Posted by The existence of 7-hydroxymitragynine is something of a mixed bag. For many people, 7-OH provides the pain relief, mood support, and even the burst of energy they seek. For others, the side effects and risks as well as legal issues are discouraging.
7-OH alternatives have sprung up as a response. So have 7-OH alkaloid combinations in the attempt to tone down the 7-OH and join the best effects with those of a related alkaloid that derives from kratom or a synergistic botanical compound. It’s about making it even better, or a sort of alternative to a different compound altogether.
You’ve heard of kratom alkaloid combinations, now get ready for the 7-OH version. Following are some of the 7-OH alkaloid combinations around, what exactly they are, and what you should understand about them.
What Makes a Good 7-OH Alkaloid (“Specialty”) Combination?
There are several 7-OH combinations out there, but the following qualities make them worthwhile:
- Other related alkaloids or synergistic compounds that are compatible with 7-OH
- Fewer side effects than 7-OH by itself
- Has significant, unique, nuanced effects for balance
Also, 7-OH is often for people who are already experienced with kratom. 7-OH combinations may also be best for people who are familiar with 7-OH by itself. It’s important to try 7-OH on its own first, too, to accurately gauge effects and be familiar with them.
7-OH + MIT
Here is a combination I can really get behind. MIT just stands for mitragynine – basically kratom, but isolated to the predominant alkaloid out of up to 40 total alkaloids in the whole leaf. If you enjoy 7-OH but prefer low doses and want a smoother onset, effects, peak, and comedown, try this. Alternatively, if you’re tapering off 7-OH, this is a good combination to help soothe withdrawal symptoms. Although the proportions may be slightly different, they tend to be about half-and-half. 7-OH + MIT sustains the effects of 7-OH, because the mitragynine converts to 7-OH in the liver – and it’s far less potent than the concentrated 7-OH.
7-OH + Pseudo
Pseudo is a 7-OH alternative that is allowed in more areas in the U.S. It also has less risk of respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence. Effects-wise, it has a grounding, heavy feel. 7-OH + Pseudo is a popular combination for some users. With a low dose of 7-OH and a low dose of Pseudo, users get mood support and relaxation, plus a burst of mental clarity, focus, and energy. If you are wanting to switch over to Pseudo, this could be a possibility, rather than a transition protocol where you taper off the 7-OH and slowly introduce Pseudo separately. People who are sensitive and already find 7-OH to be potent enough on its own will find this combination to be overwhelming, however.
7-OH + Pseudo + MIT
An even better combination than 7-OH + Pseudo is 7-OH + Pseudo + MIT. The mitragynine (MIT) doesn’t bind to mu-opioid receptors as strongly as 7-OH and Pseudo, and both MIT and Pseudo have fewer side effects and risks and perhaps greater legality than 7-OH by itself. So think of 7-OH + Pseudo, but gentler, because the extract is divided among the three compounds. With three alkaloid categories in one formula, you get a broad spectrum of effects.
7-OH + Kana
If you look up “kana” by itself, it’s often spelled “kanna,” which is the common name for Sceletium tortuosum. It’s a succulent plant native to South Africa and sacred to the Bushmen and Khoi peoples. In modern times, it’s extracted and put into shots for a potent mood boost or a euphoric buzz that is also relaxing and stress-relieving – a lot like kava, which you see in combinations like kratom + kava shots. Stronger and faster-acting than 7-OH alone, this combo can be for maintaining focus or unwinding. Just keep in mind that although the kana is much higher in proportion to the 7-OH, the 7-OH is still a high dose.
The Dilemma: 7-OH, a 7-OH Specialty Combination, or a 7-OH Alternative?
Deciding whether to take 7-OH by itself is fairly simple: If you experience side effects that are too much to handle, high tolerance, or dependency, then a 7-OH specialty combination might suit you.
The main problem with finding a 7-OH specialty combination is getting the information on the proportional amounts, not just the total alkaloid content, and not all 7-OH specialty products include this. You also need to know whether the dosing means the entire tablet, a quarter, or a half-tablet. So if you have no idea how much of each alkaloid compound you’re getting, you are taking a risk just ingesting it without being able to anticipate its effects.
Then again, some people decide they don’t like 7-OH at all, even in specialty combinations. That’s where 7-OH alternatives come in. Often, they are restructured 7-OH or mitragynine. But sometimes, the alternative is a specialty combination, but a proprietary blend rather than a common one.
This difference is important. The above combinations are not proprietary blends, so vendors can make whatever proportions they want. But in a patented combination, you get a unique formula and reliable quality with effective results, rather than just banking on what’s popular or common. It still gives a broad spectrum of alkaloids and effects, but it’s not all over the place.
A Vendor for 7-OH and 7-OH Alternatives Alike
Sometimes, a vendor has poor quality 7-OH and deters people from trying it elsewhere. Other times, it’s just not a match for certain people, and that’s okay. Fortunately, there are formidable alternatives, too – either milder and lighter or more potent, but with less negative effects and often, more legally available.
Whether you enjoy 7-OH on its own or are looking for alternatives, Real Botanicals offers both, and does them extremely well. Consider their 7-OH tablets or shots or their Pseudo and Oxonol as 7-OH alternatives.
You should also check out “Kratom and 7-OH Stacks You Can Use for Enhanced Effects” and “10 of the Best 7-OH Products”