Source: Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust
Excerpt:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition of U.S. military veterans today sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., calling on him to end his efforts to ban 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) — a naturally occurring compound in the kratom plant — and instead adopt a science-based approach to regulate it responsibly.
The letter, signed by nine veterans under the banner of Veterans to Save 7-OH, highlights the impact of 7-OH for former service members managing chronic pain, PTSD, and recovery from opioid dependence. The veterans describe 7-OH as “life-changing,” citing its role in helping them manage pain, regain stability, and rebuild their lives after service.
“For many of us, 7-OH has offered relief where years of prescription medications, surgeries, or therapy failed,” the letter states. “It has quieted the pain that kept us from sleeping, helped calm nerves that think we never left the battlefield, and provided a bridge away from dangerous opioids and alcohol. Simply put, it has given us back our lives.”
According to national data, veterans face an overdose risk roughly twice that of the general population. The numbers reveal a stark and persistent reality: after serving their country, many veterans return home to chronic pain, trauma, and limited treatment options. The veterans argue that banning 7-OH would push many veterans back toward opioids and illicit drugs. Instead of prohibition, they call on HHS to pursue responsible regulation, including age restrictions, product testing, transparent labeling, and continued scientific research.
“In an era where some 150 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses, we cannot afford to lose 7-OH, which is safely helping veterans recover, reconnect, and rebuild,” they say in the letter.
The coalition has requested a meeting with HHS officials to share firsthand accounts and collaborate on evidence-based policy. The letter is part of a growing movement of veterans and harm-reduction advocates urging federal agencies to allow research into 7-OH for its potential for safe and therapeutic use.
You can read the letter here.
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Veterans to Save 7-OH is a national coalition of military veterans and first responders standing up for safe access to 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products. Many of us have seen firsthand how 7-OH can support recovery, manage chronic pain, and reduce dependence on prescription opioids. We believe no veteran should lose access to a tool that can help them heal, focus, and live with dignity.
The Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) is a nonprofit policy organization dedicated to advancing safe, evidence-based access to natural alternatives for recovery and wellness. HART advocates for scientific transparency, consumer safety, and regulatory accountability in emerging health and wellness industries. Learn more at hartsupporter.com.