Pills, shots, gummies, extracts, and powders sold at gas stations, smoke shops, convenience stores, and online can look more like supplements than potentially addictive drugs.
That appearance can be misleading.
Products containing tianeptine, sometimes called “gas station heroin,” and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) have raised growing concerns about opioid-like effects, dependence, withdrawal, poisoning, and overdose.
The issue has become especially relevant in Tennessee.
As of July 1, 2026, Tennessee prohibits the possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom. Tianeptine has already been a Schedule II controlled substance in Tennessee since 2022.
At the same time, poison centers have reported a sharp increase in exposures involving kratom-derived products and concentrated 7-OH.
For people who have been regularly using these substances, the concern is not limited to whether a product remains available or legal. Physical dependence and withdrawal may continue after access to the product stops.
Understanding what these substances are, how they affect the body, and when withdrawal may require professional detoxification is increasingly important for Tennesseans and their families.
What Are Gas Station Drugs?
“Gas station drugs” is an informal term used for psychoactive substances that have been sold through gas stations, convenience stores, smoke shops, vape stores, and online retailers.
They may be packaged as pills, capsules, gummies, powders, extracts, or liquid shots and promoted using terms such as “energy,” “mood,” “focus,” “relaxation,” “botanical,” or “wellness.”
Two substances have attracted particular attention:
Tianeptine is an unapproved drug capable of producing opioid-like effects, particularly at high doses. It has become widely known as “gas station heroin.”
7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, is an opioid-active compound associated with kratom. Commercial products containing concentrated 7-OH may produce exposures very different from traditional kratom leaf.
A psychoactive product does not become safe simply because it was purchased over a retail counter.
Why Gas Station Drugs Are a Growing Concern in 2026
Reports involving kratom and concentrated kratom-derived products increased sharply during the first half of 2026.
America’s Poison Centers reported 3,190 kratom and kratom-derivative exposures between January 1 and June 30, 2026. That was approaching the 3,803 exposures reported during the entirety of 2025.
Poison Centers recorded 901 reported 7-OH exposures during the first six months of 2026, compared with 593 during all of 2025.
- 38.8% resulted in serious health problems
- 63.8% were treated at a healthcare facility
- 20.5% resulted in hospitalization
Reported effects included nausea and vomiting, agitation, confusion, sweating, rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, breathing problems, severe drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures, dependence, and withdrawal.
What Is Tianeptine?
Tianeptine is a drug used medically in certain countries, but it is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for any medical use in the United States.
Despite that, tianeptine has been marketed in products claiming to improve mood or brain function or help with anxiety, depression, pain, and opioid-related problems.
- ZaZa
- Tianaa or Tianna
- Neptune’s Fix
- Pegasus
- TD Red
Why Is Tianeptine Called “Gas Station Heroin”?
The nickname reflects both the places where tianeptine products have been sold and the drug’s opioid activity. At sufficiently high doses, tianeptine affects opioid receptors and can produce opioid-like effects.
Repeated exposure may cause tolerance and physical dependence. Once dependence develops, someone may continue taking tianeptine because stopping causes withdrawal.
Is Tianeptine Legal in Tennessee?
No. Tianeptine has been classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in Tennessee since July 1, 2022.
What Is 7-OH?
7-hydroxymitragynine, usually shortened to 7-OH, is an opioid-active compound associated with the kratom plant.
Kratom naturally contains multiple alkaloids, primarily mitragynine, along with much smaller amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine. The growing concern involves products designed to deliver concentrated amounts of 7-OH.
Is 7-OH the Same as Kratom?
Not exactly. Traditional kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa, while 7-OH is one opioid-active compound associated with the plant. Concentrated products can create substantially different exposures than traditional leaf material.
