MGM-15 Warning
Tennessee authorities have reported MGM-15 in products marketed using the Cat’s Claw name.
Cat’s Claw Drug Warning in Tennessee: What Murfreesboro Families Should Know About MGM-15
Updated September 29, 2026
A new substance-use concern has emerged in Tennessee following warnings about products marketed as “Cat’s Claw” that authorities say may actually contain MGM-15, a compound made from kratom.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued the warning in September, just months after Tennessee’s kratom prohibition took effect on July 1, 2026.
For families in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County and across Middle Tennessee, the warning highlights a broader problem with the rapidly changing market for products sold in convenience stores, smoke shops and online: the name printed on a package may not tell consumers exactly what psychoactive substance they are taking.
There is also an important distinction.
Genuine botanical cat’s claw is not kratom. The Tennessee warning concerns certain products marketed using the Cat’s Claw name that authorities say contain kratom-derived compounds.
For people using these products regularly, uncertainty about the ingredients can become especially important when they try to stop and begin experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
What Tennessee Families Need to Know
The current warning concerns certain products marketed as Cat’s Claw that Tennessee authorities say contain MGM-15, a compound made from kratom. Genuine botanical cat’s claw is a different plant and should not automatically be confused with the products involved in the warning.
Different From Botanical Cat’s Claw
Genuine cat’s claw comes from Uncaria plants. Kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa.
Why Tennessee Is Warning About Cat’s Claw Products
On September 14, WSMV 4 Nashville reported on a warning from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation concerning products labeled Cat’s Claw.
According to the report, the TBI said it was seeing an increase in products marketed as Cat’s Claw that actually contained MGM-15, which authorities described as a compound made from kratom.
The warning is significant because kratom is prohibited in Tennessee.
TBI cautioned consumers and retailers against assuming that a product is safe or legal simply because of the name printed on the package.
That creates an important question for anyone who has recently purchased an unfamiliar herbal, botanical or psychoactive product:
Do you actually know what is inside it?
This question becomes even more important when a person develops tolerance, cravings or withdrawal symptoms after repeated use.
Genuine Cat’s Claw Is Not Kratom
The recent headlines can easily create confusion about cat’s claw itself.
Genuine cat’s claw is an herbal product derived from Uncaria plants native to Central and South America.
Kratom comes from a different plant, Mitragyna speciosa, which is native to Southeast Asia.
The Tennessee warning does not mean that every botanical supplement labeled cat’s claw contains kratom.
Instead, authorities are warning about certain products being marketed under the Cat’s Claw name while reportedly containing MGM-15 or other kratom-related compounds.
This distinction matters for consumers who may believe they are purchasing one substance while being exposed to another.
It also matters during treatment.
If someone does not know exactly what they have been taking, healthcare and addiction-treatment professionals may need to evaluate symptoms, patterns of use and other substances involved rather than relying exclusively on the package name.
What Is MGM-15?
MGM-15 is the compound at the center of the latest Tennessee warning.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has described MGM-15 as a compound made from kratom.
Its appearance illustrates how quickly the commercial market surrounding kratom-related products can change.
Consumers may already recognize names such as:
Mitragynine
7-OH
7-hydroxymitragynine
Kratom extract
Concentrated kratom alkaloids
Now MGM-15 has entered the conversation.
These terms should not automatically be treated as interchangeable. Different kratom-related products may contain different compounds and concentrations.
For consumers, one of the biggest concerns is uncertainty.
A person may not know the identity, concentration or potency of the psychoactive substance contained in a product based on branding alone.
Kratom
Traditional kratom comes from Mitragyna speciosa and contains naturally occurring alkaloids including mitragynine.
7-OH
7-hydroxymitragynine is a kratom-related alkaloid that has become increasingly visible in concentrated retail products.
MGM-15
MGM-15 is the kratom-derived compound identified by Tennessee authorities in recent Cat’s Claw warnings.
MGM-15, 7-OH and Traditional Kratom
Understanding a few basic differences can help make sense of the current warning.
Traditional kratom is derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa. Mitragynine is its predominant naturally occurring alkaloid.
7-OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a kratom-related alkaloid that has received considerable attention as concentrated 7-OH products have appeared in retail markets.
MGM-15 is another kratom-derived compound that Tennessee authorities have identified in products reportedly marketed as Cat’s Claw.
