A complete guide to tapering off MGM-15 AND 7-OH
In lieu of the news of banning kratom products, I will share what has helped my husband and helped me the first time tapering off.
As we all know, it is important to start tapering off over time (i.e., minimizing your amount of MGM or 7-OH that you are taking every day).
MGM / 7-OH Withdrawal Survival Guide (Harm Reduction)
This isn't medical advice. It's a collection of things that many people in the kratom and opioid recovery community have found helpful. Everyone's withdrawal is different. If you have severe symptoms or underlying health conditions, seek medical care.
The Basics (Most Important)
Before worrying about supplements, focus on these:
- Stay hydrated.
- Replace electrolytes, not just water.
- Eat something, even if it's small.
- Sleep whenever your body lets you.
- Take hot showers or baths.
- Go for short walks if you can tolerate them.
- Remember that withdrawal is temporary, even when it doesn't feel like it.
Electrolytes ⭐
One of the most important things you can do.
Kratom and MGM can contribute to dehydration, and withdrawal often makes it worse through sweating, diarrhea, vomiting (for some people), poor appetite, and simply not drinking enough fluids.
Replacing electrolytes, especially sodium, is often more helpful than drinking plain water alone. Sodium helps your body absorb and retain the water you're drinking, which is especially important if you're losing fluids.
Good options:
- LMNT (very high sodium)
- Pedialyte
- Liquid I.V.
- DripDrop
- Coconut water (great for potassium but relatively low in sodium)
May help with:
- Dehydration
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Tip: Sip electrolytes throughout the day instead of trying to drink a large amount all at once.
Sodium Ascorbate (Buffered Vitamin C)
Many people in the kratom and opioid withdrawal community report that high dose Sodium Ascorbate helps lessen body aches, fatigue, and the overall "flu like" feeling of withdrawal.
Scientific evidence is still limited, but it's one of the most commonly discussed supplements for opioid withdrawal support.
Look specifically for SODIUM ASCORBATE.
Do NOT buy regular Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) if you're planning on using higher doses. Sodium Ascorbate is buffered and is much easier on your stomach.
Commonly reported dosage:
- 2,000 to 3,000 mg (2 to 3 grams) every 2 to 4 hours while awake during the first several days of withdrawal.
- As symptoms improve, gradually reduce the amount over the next few days.
Possible benefits:
- Body aches
- Flu like symptoms
- Fatigue
- Overall withdrawal discomfort
Agmatine Sulfate
A favorite supplement in the kratom community.
Some people report it helps:
- Lower opioid tolerance
- Reduce withdrawal severity
- Muscle pain
- Anxiety
- Cravings
Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa)
Another commonly recommended supplement.
May help with:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Mild pain
- Sleep
- General withdrawal discomfort
L-Theanine
May help:
- Anxiety
- Racing thoughts
- Stress
- Relaxation
Magnesium Glycinate
May help:
- Restless legs
- Muscle tension
- Sleep
- Anxiety
- Muscle cramps
Avoid magnesium oxide if possible, as it commonly causes diarrhea.
Creatine Monohydrate
May help with:
- Low energy
- Muscle recovery
- Fatigue
- Exercise performance as you recover
DLPA (DL-Phenylalanine)
Evidence is limited, but some people report improvements in:
- Mood
- Motivation
- Natural endorphin production
- Mild pain
Omega-3 Fish Oil
May support:
- Mood
- Brain recovery
- Inflammation
B-Complex Vitamins
Helpful if you've been eating poorly.
Supports:
- Energy production
- Nervous system function
Prescription Medications (Talk to Your Doctor)
Clonidine ⭐
One of the best supported non-opioid medications for withdrawal.
Can help:
- Sweating
- Chills
- Anxiety
- Racing heart
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness
It can lower blood pressure, so it should only be taken as directed.
Gabapentin
Many people report significant relief from:
- Restless legs
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Nerve pain
Gabapentin can also cause dependence with long term use.
