KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — In addition to cychlorphine, there are several new drugs and naturally occurring substances that the Knox County Regional Forensic Center is keeping an eye on in relation to overdose deaths.
Tuesday, Knox County Regional Forensic Center Director and Chief Administrative Officer Chris Thomas confirmed to 6 News that cychlorphine, a deadly synthetic opioid it first found less than a year ago, has been linked to nearly 60 overdose deaths in East Tennessee. In addition to its ongoing warnings about cychlorphine, Thomas told 6 News that there are five new substances on its radar.
Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl and 7-OH Mitragynine
Both of these substances are linked to kratom, which is scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, according to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education.
7-OH mitragynine, which may also be referred to as 7-Hydroxy mitragynine, is found in small amounts in kratom and is a metabolite of the primary psychoactive component found in Kratom, the CFSRE explains. However, a photo shared by the Knox County Regional Forensic Center states that it is also an opioid-like alkaloid, which is a naturally occurring compound, that is being increasingly sold in concentrated, synthetic forms, such as tablets and gummies…