Kratom and 7-OH products are available in many smoke shops. Some people use them instead of opioids. Others say they’re addictive – and should be better regulated.
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Kratom and 7-OH products are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. They’re available in many smoke shops, but the Food and Drug Administration says certain products are highly addictive — and could lead to the next wave of the opioid epidemic.
This isn’t the first time kratom has come under scrutiny.
Nearly a decade ago, the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, wanted to classify the active ingredients in kratom in the same category as heroin. That meant products would have gone from being widely available to highly restricted.
Following the announcement, there was a massive wave of protest from advocates and lawmakers — including people who said they used kratom products to wean themselves off opioids.
The DEA decided not to move forward.
Today on the show, we dive into what could happen with the FDA’s scheduling change, and what researchers do – and don’t – know about kratom and 7-OH.
Interested in more of the science behind drugs and supplements? Email us your question at [email protected].
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This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Jimmy Keeley.
