Kratom has built a name for itself as a “natural” option for managing pain, anxiety, or opioid withdrawal. You can pick it up at gas stations, vape shops, or online, often with a label that says “plant-based” or “not for human consumption.” It looks harmless enough. But if you’ve been taking kratom daily, or messing around with concentrates like 7-OH, there’s a good chance you’ve started wondering what this stuff is doing to your body. And why it’s getting harder and harder to stop.
The Big Question: Is Kratom an Opioid?
Here’s the tricky part. Kratom isn’t legally classified as an opioid like oxycodone or heroin. It’s a tree native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves have been used for centuries to fight fatigue and relieve pain. So no, it’s not officially an opioid in the same way a prescription painkiller is.
But here’s the rub. The active compounds in kratom, mitragynine and a more potent version called 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, attach to the very same opioid receptors in your brain that drugs like morphine and fentanyl do. That means your brain reacts to kratom in a way that’s incredibly similar to how it reacts to other opioids. You get that boost of dopamine, that feeling of relief or euphoria, and if you use it regularly, you’ll start needing more just to feel normal. That’s tolerance. That’s physical dependence. And eventually, that’s addiction.
How Kratom & 7-OH Affect the Brain
When someone takes a small dose of kratom, it can feel more like a stimulant. You might feel more energized or mentally sharp, which is why some people use it to get through long shifts or manage withdrawal from stronger drugs. But higher doses flip the switch. Suddenly it acts more like a sedative. It slows you down. It numbs things out. It triggers the same reward pathways as traditional opioids.
Like all drugs, with repeated use, it rewires how your brain regulates mood, stress, and pain. You may find yourself needing to take kratom just to sleep, just to function at work, or just to avoid getting sick. Even though it started out feeling helpful, it becomes something you can’t imagine going without.
The Trouble with “Natural” and “Legal” Highs
It’s easy to see how kratom got so popular. It’s technically legal in Kansas and sold everywhere. It’s labeled as a supplement, not a drug. For someone trying to stay off harder substances, it can seem like a step in the right direction.
But legal doesn’t mean safe. And natural doesn’t mean risk-free.
Kratom products are not regulated. There’s no standard dosage, no safety testing, and no way to know how much 7-OH is actually in what you’re taking. Some people buy a bag thinking they’re getting a mild herb, and end up in full-blown withdrawal a few months later. Others try to taper off and find that the crash is worse than anything they expected.
We’ve had clients come to us who never thought they had an “opioid problem” because they were only using kratom. But their bodies told a different story. The symptoms looked and felt just like withdrawal from traditional opiates.
Why Quitting Kratom Can Be So Hard
Stopping kratom after long-term use can be rough. People report anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, nausea, mood swings, and even depression that lingers for weeks. That’s because kratom has been doing the work your brain used to handle on its own. Now your system has to learn how to regulate again.
Trying to quit cold turkey can lead to relapse, especially if you’re trying to hold down a job or manage life at the same time. Real treatment makes a difference. At Sunflower Recovery, we offer a 90-day program that helps people detox safely, stabilize their mood and sleep, and rebuild the routines that make lasting recovery possible.
Our team understands kratom and 7-OH addiction. We’ve helped people get off it comfortably and with long-term success. Whether you’re still using or trying to taper, we can help you take the next step.
Ready to Get Help?
Sunflower Recovery Center is here for folks across Kansas who are ready to break free from kratom and 7-OH. We’ll walk you through detox, treatment, and what life can look like after all of this.
If you’re asking the question, “Is this a problem?” it probably already is. Call us today. We’ll help you find your way back.