Updated September 29, 2026. A recent Tennessee drug warning is raising questions for people across Kentucky about products marketed as “Cat’s Claw,” the kratom-related compound MGM-15, concentrated 7-OH products, and what consumers should do when they are not completely sure what a product contains.
For people in Louisville and throughout Kentucky, the legal situation is different from Tennessee. Kentucky regulates kratom products and separately controls certain concentrated forms of 7-hydroxymitragynine.
The first important distinction is that genuine botanical cat’s claw is not kratom. Cat’s claw commonly refers to plants in the Uncaria genus, while kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa.
The Tennessee warning concerns certain commercial products being marketed under the Cat’s Claw name. Authorities warned that some of these products may contain MGM-15, a kratom-related compound.
The broader concern is that a product name or package may not tell someone everything they need to know about what they are actually taking.
The terminology surrounding these products can become confusing quickly. These terms should not be used interchangeably.
Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa. Mitragynine is one of its primary naturally occurring alkaloids.
7-OH is short for 7-hydroxymitragynine. Concentrated 7-OH products can contain levels far above those found naturally in traditional kratom leaf.
MGM-15 refers to dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine, a compound related to 7-OH.
Someone who says they use kratom may actually be taking concentrated shots, extracts, 7-OH products, MGM-15, or another formulation.
Kentucky has not prohibited all kratom in the same way Tennessee has. Instead, Kentucky regulates kratom products and separately controls certain concentrated forms of 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kentucky currently designates 7-hydroxymitragynine concentrated above 400 parts per million on a dry-weight basis as a Schedule I controlled substance. That designation does not apply to mitragynine.
Consumers may encounter labels using terms such as kratom, mitragynine, 7-OH, 7-hydroxymitragynine, MGM-15, kratom extract, alkaloid extract, concentrated alkaloids, or Cat’s Claw.
Regular kratom use can lead to physical dependence in some people. When use is reduced or stopped, withdrawal symptoms may appear.
The product is taken more often or in larger amounts than before.
Powder or capsules are replaced by extracts, shots, or other concentrated products.
The person frequently thinks about using the product or worries about running out.
Repeated attempts to reduce use end with a return to the product.
Anxiety, restlessness, sweating, body discomfort, or insomnia may appear when a dose is delayed.
Use continues despite health, financial, relationship, school, or work problems.
Withdrawal varies from person to person and can be influenced by dose, frequency, duration of use, concentration, other substances, and previous opioid dependence.
There is no single withdrawal timeline that applies to everyone.
Restlessness, anxiety, sweating, irritability, sleep problems, or cravings may begin.
Physical discomfort and gastrointestinal symptoms may become more noticeable.
Some physical symptoms may begin improving, while fatigue, disrupted sleep, anxiety, mood changes, and cravings can continue.
Some people continue experiencing sleep disruption, low energy, mood changes, or cravings after the more acute symptoms improve.
One of the most significant issues raised by the Cat’s Claw warning is uncertainty about product contents.
Someone may believe they were taking ordinary kratom when they were actually using a concentrated product. Another person may know the product contains 7-OH but not know the concentration.
Other substances may also be involved, including alcohol, fentanyl, prescription opioids, heroin, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or prescription medications.
Some people begin using kratom because they are trying to stop or reduce prescription opioids, heroin, or fentanyl.
Over time, kratom itself can become difficult to stop. If kratom has been helping suppress opioid withdrawal or cravings, stopping it without addressing the underlying opioid-use history may leave someone vulnerable to returning to stronger opioids.
Not everyone who stops using kratom requires the same level of care. Professional assessment may be especially useful when withdrawal is significant, concentrated products are involved, or several substances are being used.
Whether someone has been using powder, capsules, shots, extracts, 7-OH, or another concentrated product.
How often the substance is used and approximately how much is taken.
What happened during previous attempts to reduce or stop use.
Whether alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other substances are involved.
Current medications, medical conditions, anxiety, depression, trauma, or other co-occurring concerns.
A history of opioid use, overdose, or difficult withdrawal can affect treatment planning.
Louisville Addiction Center provides medically supervised detox and continued addiction treatment in Louisville, Kentucky.
Medically supervised detox can provide structured withdrawal support, 24/7 monitoring, and individualized treatment planning.
Explore DetoxContinued treatment can address cravings, triggers, relapse prevention, and the factors that contributed to ongoing substance use.
Explore RehabTreatment can address substance use alongside behavioral, emotional, and recovery needs.
Explore Drug TreatmentCo-occurring mental health concerns can be addressed alongside addiction treatment when appropriate.
Explore Dual DiagnosisCall 911 immediately if someone cannot be awakened, stops breathing, has very slow or abnormal breathing, turns blue or gray, experiences a seizure, collapses, develops severe confusion, or appears to be experiencing another life-threatening reaction.
If opioid exposure is possible and naloxone is available, administer it according to its instructions while emergency medical services are being contacted.
Louisville Addiction Center provides addiction treatment at 827 E Market Street, Louisville, KY 40206.
Admissions: (502) 586-4554
If kratom, 7-OH, MGM-15, extracts, or another concentrated product has become difficult to stop, you do not need to know the exact chemical name before contacting treatment.
No. Genuine botanical cat’s claw and kratom come from different plants. The recent Tennessee warning concerns certain products marketed using the Cat’s Claw name that authorities say may contain kratom-related compounds.
No. The Tennessee warning should not be interpreted to mean every botanical Cat’s Claw product contains MGM-15 or kratom.
MGM-15 refers to dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine, a compound related to 7-hydroxymitragynine.
No. 7-OH generally refers to 7-hydroxymitragynine. MGM-15 refers to dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kentucky has not prohibited all kratom. The state regulates kratom products and separately controls certain concentrated or synthetic substances.
Kentucky designates 7-hydroxymitragynine concentrated above 400 parts per million on a dry-weight basis as a Schedule I controlled substance. That designation does not apply to mitragynine.
Yes. Regular use can lead to physical dependence in some people, and withdrawal symptoms may occur when use is reduced or stopped.
Possible symptoms include muscle aches, sweating, chills, gastrointestinal discomfort, anxiety, irritability, sleep disruption, restlessness, mood changes, and cravings.
Withdrawal severity varies. Professional assessment may be particularly useful when concentrated products are involved, symptoms are significant, multiple substances are being used, or previous attempts to stop have not been successful.
Louisville Addiction Center provides medically supervised drug and alcohol detox in Louisville, Kentucky and can help determine whether detox or continued addiction treatment may be appropriate.
This article is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice, emergency treatment, or an assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Dr. Vahid Osman, M.D. — Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist.
Josh Sprung, L.C.S.W. — Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
If kratom, 7-OH, MGM-15, extracts, or another concentrated product has become difficult to stop, Louisville Addiction Center can help you understand whether medical detox, rehab, or another level of treatment may be appropriate.
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