Table of Contents
Key Points
- Real kava is not 7-OH, kratom, or a synthetic opioid. Genuine kava comes from Piper methysticum, a South Pacific plant whose psychoactive compounds are known as kavalactones.
- A July 2026 Poison Control warning changed the conversation around some smoke-shop kava products. Utah Poison Control warned that products containing blends marketed with kava or Cat’s Claw had been associated with severe overdoses and might contain undisclosed opioid-active compounds.
- The warning named compounds including 7-OH, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 as suspected adulterants. These are associated with the rapidly evolving kratom-derived opioid market, not ordinary kava.
- There is an important evidence distinction. Utah later publicly confirmed MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in Buzzers Cat’s Claw tablets. The publicly released testing did not establish that every kava-labeled product, or even every product named in the original alert, contained those drugs.
- Real kava still has risks of its own. Kava can cause sedation, dizziness, medication interactions, and rare but potentially serious liver injury. It should not be combined casually with alcohol or other sedating substances.
- An unusually strong opioid-like response is not what consumers should expect from ordinary kava. Profound sedation, inability to awaken someone, abnormal breathing, rapid dependence, or opioid-like withdrawal should raise concern about additional ingredients or another substance entirely.
- Naloxone may be appropriate when an opioid overdose is suspected. Utah Poison Control specifically advised calling 911 and administering naloxone when someone using these products cannot be awakened or is not breathing normally.
- How Brooks Helps: Brooks Healing Center helps people struggling with kratom, 7-OH, emerging opioid compounds, mislabeled products, and other substances through individualized medical detox, residential treatment, Medication-Assisted Treatment when appropriate, PHP, and ongoing recovery support.
A product says kava on the front of the package.
It may feature tropical imagery, roots, leaves, or words such as botanical, relaxation, natural, euphoric, social, or wellness. Someone buying it could reasonably believe they are purchasing a modern version of a South Pacific plant that has been consumed traditionally for generations.
In 2026, public-health officials gave consumers another reason to look beyond the front of the package.
Utah Poison Control issued a warning in July about potentially dangerous products sold through smoke shops and online that contained herbal blends marketed with kava or Cat’s Claw. The agency reported multiple severe overdoses and said the products were suspected of being adulterated with powerful kratom-related opioid compounds that were not properly disclosed on their labels.
That does not mean kava suddenly became an opioid.
It means the name kava may be appearing on products whose pharmacology cannot necessarily be determined from the botanical branding alone.
Brooks has already covered a closely related issue in our investigation of Cat’s Claw products containing kratom-related opioid compounds. The kava warning adds another layer because kava is already a legitimate psychoactive botanical with recognizable relaxing effects. That could make it particularly difficult for a consumer to know where ordinary kava effects end and unexpected drug effects begin.
Fake Kava at a Glance
| Question | What We Know |
|---|---|
| What is real kava? | A South Pacific botanical derived from Piper methysticum |
| Main active compounds in genuine kava | Kavalactones such as kavain, methysticin, and dihydrokavain |
| Is genuine kava kratom? | No |
| Is genuine kava 7-OH? | No |
| Is genuine kava considered an opioid? | No |
| Why are officials warning about some kava products? | Some smoke-shop/online products marketed with kava have been associated with severe overdoses and suspected undisclosed opioid-active ingredients |
| Which compounds were named in the warning? | 7-OH, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 |
| Was a kava product publicly confirmed to contain those compounds? | The July warning included kava products, but the later publicly released Utah laboratory confirmation involved Buzzers Cat’s Claw tablets |
| What did those tested Cat’s Claw tablets contain? | Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and MGM-15 |
| Can real kava cause side effects? | Yes. Sedation, dizziness, gastrointestinal effects, medication interactions, and rare serious liver injury are among known concerns |
| What if a “kava” product causes opioid-like overdose symptoms? | Call 911; Poison Control recommends naloxone when opioid overdose is suspected |
What Is Real Kava?
Kava is a genuine botanical derived from the root of Piper methysticum, a plant native to the South Pacific. Pacific Island cultures have prepared kava beverages for ceremonial, social, and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
Its primary psychoactive compounds are called kavalactones. Important kavalactones include kavain, dihydrokavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and desmethoxyyangonin.
