A breakdown of the most powerful compound in kratom
If you’ve been into kratom for a while, you have probably heard of mitragynine.
But just in case you haven’t, mitragynine (or MIT for short) is widely thought of as the main active ingredient in kratom.
However, recent research suggests that this might not be correct…
A paper was published in 2019 estimating that 7-hydroxymitragynine is up to 10x more potent than mitragynine!
Furthermore, researchers from the study concluded that “concentrations of this metabolite [7-hydroxymitragynine] are sufficient to explain most or all of the opioid-receptor-mediated analgesic activity of mitragynine.”
In other words, 7-hydroxymitragynine is just as important (if not more) as mitragynine when it comes to understanding kratom. And this is even more the case now that 7-hydroxymitragynine products are becoming available for purchase.
To help you understand more about 7-hydroxymitragynine, we’ll cover all the important information about this fascinating compound in this article.
If you would like to try 7-hydroxymitragynine out for yourself, you can purchase 7-Hydroz products online or in-store at leading smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations across the US.
Kratom: Where It All Started
For centuries, kratom leaves have been used by people in Southeast Asia to improve productivity, increase energy, and enhance well-being.
The traditional way of consuming kratom is by chewing or brewing a tea out of fresh leaves. However, there are now a wide variety of different dried or processed kratom products available for purchase in the United States (like kratom powder and liquid kratom extract).
Potential Benefits of Kratom
An interesting thing about kratom is that it is reported to have both stimulating and relaxing properties.
While individual experiences vary, it is generally found that lower doses mainly produce stimulating effects, while higher doses can promote relaxation.
Surveys of kratom users indicate that the main benefits reported are:
- Better productivity and concentration
- Enhanced energy
- Pain relief
- A sense of calm relaxation
- Feeling more social
Many people also claim that kratom can be helpful in managing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and opioid dependence.
*Reported benefits from scientific literature and user surveys. Safety and efficacy of kratom have not been evaluated by the FDA
Different Types of Kratom Products
As its popularity has grown, the number of different kratom products has increased dramatically.
The main types of kratom products are:
- Dried kratom leaf powder
- Liquid kratom extract
- Kratom capsules (powder or extract)
It is also now common to see drinks, edibles, and tablets that contain kratom.
The quality, purity, strength, and taste of kratom products can vary a lot. Therefore, it is very important to choose a reputable brand to ensure you receive a safe and effective product.
Presuming you have purchased a genuine product, the different types of kratom should all “work.” However, there are some significant drawbacks associated with regular kratom (bad taste, inconvenient dosing, and inconsistent effects just to name a few—discussed in more detail in A Guide to 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products).
What About Mitragynine?
Due to its unique properties and increased use among people in Western countries, there has been growing scientific interest in kratom over the past decade.
Early studies focused on identifying the main active ingredients in kratom. After analyzing dozens of potentially bioactive alkaloids, researchers identified mitragynine as the one most likely responsible for kratom’s beneficial effects.
Since then, mitragynine content (MIT), became the main way to measure the strength of a kratom product. For example, a 10mL Kratom shot might be standardized to contain “155 mg of MIT per bottle.”
Mitragynine is still recognized as an active ingredient of kratom. However, more recent research suggests that 7-hydroxymitragynine may be more responsible for the beneficial effects.
An Overview of 7-Hydroxymitragynine
7-hydroxymitragynine is an interesting compound because it exists in two forms—both as a naturally occuring compound in kratom leaves and as an active metabolite of mitragynine.
It was first identified when analyzing kratom leaves, which contain a very small amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine.
However, the real breakthrough came when researchers noticed that people (and animals) consuming kratom had far higher levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine in their bloodstream than could have been provided by the amount of plant they had taken.
These same researchers found that a portion of the mitragynine consumed is actually converted into 7-hydroxymitragynine in the body.
Because 7-hydroxymitragynine was also found to have significant biological effects, it was labeled an active metabolite of mitragynine.
Current 7-Hydroxymitragynine Knowledge
Research on 7-hydroxymitragynine is still underway, but here’s a summary of what we know about it so far.
There is not much in kratom leaf. While 7-hydroxymitragynine does occur naturally in kratom leaf, the content is very low. For reference, mitragynine typically constitutes between 1 and 6% of the dry mass of kratom, whereas 7-hydroxymitragynine is generally less than 0.05% of dry leaf mass.
It mainly exists as a converted product in the body. Many substances (or drugs) are broken down or converted into other compounds after they are consumed. These converted compounds are typically called metabolites, which can be active or inactive. Research shows that mitragynine is converted by the liver into 7-hydroxymitragynine in the body. The amount of mitragynine converted is likely to depend on the individual (not all mitragynine consumed will be converted to 7-hydroxymitragynine)
7-hydroxymitragynine has a powerful effect on opioid receptors. The activity of mitragynine on opioid receptors is one of the main qualities of interest to kratom researchers. It is also believed to be the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of kratom. 7-Hydroxymitragynine is estimated to be between 9 and 28 times more potent than mitragynine when interacting with human opioid receptors (depending on the receptor type).
It can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Mitragynine has to be swallowed and digested to become active. However, research suggests that 7-hydroxymitragynine can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This means 7-hydroxymitragynine can be taken in different ways to mitragynine, such as sublingually (under the tongue), for a potentially faster effect. It also means the results might be more consistent, as the effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine should be less affected by individual differences in digestion and metabolism (including if you take it after a meal).
We’re still learning more. Much of the current medical research on kratom is likely to focus on 7-hydroxymitragynine. As experiments unfold, we will find out more about the uses, benefits, and drawbacks of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Currently, much like mitragynine, the main areas of interest for 7-hydroxymitragynine are in pain relief, treating addiction, and mental health applications.
Mitragynine vs. 7-Hydroxymitragynine
If you’re a little confused about whether to choose a mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine-based kratom product—don’t worry! As long as you choose a high-quality product from a reliable vendor, you can still get the benefits of kratom with either formulation.
That being said, there are some reasons you may want to choose a 7-hydroxymitragynine product, like 7-Hydroz, over a traditional kratom product.
Potential Advantages of 7-Hydroxymitragynine
The Future of Kratom
Even though kratom has been used for hundreds of years, researchers are only just starting to uncover the true potential of this powerful herb.
Traditional kratom preparations do still produce many of the positive effects associated with kratom. However, modern science is bringing us closer to uncovering exactly which components in the plant bring the most benefits.
As it stands now, 7-hydroxymitragynine seems to be the leading candidate for an isolated, pure, more potent form of kratom.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait to get your hands on this exciting new compound.
At 7-Hydroz, we’ve created convenient, great tasting, and easy to dose 7-hydroxymitragynine products.
You can purchase our 7-hydroxymitragynine 15 mg chewable tablets on the website today. Or, ask at your local smoke shop, gas station, or convenience store.