Synthetic kratom sold at gas stations, smoke shops linked to 3 fatal overdoses

Health officials are warning about the potentially deadly dangers of a synthetic kratom compound after it was linked to three recent fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County.

- BY CLARA HARTER

CAPSULES of kratom, which is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, seen in 2017.

A compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, was ruled a contributing cause of death in three otherwise healthy adults between the ages 18 and 40, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Alcohol was also found in all three individuals.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. 7-OH is the psychoactive component of those leaves, which proponents tout as a cure-all for chronic pain, anxiety and opioid-use disorder as well as an aid to increase alertness and energy.

A synthetically concentrated version of 7-OH is also used in products commonly sold at gas stations and smoke shops in L.A. County and across the nation.