The Benefits of Kratom

What Is Kratom?

Imagine discovering a magical tree from the coffee family that not only gives you a boost but also helps with pain and more! Meet Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, a native gem of Southeast Asia. This incredible tree grows in places like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The leaves are dried and transformed into tea, or they can be encapsulated for a handy supplement. Some folks even enjoy smoking the leaves like tobacco.

You'll find kratom leaves, powder, and capsules in health food stores, vape shops, and online specialty stores. People often use kratom to help with pain relief, ease depression, and even combat opioid addiction. The magic lies in two powerful compounds in kratom — mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — which interact with opioid receptors but with fewer side effects.

For hundreds of years, Southeast Asians have turned to kratom as a natural remedy. Traditionally, it's been used to tackle:

• Fatigue
• Pain
• Diarrhea
• Muscle cramps

While modern science has started to back up some of these traditional uses, there's still a lot more to learn about this fascinating plant. So, why not join the adventure and explore the wonders of kratom for yourself?

Is Kratom an Opioid?

So, is kratom an opioid? Well, kind of! Experts call it an opioid-like substance because it hooks onto your brain's opioid receptors. At low doses, kratom is a bit of a party starter, giving you a nice boost of energy. But at higher doses, it acts more like an opioid, helping to relieve pain. Just like traditional opioids, kratom can be addictive.

Some people turn to kratom to cut down on opioid use and ease those tough withdrawal symptoms. Others might use it similarly to an opioid to unwind, chill out, ease anxiety, treat depression, or self-manage pain.

Kava vs. Kratom

Kava and kratom are like two cousins with different personalities. Kava is a perennial shrub from the pepper family, growing in the tropical paradise of the western Pacific islands. The root of kava has been used for ages to help people relax, thanks to its anti-anxiety compounds. Today, you’ll see kava touted as a remedy for anxiety, insomnia, stress, memory issues, mood swings, and more. However, research mostly supports its small benefits for anxiety.

Kratom, on the other hand, packs a punch more like opioids. At high doses, it can relieve pain and help you relax, while at low doses, it’s a real energy booster, making you feel alert and upping your heart rate.

What Does Kratom Do?

The science on kratom is still evolving, but here's what we know: it can have various effects on your body, depending on several factors like:

• Its concentration and strength
• Its formulation
• How you take it
• Other drugs you’ve taken
• Any medical condition you have
• How you felt other times you’ve taken it, and more

High doses of kratom (5-15 grams) mimic the effects of opioids and sedatives. It can relieve pain, help you relax, reduce anxiety, or even make you feel a bit confused. On the flip side, taking kratom in low doses (1-5 grams) can act as a stimulant, boosting your heart rate, energy, alertness, and mood.

Kratom High

When taken in high doses, kratom can give you a euphoric "high" similar to the effects of opioids or THC in marijuana.

Kratom Side Effects

While kratom can be helpful, it does come with some side effects. The most common ones are nausea and constipation. But some users might experience:

• Sweating
• Itching
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

There are also some rare but serious side effects to be aware of:

• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Liver damage
• Confusion
• Tremors
• High blood pressure
• Slow breathing

Kratom Benefits

Although research on kratom is still in its early stages, here's what scientists are exploring about this intriguing plant:

Kratom for Pain

Kratom might just be a secret weapon against chronic pain! This is because it latches onto your brain's opioid receptors. One of its compounds, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is a whopping 13 times more potent than morphine. Despite its powerful effects, kratom works a bit differently than typical opioids like morphine and codeine. It's considered an "atypical" opioid, selectively turning off specific signals, which might explain why its side effects are usually more tolerable. However, it’s important to note that the FDA hasn't given kratom the green light for medical use just yet.

Kratom for Boosting Mood

Looking for a mood booster? Kratom might help! Some folks use it to manage opioid addiction and ease withdrawal symptoms from substances like morphine and ethanol. Early studies hint that kratom could also work as an antidepressant and even a hunger suppressant. For example, one animal study found that kratom reduced corticosterone levels in mice—a chemical change linked to depression. Another study with rats showed that kratom curbed hunger by affecting the hypothalamus, the brain’s appetite control center. More human studies are needed, but the possibilities are exciting!

Kratom for Opiate Withdrawal

Some people swear by kratom for easing opioid withdrawal symptoms. While it’s touted as a remedy or cure for opioid addiction, there’s no official approval for these uses. Experts need to dig deeper to see if kratom can truly help with withdrawal. Remember, kratom itself can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms. Plus, there’s a risk of heart and kidney damage for some users. If you’re using kratom, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.

Health Risks

Given kratom’s potent ingredients, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before trying it or any other supplement. Here are a few things to consider:

Long-Term Effects

A study on long-term kratom use found some interesting (and not-so-great) results. Participants reported darkened facial skin, dry mouth, frequent urination, weight loss, and frequent constipation.

Kratom Dosage

When it comes to kratom, there’s no one-size-fits-all dose because the FDA hasn’t approved it to treat any conditions. But here’s what we do know: Early studies suggest that doses below 5 grams of raw plant material can give you a stimulating boost, much like caffeine. On the flip side, higher doses between 5 and 15 grams might help relieve pain and have a more relaxing effect.

