RFK Jr. is cracking down on 7-OH. What is kratom – and how addictive is it?
Products containing the plant ingredient kratom are sold across the country at gas stations, liquor stores and smoke shops. They come in drinks, capsules and powders. Some have bright, colorful packaging.
But kratom is no run-of-the mill caffeine drink. Medical experts say it can be highly addictive, producing effects similar to those of opioids and opiates. USA TODAY spoke with over 20 people who say they became severely addicted to kratom − to devastating consequences.
Here's what to know about the ingredient, often marketed as a wellness supplement.
What is kratom?
Kratom is a plant ingredient that comes from Southeast Asia. It's often marketed as an herbal supplement that promotes relaxation and boosts energy.
Dr. Timothy Fong, a UCLA addiction psychiatrist, says the ability of companies to put large amounts of kratom into otherwise innocuous-looking products has made it more susceptible to abuse.
"At its core, this is a plant that's been around thousands of years," Fong says. "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."
What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Better Yet newsletter
What is the difference between kratom and 7-OH?
Kratom is the name for the entire plant ingredient, while 7-OH, which stands for 7-Hydroxymitragynine, is a chemical byproduct of kratom. Some products are made with the whole kratom plant, while others are formulated specifically with high concentrations of 7-OH. Products marketed with 7-OH tend to be stronger and have recently drawn scrutiny from the FDA.
What has RFK Jr., the FDA said about kratom, 7-OH?
During a July 29 press conference, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Martin Makary announced the organization's intention to crackdown on products containing 7-OH; however, Makary also made clear during that press conference that the organization's focus is on 7-OH, not kratom overall.
Makary spoke alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy while announcing their plan to initiate the process to have 7-OH scheduled as an illicit substance. That will happen if the Drug Enforcement Administration approves the FDA's sanction after review.
More: Products with opioid-like effects sold at gas stations may be banned as illicit substances
"I spent 14 years 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."
Is kratom addictive?
Medical experts tell USA TODAY that, though kratom and 7-OH in general remain understudied topics, all kratom products carry risk for addiction, not just ones marketed with 7-OH. Some of the people who spoke to USA TODAY said their addiction was just to products with kratom, and they never tried ones with synthetic 7-OH. For others, using products with kratom became a gateway to using products with synthetic 7-OH.
Dr. Lief Fenno, chair of the American Psychiatric Association Council on Addiction Psychiatry, believes kratom has escaped scrutiny because it does not bind to receptors in the brain the same way that drugs like heroin and morphine do.
"The shapes of these molecules from kratom are very different than the shapes of things like morphine or fentanyl," Fenno says. "And so, the argument can be made that they're not opioids, because they don't have a specific shape like opioids. And that's despite the fact that they work in a very similar way."
Why are people talking about kratom now?
There are many kratom products on the market, but one particular drink has gone viral in recent weeks. On July 25, a TikToker under the name @yourbestimisha posted a video that now has over 19 million views, in which he 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 containing kratom. A representative for Botanic Tonics, the company behind Feel Free, told USA TODAY its Feel Free Classic tonic contains only natural leaf kratom, with nearly undetectable levels of 7-OH.
The Botanic Tonics representative told USA TODAY the company takes its 21-and-over restriction very seriously and has reached out to this TikToker for further details. The company's CEO Cameron Korehbandi has also released a statement applauding the FDA for going after 7-OH.
"We've been advocating for exactly this type of regulatory approach — one that protects consumers from synthetic derivatives while preserving access to traditional botanical ingredients with centuries of safe use," Korehbandi said.
'Gas station heroin' nearly killed her. How tianeptine became a 'dark secret' for many.
Earlier this year, Botanic Tonics settled an $8.75 million class-action lawsuit filed in March 2023 that alleged the company falsely marketed its kratom tonic as a healthy alternative to alcohol. In January 2024, the company announced it would add a warning to the label for its Feel Free Classic tonic saying the product can become "habit forming and harmful to your health if consumed irresponsibly," and, in May 2024, it announced the addition of a 21-and-over restriction to its products.
