Warning About Opioid-Related Ingredient in Energy Drinks and Supplements

U.S. health officials are warning Americans about the risks of an opioid-related ingredient increasingly added to energy drinks, gummies, and supplements sold at gas stations and convenience stores, recommending a nationwide ban.

The chemical, known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a component of kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia that has gained popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety, and drug dependence.

Kratom industry advocates and scientists raised the issue with authorities and consumers last year about products that, although marketed as natural kratom, were likely chemically altered in a lab to increase potency.

They said the relatively new products, which contain high levels of 7-OH, can be dangerous and should not be treated the same as kratom products.

What is Kratom and 7-OH?

Kratom is a plant that is native to southeast Asia and has reportedly been used to self-treat medical conditions, including anxiety, pain, and opioid withdrawal, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA describes kratom as “a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury.”

Kratom use carries the “risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder,” the FDA warns.

The pharmacological properties of the kratom plant are associated with two chemical compounds — mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.

Mitragynine is the most abundant substance in kratom and widely believed to be the central chemical compound responsible for the plant’s effects.

Risks and Regulations

The Drug Enforcement Administration considers kratom a “chemical of concern.”

In cases involving kratom use and death, ”kratom was usually used in combination with other drugs, and the contribution of kratom in the deaths is unclear,” according to the FDA.

Regulations on kratom, including those related to 7-OH levels, vary by state. Kratom products are illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

The Texas Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which went into effect in 2023, specifies the legal limit of 7-OH in products can be no more than 2% of the total alkaloid content.

Texas law also prohibits the sale of “synthetic alkaloids, including synthetic 7-Hydroxymitragynine and synthetically derived compounds from a kratom plant.”

Expert Opinions

Based on his research, Christopher McCurdy, a medical chemistry professor at the University of Florida, said getting mitragynine to convert into 7-OH without any outside chemical catalyst is not “commercially or economically feasible for someone to sell as a product.”

“From a scientist’s standpoint, we definitely say that these 7-OH products or products that are highly concentrated are no longer kratom products, even though they’re being labeled as such because they are no longer natural,” he said. “They’ve been somewhat synthetically manipulated.”

Kirsten Smith, who started the Kratom Research Unit at Maryland Opioid Research at Johns Hopkins University, said there is still much to learn about mitragynine and its potential uses.

She said she is “willing to buy” that there is potential for 7OH to be a form of harm reduction in severe cases of addiction, such as people who are intravenously injecting fentanyl.

Conclusion

The warning from U.S. health officials about the risks of 7-OH in energy drinks, gummies, and supplements is a crucial step in protecting public health. As the regulations and research on kratom and 7-OH continue to evolve, it is essential for consumers to be aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with these products.

By understanding the differences between natural kratom and synthetic 7-OH products, consumers can make informed decisions about their use and minimize the risks of adverse events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is kratom and what is it used for?

A: Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has been used to self-treat medical conditions, including anxiety, pain, and opioid withdrawal.

Q: What is 7-OH and how is it related to kratom?

A: 7-OH is a chemical compound found in kratom, but it can also be created synthetically in a lab setting. Products with high levels of 7-OH can be dangerous and should not be treated the same as kratom products.

Q: Are kratom products legal in all states?

A: No, regulations on kratom vary by state. Kratom products are illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

Q: What are the potential risks associated with kratom use?

A: Kratom use carries the “risk of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder,” according to the FDA.