Tianeptine vs. 7-OH vs. Kratom
| Category | Tianeptine | 7-OH | Traditional Kratom |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Unapproved drug with opioid activity at high doses | Opioid-active kratom alkaloid | Botanical material from Mitragyna speciosa |
| FDA-approved medicine? | No | No | No |
| Can cause dependence? | Yes | Yes | Dependence has been reported |
| Withdrawal reported? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee legal status | Schedule II controlled substance | Covered by Tennessee kratom restrictions | Possession, manufacture, and sale banned as of July 1, 2026 |
| Major concerns | Dependence, withdrawal, seizures, overdose, interactions | Concentrated opioid activity, dependence, withdrawal, poisoning | Dependence, withdrawal and variable effects |
Is Kratom Legal in Tennessee in 2026?
No. As of July 1, 2026, possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom are prohibited in Tennessee.
Can Gas Station Drugs Cause Addiction or Dependence?
Yes. Repeated use of psychoactive substances can produce tolerance and physical dependence.
- Taking increasingly large amounts
- Using more frequently than intended
- Experiencing cravings
- Feeling sick when delaying a dose
- Using primarily to prevent withdrawal
- Trying unsuccessfully to stop
- Continuing despite health, work, financial, or relationship problems
What Does Tianeptine Withdrawal Feel Like?
- Strong cravings
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood changes
- Rapid heart rate
What Does 7-OH or Kratom Withdrawal Feel Like?
Repeated exposure to opioid-active kratom compounds can also produce physical dependence and withdrawal.
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Cravings
- Irritability
- Sleep disruption
- Sweating
- Muscle discomfort
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Mood changes
Why Detoxing From Gas Station Drugs Can Be Complicated
People do not always know exactly what they have been taking. Someone may arrive for treatment saying they have been using “gas station pills,” “ZaZa,” “kratom shots,” or “7-OH tablets.”
Clinicians need to consider the substances involved, approximate amount, frequency, duration of use, previous withdrawal experiences, medical history, mental health, and polysubstance use.
Can Narcan Reverse an Overdose From Gas Station Drugs?
Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, reverses opioid effects. If an opioid overdose is suspected, administer naloxone if available and call 911.
When Withdrawal Requires Medical Attention
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Severe confusion
- Chest pain
- Extreme changes in heart rate
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Significant dehydration
- Inability to remain awake
- Suspected overdose
Medical Detox for Tianeptine, 7-OH and Drug Dependence in Tennessee
When physical dependence develops, getting through withdrawal can become one of the first barriers to recovery.
Tennessee Detox Center provides medically supervised detoxification for people beginning recovery from substance dependence in Tennessee.
Treatment begins with an assessment of what someone has been taking, how much they use, how frequently they use it, when they last used, previous withdrawal experiences, medical history, mental health needs, and other substances involved.
What Happens During Medical Detox?
The detox process begins with clinical and medical assessment. During detox, clients can be monitored as substances leave the body and withdrawal symptoms develop.
What Happens After Detox?
Detox addresses physical stabilization, but recovery from addiction usually requires more than getting through withdrawal. Continuing addiction treatment can help someone understand triggers, cravings, mental health symptoms, and environmental factors that contribute to substance use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gas Station Drugs
What are gas station drugs?
“Gas station drugs” is an informal term for psychoactive substances and products sold through places such as convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops, vape stores, and online retailers. Tianeptine and concentrated 7-OH products are two prominent examples.
What is gas station heroin?
“Gas station heroin” is a nickname commonly associated with tianeptine. The name reflects the drug’s opioid activity and its history of being sold through gas stations, convenience stores, vape shops, and similar retailers.
Is tianeptine FDA approved?
No. The FDA has not approved tianeptine for any medical use in the United States.
Is tianeptine legal in Tennessee?
No. Tianeptine has been classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in Tennessee since July 1, 2022.
Is kratom legal in Tennessee?
No. As of July 1, 2026, Tennessee prohibits the possession, manufacture, and sale of kratom, including natural whole-leaf manufactured products.
What is 7-OH?
7-OH is short for 7-hydroxymitragynine, an opioid-active compound associated with kratom. Concentrated commercial 7-OH products may contain substantially different levels than occur naturally in traditional kratom leaf.
Can someone detox from tianeptine or 7-OH?
People who have developed physical dependence may experience withdrawal when they stop. A professional assessment can determine whether medically supervised detoxification or another level of care is appropriate.
