious with products that advertise unusually high alkaloid concentrations or make opioid-like potency a selling point.
Sources & Further Reading
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Products Containing 7-OH Can Cause Serious Harm .
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products .
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA to Temporarily Schedule 7-OH and Related Substances to Protect Public Safety .
- Smith KE, et al. The Rise of Novel, Semi-Synthetic 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products . Addiction.
- Aly S, Grundmann O. A Review of Kratom Product Evolution and Its Associated Health Outcomes. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 2026.
Looking for Traditional Kratom Products?
We remain committed to transparently tested botanical kratom products without added concentrated 7-OH or synthetic kratom alkaloids.
Shop KratomEducational Disclaimer: This page is provided for general consumer education and is not medical advice. Kratom and kratom-derived compounds can produce pharmacological effects and may carry risks, including adverse effects, interactions, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal. Consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding questions about substance use, medications, or health conditions.
Statements regarding Laughing Lion Herbs products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.