Hydroxyzine
May help:
- Anxiety
- Sleep
- Itching
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium)
Can reduce:
- Severe anxiety
- Panic
- Insomnia
Use only if prescribed. They carry a significant risk of dependence and can be dangerous when combined with opioids, alcohol, or other sedatives.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Subutex)
For people with severe dependence, this is one of the most effective evidence based treatments for opioid withdrawal and long term recovery. It should be started under appropriate medical guidance because taking it too soon after some opioids can trigger precipitated withdrawal.
Experimental / Use With Caution
SR-17018 (Research Compound)
SR-17018 is sometimes discussed in opioid and kratom recovery communities because of early research involving opioid tolerance and withdrawal.
It is a G-protein biased mu-opioid receptor agonist that researchers are studying because it appears to interact with opioid receptors differently than traditional opioids.
Some animal studies have suggested it may reduce certain withdrawal like effects and impact opioid tolerance.
Some people in the kratom community report using SR-17018 for:
- Withdrawal discomfort
- Taper support
- Restlessness
- Body aches
- Cravings
Important:
- It is NOT an FDA approved medication
- Human research is extremely limited
- There is no established safe dosing protocol
- Quality and purity can vary when obtained outside research settings
- Long term effects are unknown
Because it still interacts with opioid receptors, it should be approached carefully and treated as an experimental substance, not a guaranteed withdrawal cure.
Ketamine (Prescription / Medical Setting)
Ketamine is sometimes discussed in opioid and kratom recovery communities because of its effects on mood, depression, pain signaling, and neuroplasticity.
Some people report benefits with:
- Depression during recovery
- Anxiety symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress during difficult withdrawal periods
Ketamine does not directly replace opioids and is not considered a standard opioid withdrawal medication.
Important:
- Should ideally be used under medical supervision
- Can cause dissociation, dizziness, sedation, increased blood pressure, nausea, and other side effects
- Has misuse and dependence potential
- Effects vary significantly between people
For some individuals, medically supervised ketamine treatment may be helpful as part of a larger recovery plan, but it should be approached with caution.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Loperamide (Imodium)
Can help with diarrhea.
Only use as directed on the label. Taking very high doses is dangerous and can cause life-threatening heart rhythm problems.
Ibuprofen / Naproxen
Helpful for:
- Body aches
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
May help:
- Headaches
- Fever
- General aches
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Sleep
Sleep is usually one of the hardest parts of withdrawal.
Things people commonly use:
- Magnesium Glycinate
- L-Theanine
- Melatonin (many people find 0.5 to 3 mg is enough)
Even if you only sleep a couple of hours, your body is still recovering.
Foods That Are Easy to Eat
Even if you have no appetite, try to eat something.
Good options:
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Rice
- Toast
- Soup
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Applesauce
- Crackers
- Protein shakes
- Smoothies
Small meals throughout the day are better than nothing.
Things That Usually Make Withdrawal Worse
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
- Too much caffeine
- Not eating
- Staying isolated
- Taking large amounts of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), which can worsen restless legs for some people
Recovery Timeline (General)
Everyone is different, but many people experience:
Days 1 to 2
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Body aches
- Restlessness
Days 2 to 5
- Usually the hardest part
- Poor sleep
- Restless legs
- Fatigue
- GI symptoms
Week 2
- Physical symptoms usually improve significantly
Weeks 3 to 8
- Energy, motivation, and sleep gradually continue to improve
Final Thoughts
Withdrawal is temporary.
It may feel impossible while you're in it, but thousands of people have made it through, and you can too. Focus on getting through today, not the next month.
Hydrate. Eat. Rest. Take a shower. Go for a short walk if you can.
Every hour you stay off MGM or 7-OH is another hour closer to feeling like yourself again.
If you develop severe dehydration, chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, or thoughts of harming yourself, seek medical care immediately.