Kava can produce noticeable central nervous system effects. Depending on the preparation, amount, individual, and setting, people may describe relaxation, reduced tension, mild changes in mood, muscle relaxation, or sedation.
That psychoactivity is genuine.
It is also fundamentally different from the opioid activity associated with kratom, concentrated 7-OH products, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or MGM-15.
Brooks explains those differences in greater detail in our guide to kava vs. kratom.
Is Kava an Opioid?
Genuine kava is not classified as an opioid and is not pharmacologically equivalent to kratom, 7-OH, morphine, fentanyl, or the newer manufactured kratom-related compounds now appearing in consumer products.
Kava’s pharmacology is complex and is still being studied. Research has implicated several neurological systems, including GABA-related signaling, voltage-gated ion channels, monoamine systems, and other targets. That helps explain its calming and sedating effects.
The important distinction is that ordinary kava is not expected to behave like a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist.
Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 are a very different category. Federal officials describe these substances as potent mu-opioid receptor agonists associated with risks seen with other opioids, including dependence and respiratory depression.
If those compounds are present in something sold as kava, the risk is no longer simply the risk profile of traditional kava.
The consumer may be taking an opioid-active drug without knowing it.
What Happened With Kava Products in 2026?
On July 22, 2026, the Utah Poison Control Center issued an alert titled “Adulterated Cat’s Claw and Kava Products May Cause Opioid Overdose.”
The agency reported receiving multiple reports of severe overdose connected to products sold through smoke shops or online. The products were described as containing blends of herbal supplements involving kava or Cat’s Claw, and the alert specifically named Buzzers and Homiez as examples while noting that other products could also be involved.
Poison Control said investigators suspected some products were adulterated with synthetic or manufactured kratom derivatives such as:
- 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH
- Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or MGPI
- MGM-15
- MGM-16
The agency also warned that product labels could be misleading and might not disclose the opioid-active compounds at all. Some products, according to the alert, could even make claims suggesting they contained no kratom or 7-OH.
That is a substantially different issue from ordinary variability between herbal supplements.
If a product contains an undisclosed potent opioid, the consumer may have no reliable way to evaluate dose, overdose potential, dependence risk, drug interactions, or what will happen when they stop taking it.
What Has Actually Been Confirmed by Testing?
This distinction is important because the evidence should not be stretched beyond what authorities have reported.
The July 22 Utah Poison Control alert covered kava and Cat’s Claw products and described suspected adulteration with 7-OH-related opioids.
On July 30, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and Utah Poison Control released more specific laboratory findings following several serious health incidents and an investigation involving a death.
Those confirmed results involved Buzzers Cat’s Claw tablets.
Testing found:
- Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl
- MGM-15
Those compounds were not disclosed as ordinary Cat’s Claw ingredients, and neither compound is what gives genuine Cat’s Claw its traditional herbal properties.
The confirmed finding strengthened the larger warning about mislabeled botanical products, but it does not justify saying that every product carrying the word kava has been found to contain synthetic opioids.
As of September 21, 2026, the public warnings reviewed for this article establish that authorities specifically warned about kava-containing or kava-marketed products in the same emerging category, while the subsequent publicly announced laboratory confirmation involved the Cat’s Claw product.
That nuance matters.
Good public-health communication should distinguish a credible active warning from a specific laboratory-confirmed finding.
Real Kava vs. a Potentially Adulterated “Kava” Product
| Feature | Genuine Kava | Concerning or Adulterated Product |
|---|---|---|
| Expected botanical | Piper methysticum | May use kava branding or include kava as part of a blend |
| Expected active compounds | Kavalactones | May potentially include unrelated psychoactive compounds |
| Primary expected effects | Relaxation, calm, sedation | Could produce stronger or unexpected effects |
| Expected to act like a potent opioid? | No | Possible if opioid-active adulterants are present |
| Expected to prevent opioid withdrawal? | Not an established treatment | If it unexpectedly stops opioid withdrawal, additional ingredients deserve consideration |
| Severe respiratory depression typical of ordinary use? | Not the defining pharmacology of genuine kava | A major warning sign when opioid adulteration is possible |
| Dependence pattern | Not comparable to established opioid dependence | Can be substantial if an opioid-active compound is present |
| Naloxone | Not a treatment for ordinary kava effects | Recommended by Poison Control when an opioid overdose from an adulterated product is suspected |
Why Kava Branding Makes This Particularly Confusing
Kava already has noticeable psychoactive effects.