When should someone call 911?
Call 911 for a suspected overdose, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, severe confusion, chest pain, inability to remain awake, or another serious medical emergency.
Get Help for Tianeptine, 7-OH or Drug Dependence in Tennessee
A substance does not become harmless because it came from a gas station, smoke shop, or supplement-style package.
Tennessee Detox Center can help people struggling with substance dependence determine whether medically supervised detox is an appropriate first step.
If someone is unconscious, having trouble breathing, experiencing seizures, or showing signs of an overdose, call 911 immediately.
Clinical Sources and References
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Tianeptine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Warns Consumers Not to Purchase or Use Any Tianeptine Product Due to Serious Risks.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hiding in Plain Sight: 7-OH Products. Updated July 13, 2026.
America’s Poison Centers. Health Advisory: Serious Illnesses Associated with Kratom and 7-OH Products. July 8, 2026.
Tennessee Department of Health. Emerging Trends Report: Tianeptine.
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Emerging Substances: Kratom.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Vahid Osman, M.D.Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist
Dr. Vahid Osman is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist who has extensive experience in skillfully treating patients with mental illness, chemical dependency and developmental disorders. Dr. Osman has trained in Psychiatry in France and in Austin, Texas. Read more.
Clinically Reviewed By:
Josh Sprung, L.C.S.W.Board Certified Clinical Social Worker
Joshua Sprung serves as a Clinical Reviewer at Tennessee Detox Center, bringing a wealth of expertise to ensure exceptional patient care. Read More
- Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). Welcome to AA. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from1 rel=”nofollow external noopener noreferrer”2 https://www.aa.org/
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Trauma and PTSD resources. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/topics/ptsd
- Associated Press. (n.d.). AP News. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from1 rel=”nofollow external noopener noreferrer”2 https://apnews.com/
- Crisis Text Line. (n.d.). Get help now. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.crisistextline.org/
- Harvard Kennedy School – Belfer Center. (n.d.). Programs on international security and diplomacy. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.belfercenter.org/
- Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma. (n.d.). Training and research for conflict-affected populations. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://hprt-cambridge.org/
- International OCD Foundation. (n.d.). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder support and resources. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from 1 rel=”nofollow external noopener noreferrer”2https://iocdf.org/
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. (n.d.). About ISTSS. Retrieved July 29, 2025, from https://www.istss.org/
The Joint Commission – The Gold Seal of Approval® signifies that Tennessee Detox Center meets or exceeds rigorous performance standards in patient care, safety, and quality. It reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and clinical excellence.
LegitScript Certified – Confirms that Tennessee Detox Center operates in full compliance with laws and regulations, and meets high standards for transparency and accountability in addiction treatment marketing.
BBB Accredited – Demonstrates ethical business practices, commitment to customer satisfaction, and a trusted reputation within the community.
Psychology Today Verified – Indicates that Tennessee Detox Center is listed on Psychology Today, a trusted directory for verified mental health providers and treatment centers.
HIPAA Compliant – Ensures all patient health information (PHI) is protected and managed in accordance with strict federal privacy and data security standards.
ASAM Member – Tennessee Detox Center is a proud member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), reflecting a commitment to science-driven and evidence-based treatment standards.
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce – Membership signifies active participation in the local community and support for regional growth and civic collaboration.
Get Family Support Now
Supporting Families Through Recovery
We understand addiction affects the whole family. Our comprehensive family program helps rebuild trust and restore relationships.
Weekly Family Therapy Sessions
Educational Workshops
Support Groups
Communication Skills Training
Get Family Support Now
Did you know that your insurance plan may cover medical detox?
What Our Patients Say: Stories of Hope and Recovery
Hear directly from those who have walked the path to recovery. Our patients’ stories highlight the compassionate care, effective programs, and life-changing support they’ve experienced. Let their journeys inspire you as you take your first steps toward healing.
Have Questions? We Can Help!
24/7 Support Need someone to talk to? We’re always here—day or night.
No Commitment Ask questions, get guidance—no pressure, no obligation.
100% Private Your story stays with us. Confidential support, always