Kratom used to live in the dark corners of the internet. Now it’s sitting on shelves next to energy shots and gummy candy, dressed up like it’s regulated, tested, and safe. It isn’t.
Last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statewide warning on kratom and a potent kratom derivative called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). CDPH’s position is blunt: these products are not approved by the FDA as a food, dietary supplement, or drug, and they are illegal to sell or manufacture for consumption in California. And yet, they are still widely available. That gap between “you can buy it” and “it’s legal and safe” is where people get hurt.
What is Kratom?
Kratom comes from a tree native to Southeast Asia. It contains active compounds that can affect the brain in stimulant-like ways at lower doses and more opioid-like ways at higher doses.
It is often marketed as a “natural” option for:
- Pain relief
- Anxiety or mood
- Energy and focus
- Opioid withdrawal support
When something is packaged like a wellness product, people treat it like a wellness product and it is becoming a major public health concern across California.
What is 7-OH, and why it is a bigger problem?
7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine) is a powerful opioid-like compound related to kratom. It is increasingly being sold in concentrated products like tablets, gummies, and drinks, sometimes described as “enhanced,” “extra strength,” or “legal opioid alternatives.”
Federal regulators have focused heavily on these 7-OH products. The FDA has issued warning letters for illegal marketing of 7-OH products and has recommended scheduling action under the Controlled Substances Act for certain 7-OH products due to safety concerns.
California’s current stance: illegal to sell for consumption
Here’s the operational reality in California right now: CDPH states kratom and 7-OH products are not FDA-approved as food, supplement, or drug products, and CDPH warns that products containing them are illegal to sell or manufacture for consumption.
California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has warned licensees to stop sales and says enforcement actions are coming. Translation: “But it’s sold at the gas station” is not a safety standard, and it is not a legal defense.
Why health officials are escalating warnings now
Los Angeles County Public Health has tied fatal overdoses to 7-OH ingestion, noting alcohol was present in the cases and that the individuals were otherwise healthy with no other substances identified as substantive contributors. CDPH also references these overdose deaths as part of its broader warnings on kratom and 7-OH. This is a major shift from “we’re concerned” to “people are dying.”
The biggest risks people underestimate are:
- Potency is inconsistent
Kratom and 7-OH products vary widely in strength. That makes dosing unpredictable and increases the risk of unintended effects, including overdose.
- Products are marketed like regulated items
Many products are sold with bright packaging and formats that mimic regulated supplements or cannabis products: beverages, pills, powders, gummies. That visual credibility is doing a lot of work it has not earned.
- Mixing with alcohol is a real risk multiplier
Multiple public health advisories highlight deaths where alcohol was present, and that combination matters. People assume “it’s herbal” means “it’s safe with a drink.” That assumption is expensive.
- It can create dependence, withdrawal, and escalation
The FDA’s position is clear: kratom is not lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive.
That does not stop it from acting like a substance that can hook people, especially when used daily for mood, sleep, pain, or opioid withdrawal.
Signs kratom use is no longer “casual”
If kratom has shifted from “once in a while” to “I need this to function,” pay attention. Common red flags include:
- Needing higher doses to get the same effect
- Using it to start the day, get through work, or sleep
- Irritability, anxiety, nausea, sweating, or restlessness when not taking it
- Failed attempts to cut back
- Mixing it with alcohol or other substances to intensify the effect
- Hiding use, minimizing use, or arguing about it constantly
This is the same progression pattern we see across substances: increased frequency, increased dose, increased repercussions.
What to do if you are worried about someone using kratom or 7-OH
- Treat it like a real substance, not a supplement
Stop debating semantics. If it changes mood, energy, or physical comfort, and someone is using it regularly, it deserves the same seriousness as any other drug.
- Watch for withdrawal and rebound symptoms
People often restart use because they feel worse when they stop. That can be withdrawal, rebound anxiety, rebound pain, or all of the above.
- Do not white-knuckle higher risk use
If someone is using concentrated 7-OH products, mixing with alcohol, or has a history of opioid use disorder, that is a higher-risk profile. Public health agencies are flagging this for a reason.
- If overdose is suspected, call 911
7-OH has opioid-like effects and public health messaging has included naloxone awareness in the context of these products.
When treatment is needed
Kratom use is often a workaround. People reach for it because they are trying to manage pain, anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or opioid withdrawal without a clear medical plan. This risk-management strategy can spiral quickly.
At HVRC, our job is to replace unstable self-management with a structured clinical plan, which may include:
- Medically supported stabilization when needed
- Co-occurring mental health assessment
- Relapse prevention and coping skill development
- Long-term recovery planning with accountability and support
If kratom or 7-OH has become part of someone’s daily baseline, it’s worth taking seriously now by reaching out for help before it becomes the next crisis your family has to face.