That makes this issue different from putting an opioid into a completely inactive food product. A person taking genuine kava may already expect to feel calmer, heavier, more relaxed, or somewhat sedated.
If another drug is added, consumers may initially attribute the stronger effects to kava itself.
Someone unfamiliar with traditional or conventional kava could assume:
- “This brand is just stronger.”
- “This is concentrated kava.”
- “This is what good kava feels like.”
- “The extract works better than regular kava.”
- “It must be safe because it is herbal.”
- “It says there is no kratom.”
- “It was sold openly in a smoke shop.”
None of those observations establish what is actually in the product.
The Cat’s Claw findings showed why ingredient identity has become so important in this market. What appeared on the front of the package did not fully describe the pharmacologically active compounds found through laboratory testing.
Why This Is Happening During the 7-OH Crackdown
The timing is significant.
For several years, the kratom marketplace moved from traditional leaf products into increasingly concentrated extracts, shots, gummies, tablets, and isolated or manufactured 7-OH products.
Brooks has tracked that evolution through products such as 7Tabz and other concentrated 7-OH tablets, newer synthetic or semi-synthetic substances such as MGM-15, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.
Regulators then began catching up.
Tennessee prohibited possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom beginning July 1, 2026. Federal agencies also took action against concentrated 7-OH and related manufactured compounds.
In August 2026, federal authorities temporarily placed mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15, and MGM-16 into Schedule I. The Justice Department described all three as potent mu-opioid receptor agonists and specifically cited concerns including dependence and respiratory depression.
Brooks discussed the broader market implications before these changes took effect in our article on what may replace concentrated 7-OH in the legal-high market.
The important lesson is that banning or restricting one chemical does not erase consumer demand.
Products can be reformulated. Names can change. New analogs can appear. Botanical branding can shift.
A consumer who previously bought something labeled 7-OH may eventually encounter another product promising similar effects under completely different terminology.
What Are MGM-15 and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl?
MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl belong to the rapidly developing group of manufactured compounds related to kratom and 7-OH chemistry.
MGM-15, also known as dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine, is related to 7-hydroxymitragynine and produces potent opioid activity.
Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, sometimes shortened to MGPI or pseudoindoxyl, is another potent opioid-active compound associated with this same developing market.
Neither compound should be mistaken for a kavalactone.
Neither one is what makes ordinary kava relaxing.
Federal officials temporarily placed MGM-15, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, and MGM-16 into Schedule I in August 2026 after determining that the compounds posed an imminent public-health hazard.
People wanting a more detailed comparison can read Brooks’ guide to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl vs. 7-OH and our complete overview of MGM-15.
What About 7-OH?
7-hydroxymitragynine, usually shortened to 7-OH, is an opioid-active compound related to kratom.
Trace amounts may occur naturally in botanical kratom, while the modern 7-OH market has involved products containing dramatically more concentrated or manufactured material.
That distinction is important because a tablet formulated around concentrated 7-OH is not equivalent to drinking traditional kratom tea or consuming ordinary botanical material.
The FDA has described concentrated 7-OH as a potent opioid and has taken multiple actions directed at products containing the compound.
Federal regulation has also evolved throughout 2026. The manufactured related compounds MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl were temporarily scheduled in August, while regulatory action surrounding concentrated 7-OH itself has followed a separate federal process.
For consumers, the practical issue is that terms such as no kratom or no 7-OH do not necessarily answer whether a product contains another opioid-active chemical.
MGM-15 is not literally the same molecule as 7-OH.
Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl is not literally the same molecule as 7-OH.
A label designed around the absence of one named compound may therefore tell consumers very little about other pharmacologically related substances unless the entire formulation is accurately disclosed.
Could a Product Technically Say “No 7-OH” and Still Contain an Opioid?
Yes.
This is one of the most important concepts for consumers to understand.
A product does not have to contain ordinary 7-hydroxymitragynine to contain a potent opioid-active compound related to it.
MGM-15, MGM-16, and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl are chemically distinct substances. Federal authorities nevertheless identify them as potent opioid compounds chemically related to mitragynine or 7-OH.
