Why Mitragynine Is Just as Big an Issue as 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7OH)
When kratom is discussed, most of the attention zeroes in on one alkaloid: 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Advocates often suggest that the “natural” alkaloid mitragynine is benign, and that 7-OH is the true danger. But this framing is dangerously misleading. In reality, mitragynine itself is just as serious—and often more prevalent—a threat than 7-OH.
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1. The Misconception
Kratom promoters frequently claim:
• “Mitragynine is safe.”
• “Only 7-OH causes addiction and danger.”
But studies show both are opioid-active compounds with serious risks of addiction, toxicity, and death—mitragynine included.
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2. Mitragynine Is the Dominant Alkaloid
• Mitragynine makes up approximately 60–70% of the alkaloid content in kratom leaves—a majority share.
https://proteopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Kratom?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76119-w?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• With such high prevalence, most kratom users consume far more mitragynine than 7-OH.
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3. Mitragynine Converts Into 7-OH and More
• Mitragynine is metabolized in the liver by CYP3A enzymes into 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH)—a substantially more potent opioid.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6598159/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022356524004464?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/5/984?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• It can also be converted into mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, an even more potent opioid agonist.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7737207/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragynine_pseudoindoxyl?utm_source=chatgpt.com
This means: even if users “avoid” 7-OH in product form, their bodies may produce it—and even stronger opioids—after consuming mitragynine.
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4. Toxicity Is Not the Same as Overdose
• Mitragynine has been linked to independent cases of fatal toxicity, including reports in Canada where high mitragynine levels were viewed as independently lethal.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6490129/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246817091930102X?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• A 2024 study found dozens of deaths attributed solely to mitragynine exposure, with no other opioids present.
These findings demonstrate that mitragynine alone can be fatal—without any involvement of 7-OH.
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5. Addiction and Dependence
• Mitragynine is strongly tied to dependence and withdrawal symptoms, including cravings and opioid-like withdrawal—even when 7-OH levels are low.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Users frequently report continued use driven by addiction to mitragynine itself.
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6. Legal Fallout and Real-World Impact
• In 2023, the family of a woman in Florida was awarded over $11 million in damages after her death from acute mitragynine intoxication—underscoring its lethal potential.
• Meanwhile, 7-OH is now being classified as an emerging public health threat, with regulatory efforts—including federal scheduling and Florida’s emergency ban—highlighting its potency and risk.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/7-oh-kratom-byproducts-11788990?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Hydroxymitragynine?utm_source=chatgpt.com
But while 7-OH draws headlines for its high potency, the fact that mitragynine is far more common—and converts into these potent metabolites—makes it equally critical to address.
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Conclusion: Mitragynine Should Not Be Overlooked
The bottom line is clear:
1. Mitragynine is the most abundant kratom alkaloid.
2. It converts into stronger opioids inside the body.
3. It has caused deaths on its own.
4. It fuels addiction independently of 7-OH.
Any policy or public health response must treat mitragynine on par with 7-OH. Regulators, lawmakers, and families must stop assuming that “natural equals safe”—and recognize that mitragynine itself is a public health threat deserving urgent attention.
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References (for internal use)
• Conversion of mitragynine to 7-OH in human and mouse liver: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6598159/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022356524004464?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/5/984?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl formation and potency: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7737207/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragynine_pseudoindoxyl?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Fatal mitragynine cases and toxicity: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6490129/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S246817091930102X?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Dozens of mitragynine-only death cases: https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/fulltext/2025/05000/the_associations_of_kratom__mitragynine_%2C_opioids%2C.12.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Prevalence of mitragynine in kratom: https://proteopedia.org/wiki/index.php/Kratom?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-76119-w?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Adverse effects and dependency from mitragynine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitragyna_speciosa?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Legal case from Florida: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/30/florida-woman-kratom-damages-judgment?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• 7-OH regulatory pressures and public health classification: https://www.verywellhealth.com/7-oh-kratom-byproducts-11788990?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-Hydroxymitragynine?utm_source=chatgpt.com