Washington, D.C
Physicians and Researchers Call for Clear Separation Between Synthetic 7-OH and Natural Kratom Leaf
Leading addiction physicians and neuroscientists today issued a nationwide call for clinicians to begin formally tracking cases involving concentrated synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a lab-made opioid driving a surge in overdoses and treatment center intakes across the country.
In a new editorial published in Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, Dr. Mark Gold, 17th Distinguished Alumni Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine; Dr. Nicole Avena, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; and their co-authors warn that concentrated synthetic 7-OH is increasingly appearing in clinics under the guise of “kratom” products, making it difficult for providers to identify, document, and treat cases accurately.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already acknowledged the seriousness of the concentrated synthetic 7-OH crisis, recommending it for classification as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. FDA officials also made clear that this recommendation is not focussed on natural kratom leaf. Thus far, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has not followed through on the FDA’s scheduling recommendation.
Now, clinicians are urging treatment centers to implement a simple but meaningful reform: adding a dedicated intake option for patients to self-identify as using concentrated synthetic 7-OH — separate from natural kratom leaf. Treatment centers and addiction specialists can sign this petition to express support for the initiative and join the growing list of clinics making these important changes to their patient intake forms.
Because concentrated synthetic 7-OH is often falsely marketed as natural kratom, patients may not know they are consuming a synthetic opioid. As a result, clinicians risk missing the real source of withdrawal symptoms, dependency, or overdose presentations.
The editorial from Dr. Gold, Dr. Avena, and their colleagues reflects a growing consensus in the medical community: Concentrated synthetic 7-OH is a dangerous, lab-made opioid, and addiction specialists must adapt quickly to recognize and report it.
To learn more about the Global Kratom Coalition and its mission, navigate to www.globalkratomcoalition.org.
About the Global Kratom Coalition
The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of natural kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to natural kratom leaf while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit globalkratomcoalition.org.