“Disaster!” - Cartel-Tracked CEO on (Legal) Drug 13x More Potent Than Morphine - Ryan Niddel (Video)

In this 23 January 2026 published video, host Julian Dorey talks with Ryan Niddel, the CEO of Diversified Botanics. He is a legalized drug market expert who has spoken out about the 7-OH opioid problem in America.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally, its leaves have been used for centuries to boost energy and relieve pain, but in recent years, it has gained popularity in the West for self-treating opioid withdrawal, chronic pain, and anxiety. Kratom remains a subject of significant regulatory and medical debate. Kratom’s effects are dose-dependent, acting as both a stimulant and a sedative because its active compounds (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) bind to the brain’s opioid receptors. 

Despite its “natural” marketing, health agencies like the FDA and Mayo Clinic warn that kratom is neither safe nor effective for medical use. Regular use can lead to a substance use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms often mimic opioid withdrawal, including muscle aches, insomnia, irritability, and intense cravings. Kratom is not currently a federally controlled substance, though the DEA lists it as a “Drug of Concern”. In July 2025, the FDA recommended scheduling 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a concentrated byproduct, due to its high abuse potential. As of 2026, it is entirely banned in states like Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Several states (e.g., Utah, Arizona, Georgia) have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) to regulate quality and set age limits rather than banning it outright. It is banned or restricted in several countries, including the UK, Italy, and Ireland. 

https://youtu.be/zzHY6vFha-s

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 – Intro
1:34 – Rocco Vargas, Ryan’s Background, Diversified Botanics, Kratom, FDA, Safety Issues
13:29 – FDA “Safety” Process, DEA Scheduling Threat, $1M Product Destruction, “Wild West”
23:55 – Post-DEA Future, System Failures, FDA Barriers, LLM + Blockchain Solutions
34:01 – Supplement Industry Problems, Untested Products, Market Cycles, Post-COVID Dynamics
45:00 – Why Kratom Isn’t an Opioid Replacement
55:48 – 7-OH Potency, Addiction Risk, Bioavailability, Kratom vs 7-OH Confusion
01:05:16 – Trade Shows, Smoke Shops, Mass Market Access, FDA Classification Issues
01:14:42 – Ethics, FDA Failures, Regulation Gaps, Lawsuits, Bioavailability Interactions
01:25:06 – Blockchain Validation, Transparency, COA Verification
01:39:08 – Ledger Systems, Simulation Theory
01:45:34 – 7-OH Regulation Debate, Prohibition vs Control, Opium Epidemic Parallels
01:52:57 – Potency Arms Race, Best Friend’s Overdose
02:01:38 – Addiction Crisis, FDA/HHS, RFK Talks, Cartel Surveillance
02:10:14 – CCP, Cartels, Russians, Money Laundering Networks
02:21:34 – Corruption, Global Networks, Acceptance of Risk w/ Cartels & China
02:35:37 – Future Model, Research Studies, NSF Approval, Market Structure
02:47:52 – Ryan’s Work