Posted by 7-OH is an alkaloid extracted from Kratom leaves that acts as an opiate-like substance. It’s been increasing in popularity in recent years, and when Kratom itself becomes an herb that people begin to learn more about, they inevitably becomes acquainted with it. Whether or not Kratom users ever try 7-OH products, they’d be better off understanding the alkaloid so that they might gain a greater appreciation for the non-dominant genetic makeup of the herb they enjoy. And to be clear: 7-OH, or 7-Hydroxymitragynine, and Mitragynine, which is the alkaloid most Kratom users are trying to gain access to at any give time, aren’t the same thing.
As for their differences: 7-Hydroxymitragynine, or simply 7-OH, is a powerful opiate that puts its users into a state of calm and relaxation. It can be found in trace amounts within Kratom. Mitragnynine (MIT), inversely, is a stimulant that gives it’s users an upper effect profile, making it akin to a stronger variant of caffeine. MIT is found in much more abundance in Kratom, has a small, but not insignificant, risk of dependency developments. It can also pose a risk for cardiovascular issues if taken in too large a quantity too often, and if taken above 10 grams in a single day, will make it’s user ill.
What’s important to note about 7-OH is that, though the health risks associated with it aren’t ideal, the real risks that has anchored to it comes from the fact that it has a very, very steep risk of dependency associated with its consistent usage. That risk of dependency can draw users to consume more than they otherwise would in a consistent manner that’s ill advised, and in a dosage that should be avoided at all costs (above 10 milligrams.)
For context, here’s a general guideline on how much 7-OH one should consume at any given time and what one could expect from those dosages:
- 5 – 1 milligram: Slight effect of improved mood, maybe some light pain relief, but no guarantees on that front. This dosage is excellent for new users to test out their body’s response to the alkaloid without delving past the shallow end.
- 2 – 4 milligrams: The previous dosages effects, but increased. While still considered a light dosage by most standards, the pain relief will be much more noticeable and the mood improvement will be enough to encroach on “euphoria” territory. Low risk of tolerance buildup and dependency issues in this range so long as taken with scarcity.
- 5 – 7 milligrams: A moderate dosage. The effects of 7-OH within this dosage will be akin to what the alkaloid is predominantly advertised at doing: relieving anxieties, creating a sense of euphoria, relieving even strong pain, and aid users in falling asleep later in the day. At this dosage, risks of tolerance buildup and dependency development become more pronounced, and responsible usage becomes extremely important.
- 8 – 10 milligrams: The highest dosage that can be recommended to experienced users before the risk of repository issues, addiction, and eventual withdrawal increase significantly. This dosage should generally be reserved for users who don’t experience the kind of pain management they’re seeking, but also understand that they won’t need said pain relief for more than the next 2 to 3 days at most.
Dependency and 7-OH aren’t uncommon variables, and they should always be considered two things that go hand-in-hand. That’s why we recommend users change their relationship to the alkaloid, and in a way that’s dependent on why they use 7-OH; Users who are temporarily taking 7-OH for pain management reasons should consider not going above 5 milligrams per day, and should never exceed 4 days in a week of usage, consecutive or otherwise.
Users who are taking 7-OH for recreational purposes (social events, festivals, etc) should consider not going above 5 milligrams per day, and should consider not exceeding two days of consecutive use. People who are lucky enough to not be taking 7-OH for pain management reasons should seriously consider spacing out individual uses of 7-OH by degrees of months, instead of weeks, to ensure no addiction develops.
Lastly, those with a history of drug abuse or addictive personalities should avoid 7-OH altogether, as the risk of dependency is far too high.