7-OH and the DEA: what's changing

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Federal rules for 7-OH are changing. Here is where things stand, what it could mean for you, and how to quit on your own terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Where things stand

July 29, 2025: The FDA announced it was recommending that 7-OH be controlled. The formal recommendation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which the FDA is part of, asked the DEA to place 7-OH above a set concentration in Schedule I. (FDA announcement)
July 6, 2026: The DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily place 7-OH above that concentration in Schedule I. (Federal Register, July 6, 2026)
October 14, 2026: The DEA withdrew the July notice and replaced it with a new notice of intent covering 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, a related substance, above a new threshold recommended by HHS. (Federal Register, October 14, 2026; Department of Justice announcement)
Today: There is no scheduling order for 7-OH yet. Under the new notice, a temporary order can be published no earlier than 30 days after October 14, 2026.

The thresholds are meant to separate concentrated or enhanced 7-OH products from plain kratom leaf. The DEA notes that neither it nor HHS has found these substances safe to use below the threshold.

Quit on your terms

If 7-OH products become harder to find, some people may suddenly be left without them and go into withdrawal they didn't plan for. Planning your quit now, with support, puts you in control: you can choose a start date, tell someone you trust, and talk with a clinician about a taper or treatment before you need it.

You don't have to wait for a deadline. The Exit Seven app can help you track your progress, get through cravings, and bring a report to your doctor.

Staying safe

Withdrawal can start within hours. In published 7-OH cases, it started within about 6 to 8 hours of the last use. (MedlinePlus; case report)
Don't switch to other opioids. Pills and powders sold outside a pharmacy may contain fentanyl, and many people don't know their drugs contain it. (CDC)
Talk to a clinician now. Medication treatment such as buprenorphine can help with withdrawal and cravings. Read about treatment and buprenorphine and where to find care, including free and low-cost options.
Keep naloxone around. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an opioid overdose. You can buy it without a prescription. Keep it where the people around you can find it. (CDC; FDA)

If you're in crisis, call or text 988. For an overdose, call 911.