U.S. health officials are cracking down on 7-OH, an opioid-related ingredient that’s been increasingly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration said it’s recommending that products containing 7-OH – a component of kratom – be added to the list of Schedule I narcotics, the federal government’s most restrictive list of illegal drugs, which includes LSD and heroin. Health experts say it’s a dangerously concentrated , synthetic form of the original ingredient.

What is kratom?

The backstory:

Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia that has gained popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.

RELATED: FDA warns of 'gas station heroin' risk to youth

Federal regulators have been scrutinizing kr

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