You heard about kratom. Then you started hearing about 7-OH kratom. You’re not quite sure if it’s kratom, a concentrated version, or something else entirely. Before you quite had it figured out, a new kratom product popped onto the market- MGM-15. If you’re confused about the difference between these various kratom products, you’re not alone. In this article, we explore the differences between natural kratom, 7-OH, and MGM-15.
Table of Contents
Kratom
Kratom is a natural product derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree native to the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia. It has been used there for at least the last century as a traditional medicine.
In its native regions, kratom leaves are consumed as tea or chewed directly. In these countries, Kratom use is akin to drinking coffee, and users, unlike drug or alcohol users, were never looked at as low life drug or alcohol abusers.
Kratom effects
At low doses, kratom has stimulant-like effects, boosting mood and energy. At high doses, kratom’s effects become opioid-like, relaxing and sedating its users.
Many turn to kratom for its purported pain-relieving abilities, to deal with mild mental health issues, or for self-medicating opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Legal Status
At a national level, kratom is completely legal. Several states have completely banned all kratom and 7-oh substances, while others have adopted a consumer protection model- natural kratom is legal, albeit regulated, while concentrated versions, like 7-oh, are illegal.
Overdose Risks
Kratom has been identified in overdose deaths, but usually in conjunction with other substances. However, even in polydrug cases, kratom’s contribution to respiratory depression cannot be ruled out. Kratom has also been identified as the single cause of overdose deaths.
Kratom vs. 7-OH vs. MGM‑15
High dose: sedation, pain relief
7-OH
Sometimes called legal morphine or gas station heroin, 7-hydroxymitragynin (7-OH) is a rising health concern today. It’s produced by isolating and concentrating the most potent alkaloid (chemical) in kratom leaves with the resulting product being 500 times stronger than kratom leaves in their natural form. It’s often marketed as spiked, or enhanced kratom, while in truth it’s an addictive, opioid-like substance.
7-OH effects
7-OH acts on opioid receptors in the brain and produces opioid-like effects, including sedation and respiratory depression. Withdrawal symptoms include muscle aches, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, sweating, chills, diarrhea, mood changes, and intense drug cravings.
Users typically take 7-oh for the same reasons they were using kratom- for pain relief, mood boosting, or to self-medicate opioid withdrawals.
Legal status
The FDA has requested that the DEA schedule, or declare 7-oh illegal. In the meantime, many states have taken steps to ban 7-OH. Check your local regulations for more details.
Addiction and overdose risks
Because 7-OH activates opioid receptors, it is an addictive substance. In the past year, Wellbrook Recovery has seen an 800% increase in 7-OH related admission inquiries, (based on internal intake data) highlighting the prevalence of the addiction.
Additionally, while few hard numbers exist, 7-OH is repeatedly being cited across the news as a main driver in overdose deaths.
How is 7-OH is different than kratom
Isolated 7-oh can be 500 times stronger than natural kratom leaf. The resulting product is a dangerous opioid product, while kratom is a natural botanical product. 7-OH is not more of kratom, it’s a completely different product that happens to occur naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaf.
MGM-15
MGM-15, also known as dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine, is a synthetic derivative of 7-OH. It’s created by chemically modifying 7-OH to increase its’ strength and potency. Structurally, MGM-15 is a modified version of 7-OH. It is a full opioid agonist, and binds to opioid receptors in the brain more strongly than 7-OH products.
MGM-15 effects
In animal studies, MGM-15 produces opioid effects. Because MGM-15 is a full opioid agonist, it is expected to carry opioid-associated risks including dependence, addiction, and respiratory depression, consistent with its pharmacological profile.
Legal status
Because MGM-15 is a new and emerging substance, little information is available on it from the federal government. It is unclear if scheduling 7-OH will include MGM-15 in the ban. In states where 7-OH is banned, few states state specifically that MGM-15 is included in the ban. See The Legal Status of MGM-15 for more info.
How MGM-15 is different from 7-OH
While 7-OH is a compound naturally found in kratom leaf, MGM-15 is not. It is a completely synthetic opioid, only it’s modeled after the chemical structure of 7-OH. MGM-15 is 2.6 to 3.4 times more potent than 7-OH.
In Summary- The difference between kratom, 7-OH, and MGM-15
Differences
- Kratom is the parent product, a natural plant.
- 7-OH is a compound found in trace amounts in kratom
- MGM-15 is a semi-synthetic opioid modeled after the chemical structure of 7-OH.Â
Similarities
- All substances pose risks of dependence, addiction, overdose, and overdose death, in varying degrees.
- All three substances are widely available in gas stations, smoke shops, and online wellness stores.
- All three substances are legally available in many areas of the United States.
FAQs
No. 7-OH is a compound found in trace amounts in kratom leaf, but the 7-OH products sold commercially are concentrated or synthetically produced. The result is up to 500 times stronger than natural kratom leaf and carries full opioid-like risks that kratom does not.
No. MGM-15 is a semi-synthetic opioid modeled after the chemical structure of 7-OH. It is not found in kratom leaf and has no natural origin. It is sold alongside kratom and 7-OH products but is a distinct and more potent substance.
Yes. MGM-15 is 2.6 to 3.4 times more potent than 7-OH at opioid receptors, and approximately 50 times more potent than morphine in animal studies.
Yes. 7-OH is up to 500 times stronger than natural kratom leaf. While both act on opioid receptors, kratom’s effects are mild compared to 7-OH, which carries the full addiction and overdose risks of a potent opioid.
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