Is Kratom an Opioid?

Not a classic opioid, but it acts like one in important ways. Kratom comes from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree, not the opium poppy. Its main compound, mitragynine, and a related compound, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), act on the brain's mu-opioid receptors, the same receptors opioids act on.

Opioid or opiate?

Opiates are drugs that come from the opium poppy, like morphine. Opioid is the wider term for any drug that acts on opioid receptors. Kratom isn't an opiate. Kratom's compounds act on opioid receptors, but experts describe them differently. The FDA calls 7-OH an opioid. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says kratom's effects only partly resemble those of opioids like heroin or oxycodone.

To learn more about the plant and why it isn't FDA-approved for any use, see What is kratom?

Mitragynine and 7-OH

Mitragynine is the main compound in kratom leaf. Your body turns some of it into 7-OH. In the leaf, 7-OH is only a small part. The figures above come from the FDA's 2025 assessment.

7-OH products, such as tablets, gummies and shots, are different. They have 7-OH added or concentrated, so they aren't the same as kratom leaf. The FDA describes 7-OH as potent. Read more about 7-OH.

As of November 3, 2026, kratom, mitragynine and 7-OH are not federally controlled. The FDA recommended scheduling 7-OH in July 2025. On October 14, 2026, the DEA proposed temporarily placing 7-OH above a set concentration in Schedule I. That order could take effect on or after November 13, 2026. Some states already ban 7-OH, so check your state's current law.

Opioid-like risks and withdrawal

Because they act on opioid receptors, kratom and 7-OH share some opioid risks:

• Dependence and withdrawal. Regular use can cause dependence. Kratom withdrawal is generally milder and shorter than withdrawal from opioids like heroin, but concentrated 7-OH products can cause stronger withdrawal, like other opioids.

• Overdose. A kratom overdose can look like an opioid overdose: being hard to wake, slow or stopped breathing, blue lips and pinpoint pupils. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or has slow or stopped breathing.

• Mixing. Taking kratom with alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids adds to sedation and breathing risks.

If you're thinking about stopping, work with a licensed doctor on a plan. Not sure it's worth a morning off and a clinic bill to ask about stopping? Ask Doctronic's medical AI about kratom for free, or see a licensed doctor by video for $39. Doctronic doesn't treat addiction, but the visit can help with symptoms and lead to a referral to addiction care.

Does it show up as an opiate?

Kratom isn't expected to show up as an opiate on a drug test. Standard opiate screens don't detect mitragynine. A positive opiate result points to another substance or a contaminated product. Our guide to drug tests explains which tests can find kratom.