That means consumers should avoid treating a “no 7-OH” claim as synonymous with “contains no opioid-active compounds.”
The chemical identity matters more than the marketing category.
Is All Smoke-Shop Kava Fake?
No. There is no evidence that every kava product sold in a smoke shop, vape shop, gas station, specialty store, kava bar, or online retailer is adulterated.
There is also no justification for treating authentic kava itself as though it suddenly became a synthetic opioid.
Utah Poison Control’s warning is important precisely because it is specific: some products in this market may contain ingredients that are not adequately represented by their labels.
That should lead to scrutiny, not panic. Consumers should distinguish traditional or conventional kava products from products that:
- Promise unusually intense opioid-like effects
- Are marketed as direct replacements for 7-OH
- Rapidly eliminate opioid withdrawal
- Produce profound nodding or loss of consciousness
- Create rapid tolerance and escalating use
- Trigger opioid-like withdrawal between doses
- Use vague proprietary blends without meaningful ingredient information
- Make unusually specific claims about containing “no kratom” or “no 7-OH” while promising comparable effects
- Come from a product category already subject to public-health warnings
None of these characteristics can identify a chemical with certainty.
Only appropriate analytical testing can establish exactly what a product contains.
What Does Real Kava Feel Like?
Kava is psychoactive, so saying genuine kava “does nothing” would also be inaccurate.
People commonly use kava for relaxation and its calming or sedating effects. Traditional preparations may produce a relaxed social state, reduced tension, muscle relaxation, and mild sensory or mood effects without the characteristic pharmacology of an opioid.
Potency can vary considerably based on cultivar, preparation, concentration, amount consumed, and the specific kavalactone profile.
Modern kava also appears in many forms, including:
- Traditional water-based drinks
- Instant powders
- Capsules
- Extracts
- Tinctures
- Functional beverages
- Multi-ingredient products
Different formulations can feel different. Brooks’ kava vs. kratom guide explains these differences in more detail. What ordinary kava should not be expected to do is behave like a potent concealed opioid.
Is Real Kava Completely Safe?
No psychoactive substance should be reduced to either “safe” or “dangerous” without context.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that kava can cause side effects including digestive upset, headache, and dizziness. Long-term high-dose use has also been associated with a characteristic skin condition sometimes called kava dermopathy.
More importantly, kava products have been connected with rare cases of serious liver injury, including some fatal cases. Researchers continue to debate the contribution of plant variety, preparation methods, extracts, inappropriate plant parts, contamination, adulteration, individual susceptibility, alcohol use, and other factors.
Kava can also add to the effects of other sedating substances. The NCCIH specifically advises against combining kava with substances that have sedative effects, including alcohol and benzodiazepines.
That risk exists even when the product contains genuine kava and nothing resembling 7-OH.
The hidden-opioid issue therefore does not replace the normal safety concerns surrounding kava. It adds another possible layer of risk for products whose composition is uncertain.
Kava, Kratom, and “Wellness” Products
Kava and kratom have been paired commercially before.
One high-profile example is the Feel Free botanical tonic, which has been marketed around plant-based ingredients including kava and kratom.
That type of combination illustrates why consumers have to look beyond the broad category of “wellness drink” or “botanical product.”
Kava and kratom have different active compounds. A multi-ingredient product can produce effects that are not attributable to kava alone. The same principle applies even more strongly when an ingredient is not disclosed at all.
If someone develops opioid-like dependence while regularly consuming something they believe is simply a kava product, accurately identifying the ingredients becomes clinically important.
What Does Opioid-Like Dependence From a “Kava” Product Look Like?
Traditional kava should not be expected to produce the classic dependence pattern associated with potent mu-opioid agonists.
If an adulterated product contains 7-OH, MGM-15, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or another opioid-active compound, a person may instead begin developing a pattern more consistent with opioid dependence.
Warning signs could include:
- Needing progressively larger amounts
- Shortening the time between doses
- Strong cravings
- Using immediately after waking
- Taking the product specifically to avoid feeling sick
- Feeling normal only after taking it
- Sweating when a dose is missed
- Restlessness
- Anxiety or irritability between doses
- Body aches
- Diarrhea or gastrointestinal distress
- Sleep disruption
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop
These symptoms cannot determine the exact substance involved.
