Kratom comes with a lot of jargon — from alkaloid names to legal terms. This glossary explains the words you are most likely to see on labels, in news coverage and in laws, with links to our deeper guides. New to the topic? Start with What Is Kratom?
7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine)
An alkaloid found only in trace amounts in kratom leaf, much more potent at opioid receptors than mitragynine. Concentrated and semi-synthetic 7-OH products are the main target of 2025–2026 federal and state action. Learn more.
Alkaloid
A nitrogen-containing plant compound that often affects the nervous system. Kratom contains more than 40, including mitragynine and 7-OH. Learn more.
American Kratom Association (AKA)
A consumer advocacy group that promotes the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and runs a voluntary GMP standards program for vendors. Learn more.
Certificate of analysis (COA)
A laboratory report showing what a specific batch contains, such as alkaloid levels, heavy metals and microbes. Learn more.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
The federal law that sorts drugs into Schedules I–V. Kratom leaf is not scheduled; some synthetic kratom-related compounds are.
Extract
A concentrated kratom product made by pulling alkaloids out of the leaf with solvents. Much stronger than leaf powder. Learn more.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Standards for making, testing and labeling products. The AKA runs a voluntary kratom GMP program.
KCPA (Kratom Consumer Protection Act)
Model state legislation that regulates rather than bans kratom, typically with age limits, labeling, testing and 7-OH caps. Learn more.
Ketum
The Malay name for kratom, used in Malaysian law. Learn more.
Maeng Da
A trade name often marketed as extra-strong kratom. Not a botanically distinct variety. Learn more.
MGM-15 and MGM-16
Synthetic derivatives of 7-OH that do not occur naturally in the plant. Temporarily placed in federal Schedule I in August 2026. Learn more.
Mitragyna speciosa
The botanical name of the kratom tree, a member of the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. Learn more.
Mitragynine
The most abundant alkaloid in kratom leaf and the main driver of its effects; a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors. Learn more.
Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP)
A potent compound formed by chemically rearranging 7-OH. Temporarily placed in federal Schedule I in August 2026. Learn more.
Mu-opioid receptor
A receptor in the brain and body that opioids act on. Kratom alkaloids bind to it, which explains kratom’s opioid-like effects and dependence risk.
Schedule I
The most restrictive federal drug category, for substances with high abuse potential and no accepted medical use.
Tea cut
Coarsely chopped kratom leaf intended for brewing tea.
Temporary scheduling
A DEA process for placing a substance in Schedule I for up to two years (plus one possible year) to address an imminent hazard. Learn more.
Vein color
The color of a kratom leaf’s central vein (red, green or white), used by vendors to name strains. Learn more.
Withdrawal
Symptoms that appear when someone who is physically dependent stops using a substance. For kratom, these can include aches, irritability and trouble sleeping. Learn more.
Sources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Kratom
- DEA: Temporary Scheduling of 7-OH and Related Substances
- American Kratom Association: GMP Standards Program
Kratom Universe publishes independent educational information. Nothing on this site is medical or legal advice. Kratom is not approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with a healthcare provider before using kratom, and check your state and local laws. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call SAMHSA’s free, confidential National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
