Gather ‘round, kratom lovers – we’re here to take a deep dive into the chemicals behind the curtain, specifically 7-hydroxymitragynine. This powerful kratom alkaloid is relatively new to the public’s consciousness, but it’s been quietly working to make kratom effective for centuries. As a key actor that’s responsible for kratom’s pain-relieving effects, 7-hydroxymitragynine is a natural wellness staple. Understanding it and using it strategically could be the key to maximizing all that kratom has to offer. So, let’s take a closer look at what this alkaloid is, what it does, and how you can experience it yourself.
What is 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)?
7-hydroxymitragynine is an active metabolite of mitragynine, the main psychoactive alkaloid found in kratom. Also known as 7-OH mitragynine or simply “7-OH,” this alkaloid is made when your body metabolizes (or breaks down) mitragynine. Just like its predecessor, 7-OH acts as an agonist at mu-opioid receptors. In doing so, it helps create many of the positive effects and benefits we associate with kratom.
Don’t let their similar names fool you, though – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are not the same things. Not only is 7-OH a metabolite of mitragynine, but it’s also purportedly about 10 times stronger than mitragynine. It also seems to play a crucial role in allowing the mitragynine in kratom to create analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.
Research shows that mitragynine’s ability to address pain actually depends in large part upon the formation of 7-OH as a metabolite. In other words, the process that converts mitragynine into 7-OH is a big part of why kratom is able to relieve pain as well as it does.
So, while it may not be the only alkaloid to consider, 7-OH certainly has an important role to play. Without it, we may not be able to enjoy the same benefits of kratom as we currently do.
What Does 7-Hydroxymitragynine Do to You?
Like mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine contributes to kratom’s sedating, pain-relieving, and mood-boosting effects. Both alkaloids help kratom provide its benefits by activating mu-opioid receptors, just like a traditional opioid might.
When mitragynine enters your body, your liver breaks it down into metabolites, including 7-OH. This transformation also boosts 7-OH’s effectiveness as a pain reliever. Regular mitragynine can’t directly activate opioid receptors like 7-OH does, which means that the latter more effectively delivers pain relief than the former.
Unlike traditional opioid medications, 7-OH doesn’t trigger changes that lead to potentially dangerous side effects and addiction. Both 7-OH and mitragynine are less likely than opioids to lead to dependence. So, to put it simply, 7-OH affects your body a lot like an opioid would – just without the same side effects and risks.
Is 7-hydroxymitragynine stronger than morphine?
Mitragynine itself is already stronger than morphine, but 7-OH takes the cake. Research suggests that 7-OH is up to 13 times more potent than morphine, meaning it could indeed be a viable alternative to traditional opioids.
It’s likely that we’ll see more research into 7-OH’s properties and potential as a foundation for non-opioid pain-relieving medications in the future.
7-Hydroxymitragynine and Kratom: A Powerful Duo
While you can consume 7-OH on its own, it’s likely that there’s one thing on your mind if you’re interested in 7-hydroxymitragynine: kratom.
It is true that 7-OH owes a lot of its success to kratom’s rise in popularity. Since you can find both mitragynine and 7-OH in kratom, consuming it can help you maximize your pain relief and other benefits. You can find 7-OH in kratom powder, teas, capsules, and other products.
7-OH and mitragynine aren’t the only alkaloids you can enjoy when you use kratom. Some other alkaloids that researchers believe may contribute to kratom’s psychoactive effects include:
- Speciogynine
- Speciocillatine
- Payantheine
How much 7-hydroxymitragynine is in kratom?
Though it is significant, 7-hydroxymitragynine is not the most common alkaloid in kratom. That title belongs to mitragynine, which makes up about ⅔ of the plant’s total alkaloid content (or about 1-2% of its dry leaf mass). 7-OH, on the other hand, makes up just 0.05% of kratom’s dry leaf mass.
So, 7-OH isn’t abundant in plant material. But remember, much of the 7-OH you encounter when using kratom doesn’t necessarily have to originate in the plant. Your body – specifically your liver – creates 7-OH when it metabolizes mitragynine.
As a result, it’s tricky to say just how much 7-hydroxymitragynine you’re consuming (or potentially creating) in a single dose. Fortunately, some products make it easy to understand how much you’re consuming by formulating individual gummies, capsules, etc., with a certain amount of 7-OH.
Does 7-OH or kratom show up on a drug test?
No, neither 7-hydroxymitragynine nor kratom is likely to show up on a drug test. Most standard five-panel drug tests don’t look for kratom at all, let alone its alkaloids. Even more advanced and detailed drug tests are unlikely to look for mitragynine or 7-OH.
Kratom has yet to be included as a standard part of drug screenings, so while the odds of 7-OH showing up on a drug test aren’t technically zero, you probably have nothing to worry about.
Potential Effects & Benefits of 7-OH
The benefits of 7-OH are pretty similar to the benefits of kratom itself. After all, much of what we attribute to kratom is actually due to alkaloids like mitragynine and 7-OH! Still, there are a few things we can point to as the most significant effects of 7-OH, including:
- Pain Relief. The potent analgesic effects of 7-OH are its claim to fame, especially since it’s able to achieve powerful pain relief without the same risk of adverse side effects as opioids.
- Sedation. A lot of the sedating, calming effects we associate with kratom actually come from 7-OH. The alkaloid is known to make users feel relaxed, stress-free, and sometimes even sleepy.
- Euphoria. We can thank 7-OH for the mood-boosting effects of kratom, including a feeling of happiness or euphoria. This perk makes kratom a popular choice for people looking to manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
- Withdrawals. Some people turn to kratom alkaloids like 7-OH to assist them in managing withdrawals associated with opioid use. Because these alkaloids have a lower risk of dependence and milder withdrawal symptoms than opioids, they can help people experiencing withdrawal relieve some discomfort without having to take another opioid.
Tips for Finding Your Ideal 7-Hydroxymitragynine Dose
Ready to give 7-hydroxymitragynine a try? Looking to experiment with 7-OH isolate products? You can estimate your ideal dose by first figuring out how potent your product is and then dividing its total alkaloid content by the number of servings it contains. The result should give you a rough estimate of how much mitragynine is present, which gives you a starting point to work with.
Some products may be formulated with precise doses of 7-OH. When this is true, they’ll likely list the 7-OH contents in each dose somewhere on their packaging or certificate of analysis (COA). If your product doesn’t list any information about its 7-OH, it may take some trial and error to fully understand how different doses affect you.
As is true whenever you’re trying to figure out how much kratom to take, start low and slow to avoid causing unwanted side effects. Start with a small dose – the smallest possible dose – and slowly raise it as needed to achieve your desired results.
Shop 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Kratom at Gold Dragon
If you want to experience the benefits of kratom quickly and efficiently, a 7-OH product might be up your alley. With 7-OH, there’s no need to mix powder into a drink or wait up to an hour to feel the effects – you should notice strong effects that come on fairly quickly and last for hours at a time.
Whether you’re looking for a daily boost, something to help you kick stress to the curb, or a cognitive enhancer, you can find the effects you’re after in 7-hydroxymitragynine. The only thing left to do is try it yourself!
You can count on Gold Dragon Kratom to help you find the best 7-OH goodies on the market for prices you won’t want to miss out on. Shop our 7-hydroxymitragynine product collection today to start experimenting, or reach out to us for a free consultation!