For resources or support with substance use disorder, you can visit the SAMHSA.gov website or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ex-FDA chief wants to regulate big food
Former FDA chief Dr. David Kessler is petitioning the agency to strip refined carbs of their 'safe' status, arguing they fuel major diseases. The move comes as the CDC says ultra-processed foods make up over half the U.S. diet, including most kids' meals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Popular sweetener recalled over labeling mix-up as FDA issues warning
Double check your sweetener before adding it to your coffee or tea. NuNaturals, a company known for its zero-sugar sweeteners, baking items, and other goods, issued a voluntary recall of certain Organic Monk Fruit and Stevia sweeteners in July. A labeling mix-up revealed that bottles labeled as Stevia were filled with the monk fruit sweetener and vice versa. Now, the recall has been elevated by the FDA to a Class II, the second-highest risk level. A Class II recall is 'a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,' according to the FDA. The mislabeling can pose a serious health risk to those allergic to ragweed and related plants, as they may have a sensitivity to stevia. Monk fruit allergies, though rare according to WebMD, are also possible. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from mild irritation to potential complications including anaphylaxis, resulting in respiratory problems. NuNaturals said 78 bottles of the Monk Fruit and 78 bottles of the Stevia sweeteners were affected by the recall. Affected Pure Monk Fruit Sweetener bottles have the UPC code: 7 39223 00187 and lot number: 25104S. Organic Pure Stevia bottles have the UPC code: 7 39223 00204 0 and lot number: 25104S. Specific information on where the mislabeled bottles were sold was not made available. The NuNautrals recall is the latest in a string of mislabelling recalls affecting consumers. In late July, High Noon Hard Seltzers were recalled over a labeling error. Some cans, filled with High Noon Vodka Seltzer, were mislabeled as the non-alcoholic Celsius Astro Vibe Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition. As a result, drinking the beverage in these cans can result in unintentional alcohol consumption. However, no illnesses or adverse events have been reported to date. Prior to that, a voluntary recall was initiated July 14 by food ingredient company Bunge North America, affecting 1,800 cases of its NH European Style Butter Blend, which did not declare milk as an allergen on the label. Over 64,000 pounds of the contaminated butter was sent to 12 distribution centers located throughout the U.S., as well as a single distribution center located in the Dominican Republic. Affected cases were packaged in white paperboard and contained 36 blocks.
Business Upturn
5 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Folqs Highlights First-Day, Grass-Fed Colostrum Powder Amid Global Surge in Demand
Wilmington, DE, Aug. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Folqs, a U.S.-based wellness company, introduces new consumer product, Folqs First-Day Colostrum Powder . This positions the company within the growing colostrum supplement sector, which has recently exceeded $3 billion in global market value, according to industry research. The product is formulated from bovine colostrum collected on the first day after birth and sourced exclusively from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows located in the United States. Processing and packaging are conducted domestically at an FDA-registered facility that operates under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). This announcement marks Folqs' formal entry into a sector experiencing measurable growth. A 2025 report from Grand View Research estimates the global colostrum market will sustain a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7% through 2030. Concurrently, online search interest in colostrum-related supplements has risen 68% year-over-year, based on recent data from Google Trends. Product Developed for Adults Focused on Dietary Supplementation According to the company, Folqs First-Day Colostrum Powder is unflavoured and designed to dissolve quickly into liquids. It is intended for use by adults who are exploring food-based supplement options. The product contains naturally occurring bioactive compounds found in colostrum, including immunoglobulins and growth factors Folqs has indicated it does not add any artificial ingredients or flavoring agents during production. The colostrum used is collected only after the needs of the newborn calf have been met, under a sourcing policy the company refers to as 'Calf-First.' This policy stipulates that calves receive their full share before any surplus is gathered for human use. Each batch undergoes third-party testing, with screening for microbiological content, heavy metals, and nutritional composition. Documentation of testing is maintained for internal quality control and regulatory compliance. Market Timing Reflects Broader Consumer Shift Toward Food-Based Supplements The decision to launch into the colostrum segment comes at a time when consumer attention to supplement sourcing and transparency has intensified. Data from the Council for Responsible Nutrition (2024) indicates that only 52% of U.S. supplement users consider product labels to be 'very trustworthy.' Folqs' leadership said that these statistics informed its approach to formulation, production, and consumer messaging. 'Consumers are tired of vague 'proprietary blends.' By sharing our lab reports and guaranteeing results, we're setting a new transparency bar for the $3 billion colostrum space,' said David Johnson, Company Spokesperson. Johnson noted that Folqs will prioritize third-party testing as part of its operational model. 'We've aligned our product development process with the demand for greater transparency in supplement sourcing,' Johnson said. 'Every decision, from raw ingredient origin to packaging, was shaped by current expectations in the space.' Availability and Purchasing Details Folqs First-Day Colostrum Powder is exclusively available through the company's official website, Pricing, serving guidelines, and detailed product specifications are provided on the site. No retail or third-party distribution agreements were announced at the time of release. The product is offered under a customer refund policy referred to as the 90-Day Money-Back guarantee, allowing purchasers to request a refund if unsatisfied. Folqs stated that this policy was introduced to address consumer hesitations common in the dietary supplement category. No Comparisons or Claims Made Against Competing Brands Under established content distribution standards, Folqs has not made any comparative statements regarding other colostrum products on the market. Folqs emphasized that its entry into the colostrum market is grounded in sourcing and production controls, rather than marketing-driven distinctions. It has not used or referenced any competing companies or their product names in its communications. Regulatory and Testing Framework The colostrum is processed in a facility that meets federal registration and cGMP compliance criteria. Third-party laboratories are used to conduct batch testing. All production occurs within the United States, and the company maintains that its supply chain remains fully domestic at this time. No claims have been made about the product's ability to prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The company has not submitted its product for review by the Food and Drug Administration, as it is sold as a dietary supplement and not a drug. About Folqs Folqs is a privately held wellness company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. It specializes in sourcing and manufacturing food-based supplements. The company's operational focus includes domestic production, third-party testing, and ingredient transparency. Folqs First-Day Colostrum Powder is its first product offering. Media Contact Company Name: FolqsContact Person: David Johnson Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-975-4495Country: United States Website:
