The Hawaii Department of Health warned residents on May 11 about the increasing availability and risks associated with 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as “7-OH,” a potent opioid-like substance. The department said that products containing concentrated or synthetic forms of this compound are being sold in stores and online, posing significant health threats.
Officials explained that unlike traditional kratom leaf products, these enhanced versions can be up to ten times more potent than morphine. Other synthetic extracts such as MGM-15 may also increase health risks when combined with 7-OH. These substances are often marketed as gummies, tablets, drink shots, and flavored products that could appeal to young people.
“7-OH is an emerging public health threat,” said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health. “Retail products to which 7-OH has been added are being marketed in ways that may mislead consumers into believing they are natural or safe. In reality, 7-OH acts on opioid receptors in the brain and may carry many of the same risks associated with other opioid products.”
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while trace amounts of 7-OH occur naturally in kratom plants, concentrated or enhanced forms are not legal dietary supplements and cannot be added to foods. The FDA has begun enforcement actions against these types of consumer products and stated there are no approved drugs containing this substance. The Drug Enforcement Agency is currently reviewing whether to classify it as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
The Hawaii State Department of Health operates as a public health agency focused on delivering comprehensive services for health, environmental protection, disease prevention and community wellness across the state; it is headed by a director supported by deputy directors managing key programs such as disease outbreak control and preparedness offices according to the official website.
The department encourages parents to talk with youth about these emerging substances sold at vape shops or online marketplaces and urges healthcare providers to watch for possible overdose symptoms related to use. Anyone experiencing severe reactions should seek immediate medical help; naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an overdose but emergency services should always be called if one is suspected.
