The U.S. Government Recommends Banning 7-Hydroxysteroids

• The FDA recommends banning 7-hydroxysteroids due to their potential dangers.
• Products with 7-OH are associated with respiratory depression and dependence.
• Shortly, it does not fall under the ban, although it has its risks.

Washington — The U.S. Government recommends banning 7-hydroxysteroids (7-OH), a concentrated herbal product derived from kratom, due to its potential dangers. This ingredient, which has opioid-like properties, is increasingly being added to energy drinks, gels, and supplements sold in gas stations and stores.

In a statement, published on July 29, 2025, the FDA announced that 7-OH may cause respiratory depression, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced with traditional opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl.

Regulators have also stressed that products with 7-OH, which could be appealing to children, are widely available. The FDA emphasized that their recommendation does not apply to natural products made from kratom leaves, even though they have also been linked to incidents of death.

The government plans to move 7-OH to Schedule I of banned substances, where heroin and cocaine are already classified. This recommendation will be discussed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which regulates the rules for dangerous narcotics.

The FDA is considering this initiative as part of its efforts to regulate dangerous additives, especially given the recent increase in incidents related to kratom. In June 2025, the FDA sent a warning to seven companies that sold products with 7-OH due to violations of safety regulations.

Industry representatives of supplements, such as Ryan Niddle from Diversified Botanics, supported the FDA's actions, considering them necessary for consumer safety. At the same time, the American Kratom Association continues to lobby against restrictions on this herb.

Tags: USA/Politics