RFK Jr. is targeting 7-OH, Kratom? What are these and how do they affect the body?

After a viral TikTok video and a press conference with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., kratom, a plant ingredient, is in the spotlight. But what is it and how does it affect the body? Find out below!

What is Kratom?

According to the Department of Drug Enforcement Administration, kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia.

Its leaves consist of two major psychoactive ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are known to produce stimulant effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses. Additionally, it can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological and physiological dependence.

What are the forms of kratom?

Also known as thang, kakuam, thom, ketum and biak, kratom is used in various forms such as tablets, capsules, powder, or extract.

How does kratom affect the body?

At low doses, kratom can lead to increased alertness, physical energy, and talkativeness. At higher doses, it can lead to hallucinations, delusions and confusion.However, apart from such effects and addiction, kratom use causes numerous harmful effects such as nausea, itching, sweating, constipation, increased urination, vomiting, drowsiness and loss of appetite. Other effects include anorexia, weight loss, insomnia, hepatoxicity, and seizures.

Is kratom use increasing in the US?

In the United States, the abuse of kratom has increased in the last few years. The ability of companies to put large amounts of the ingredient into otherwise innocuous-looking products has made it more susceptible to abuse, said Dr Timothy Fong, a UCLA addiction psychiatrist, to USA TODAY."At its core, this is a plant that's been around thousands of years," Fong added. "It has been used in Southeast Asia, chewing on the leaf as a stimulant, as a way of pain relief.

And now, through vast modern technology, we've created the ability to have, what I call, fast-food kratom, if you will. Different formulations. Capsules. Powders. Teas. Gummies. Smokable versions. All sorts of different things."The use of kratom has gone viral through a TikTok video where a content creator described how a teenage boy tried stealing his wallet outside a gas station after he refused to go inside to buy the boy a Feel Free tonic consisting of kratom.While earlier, Botanic Tonics, the creator of the drink, marketed the kratom tonic as a healthy alternative to alcohol in May 2024, it announced the addition of a 21-and-over restriction to its products after settling an $8.75 million class-action lawsuit.

How do kratom and 7-OH differ?

Kratom is the name of the complete plant ingredient, whereas 7-OH or 7-Hydroxymitragynine is its chemical by-product. While some products are derived from the entire plant, others are formulated with high amounts of 7-OH.

What has RFK Jr. said about kratom and 7-OH?

During a press conference on July 29, Martin Makary, Food and Drug Administration commissioner, announced the organisation's intention to crack down on products containing 7-OH. However, he also made it clear that the by-product is the organisation's focus and not kratom overall.Alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Makary announced their plan to initiate the process to have 7-OH schedules as an illicit substance."I spent 14 years as a heroin addict, and I've been 43 years in recovery," Kennedy said during the press conference. "I've had iron willpower for most of my life. ... This compulsion was absolutely impervious to my will, and part of the problem was just the availability."