STAT+: Trump pivots on kratom derivative 7-OH, floating approval for some forms

STAT PlusHealth Trump pivots on kratom derivative 7-OH, floating approval for some forms FDA had warned that natural opioids in kratom were being turned into harmful products Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Lev FacherMay 11, 2026 Addiction Reporter Lev Facher[email protected]Lev Facher covers the U.S. addiction and overdose crisis. President Trump on Monday suggested the federal government could move to approve some forms of 7-OH, an opioid derived from the naturally occurring kratom plant.

“We’re looking very seriously at natural 7-OH and getting that approved,” Trump said. Advertisement It was not clear what Trump meant by “natural 7-OH.” Small amounts of the compound, shorthand for 7-hydroxymitragynine, occur naturally in kratom, which is increasingly used as a recreational drug and an unapproved pain treatment. While kratom is significantly less dangerous than potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl or prescription pain pills, it can still cause addiction and overdose.

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