United States, July 29 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking a bold step to protect Americans from dangerous, illegal opioids by recommending a scheduling action to control certain 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The FDA is specifically targeting 7-OH, a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant; it is not focused on natural kratom leaf products. 7-OH is increasingly recognized as having potential for abuse because of its ability to bind to opioid receptors. The FDA is releasing a new report to educate the public about the health concerns of 7-OH and its distinction from the kratom plant leaf. This recommendation follows a thorough medical and scientific analysis by...