7-Hydroxymitragynine: Your Guide to Kratom's Star Alkaloid

If you’ve ever dabbled in the world of kratom, you might have heard of the legendary alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine. The list of potential benefits of this alkaloid is as lengthy as its name! Until recently, experts were largely unaware of the importance of 7-hydroxymitragynine, not just as a kratom alkaloid but as a key actor in its analgesic activities. Understanding it may be the key to leveraging kratom as a truly natural medicine and pain reliever. So, gather ‘round, kratom lovers: let’s unpack what it is that makes 7-hydroxymitragynine so powerful and unique. 

What is 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)?

7-Hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH mitragynine or simply “7-OH,” is an active metabolite of mitragynine, the kratom plant’s main psychoactive alkaloid. In other words, it’s an active ingredient that’s made when the body metabolizes or breaks down plain old mitragynine. 

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Both 7-OH and mitragynine act as partial agonists at opioid receptors (specifically, mu-opioid receptors) in the body. It is this activation of mu-opioid receptors that’s responsible for most of the benefits we associate with kratom. 

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Despite their similar names, 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine are not interchangeable. In fact, 7-OH is reported to be about 10 times as potent as mitragynine. It also plays a crucial role in allowing mitragynine to deliver its analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.

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Research suggests that mitragynine’s – and, by extension, kratom’s – ability to relieve pain depends largely on the formation of 7-OH as a metabolite. So, though it’s not the only alkaloid at play, 7-OH is arguably the most important component of kratom in terms of benefits. 

What Does 7-Hydroxymitragynine Do to You?

Both mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine contribute to the pain-relieving, sedating, and mood-enhancing effects of kratom. They achieve these effects by activating mu-opioid receptors, much like morphine or traditional opioids might.

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We know that when your body breaks mitragynine down, 7-hydroxymitragynine forms as a metabolite. This process happens in the liver. The transformation also significantly boosts 7-OH’s effectiveness as a pain reliever. That’s because regular mitragynine can’t directly activate opioid receptors as efficiently as 7-OH does. 

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Once 7-OH is present, it works its magic and begins binding to opioid receptors. Unlike traditional opioids, 7-hydroxymitragynine doesn’t trigger changes related to common side effects. 7-OH and mitragynine are also both less likely to lead to dependence than regular opioids. 

Is 7-hydroxymitragynine stronger than morphine?

Yes, 7-hydroxymitragynine is indeed stronger than morphine, at least when it comes to its ability to bind to mu-opioid receptors. Studies show that 7-OH is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine. 

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That means it has great potential as a pain-relieving medication, especially since it doesn’t cause the same side effects as opioids. 

7-Hydroxymitragynine and Kratom

There’s likely one thing that comes to mind when you think 7-hydroxymitragynine: kratom. And you’re not alone! 7-OH undoubtedly owes much of its fame to the rise of Mitragyna speciosa, the plant that produces kratom leaves. Mitragynine and 7-OH are both indole alkaloids that are found in kratom, whether you’re enjoying it in leaf, powder, capsule, or another form.

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In the world of kratom, mitragynine is chief. It’s highly abundant and makes up about ⅔ of the plant’s total alkaloid content or about 1-2% of its dry leaf mass. Mitragynine is also the more well-known alkaloid, though 7-OH is definitely hot on its heels. 

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While present in smaller quantities, 7-hydroxymitragynine is arguably the most crucial of the two, at least in terms of therapeutic benefits. Without 7-OH, kratom would likely not be able to deliver the same level of mood-boosting and pain-relieving properties.

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7-OH and mitragynine aren’t alone in the kratom plant, though. There are a few other predominant alkaloids that experts believe contribute to kratom’s psychoactive effects, though little research on their benefits currently exists. Other common alkaloids include:

• Speciogynine
• Speciocillatine
• Payantheine

How much 7-hydroxymitragynine is in kratom?

Researchers believe that only about 0.05% of kratom’s dry leaf mass is made up of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Compare that figure to mitragynine’s 1-2%, and it’s not hard to see just how rare 7-OH truly is. 

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Remember, though, that most of the 7-OH you encounter when you consume kratom doesn’t actually originate in the plant. It’s the result of your body – specifically your liver – metabolizing mitragynine and transforming it into 7-hydroxymitragynine. 

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As a result, it’s difficult to say exactly how much 7-OH exists in a single dose of kratom. What we can say for sure, though, is that it likely isn’t much. Still, a little bit goes a long way.

Does 7-OH or kratom show up on a drug test?

Like kratom, 7-OH should not show up on most drug tests. Most of the standard five-panel tests commonly used by employers don’t test for kratom. Even more extensive drug tests are unlikely to look for mitragynine or 7-OH, though it is technically possible.

Effects & Potential Therapeutic Benefits of 7-OH

‍The benefits and effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine closely resemble the benefits of kratom. After all, most of what we know kratom for is actually due to 7-OH! But mitragynine and 7-OH really shine in a few areas, including the following:

• Powerful Pain Relief: There’s no effect more characteristic of 7-OH than pain relief. Known for its potent analgesic effects, 7-OH effectively targets pain all day, unlike mitragynine, traditional opioids, or other pain-relieving alternatives.

• Sedation: Kratom is well-known for causing sedation, and much of this effect is due to 7-OH. The alkaloid’s tendency to make users feel calm, subdued, and sometimes even sleepy is well documented.

• Euphoria: As is true for sedation, we can thank 7-OH for many of the mood-enhancing effects of kratom, including a feeling of euphoria or intense happiness. This benefit makes kratom a popular choice for those looking to manage mood disorders like depression.

• Withdrawal Symptoms: Another popular use case for 7-OH is managing withdrawals associated with opioid use. 7-hydroxymitragynine appears to come with milder withdrawal symptoms and a lower risk of dependence than opioids. That means it can help people experiencing withdrawals relieve some of their discomfort without having to take another kind of opioid.

Finding Your Ideal 7-Hydroxymitragynine Dose

As we know, it’s difficult to say exactly how much 7-OH is in each dose of kratom. A lot of the 7-hydroxymitragynine you’ll be exposed to will appear as your body breaks down what you’ve consumed. That said, there are some things you can do to try to measure and track your 7-hydroxymitragynine dose so that you can curate your experience to your liking.

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You can estimate how much mitragynine you’re consuming by figuring out how potent your product is and then dividing its total alkaloid content by the number of servings it offers. Your product may not list 7-OH contents, but it should provide some idea of how much mitragynine is present, which gives you a guide to work with.

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When in doubt, it’s a good idea to start small and see how a single dose affects you before you begin experimenting with others. It’s smart to keep a journal and record your experiences and doses so that you can determine how much kratom you should take to achieve certain effects.

Shop 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products at Green Dragon

‍There you have it – everything you need to know about kratom’s most famous alkaloid, 7-hydroxymitragynine! There’s still a lot we have to learn about this powerful compound, but what we already know suggests that it’s a big part of why kratom works the way it does. It also seems to be a highly effective pain-relieving substance that could someday be a promising alternative to traditional opioids.

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With a solid understanding of 7-OH under your belt, the only thing left to do is give it a try. When shopping for kratom, it pays (literally) to shop with reputable, established sellers you know you can trust. Green Dragon CBD is here to help! Shop our full collection of 7-hydroxymitragynine products to explore your options. 

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Not sure where to get started? We’ve got you covered. Contact our team at any time for advice or for a free consultation that will help you discover which products are right for you.