They can indicate that someone needs a medical assessment rather than assuming the product is harmless because the front of the package says kava.
Brooks explains the opioid-like withdrawal pattern associated with concentrated kratom products in our guide to 7-OH withdrawal symptoms and duration.
Can Fake Kava Cause an Opioid Overdose?
A product containing an undisclosed potent opioid could cause an opioid overdose even if the front of the package emphasizes kava.
That is exactly why the Utah Poison Control warning is significant.
The agency reported severe overdoses associated with the product category and warned that suspected adulterants included opioid-active kratom derivatives.
Concerning signs include someone becoming extremely difficult or impossible to awaken or having abnormal, slow, or absent breathing.
When that occurs, this is no longer a question about whether someone “just took too much kava.”
Call 911.
Utah Poison Control specifically recommends administering naloxone when a person who used one of these products cannot be awakened or is not breathing.
Naloxone is designed to reverse opioid effects and will not harm someone simply because the suspected exposure ultimately turns out not to involve an opioid.
Emergency care is still necessary even if the person improves after naloxone because the duration and potency of an unknown product may be unpredictable.
Does Naloxone Work on MGM-15 or Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl?
MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl act at mu-opioid receptors, which is why poison-control officials recommend approaching severe suspected exposures as opioid overdoses.
There is still substantially less human clinical information available about these emerging compounds than there is for established opioids.
For practical purposes, someone who is unresponsive or not breathing after taking a product potentially containing one of these substances should be treated as a medical emergency.
Administer naloxone if it is available and call 911.
Do not wait for the package to tell you what happened.
Why People in Recovery Should Pay Attention
The product category may be particularly relevant to people with a history of opioid or kratom dependence.
Someone may deliberately stop buying kratom or 7-OH after learning about the risks, because Tennessee prohibited kratom, or because they are trying to move away from opioid-like substances.
A product marketed around kava may appear to offer a completely different option.
If that product actually contains an undisclosed opioid-active substance, the person may unknowingly continue stimulating the same opioid system they were trying to leave behind.
For someone taking buprenorphine, naltrexone, or another medication for opioid use disorder, unidentified opioid exposure can also create additional clinical concerns.
This is why people in recovery should tell their healthcare providers about supplements, smoke-shop products, gummies, tablets, shots, and botanical blends rather than limiting the medication list to prescription drugs.
What the product actually does matters more than whether the package calls it a supplement.
Is This Happening in Tennessee?
Tennessee is highly relevant to the broader story because the state prohibited possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom beginning July 1, 2026.
That includes traditional leaf and manufactured kratom products under the state law.
The disappearance of legal kratom retail created an obvious reason to monitor what products appear in the same marketplace afterward. Brooks has already documented the appearance of Cat’s Claw-branded products in Middle Tennessee through our Cat’s Claw investigation.
However, the evidence should remain precise.
The Utah warning applies to a category of products that included kava. It does not establish that every kava product currently being sold in Tennessee contains opioid adulterants.
At the time this article was prepared, Brooks had not identified a publicly released Tennessee laboratory finding confirming MGM-15, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or another synthetic opioid in a specific Tennessee kava product.
That does not make the Utah warning irrelevant.
It means Tennessee consumers should know the warning exists without being told that local testing has confirmed something it has not.
What Should You Look for on a Kava Product?
Packaging cannot prove safety, but consumers can still look for transparency.
Useful information includes:
- A clearly identified botanical name such as Piper methysticum
- The plant part used
- The amount of kava or standardized kavalactone content
- A complete ingredient list
- Manufacturer or distributor information
- Batch or lot number
- Independent laboratory documentation tied to that specific batch
- Testing that identifies more than just contaminants when the product is marketed for strong psychoactive effects
Consumers should be cautious about treating a generic QR code or a marketing page labeled “lab tested” as proof of composition.
A meaningful laboratory report should correspond to the actual product and batch and clearly identify what was tested.
Even then, a laboratory report is only as useful as its authenticity and the scope of the analysis performed.
What If a Kava Product Feels Like 7-OH?
Do not assume that unusually intense opioid-like effects are simply the result of “strong kava.”
Stop and consider the possibility that another active substance may be involved.