The fact that these substances are connected to kratom does not mean their concentrations, formulations or effects should automatically be assumed to be identical.
Someone seeking treatment should tell healthcare professionals as much as possible about what they have used, including the product name, amount, frequency and duration of use.
When available, keeping the original packaging may also help clinicians understand what someone may have been exposed to.
Kratom Withdrawal Is Already Bringing Tennesseans Into Treatment
The Cat’s Claw warning comes amid another development involving kratom in Tennessee.
NewsChannel 5 Nashville reported in September that treatment providers were seeing more people seeking help for kratom and 7-OH withdrawal following the July prohibition.
One physician interviewed by the station reported that his particular treatment center was seeing more people seeking treatment involving kratom or 7-OH than fentanyl.
People interviewed for the story described withdrawal experiences including significant body aches and difficulty sleeping.
The experience of an individual treatment provider should not be interpreted as statewide prevalence. It does, however, show that kratom-related dependence and withdrawal are already bringing some Tennessee residents into treatment.
Tulip Hill Recovery provides dedicated kratom addiction treatment in Murfreesboro for people struggling to control their use.
For people experiencing physical dependence or withdrawal, our Kratom Detox Program in Murfreesboro provides professional support during the early recovery process.
Signs That Kratom or Another Product Has Become a Problem
Substance dependence does not always begin with a drug someone immediately recognizes as dangerous.
Some people begin using kratom because they believe a botanical product is safer than other substances. Others may use concentrated products for energy, mood, pain or relief from opioid withdrawal.
A pattern of use can gradually change.
Potential warning signs include using a product more frequently than intended, needing increasing amounts to experience the desired effect, strong cravings, repeatedly trying and failing to stop, feeling unable to function normally without the substance, experiencing withdrawal symptoms between doses, hiding use from family members and continuing despite consequences involving health, relationships, finances, school or employment.
Withdrawal can be another warning sign.
Tulip Hill Recovery’s existing kratom treatment resources identify symptoms that may include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, muscle discomfort, sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms and cravings.
The presence of these symptoms does not reveal exactly what substance was inside a particular product.
They can indicate, however, that professional evaluation may be appropriate.
Increasing Use
Using the product more often or in larger amounts than originally intended can indicate a changing pattern of use.
Cravings and Withdrawal
Strong cravings or physical and emotional symptoms between doses can be signs of dependence.
Difficulty Stopping
Repeated attempts to cut back or stop followed by return to use can indicate that professional support may be appropriate.
Hiding Use
Concealing purchases or use from loved ones may signal growing concern about the pattern of substance use.
Life Consequences
Continued use despite health, relationship, financial, school or employment problems can be another warning sign.
Why Unknown Ingredients Can Complicate Recovery
Addiction treatment starts with understanding a person’s substance-use history.
That can become more complicated when someone does not know exactly what they have been taking.
A person may believe a product contains a traditional herbal ingredient while actually consuming a psychoactive kratom derivative.
Another person may know they are using a kratom-related product but have little information about its concentration.
Someone else may be combining the product with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, prescription medications or other substances.
These differences matter.
Treatment professionals need to consider the entire pattern of substance use, physical symptoms, mental health concerns, medical history and other medications or substances involved.
For some people, recovery begins with drug detox in Murfreesboro and stabilization before moving into more comprehensive addiction treatment.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Using a Cat’s Claw Product?
First, do not assume every supplement labeled Cat’s Claw contains MGM-15. Genuine botanical cat’s claw is a separate plant. However, if you purchased a Cat’s Claw-branded product from a smoke shop, convenience store, online retailer or another source and have been using it for psychoactive effects, examine the packaging.
Look for terms including:
MGM-15
7-OH
7-hydroxymitragynine
Mitragynine
Kratom
Mitragyna speciosa
Kratom extract
Alkaloid extract
Concentrated alkaloids
If you still do not know what you have been taking, do not guess based solely on the product’s branding. A healthcare professional or addiction-treatment provider can evaluate the pattern of use and symptoms and help determine an appropriate next step. If someone becomes unconscious, cannot be awakened, has difficulty breathing, experiences a seizure or develops another severe medical emergency, call 911.
From Tennessee's Kratom Ban to Cat’s Claw in Less Than Three Months
The speed of these developments demonstrates how quickly emerging substance trends can change.
July 1, 2026
Tennessee’s prohibition on kratom takes effect.
