Posted by 7-Hydroxymitragynine vs. Mitragynine: Both alkaloids come from the same herb, both have similar names, and it is there that the similarities stop and the absolute canyon of differences begin. These differences extend from there effect profile, their risk for dependency issues, their long-term viability, the method of consumption, and even their legality, despite both alkaloids being cousins in the same house, so to speak.
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 10grams in a single day, will make it’s user ill.
All of that to say that these two alkaloids are very different from one another. And what most people are trying to find in the use case of one, they are often trying to avoid in the use case of the other. But let’s go into these two alkaloids and how you can safely access them in greater detail.
7-OH
7-OH is your “downer” component to Kratom. To access 7-OH, there are two methods. Keep in mind that while one of these methods is preferred for greater health safety, neither method is healthy. The consumption of 7-OH should not be something pursued lightly or something that’s taken consistently. It’s a powerful opiate akin to morphine and is not something that should be taken as a casual supplement.
7-OH isn’t the dominant alkaloid within Kratom before about 5 to 6 grams of Kratom consumption. That is to say, that unless you’re consuming a lot of Kratom in one go, you’re not going to be consuming enough for 7-OH to have a dominant effect. In fact, if you consume what I’d consider a normal amount of properly cured, youthful Kratom (about 200 to 500 milligrams of “White Kratom”,) it is very likely that the amount of 7-OH being consumed isn’t enough to effect the body with any significance.
This is why to access 7-OH directly through Kratom, you’ll need to consume about 5 grams of aged Kratom. Why aged, you ask? Because aged Kratom, typically referred to as “red” Kratom due to its vein color, has a higher ratio of 7-OH to MIT. In some cases, more than 5 grams is required to achieve 7-OH’s desired effect, and the closer you get to 10 grams, the closer you get to just becoming extremely sick.
Alternatively, you can just by 7-OH in purified form through a trusted vendor like Real Botanicals. While 7-OH is never truly “safe” for casual consumption, ingesting it through a purified pill or tablet means that you’re skipping over the process of ingesting a lot of Kratom for the same effect, which is a lot safer.
Mitragynine
Our “more powerful caffeine” friend, MIT is your “upper” component to Kratom. Effective, safe at low to moderate dosages, and very cheap and simple to access. Typically, users will purchase their favorite Kratom strain from a vendor. We recommend Green or, even better, White, to keep the 7-OH component minimal. White is the most youthful strain, and the best for pure energy, while Green is the more balanced strain, but one that has a higher ratio of 7-OH, even if very small all the same.
Often, users will purchase their Kratom in powdered form to get access to MIT. Once this is done, they mix it with their favorite morning beverage (typically just with water, although some people like to mix up a morning shake, it’s really up to your own preferences), and enjoy.
The avoid developing a dependency, we recommend users consuming no more than four to five grams in a day. While many users are able to consume this amount without any addiction issues, it is always better to be safe than sorry in the world of Kratom.
Make smart decisions and enjoy.
Check out “What Is The Controversy with Kratom?“