Episode: Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis

Health experts warn about potentially dangerous substances Kratom and 7-OH: What to know

As concern over unregulated supplements continues to grow, California health officials are now warning the public about kratom and its potent derivative, 7-OH, following a series of fatal overdoses. The state’s Department of Public Health says the substances are not FDA-approved and are illegal to sell for consumption, despite their widespread availability in retail shops. ABC7’s full report is available here.

Utah Senate pushes 3 approaches to regulating Kratom and 7-OH

Utah has become a real-time test case for how far states should go in policing so-called “natural” drugs that blur the line between casual wellness buy and something much stronger. As kratom and its derivative 7-OH proliferate in gas stations and vape shops, lawmakers are split between tightening guardrails and pulling the product off shelves entirely, pitting harm-reduction arguments against stories of addiction and overdose. A detailed look at the competing bills, the science behind mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, and the people who say kratom either saved their lives or ruined them can be found in this in-depth report, which you can read here.

Watch the full episode on the Oh Gross! YouTube channel

Learn More About Kratom: Kratom Resources

🎧 Heard it on the pod? Find the facts, tips & resources in our Takeaways