The next wave of fentanyl might not come from a drug cartel or an under-the-radar lab, but rather from your local gas station.
A TikTok user, Grant Harting, who works as a pharmacist, recently purchased gas station pills that reportedly contained “super concentrated” levels of a potentially lethal substance known as 7-OH, along with a mix of other dubious chemicals.
“It went from being really suspicious and dangerous to just unbelievably sketchy and perilous,” Harting mentioned after having the pills sent off for lab analysis.
This particular chemical comes from the kratom plant, which has been used by herbal manufacturers for generations to create much stronger drugs.
“We anticipated it would be a complete disaster, and sure enough, that’s exactly what it was,” said Dr. Sarah Kerrigan, who conducted a significant research study on kratom back in 2021, commenting on the situation.
Though not classified as an opioid, this substance operates in a manner similar to them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitalizations and fatalities linked to kratom have surged by 1,200% over the past ten years, as 7-OH—often referred to as “gas station heroin”—invades the marketplace.
Surprisingly, it’s still legal in many states, appearing in products like gummies, drinks, and even ice cream. The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned that drugs containing 7-OH represent “the next wave of the opioid crisis.”
Combining kratom, particularly 7-OH, with alcohol or other substances is notably dangerous, responsible for about 80% of deaths linked to kratom, as reported by the CDC.
What’s even more alarming is that numerous states don’t mandate companies to include 7-OH on product labels, meaning consumers could unknowingly buy regular kratom or a highly addictive variant.
“Although it’s marketed as ‘kratom,’ [7-OH] isn’t made from leaf material. It’s significantly more potent, requiring smaller doses to achieve the desired effects,” warned Dr. Oliver Grundman, a kratom specialist at the University of Florida.
The full scope of the associated risks remains largely unknown, which is concerning given that people can purchase 7-OH at vape shops and truck stops without much guidance on appropriate dosages.
The pills Harting examined actually contained two doses, but splitting them, even with a razor blade, proved difficult for TikTok users.
“They come as whole tablets, but a quarter tablet is the actual serving size. Who really cuts them into quarters? It’s not practical,” Grundman remarked.
Another issue lies in the manufacturing process of 7-OH, which creates unknown byproducts that get mixed in.
“We have no clue what effects these additional chemicals may have,” Grundman explained.
An examination of the gas station tablets revealed the presence of “additional unidentified chemicals.”
Lobbyists from the kratom industry, including the American Kratom Association, are opposing a federal prohibition of the product, advocating instead for stricter regulations specifically targeting 7-OH.
Some supporters of kratom argue that 7-OH could serve as an effective treatment for opioid dependence.
“Rushing to outlaw 7-OH without thorough research might push individuals toward more hazardous substances,” the 7-Hope Alliance, which backs 7-OH, argued.
However, while 7-OH may assist people in tapering off stronger opioids, it falls short when sold in places like bars, according to Grundman.
“It ought to be accurately labeled and only made accessible through licensed professionals, like pharmacists—not gas station clerks.”