Particularly concerning patterns include a product that:
- Feels nearly identical to 7-OH
- Relieves established opioid withdrawal very rapidly
- Produces pronounced nodding
- Causes very small pupils along with heavy sedation
- Creates rapid tolerance
- Causes significant withdrawal between doses
- Produces an effect dramatically different from conventional kava previously used
These observations still cannot identify the ingredient.
They can provide an important reason to stop treating the product as ordinary kava and seek professional guidance.
What Should You Do With a Suspected Adulterated Product?
If someone has had a serious reaction, preserve as much identifying information as possible while prioritizing medical care.
Useful information may include:
- Product name
- Brand
- Package photos
- Ingredient label
- Lot or batch number
- QR code
- Manufacturer or distributor
- Purchase location
- Approximate amount taken
- Time taken
- Other substances or medications used at the same time
Poison Control can be reached anywhere in the United States at 1-800-222-1222.
If someone cannot be awakened, has severely slowed or abnormal breathing, or appears to be experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available.
What If You Have Become Dependent on One of These Products?
Do not assume you have become dependent on kava simply because kava is the largest word on the label.
Tell the clinician exactly what product you have been using and describe the effects and withdrawal symptoms rather than relying only on the ingredient panel.
Bring the package or photographs if possible.
For someone experiencing opioid-like withdrawal, professional evaluation can help determine whether medical detox or another form of stabilization is appropriate.
Trying to solve the problem by moving between unknown botanical products, leftover 7-OH, another smoke-shop substitute, or illicit opioids can increase uncertainty and risk.
People with established opioid use disorder may also benefit from evidence-based Medication-Assisted Treatment when clinically appropriate rather than repeatedly attempting to manage withdrawal with unregulated psychoactive products.
The Bigger Lesson From Fake Kava and Fake Cat’s Claw
The most important story is larger than either botanical.
For years, a consumer could often make a rough assumption that the main word on the package described the active substance inside.
That assumption is becoming increasingly unreliable in parts of the modern psychoactive-products market.
A package can use:
- Botanical terminology
- Wellness language
- Traditional herbs
- Proprietary blends
- Claims about what is not included
- Bright flavor branding
- Words such as natural, plant-based, or herbal
None of those terms can override analytical chemistry.
The Cat’s Claw testing proved that a familiar herbal name could appear on a product containing potent opioid-active compounds.
The kava warning tells consumers that they should not assume another familiar botanical name makes the broader product category immune from the same problem.
This does not mean kava itself is fake.
It means consumers increasingly need to distinguish the plant from the product being sold under its name.
How Brooks Helps
Someone seeking treatment today may not arrive saying, “I am dependent on mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.”
They may say they have been taking kratom.
They may say 7-OH.
They may bring in a package labeled Cat’s Claw.
They may believe they have been using kava.
They may only know that a tablet from a smoke shop keeps them from becoming sick when they stop.
Brooks Healing Center focuses on the person’s actual symptoms, use pattern, medical needs, and recovery goals rather than requiring them to correctly identify every compound in an evolving drug market.
When needed, care may begin with medical detox and continue into residential addiction treatment. Brooks also supports evidence-based Medication-Assisted Treatment when clinically appropriate for opioid use disorder.
As patients gain stability, Brooks’ Partial Hospitalization Program provides structured clinical care with supportive housing available for eligible patients.
If a product marketed as kava, Cat’s Claw, kratom, 7-OH, or another botanical has become difficult to stop, call Brooks Healing Center admissions at (931) 486-8824 to discuss treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fake Kava
What is fake kava?
“Fake kava” is not a formal medical category. The phrase can describe products marketed as containing kava that may contain undisclosed or unexpected psychoactive ingredients. In 2026, Utah Poison Control specifically warned about some products involving kava or Cat’s Claw that were suspected of containing potent kratom-related opioid compounds.
Is real kava an opioid?
No. Genuine kava comes from Piper methysticum and contains psychoactive compounds called kavalactones. It is not classified as an opioid and is not pharmacologically equivalent to 7-OH, MGM-15, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, morphine, or fentanyl.
Did officials actually find opioids in kava?
