Banning 7-OH would do more harm than good

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr . and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary are urging the Drug Enforcement Administration to classify a compound known as 7-OH, or 7-hydroxymytragynine, as a Schedule I substance, placing it in the same legal category as heroin. This move would criminalize its use and block scientific research.

The compound is a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from the leaves of kratom trees . Mitragyine, the parent compound of 7-OH, is the more abundant alkaloid in the kratom plant. Mitragynine is extracted from the kratom plant and converted into 7-OH supplements that have pain-relieving properties similar to opioids . Products containing 7-OH can be purchased online and in smoke shops and gas stations.