Columbia, SC – September 22, 2025 – The South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (BHDD) Office of Substance Use Services (OSUS) is warning the public about the dangers of mitragynine (commonly marketed as “kratom”) and one of its active compounds, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a highly addictive and potentially dangerous opioid-like substance.
Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, whose leaves are used for products often marketed as a supplement for energy, focus or pain relief. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), products containing kratom and 7-OH can be addictive, cause serious health risks and have no approved medical use. Kratom products may contain dangerous or inconsistent levels of mitragynine (the primary active alkaloid in kratom), increasing the chances of misuse, dependency and harm.
“Too often, kratom and 7-OH are marketed as safe or natural remedies, when in reality they carry very real risks,” said Sara Goldsby, Office Director of OSUS. “These products are unregulated, unpredictable and potentially addictive. Our priority is to make sure South Carolinians have the facts they need to protect themselves and their families.”
Earlier this year, the dangers posed by these substances were addressed by the General Assembly with the South Carolina Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which Governor Henry McMaster signed into law in May. The new law makes it illegal for a retailer to sell any kratom product to an individual under 21 years old and requires every kratom product to have a clear label that describes how to use it properly.
According to an FDA study, there is a distinct difference between kratom plant leaves and the 7-OH products that are commercially sold. Many of the 7-OH products sold today are often advertised as “kratom,” but no longer resemble kratom plant leaves with their low levels of mitragynine. Instead, they contain highly concentrated, synthetically enhanced 7-OH that acts directly on the brain’s opioid receptors, producing effects that mimic those of traditional opioids. Use of 7-OH has been associated with severe health outcomes, including respiratory depression, seizures, liver damage and even death.
“We are seeing an increase in products – powders, pills, “energy shots” – that contain mitragynine and 7-OH online and in retail shops across our state, and with them, an increase in health risks,” said Michelle Nienhius, Manager of Prevention and Intervention Services for OSUS. “The public deserves clear, science-based information about substances like 7-OH. By raising awareness and encouraging prevention, we can help reduce the risks to individuals and communities across our state.”
No kratom product has been approved by the FDA for any medical purpose. These substances can also interact with prescription medications, causing harmful and unpredictable effects. Anyone experiencing negative side effects from kratom or 7-OH should seek immediate medical attention. For more information, visit the FDA’s consumer update on kratom and its compounds.
“Kratom and 7-OH may seem safe since they are readily available and may be marketed on social media and elsewhere. However, in reality kratom and 7-OH can be very dangerous. There is no way to know what is actually in the products sold as ‘kratom’ or ‘7-OH’ or how strong they may be. The FDA has never approved a product containing kratom or 7-OH for use because of the potential significantly harmful effects it can cause," said Dr. Edward Simmer, Interim Director of the S.C. Department of Public Health. "Kratom and 7-OH can cause liver damage and failure, seizures, or – in rare cases – death, and because they are potentially addictive much like opiates are, their use can also lead to drug dependence, substance use disorder, or in the case of a baby whose mother uses it while pregnant, the baby can actually have withdrawals from the drug after birth."
For those struggling with substance use or addiction, help and recovery resources are available through a statewide network of providers. South Carolinians can visit www.daodas.sc.gov or call (803) 896-5555 to find treatment and support services.
About the BHDD Office of Substance Use Services
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities' Office of Substance Use Services ensures the availability and quality of a continuum of substance use services to improve the health status, safety and quality of life of individuals, families and communities across South Carolina. For more information, visit www.daodas.sc.gov.
