US Officials Target Potent Synthetic Kratom Byproduct Amid Student Deaths
The FDA is pushing to classify 7-OH, a concentrated derivative of the kratom plant, as a Schedule I controlled substance, following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students where kratom was found.
Federal health officials are intensifying efforts to regulate a potent synthetic byproduct of the kratom plant, known as 7-OH, following the recent deaths of two University of Mississippi students. Kratom, an opioid-like substance often sold in convenience stores and smoke shops, was found at both student death scenes, though authorities have not confirmed if the substance was a contributing factor.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advocating for 7-OH to be classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, a category reserved for drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin and LSD. This move targets the concentrated synthetic byproduct, not the kratom leaf itself, emphasizing its classification as an opioid distinct from naturally occurring kratom.
In August 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a federal crackdown on 7-OH, describing sellers of kratom products as part of a "sinister industry." The FDA has noted that consumers using 7-OH products are exposing themselves to substances that have not been proven safe or effective for any use.
Kratom, derived from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, affects the brain by acting as a stimulant at low doses, increasing energy and focus, and as a sedative at higher doses, providing pain relief and euphoria. Its popularity has grown in the U.S. as a purported natural remedy for pain, anxiety, depression, and opioid addiction. While legal at the federal level for adult use, the FDA has not approved it for medical purposes, and several states have banned its sale and possession.
However, kratom carries significant risks. It can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, itching, and loss of appetite. Heavier use has been linked to seizures, hallucinations, liver damage, and death, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. National poison control centers have reported a rise in calls related to kratom exposures since 2011. A Washington Post analysis found kratom associated with at least 4,100 deaths between 2020 and 2022.
The substance can be highly addictive, particularly for individuals with a history of addiction. Kratom's active ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), bind to the same brain receptors as morphine and alcohol, potentially creating an addictive cycle. Withdrawal symptoms can include insomnia, nausea, muscle pain, and irritability.
While 7-OH occurs naturally in small amounts in kratom, manufacturers have developed methods to concentrate it in products like capsules, powders, and liquids. Some of these products reportedly contain significantly higher levels of 7-OH than naturally present, leading to stronger effects and increased risks. The FDA stated that these concentrated forms are not legal in dietary supplements or food products.
The proposed federal action includes a review by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to determine if 7-OH will be officially labeled an illicit drug. If a national ban is enacted, it would require new rules to be drafted and finalized. Officials warn against a repeat of the opioid epidemic, highlighting the prevalence of products like concentrated 7-OH sold in numerous retail outlets.
The American Kratom Association has supported the FDA's crackdown on 7-OH products, distinguishing them from natural kratom and calling them chemically altered substances with potent opioid-like effects that pose a threat to consumers. The association stated that public safety should be prioritized.