The distinction matters. Utah Poison Control issued a warning that included products involving kava and Cat’s Claw and suspected adulteration with potent kratom-related opioids. The later publicly announced Utah laboratory confirmation specifically involved Buzzers Cat’s Claw tablets, which contained MGM-15 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. That testing should not be misrepresented as confirmation that every kava product contains opioids.
What kava brands were included in the warning?
Utah Poison Control’s July 2026 alert named Buzzers and Homiez as examples among the products involved in its warning about kava and Cat’s Claw herbal blends, while also stating that other products could be involved. The later laboratory confirmation publicly released by Utah officials specifically concerned Buzzers Cat’s Claw tablets.
Does Homiez kava contain opioids?
The Utah Poison Control alert named Homiez in the broader warning, but the public sources reviewed for this article do not provide a specific laboratory result establishing the ingredient profile of every Homiez product. It would therefore be inaccurate to state that every Homiez product contains a particular opioid based solely on the alert.
Is all smoke-shop kava dangerous?
No. A retail location alone cannot establish what is inside a product. The 2026 warning indicates that consumers should be particularly cautious with products from the affected marketplace, but it does not establish that every kava product sold through a smoke shop is adulterated.
Is kava the same as kratom?
No. Kava comes from Piper methysticum and contains kavalactones. Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa and contains compounds including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Brooks provides a complete comparison in our guide to kava vs. kratom.
What is MGM-15?
MGM-15 is also called dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine. It is a manufactured compound chemically related to 7-OH with potent opioid activity. Federal authorities temporarily placed MGM-15 into Schedule I in August 2026 along with MGM-16 and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl.
What is mitragynine pseudoindoxyl?
Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl is a potent opioid-active compound related to kratom chemistry. It has appeared in the emerging market for manufactured kratom-related opioids and was temporarily placed into Schedule I at the federal level in August 2026.
Can fake kava cause withdrawal?
A product containing an undisclosed opioid-active compound could potentially produce opioid dependence and withdrawal. Symptoms such as sweating, restlessness, body aches, diarrhea, insomnia, strong cravings, or becoming sick between doses deserve medical evaluation rather than being automatically attributed to ordinary kava.
Can kava cause an overdose?
Genuine kava has its own risks, particularly sedation, interactions with other depressants, and rare serious liver injury. The 2026 poison-control warning involved a different concern: products marketed with kava or Cat’s Claw potentially containing undisclosed opioid-active substances capable of causing life-threatening overdose.
Should naloxone be used for a suspected fake-kava overdose?
If someone cannot be awakened or is not breathing normally after taking a product that may contain an opioid, call 911 and administer naloxone if available. Utah Poison Control specifically recommends naloxone for suspected opioid overdoses involving these products.
Is kava legal in Tennessee?
Kava and kratom are different botanicals. Tennessee’s July 1, 2026 prohibition specifically applies to kratom. The legality of a particular commercial product can still depend on what it actually contains, especially if an undisclosed controlled substance is present.
Are there confirmed fake-kava products in Tennessee?
As of September 21, 2026, the public evidence reviewed for this article did not identify a Tennessee laboratory report confirming MGM-15, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, or another hidden opioid in a specific kava-labeled product. Tennessee consumers should nevertheless be aware of the broader poison-control warning and the rapidly changing post-kratom retail market.
Sources
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025). Kava. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava
U.S. Department of Justice. (2026, August 25). Justice Department announces emergency scheduling of three potent opioid compounds. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-emergency-scheduling-three-potent-opioid-compounds
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2026, July 1). DEA to temporarily schedule 7-OH and related substances to protect public safety. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/07/01/dea-temporarily-schedule-7-oh-and-related-substances-protect-public
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Hiding in plain sight: 7-OH products. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/hiding-plain-sight-7-oh-products
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. (2026, July 30). Illegal kratom product sold in Utah County linked to death in Utah. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://ag.utah.gov/news/illegal-kratom-product-sold-in-utah-county-linked-to-death-in-utah/
Utah Poison Control Center. (2026, July 22). Adulterated Cat’s Claw and kava products may cause opioid overdose. University of Utah Health. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://poisoncontrol.utah.edu/news/2026/07/adulterated-cats-claw-and-kava-products-may-cause-opioid-overdose
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. (2026). Emerging substances. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/prevention/emerging-substances.html
