Oxonol vs. Pseudo: What’s the Best 7-OH Alternative?

7-OH has had a relatively brief but powerful run. While it’s still available, many people seek out alternatives that are either similar enough or will give many of the same effects they want. Oxonol and Pseudo are the next-best thing to 7-OH but with fewer side effects, since they are semi-synthetic derivatives. They also don’t have the controversy and the same restrictions 7-OH does. 

You could narrow down the specific effects you want and then compare Oxonol and Pseudo to those of 7-OH and each other. However, you’d have better luck comparing all of the effects as a whole. That way, since everyone has different goals, you can make an informed decision.

The Difference in Opioid Receptors They Bind to – Or Not

To understand how Oxonol and Pseudo affect users, it’s important to learn how they bind to opioid receptors, and the neurotransmitters they release. Let’s start with the original analgesic from kratom, 7-OH. 

7-OH is a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, meaning it binds partly to, or partly activates, them. In that scenario, it causes analgesia (pain relief), sedation, euphoria, slightly lower blood pressure and respiration, nausea, itching, constricted pupils (miosis), and lowers bowel motility (leading to constipation). The main mu-agonist prototypes are morphine and fentanyl. 

There are other effects, too. 7-OH is also a competitive antagonist of the delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, meaning it’s a blocker of anything that would bind to those receptors. In other words, it binds to them but does not activate them. That blocking action reverses or prevents the action of those opioid receptors. 

In the case of delta-opioid receptors, they play a role in stress, pain, mood, learning, and memory. So blocking them prevents the peptides that release during stress, pain, or bad mood. It allows the user to cope with discomfort with the substance. Some people experience over-activation of delta-opioid receptors and get relief by blocking them. For example, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. 

Now let’s look at 7-OH’s role as a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist. Kappa opioids are important for mood, reward, motor control, motivation, nociception (ability to deal with painful stimuli) or pain perception, and modulation of addictive behaviors. Kappa-opioid receptor antagonists are useful for relieving pain without the same risk of addiction or substance abuse disorder and other negative effects of opioids (such as morphine). They’re also helpful for mood disorders (such as treatment-resistant depression) and of course, managing chronic pain. 

Opioid Receptors of Oxonol and Pseudo

The effects and side effects from activation of the 3 main opioid receptors can be summed up as follow:

• Mu: Euphoria and analgesia, physical dependency, respiratory depression, gastrointestinal effects, sedation
• Delta: Anti-depressant and physical dependency; no respiratory depression, GI effects, or sedation
• Kappa: Dysphoria and sedation; GI effects and sedation, but no respiratory depression

Oxonol has a high affinity for both mu- and delta-opioid receptors and a lower affinity for kappa-opioid receptors. It is a partial agonist that mostly targets mu-opioid receptors, delta to a lesser extent, and the least to kappa. 

Pseudo, also known as mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, is a mu-opioid receptor agonist and a delta-opioid receptor antagonist. 

What Makes the Best 7-OH Alternative?

Consider the effects and possible side effects of Oxonol and Pseudo in comparison to 7-OH. Both Oxonol and Pseudo are 7-OH alternatives with fewer negative side effects, such as:

How Does Oxonol Compare to 7-OH?

Oxonol serves as an analgesic that is similar to, but not quite like 7-OH. Users report that it is very relaxing, light, smooth, and fast-acting, but does not have the same oomph 7-OH does. Chronic pain sufferers may not find it to be as potent after the first dose. However, it is meant to allow for people to remain high-functioning in spite of pain. 

Does Pseudo Achieve Similar Effects as 7-OH?

Like Oxonol, Pseudo gives pain relief. However, it allows for tolerance without dependency and abuse. Chronic pain sufferers report that it is potent and long-lasting and even serves as an alternative not only to 7-OH, but to Oxonol. It also feels more grounding than Oxonol. On the other hand, it may cause GI effects (such as nausea) and sedation. 

The Verdict

Oxonol is calming and high-functioning, but does not last as long as 7-OH does. Pseudo is more potent, grounding, and longer-lasting, with deeper pain relief. Both have far less potential for abuse in comparison to 7-OH. I would say Oxonol is for moderate and short-term pain relief and Pseudo is for more severe or longer-term pain relief. 

7-OH, Oxonol and Pseudo From One Vendor

Because of the controversy surrounding 7-OH, alternatives like Oxonol and Pseudo are increasingly popular. You don’t have to stick to a vendor that offers just one or two of the pain-relieving products, though. If Oxonol doesn’t work for you, Pseudo just might. 

There’s one vendor that not only carries but manufactures all three, and with the highest quality control around. With 7-OH, Oxonol, and Pseudo from Real Botanicals, you can trust that whatever you choose, you’ll get pure, clean, and consistent ingredients for precise effects. 

You might be interested in “7-OH Alternatives: What to Know“

See “Real Botanicals vs. Rize Botanicals: Which Brand Has the Best 7-OH and Pseudo?“