Dangerous Synthetic Opioids in Kratom Products Raise Alarm in Arizona
PHOENIX — A Phoenix family’s experience with their teenage son’s mental health crisis is highlighting the dangers of kratom products containing potent synthetic compounds, prompting calls for stronger regulations. While kratom itself originates from Southeast Asia and has a history of traditional use, increasingly, products marketed as kratom or “all-natural” supplements are being found to contain dangerous synthetic substances like 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH).
A Family’s Ordeal
Sara and Chad Lewis shared their story of how their 17-year-old son’s use of kratom tablets and a kava-kratom drink led to erratic behavior and ultimately a mental health crisis requiring a 30-day inpatient rehabilitation stay. The son reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts before seeking help. The products were legally purchased at local smoke shops and gas stations for individuals 18 and older.
What is Kratom and 7-OH?
Kratom comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia traditionally used for pain relief . Traditionally, users would chew the leaves for mild pain relief. However, more potent extracts now available on the market, particularly those containing 7-OH, act on the same brain receptors as opioids, creating a significant risk of addiction and overdose .
7-OH is a synthetic compound that is either added to kratom products or present at enhanced levels. The FDA warns that these products are not approved for any medical use and are unlawful as dietary supplements . The FDA has received reports of harmful effects associated with 7-OH products and has issued warning letters to companies illegally distributing them .
Regulatory Efforts in Arizona
Arizona was an early adopter of kratom regulation with the passage of the Arizona Kratom Consumer Protection Act (A.R.S. §§ 36-795 to 36-795.03). This law aims to preserve adulterated and synthetic products off the market and establish basic safety and labeling standards. However, Attorney General Kris Mayes has warned that enforcing these protections can be challenging, requiring lab testing and expert testimony .
The Act prohibits the sale of kratom products that are adulterated with dangerous non-kratom substances, contaminated with poisonous substances, or contain more than two percent 7-hydroxymitragynine of the alkaloid composition .
Federal Action and Concerns
The federal government is also taking steps to address the issue. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that 7-OH be scheduled as a Schedule I controlled substance, placing it in the same category as heroin and LSD . Officials have expressed concerns about the lack of quality control, dosage control, and warnings associated with these products, calling it “a recipe for a public safety disaster” .
Raising Awareness
The Lewis family hopes their story will raise public awareness about the risks associated with these products and encourage conversations between parents and children. They emphasize that products marketed as “natural and safe” are often anything but .