What to know about synthetic kratom, the supplement being banned in SoCal and across the U.S.

An herbal supplement that’s marketed as a cure-all for chronic pain and sold in gas stations and smoke shops is getting banned in communities across Southern California and the nation.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and is commonly extracted into a powder or pill.

Researchers say in the United States people are using kratom to alleviate anxiety, treat chronic pain or as a remedy for the symptoms associated with quitting opioids, among other uses.

But recently, public health officials have raised alarms about a component of the leaf called hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH, an alkaloid which has the potential for abuse because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors in the body.

7-OH is a naturally occurring substance