by Real Botanicals Calls for Balanced Regulation and Consumer Awareness Amid Ongoing 7-OH Discussions
As debates over kratom intensify in 2025, one compound, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), has become the center of national attention. The proposed restrictions on this naturally occurring kratom alkaloid have sparked widespread discussion among regulators, researchers, and consumers.
Real Botanicals, a kratom industry participant known for supporting safety and transparency, is urging a balanced approach to regulation, one that protects consumers without restricting access to responsibly produced botanical products.
Background: Why 7-OH Is Under Scrutiny
7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) occurs naturally in the kratom leaf in trace amounts. Although it makes up a very small portion of the plant’s alkaloid profile, it is more potent than mitragynine, the primary active compound.
That potency, coupled with reports of artificially elevated 7-OH levels in some products, has drawn attention from the FDA and DEA, which are now considering federal scheduling. If listed under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, 7-OH would be classified alongside substances such as heroin, MDMA, and cannabis, making its sale and possession illegal across the United States.
Several states have already acted independently. Florida issued an emergency ban on 7-OH in August 2025, followed by a statewide kratom ban in Louisiana. Indiana and Vermont have long restricted the compound, while states like Utah, Georgia, and Tennessee have introduced limits rather than full prohibitions.
Potential Impact on Consumers
The proposed 7-OH ban raises broader questions about consumer rights, plant-based wellness, and regulatory overreach.
For many users, kratom supplements support focus, energy, and calmness. Real Botanicals notes that banning 7-OH, even in its natural form, could unintentionally restrict access to all kratom products, as trace amounts of the alkaloid occur naturally in the leaf.
Overregulation, advocates warn, could also drive consumers toward unregulated or black-market products, creating new safety risks.
Distinguishing Natural from Synthetic Products
A central issue in the 7-OH ban is the difference between natural and synthetic extracts.
- Naturally occurring 7-OH levels vary by strain, harvest, and extraction process.
- Artificially concentrated or “spiked” products contain unnaturally high levels of 7-OH and are often the source of regulatory concern.
The solution, Real Botanicals argues, is better enforcement and testing standards, not blanket bans. Independent lab testing and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) can verify product safety and prevent adulteration.
How Consumers Can Take Action
Kratom advocates and users are mobilizing to ensure policymakers understand the difference between natural kratom and synthetically altered products.
Ways to get involved include:
- Signing petitions urging Congress and the DEA to reconsider a Schedule I classification.
- Supporting advocacy groups such as the American Kratom Association.
- Sharing educational resources within wellness and botanical communities.
Real Botanicals emphasizes science-based regulation that preserves consumer choice while maintaining strict safety standards.
A Call for Transparency and Dialogue
The conversation around 7-OH reflects a larger issue: how to regulate emerging plant-based products without stifling legitimate access.
“Consumers deserve clear information and safe options,” said Tim Dinger, a representative from Real Botanicals. “We believe kratom should be guided by responsible testing and compliance standards that protect the public
About Real Botanicals
Real Botanicals is a U.S.-based botanical wellness company advocating for safety, transparency, and responsible product standards in the kratom industry. The company supports balanced regulation and education for consumers, policymakers, and vendors alike.
Media Contact:
- Company Name: Real Botanicals
- Website: https://realbotanicals.com/
- Contact Person Name: Tim Dinger
- Country: United States
- Email: tim@realbotanicals.com
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.