By P. Casey Arrillaga, LCSW, LCDC
The Dangerous New Player in the Opioid Crisis is a Drug
You’ve Probably Never Heard Of: 7Tabz, On7, and 7-OH
At Windmill, we pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge. That’s why we are dedicated to bringing you the latest information, not only about what is happening today in addiction and mental health recovery, but also about what’s coming next. We were among the first to tell you about subjects like marijuana hyperemesis, and xylazine, and new advances in TMS.
Most people are aware of the opioid crisis and the dangers of fentanyl, heroin, and opioid pills. But while fentanyl deaths have been going down, another opioid drug is quietly becoming more common—and more dangerous. It’s called 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH for short, and it’s being sold in the U.S. as chewable tablets and vape products under names like On7, 7tabz, or 7-OH.
These products are often labeled as “natural” or “kratom-based,” which can make them seem harmless. But they are strong opioid drugs that can cause serious harm, especially when people don’t know what they’re really taking. We’re starting to see more addiction and deaths involving this drug—and we think families and people in recovery need to know what they’re up against.
7-OH is a chemical that comes from the kratom plant, a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. Some people use kratom tea or powder to help with pain or anxiety, but 7-OH is much stronger than regular kratom. Scientists have found that it affects the brain in similar ways to prescription opioids like oxycodone or morphine [1].
Even though it acts like a strong painkiller, 7-OH is being sold over the counter in gas stations, stores, and online. It’s often sold in chewable tablets containing 30 mg or more, and many users don’t realize how strong a dose that is. These tablets can deliver pain relief, euphoria, and sedation like a prescription pain pill—while also bringing risks of respiratory depression, addiction, and overdose [2] —all without any warning label or doctor supervision.
The real danger comes from how these products are made. Because 7-OH isn’t a prescription drug, it’s not regulated by the government. This means:
In fact, studies show that 7-OH levels in these products can change a lot from batch to batch [3]. One On7 chewable might have a mild effect, while the next one could knock someone out—or worse.
One of the reasons people try these tablets is because they’re advertised as “natural” or “plant-based.” But this is misleading. Just because something comes from a plant doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, pretty much every addictive drug has its roots in all-natural plants, such as the cocaine leaf, opium poppy, fermented plants to create alcohol, etc.
In the case of 7-OH, the chemical is taken out of the kratom plant and concentrated to make it stronger. It’s no longer like kratom tea—it’s more like a synthetic opioid that hits hard and fast. People who would never touch fentanyl or heroin may feel more comfortable trying On7 because it sounds safer. But it’s not.
To make things worse, drug dealers are starting to mix 7-OH with other dangerous opioids like nitazenes (which are even more powerful than fentanyl). These mixtures are being pressed into pills that look like real painkillers. Researchers have found that 7-OH is particularly dangerous when mixed with other substances [4], whether cut together by street dealers or when kratom is taken with other drugs.
The result is a growing number of overdoses where people have no idea what they actually took. Standard drug tests don’t always pick up 7-OH, so it can also make it harder for doctors or emergency responders to know how to treat someone in crisis.
Many people in early recovery—or even those just trying to cut back—are especially at risk. Some people may think using On7 won’t count as a “relapse” because it’s “natural” or sold legally. Others may be curious and assume it’s safe because they can buy it online.
But make no mistake: 7-OH is a powerful opioid. It can cause physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and cravings—just like other drugs in its class. And because of how unpredictable the products are, someone could overdose even if they’ve only used it once.
Here’s what we recommend if you or someone you love is curious about or already using On7 products:
7-OH is a new and fast-growing danger in the world of addiction and drug misuse. It may not be on everyone’s radar yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. In fact, its easy availability and misleading branding make it especially risky.
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, reach out before it becomes a crisis. With education, support, and treatment, recovery is always possible—no matter the drug involved.
Our admissions team can walk you through what to expect and answer any questions.
Call 830-251-5606 or contact us online.
References:
[1] McCurdy, C. R., Sharma, A., Smith, K. E., Veltri, C. A., Weiss, S. T., White, C. M., & Grundmann, O. (2024). An update on the clinical pharmacology of kratom: uses, abuse potential, and future considerations. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 17(2), 131-142.
[2] Demick, D. S., Lee, T. T., Summers, A. T., & El-Mallakh, R. S. (2020). Kratom: a growing substance of abuse in the United States. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, 32(3), 8-13.
[3] Di Trana, A., Berardinelli, D., Montanari, E., Berretta, P., Basile, G., Huestis, M. A., & Busardo, F. P. (2022). Molecular insights and clinical outcomes of drugs of abuse adulteration: new trends and new psychoactive substances. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(23), 14619.
[4] Striley, C. W., Hoeflich, C. C., Viegas, A. T., Berkowitz, L. A., Matthews, E. G., Akin, L. P., ... & McCurdy, C. R. (2022). Health effects associated with kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and polysubstance use: a narrative review. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 16, 11782218221095873.
7-OH is a new and fast-growing danger in the world of addiction and drug misuse. Its easy availability and misleading branding make it particularly risky, although it may not be widely recognized yet.
Things aren’t safer because they are marketed as “all natural.” Arsenic and deadly mushrooms are all natural, and you wouldn’t consume them, would you?
Unfortunately, you can’t tell how much 7-OH is in pills, because there are no regulations and no reporting requirements. Every time you take a pill, you roll the dice about how much you will get.
If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, it's important to reach out before it becomes a crisis. Education, support, and treatment can make recovery possible—no matter the drug involved. what to expect and answer any questions. You can call 830-251-5606 or contact us online.
The references listed provide in-depth information about kratom and drug misuse. Notable studies include works by McCurdy et al. (2024), Demick et al. (2020), Di Trana et al. (2022), and Striley et al. (2022).
About The Author
P. Casey Arrillaga is the Team Leader for Education at Windmill Wellness Ranch, and he is the author of books including “Realistic Hope: The Family Survival Guide for Facing Alcoholism and Other Addictions”.
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