However, because kratom is so potent and there’s still a lot to learn, it’s super important to chat with your pharmacist or doctor before diving in. Safety first!

Kratom Strains

Kratom comes in three main strains, or "vein types": red, green, and white. The color tells you about the leaf’s age, with red being the strongest and usually more potent, while green is the older and milder form. Each strain offers its own unique benefits, so it’s all about finding the one that suits your needs best!

Kratom Usage

Once you take kratom, you’ll typically start feeling its effects in just 10 minutes, and they can last up to 1 to 1.5 hours. Here are some popular ways to take kratom:

Kratom Drink

Mix kratom powder with water, or add liquid kratom to your favorite beverage. Easy peasy!

Kratom Toss-and-Wash

This method is straightforward: take a scoop of kratom powder by mouth and follow it up with a drink of water. Toss it back and wash it down!

Kratom Tea

Brew the leaves of the kratom plant to make a soothing tea. Perfect for a relaxing evening.

Kratom Capsules

Swallowing kratom as a capsule is a popular option. These capsules contain crushed kratom leaves and are super convenient.

Other Kratom Products

Some folks prefer chewing or smoking kratom leaves, or even taking kratom extract for a more concentrated experience.

Kratom Harm Reduction Tips

Kratom is still a bit of a mystery in the scientific world. We don’t know much about its long-term effects or if it can be used safely as a medicine. The FDA hasn’t approved kratom for pain relief, anxiety, depression, or for treating opioid withdrawal. They also warn against using kratom due to potential side effects like nausea, constipation, dizziness, liver problems, and, in rare cases, even death. Safety is a big concern since kratom products can sometimes contain contaminants like heavy metals and harmful bacteria.

If you’re thinking about trying kratom, whether for fun or as a remedy, it’s super important to have a chat with your doctor first. They might suggest safer, FDA-approved alternatives that are right for you.

Kratom Interactions

Mixing kratom with other drugs or substances can be risky. Using kratom alongside other stimulants, like caffeine, can intensify its effects. Similarly, combining it with substances that cause sedation can lead to serious issues like respiratory depression and breathing trouble. Kratom might also interact with any medications or supplements you're taking, so it's crucial to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist before diving in.

Is Kratom Legal?

The legality of kratom varies around the world. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, kratom use and sale are banned or controlled in many countries, including Singapore, Denmark, France, and Croatia.

In the U.S., kratom is legal and available online and in many stores, but it's considered a “drug of concern.” While it’s not on the U.S. schedule of controlled substances, the FDA has prohibited it from being marketed as a drug, supplement, or food additive.

Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?

Kratom won’t show up on a standard 5-panel drug test, which checks for substances like marijuana (THC), cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). These tests might also check for other substances, excluding kratom, such as barbiturates, ethanol (alcohol), hydrocodone, methaqualone, or propoxyphene. However, if a blood or urine test specifically looks for kratom, it can be detected.

Kratom Addiction

While kratom can be helpful, it can also be addictive if you find yourself using it despite experiencing negative effects. The main compounds in kratom — mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine — interact with the brain similarly to addictive drugs, but they have some differences that might make them less addictive than opioids. However, kratom addiction can still happen, and in some cases, people have reported experiencing psychosis symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.

Kratom Withdrawal

If you've been using kratom regularly and decide to stop, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms. These can include:

• Hostility
• Aggression
• Difficulty working
• Muscle and bone pain
• Jerky limb movements
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Hypothermia
• Sweating
• Drooling
• Restlessness and irritability
• Tremors
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Depression

These symptoms typically last about a week.

Kratom Overdose

While kratom overdoses are rare, they can happen, and there have been a few reported deaths. This could be due to kratom itself or from mixing it with other drugs.

Takeaways

Kratom can act as both a sedative and a stimulant and has traditionally been used to manage sleep problems, anxiety, depression, pain, and more. However, the FDA hasn't approved it for any of these uses. While small to moderate amounts of kratom are unlikely to cause serious side effects, it's best not to use it regularly or as a remedy for any condition. If you feel you can't function without it or start experiencing withdrawal symptoms like hostility, nausea, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea, it's important to see a doctor.

Kratom FAQs

When was kratom discovered?

Kratom first made its appearance in scientific literature in 1836.

Can kratom cause yeast infections?

There haven't been any reports of kratom causing yeast infections.

Are kratom and kava the same?

Nope, they’re different. Kava is a legal herbal supplement used for anxiety, stress relief, relaxation, and more. Kratom, depending on the dose, can work as a sedative or stimulant but cannot be marketed as a supplement.

Can kratom cause liver problems?

Yes, kratom can cause liver issues like acute liver injury and, in rare cases, acute liver failure.

Are kratom and tianeptine the same thing?

No, they are not. Tianeptine is a medicine approved for treating depression in many countries except the U.S. Like kratom, tianeptine can cause a high effect when misused.

Can kratom cause low potassium?

There have been reports of kratom causing low potassium, but researchers are still figuring out how and why it affects potassium levels.

Will kratom be banned in the U.S.?

There haven’t been any significant discussions about banning kratom in the U.S. However, the FDA has stated it cannot be marketed as a drug, supplement, or food additive.

Still looking for more information? Here´s a YouTube video with Kratom Effects Explained: