Not all Kratom products are what they seem. Some are ultra-processed or contain dangerous synthetic additives that can transform a natural and beneficial herb into a potentially harmful product.

Known by various names, including 7-OH, Krypton and K2, synthetic and semi-synthetic Kratom variants may contain hidden ingredients or have a potency that consumers do not expect. One such product, the synthetic Kratom variant called Krypton, has even been linked to serious health consequences worldwide.

In this article, we'll examine the differences between natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic Kratom. We’ll also explain how to spot dangerous products, demonstrate what makes these types of Kratom different and share some safety tips to protect your wellbeing.

Let’s start with understanding more about synthetic Kratom.

What is Krypton? Understanding a potentially dangerous synthetic Kratom variant

Krypton isn't what most people think it is. While it sounds like just another extract, it's a dangerous mix of natural Kratom and synthetic chemicals.

Natural Kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. It contains over 20 naturally occurring alkaloids that work together. Krypton, however, contains something extra: O-desmethyltramadol.

This synthetic opioid is an active metabolite of tramadol, a prescription painkiller. When mixed with Kratom, it creates a product far more potent than either substance alone.

Online vendors often advertise Krypton as:

• Strongest Kratom extract;
• 50x Bali Kratom extract;
• Enhanced Kratom powder.

These claims hide the real danger as vendors rarely disclose the synthetic additives.

The adulterated Kratom market thrives on confusion. Many buyers assume all Kratom products are natural herbs. They don’t realize some contain synthetic compounds.

Without proper labeling or regulation, Krypton looks like any other Kratom product. The packaging might even claim it’s 'all natural' or 'pure botanical'.

The critical difference: natural Kratom contains only plant alkaloids. Synthetic Kratom includes powerful pharmaceutical compounds that significantly increase health risks.

Lessons from Sweden: understanding Krypton's impact

Between 2009 and 2010, Sweden documented nine cases where Krypton use proved fatal. The victims were primarily young to middle-aged adults born in the 1970s and 1980s.

Forensic analysis revealed a troubling pattern. All victims had both mitragynine and O-desmethyltramadol in their blood. The concentrations varied significantly, showing unpredictable potency levels:

• Mitragynine: 0.02 to 0.18 μg/g
• O-desmethyltramadol: 0.4 to 4.3 μg/g

These fatal intoxications sparked immediate action from Swedish authorities. Medical experts issued public warnings about adulterated Kratom products sold online.

Sweden's experience became a global wake-up call. The cases showed how easily synthetic additives could hide in supposedly natural products.

Other countries began examining their Kratom markets more closely. The Swedish investigation highlighted the need for better regulation and consumer awareness.

The key lesson: what’s marketed as 'enhanced' Kratom might contain dangerous synthetic compounds. Sweden’s tragedy helped expose this hidden risk.

How Krypton works in your body

O-desmethyltramadol (O-DSMT) isn't just another chemical name to ignore. It's the active metabolite of tramadol, a prescription painkiller you might recognize.

Here's the concerning part: O-DSMT is twice as potent as tramadol itself. When mixed with kratom, it creates a dangerous combination.

O-DSMT acts as a powerful mu-receptor agonist. These receptors control pain, pleasure, and, critically, your breathing.

Natural Kratom alkaloids work differently. They're partial agonists with built-in safety limits. Consider them as having a natural 'ceiling' that prevents extreme effects.

But synthetic additives override these protections. O-DSMT pushes past Kratom's natural limits, creating unpredictable risks.

When O-DSMT meets Kratom alkaloids in your body:

• Your central nervous system slows dramatically;
• Breathing becomes dangerously suppressed;
• Natural safety mechanisms fail;
• The liver can't process the synthetic compound properly.

The respiratory depression risk becomes severe. Your brainstem loses proper control over breathing patterns.

Unlike natural Kratom, this combination has no safety ceiling. Users might take their usual dose, not knowing it contains synthetic additives.

The result: what seems like a normal amount becomes potentially lethal. The body can’t handle the synthetic overload, leading to hypoxia and possible respiratory failure.

This isn’t about natural plant compounds anymore. It’s about unregulated synthetic opioid territory.

The newest threat: semi-synthetic Kratom

In 2024 and 2025, regulators turned their attention to synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine. This lab-created compound is up to 30 times more potent than morphine.

In the wild, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH or 7-OH-MIT) is a naturally occuring alkaloid present in all Kratom leaves. However, the levels are very low, typically between 0.6% - 0.7% depending on the strain. By oxidizing the alkaloid producers found a way to concentrate the levels dramatically, creating compounds containing up to 98% 7-OH.

Unlike natural Kratom's trace amounts, synthetic 7-OH products contain concentrated levels. Scientists warn these aren't natural extracts but pharmaceutical-grade compounds. Imagine what could happen to your body if you took your usual dose of Kratom but it was almost 100% more potent. The results could be disastrous. Not only is there a risk of overdose if a Kratom user unknowingly takes their usual dose, there is an enhanced risk of dependency similar to serious opioid dependency in the long-term.

It's worth noting, however, that it has been scientifically proven that 7-OH binds better with the body's opioid receptors than mitragynine alone so there is most definitely a medical case for the future of this extract - but that's a subject for another article entirely.

The danger of 7-OH stems from several factors:

• Misleading marketing and unscrupulous producers are selling products alongside natural Kratom without sufficient explanantion of its supercharged potency.
• A lack of scientific testing (7-OH products are not known to have undergone human or animal testing to date) is endangering naive users.
• There is confusion among lawmakers and regulators as to what exactly 7-OH is and does.

This has created a turbulent situation in the US where 100% natural Kratom products are being outlawed while semi-synthetic products remain on the shelves.

The critical difference: semi-synthetic Kratom is processed for ultra-potency but is sold alongside less strong natural Kratom products and without the warnings or regulation associated with those natural products.

4 red flags to watch for

Spotting synthetic Kratom isn't always easy but being aware of certain warning signs can protect you. Here's 4 red flags to look out for:

1. Hyped-up marketing terms

Watch out for these phrases:

• Strongest Kratom extract;
• Enhanced Kratom;
• 50x potency;
• Ultimate strength formula.

These terms often signal semi-synthetic products or products with synthetic additives, not naturally concentrated preparations.

2. Too good to be true pricing

Unusually low prices should raise concerns. Quality Kratom requires careful harvesting and processing, which costs money.

Bulk quantities at rock-bottom prices often indicate corners were cut. Sometimes that involves adding cheap synthetic compounds.

3. No lab report

Reputable vendors always provide third-party lab testing results. No lab reports? Major red flag!

Look for detailed testing that checks for:

• Heavy metals;
• Microbiological contaminants;
• Alkaloid profiles;
• Synthetic additives.

Lab reports should be available for every batch of Kratom sold by a vendor; sometimes you need to request them, other times it's a simple as scanning a QR code. Either way, it's information you have a right to access.

You can read more about our Safety and Quality promise here.

4. Unexpected effects

Natural Kratom has predictable and documented effects at standard doses but synthetic versions hit differently.

Warning signs include:

• Extreme sedation from small amounts;
• Breathing difficulties;
• Overdose symptoms at normal doses;
• Effects lasting much longer than usual.

Stop taking the Kratom product if any of these effects manifest and seek healthcare assistance immediately.

Remember

Always choose vendors that prioritize transparency, source Kratom from reputable suppliers and provide comprehensive lab reports. Your health and wellbeing depends on knowing exactly what you’re consuming.

Current warnings and regulatory status

The FDA continues to issue strong warnings about Kratom safety. It classifies natural Kratom as an unapproved substance that can't be sold as a drug, supplement or food additive.

Recent FDA Kratom warnings highlight risks including:

• Liver toxicity;
• Seizures;
• Substance use disorder;
• Contamination with heavy metals.

Just this week (July 2025) it has written to several US-based Kratom vendors warning them of the consequences of illegally marketing products containing 7-OH. Vendors have 15 days to respond to the letter. You can read more here.

In the letter, the FDA states: "7-OH is not lawful in dietary supplements and cannot be lawfully added to conventiional foods. Addtionally, there are no FDA-approved drugs containing 7-OH, and it is illegal to market any drugs containing 7-OH. Consumers who use 7-OH products are explsoing themselves to products that have not been proven safe or effective for any use."

State-level actions

Several states now regulate Kratom more strictly:

• Texas limits 7-hydroxymitragynine to 2% of alkaloid content;
• South Carolina caps it at 0.1%;
• Both states ban synthetic alkaloids entirely.

These Kratom regulation efforts require lab testing and accurate labeling. More states are considering similar measures. You can find out how your state approaches Kratom regulation here.

Kratom advocacy organization the American Kratom Association lobbies for fair regulation of Kratom across the United States. The AKA developed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), a framework for fairly regulating the leaf. The KCPA has been lawfully adopted by 18 states to date.

Commenting on the impact of semi-synthetic and synthetic Kratom products, Mark Haddow, AKA spokesperson, said: (There are) "a significant number of companies engaged in transparently improper marketing - misleading consumers by branding these 7-OH products as ‘kratom’ while making illegal health claims and using unsafe synthetic or semi-synthetic formulations - and none of these products are Kratom. This is a massive fraud on consumers that puts their safety directly at risk.”

International response

Countries worldwide have banned or restricted Krypton after the Swedish deaths. Many nations now classify synthetic Kratom variants as controlled substances.

Industry perspective

Responsible vendors support regulation to separate legitimate products from dangerous synthetics. They're calling for standardized testing requirements and clear labeling rules.

The message is clear: regulatory bodies and responsible vendors are beginning to recognize the difference between natural Kratom and synthetically-derived products. They’re working to protect consumers from adulterated products but the emphasis is still very much on the consumer to 'buyer beware' when purchasing any Kratom products online or in store.

Protecting yourself: safety guidelines

Your safety starts with choosing natural Kratom from trusted sources. Look for vendors that provide lab results for every new batch sold.

Pure leaf Kratom offers traditional benefits without synthetic risks. Natural alkaloids work gently with your body, unlike the harsh effects of adulterated products.

Quality vendors share:

• Third-party lab test results;
• Exact alkaloid content;
• Sourcing information;
• Processing methods.

Why natural matters

When Kratom safety matters, quality can't be compromised. Choose vendors committed to natural products and honest labeling. Lab-tested Kratom from reputable sources provides predictable, gentler effects. You know exactly what you’re getting with each dose.

Hidden Valley Botanicals enforces strict testing standards on all products and our Safety and Quality Promise ensures we deliver full transparency to our buyers.

When you buy from us you can expect pure, unadulterated strains sourced from Southeast Asians farmers. We do not and never will sell synthetic Kratom products.

To browse our range of all-natural Kratom products - including powder, gummies and capsules - SHOP NOW.