Posted by Kratom and 7-OH products come from the same plant of kratom, but they’re very different in their effects and applications. Many people, myself included, have used each at separate times. For relief of pain that’s more than moderate, I turn to 7-OH because it’s effective at any dose, while kratom’s analgesic effects are only possible at high doses. Some people use both in the same day, even though it’s not safe to do so.
But if you’re wondering whether you can successfully switch from kratom to 7-OH or vice-versa, there’s a way to do it with as few risks as possible. Learn how to make the change from one to the other while keeping negative side effects down.
Differences Between Kratom and 7-OH
Kratom leaves naturally have up to 40 alkaloids in its full-spectrum profile. Mitragynine is predominant, while 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) is minor proportionwise. When people choose MIT, they want just the mitragynine isolate.. 7-OH is also a metabolite of mitragynine, but in a lab, it simply gets extracted out of kratom leaves. Then, it becomes an extremely potent isolate.
In terms of opioid-like botanicals, kratom or MIT is decidedly weaker than 7-OH in terms of binding affinity to the mu-opioid receptor. Another difference is that kratom gives energy and mood lift at low doses but mild to moderate pain relief and sedation at high doses, while 7-OH has analgesic and euphoric effects at any dose.
With regard to switching between the two, kratom can be used to transition to 7-OH, but it can also be a step-down agent for 7-OH users. The idea with either, though, is to avoid something called “receptor stacking” where the two are taken too close to one another and have a synergistic effect where they increase analgesic and other effects.
Switching from Kratom to 7-OH
When people switch from kratom to 7-OH, they want to get the experience from kratom before they try 7-OH. Alternatively, they are simply ready for another opioid-like botanical, one that has more targeted effects. Kratom is a mixed alkaloid product – with the exception being MIT – so it feels rounder or more balanced, with a broader chemical makeup.
- Stronger pain relief at lower doses as well as lower total volume
- Wanting more consistent effects rather than the variability of kratom plant material
- “Less is more” dosing that reduces GI symptoms like nausea as with large doses of kratom
- Seeking to self-manage opioid withdrawal with a more potent compound
Switching from 7-OH to Kratom
It’s true that both kratom and 7-OH partially bind at mu-opioid receptors, but 7-OH does so even more. The goal is to get more opioid-centric effects of analgesia and sedation. It may also serve as an alcohol alternative, with some people describing it as helping them feel clear, calm, and relaxed without wanting to reach for a drink.
- The need to scale-back down on tolerance
- Desire to reduce increased side effects
- Ready for a milder, broader-spectrum experience
- Tapering down and reducing opioid receptor stimulation
Can Someone Take Both on the Same Day?
Remember when I was talking about receptor stacking? Technically, it’s possible to take a harm reduction approach and avoid overlapping opioid receptor stimulation through taking both on the same day, but only if the user separates them by taking one in the morning and the other in the evening and avoiding other depressants, like alcohol. Even so, tread carefully.
It’s best to take just one compound in a day so as to gauge effects and avoid adverse ones as well as overdosing. Making a clean switch is safer and easier to manage.
How to Switch from Kratom to 7-OH
7-OH is more potent than kratom, so when taking 7-OH, it’s important to start at lower doses than you think you need. That’s because 7-OH can be up to 40 times more potent than kratom.
Step 1; Stabilize: Maintain a consistent kratom dose for 5-7 days.
Step 2; Identify baseline: Be familiar with exactly how much kratom you take in a day.
Step 3; Replace gradually: Reduce kratom dose by 25-50% and maintain that for at least a few days. Introduce a very small amount of 7-OH several hours after taking kratom, and assess how you feel. Gradually decrease kratom and increase 7-OH with caution.
How to Switch from 7-OH to Kratom
Because kratom is less potent than 7-OH, switching from 7-OH to kratom can induce mild withdrawal symptoms.
Step 1; Stabilize: Maintain a consistent dose of 7-OH for 5-7 days.
Step 2; Identify baseline: Be familiar with exactly how much 7-OH you take in a day.
Step 3; Replace gradually: Reduce 7-OH by 10-20% every 4-7 days; when at 50-60% of original intake, slowly introduce kratom at a modest dose.
Step 4; Continue taper: Maintain steady kratom intake while continuing to lower 7-OH doses. Eventually, you’ll stop taking 7-OH completely.
Final Thoughts
The approach with this guide to switching between kratom and 7-OH is harm reduction. Although both kratom and 7-OH come from the same kratom plant of mitragyna speciosa, the former has a broader and milder alkaloid profile, while the latter provides a concentration that acts on mu-opioid receptors very strongly. The goal is to avoid abrupt replacement and instead do a gradual substitution.
Are you tired of kratom or 7-OH products that aren’t potent, effective, or consistent? The bare-bones approach can help get you straight to the point with pure, clean products from Real Botanicals.
Learn more about “7-OH, Oxonol, and Pseudo Effects on Lymphatic Drainage.“