Kratom
Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a tree found in Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain compounds that have psychoactive, or mind-altering, effects. Traditionally used as a tea or chewed leaf, in the U.S. it is most often sold as powders, capsules, or concentrated extracts, though other forms are available. In 2021, 1.7 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and above had used kratom in the past year.
Psychoactive compounds: Kratom leaves contain many compounds, including the psychoactive compounds mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). Mitragynine is the main active compound in the plant and makes up about two-thirds of the plant’s alkaloid content. 7-OH is a breakdown product of mitragynine. The plant creates only a very small amount of 7-OH through its natural chemical processes, usually less than 0.05% by weight. After someone uses kratom, the body can also convert some mitragynine into 7-OH in the liver. Both mitragynine and 7-OH act on the same receptors in the body, including opioid receptors.
Potency: Only small amounts of 7-OH are found in natural kratom leaves. But some companies extract or concentrate 7-OH and sell it in products labeled as 7-OH or as kratom. These products can be much stronger than natural kratom. It’s important for people to know what they’re consuming. Research suggests that 7-OH may be about 13 times more potent than morphine.
Be aware of marketing claims: More products on the market now include added 7‑OH, including liquids, gummies, tablets, and other items. Some are marketed as natural, safe, or mild, but these claims can be misleading. The plant naturally contains very low levels of 7-OH, yet some manufactured products may contain much higher amounts because of processing or added ingredients.
Higher levels of 7-OH can increase the risk of opioid-like effects, dependence, or overdose. Many of these products do not resemble botanical kratom and are marketed as “enhanced” or simply as 7‑OH. This means someone who may think they’re buying low‑potency kratom may actually be buying a much stronger product.
On this page:
Health effects of kratom
Federal and state regulation
Kratom in Minnesota
Kratom and alcohol
Kratom and opioid use disorder (OUD)
What you can do to protect yourself
Learn more about kratom
Kratom has been linked to a range of health effects, from mild side effects to more serious harms such as liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. At lower doses, mitragynine may have stimulant-like effects, such as increased alertness. Whereas low doses of 7-OH may have more opioid-like effects. At high doses, both compounds may lead to opioid- or sedative-like (pain relief) effects.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Headaches or dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Anxiety
Higher doses may increase the risk of more severe effects, including seizures, psychosis, and physical dependence.
Kratom use can lead to dependence, and people who try to reduce or stop using it may experience withdrawal symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people not to use kratom because of these risks. Kratom is not approved for any medical use in the U.S.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a poison emergency, call the Minnesota Regional Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. For immediate medical attention, call 911.
Kratom, including 7-OH, is not FDA-approved, and cannot be sold in the United States as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive. It is also not federally regulated as a controlled substance.
The FDA continues to study kratom and how it’s being used to better understand its effects on the human body. Until more data are available or federal regulations are put in place, the FDA has issued health warnings about serious adverse outcomes linked to kratom use, including seizures, liver toxicity, and substance use disorder. In July 2025, the FDA sent letters to companies selling food and beverage products with concentrated 7 OH, warning these ingredients cannot legally be added to conventional foods.
Any concerns or complaints about kratom being sold as a drug, dietary supplement, or food additive can be reported using the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Feed Quality Complaint Form. All submissions will be routed to the appropriate local, state, or federal agency with jurisdiction. Complaints or comments can also be sent to the Department of Agriculture at MDA.FFSDCompliance@state.mn.us.
In Minnesota, adults may legally buy and use kratom. State law prohibits selling kratom to anyone under 18 years of age, and violations are considered a gross misdemeanor. Possession by someone under 18 is also prohibited and is a misdemeanor offense.
As kratom becomes more widely available, it continues to raise public health concerns. In the absence of federal or state regulations, local communities in Minnesota may consider policies to help reduce harms associated with kratom products. For questions or support related to local policies focused on kratom, reach out to the Public Health Law Center through their contact form at Contact Us | Public Health Law Center.
As part of the 2026 legislative session, bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to raise the legal purchase age from 18 to 21. If these bills pass through both chambers and are signed by the Governor, the new law would take effect on August 1, 2026.
In Minnesota, alcohol cannot legally be sold mixed with kratom. Kratom products must be sold on their own and must meet state safety and labeling requirements. Using alcohol and kratom together can be unsafe because they affect the body in different ways. Alcohol is a depressant and slows brain activity and breathing. Kratom can act like a stimulant at low doses but can have depressant effects at higher doses because of how it interacts with opioid receptors in the brain.
When used together, alcohol and kratom may amplify their depressant effects. This increases the risk of serious and unintentional harms, including loss of consciousness, slowed or stopped breathing, cardiac arrest, and injuries from accidents.
If you or someone you know has a bad reaction to alcohol and suspect it may contain 7-OH or kratom, please notify the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can report violations or adverse events using DPS’s Submit illegal alcohol and gambling tips submission form.
Research shows that many people use kratom to try to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms or other substance use disorders, including alcohol, stimulants, and other drugs. However, kratom is not proven to be safe or effective for treating any medical condition. Because kratom acts on opioid receptors, use of the substance carries the risk of addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
The FDA has approved three medications to treat OUD:
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
These medications help stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and support the body’s return to normal functioning. Treatment for OUD should be done safely with guidance from a licensed health care professional.
Learn more: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Avoid buying or using products that contain kratom or 7-OH. Many of these products are made to look like candy, treats, or “healthy” items. Kratom and 7-OH products are often sold as drinks, shots, powders, tablets, capsules, and gummies. Read the packaging and label so you don’t accidentally buy or consume kratom or 7-OH.
Carry naloxone. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including overdoses involving heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioid medications, or 7-OH.
Learn more: Drug Overdose Prevention