September 2026
Tennessee treatment providers report people seeking help with kratom and 7-OH withdrawal.
September 14
TBI’s warning about products marketed as Cat’s Claw containing MGM-15 receives statewide attention.
Within a matter of months, the conversation moved from traditional kratom to concentrated 7-OH products and now to MGM-15 appearing under another product name. The next emerging substance may have another name entirely. That is why treatment should focus not only on the label printed on a package but also on what the person has been experiencing.
Treatment for Kratom Dependence in Murfreesboro
Stopping substance use is only one part of recovery.
Someone who has developed dependence may also be dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic stress, sleep problems, pain or another substance-use disorder.
These issues can contribute to continued use even after the immediate withdrawal period has passed.
Tulip Hill Recovery uses an individualized approach that can address both substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment planning may include a comprehensive assessment, stabilization, individual therapy, group therapy, dual-diagnosis care, relapse-prevention planning and continued recovery support.
For someone struggling specifically with kratom, MGM-15, 7-OH or another kratom-derived product, our kratom addiction treatment program provides a direct treatment pathway.
Recovery Does Not End After Withdrawal
Withdrawal can make stopping a substance difficult, but successfully getting through withdrawal does not automatically resolve the reasons someone began using it.
Continued treatment can help people identify triggers, understand patterns of substance use, develop healthier coping strategies and address mental health symptoms that may contribute to relapse.
At Tulip Hill Recovery, treatment can continue beyond initial stabilization through structured addiction treatment and recovery planning.
This is particularly important for someone who repeatedly stops using a substance only to return to it after cravings, stress, anxiety, depression or other triggers emerge.
The goal is not simply to get through several substance-free days.
The goal is to build the skills, support and treatment plan needed to continue recovery after those first days are over.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat’s Claw, MGM-15 and Kratom
Is Cat’s Claw the same thing as kratom?
No. Genuine botanical cat’s claw and kratom come from different plants. Tennessee authorities are warning about certain products marketed using the Cat’s Claw name that reportedly contain kratom-derived compounds.
What is MGM-15?
Tennessee authorities have described MGM-15 as a compound made from kratom. It recently received attention after authorities reported finding it in products marketed as Cat’s Claw.
Does every Cat’s Claw product contain MGM-15?
No. Genuine botanical cat’s claw is different from kratom. The Tennessee warning concerns certain products being marketed under the Cat’s Claw name.
Is MGM-15 the same as 7-OH?
No. The terms should not be used interchangeably. 7-OH refers to 7-hydroxymitragynine, a kratom-related alkaloid. MGM-15 is another kratom-derived compound identified in Tennessee’s recent warning.
Why is Tennessee concerned about these products?
Authorities say some products marketed as Cat’s Claw contain kratom-derived compounds even though consumers or retailers may assume something different based on the product name.
Can kratom cause dependence?
Regular kratom use can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, cravings and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.
What does kratom withdrawal feel like?
Symptoms vary but may include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, muscle discomfort, sweating, gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes and cravings.
Can I stop using kratom on my own?
The appropriate approach depends on the person’s pattern of use, symptoms, medical history, mental health and other substances involved. Professional assessment can help determine what level of support is appropriate.
What should I do if I do not know what was in the product?
Keep the packaging if it is available and tell a healthcare professional what you know about the product, how frequently you used it and what symptoms you are experiencing.
Where can I get treatment for kratom dependence in Murfreesboro?
Tulip Hill Recovery provides kratom addiction treatment and recovery services in Murfreesboro for adults from Rutherford County and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities.
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Vahid Osman, M.D.
Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Addictionologist
Complete medical review before publication
View Medical Reviewer Profile →
Clinically Reviewed
Josh Sprung, L.C.S.W.
Board Certified Clinical Social Worker
Complete clinical review before publication
View Clinical Reviewer Profile →Sources
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation warning as reported by WSMV 4 Nashville. “What is ‘Cat’s Claw’ and why is Tennessee law enforcement warning public about it containing illegal compound?” September 14, 2026.
- NewsChannel 5 Nashville. “Tennessee’s kratom ban brings wave of withdrawal patients to treatment centers.” September 2026.
- Tulip Hill Recovery. “Kratom Addiction Treatment in Murfreesboro, TN.”
- Tulip Hill Recovery. “Kratom Detox in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.”
