EPISODE 100926EPISODE 100926
Clean and Sober Radio
Gary Hendler and Mark Sigmund take a hard look at kratom, synthetic 7‑OH and quaaludes, weighing personal stories, public health data and audience backlash. The conversation questions what counts as a “safe” legal high and highlights where support can be found if substance use is spiralling.
56:26•10 Oct 2026
Kratom, Synthetic Highs and Quaaludes: Clean and Sober Takes Off the Gloves
Episode Overview
- Kratom and synthetic 7‑OH products are easily available in shops yet linked to serious dependence and opioid‑style withdrawal.
- Data cited on air report thousands of kratom-related overdose deaths in recent years, raising major public health concerns.
- There is strong disagreement between people who see plant-based kratom as a pain-management tool and clinicians who see daily harm from it.
- Hosts argue these substances should be far more regulated, especially to prevent children buying them at petrol stations and convenience stores.
- Crisis hotlines for addiction and suicide are highlighted as vital lifelines for anyone struggling or in immediate danger.
“Anyone who says kratom is not addictive has never tried it.”
Curious about how others manage risky substances while trying to stay clean? This episode of Clean and Sober Radio zeroes in on kratom and its synthetic cousin, 7‑OH, with host Gary Hendler and co-host Mark Sigmund asking hard questions about what’s being sold at the local petrol station. Right from the start, they outline kratom as a “dangerous legal high” that’s easily bought in convenience stores and gas stations across the United States.
Mark shares news of a 26‑year‑old whose parents found him dead after using an over‑the‑counter product linked to kratom, and Gary reads from U.S. News & World Report citing more than 5,200 kratom‑related overdose deaths between 2020 and 2024. One Facebook comment from a bereaved mother thanking them for the topic drives home just how serious this stuff can get.
You’ll hear about the difference between plant‑based kratom powder and the far stronger synthetic 7‑OH products, why some chronic pain users defend the original plant form, and why addiction professionals like Mark are still deeply worried. As he puts it, he’s seeing people come in with “full‑blown opioid withdrawal” after thinking it was just an energy booster from the shop counter.
Callers and commenters challenge the hosts, demanding data and accusing them of scare tactics, and Gary reads those criticisms on air without flinching. There’s also a candid chat about quaaludes, their history, their ban, and rumours of a comeback, with Gary openly reflecting on his own extensive past use. Throughout, the pair keep their trademark mix of humour, honesty, and straight talking, while repeatedly sharing crisis hotline numbers and reminding you that help is there if you need it.
It’s a frank look at legal highs that might leave you asking: what’s really safe to pick up at the till, and is it worth the risk?
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