Mitragyna speciosa, popularly known as Kratom, is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family. The tree is native to Southeast Asia and grows indigenously in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Myanmar. In countries where kratom grows indigenously, extracts from the herb have been used in herbal medicine since the 19th century.
But while kratom boasts several health benefits, it’s worth noting that many of the herb’s therapeutic claims are attributable to anecdotal reports. Scientific research into kratom’s healing potential is still largely a work in progress. Kratom was still officially unapproved as a therapeutic drug as late as 2018 due to limited research. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated categorically that there was insufficient evidence pointing to the effectiveness of kratom for treating any medical condition.
Kratom’s legality is also a matter worth taking into serious consideration. Kratom extracts are illegal in numerous countries worldwide. Only a handful of countries have since enacted clear kratom regulations. Here are the five fundamental things to know about kratom before integrating it into your health.
The first thing to know before integrating kratom into your health and wellness routine is that the herb comes in different strains.
Now, there are three main kratom strains, namely White Vein Kratom, Red Vein Kratom, and Green Vein Kratom. The strains differ fundamentally in terms of their overall effects on the body.
For instance, White Vein Kratom is best known for its energy-boosting, anxiety-relieving, and mood-stabilizing benefits. On the other hand, Red Vein Kratom produces calming effects. It’s the perfect strain for relieving anxiety and combating insomnia. Green Vein Kratom delivers effects similar to those of White Vein Kratom. The difference is that the effects of Green Vein Kratom tend to be milder than those of its White Vein counterpart.
Besides White Vein, Red Vein, and Green Vein strains, there are scores of other kratom strains to experiment with. Examples include;
You can learn more about kratom Canada which is one of the different kratom strains out there.
Kratom extracts have been used for over 150 years in managing several medical conditions. The following are some of the illnesses you may relieve using kratom;
Kratom contains potent opioid properties. When consumed, the herb mimics the behavior of conventional opioids by binding to opioid receptors in the brain in a manner that relieves pain. Due to kratom’s opioid-like properties, the herb is commonly touted as a safer alternative to synthetic opioid drugs.
Kratom also contains some stimulant properties. The herb produces effects similar to those experienced after consuming caffeine. So, it may help combat physical and mental fatigue.
Kratom is generally stimulating at low doses and sedating at high doses. As a stimulant, kratom can relieve anxiety by activating the regions in your brain responsible for the ‘feel-good effect. And as a sedative, kratom may ease stress and anxiety symptoms, such as irritability and nervousness.
Kratom’s sedating properties aren’t just beneficial for relieving anxiety. They may also help to combat sleep disorders like insomnia. As a sedative, kratom may aid sleep by shortening your sleep latency.
The effects of kratom vary considerably among different users. Factors like age, body size, metabolic rate, and tolerance play a key role here. For instance, children are likely to experience the effects of kratom faster than adults. The same logic applies to small-bodied people.
The reason behind kratom’s higher absorption rate in children and small-bodied users is that the herb’s active ingredients, namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, travel a shorter distance from the point of delivery to the bloodstream. In terms of metabolism, it’s generally observed that people with higher metabolic rates experience kratom’s effects sooner than those with lower metabolic rates. Lastly, users with a higher kratom tolerance may take longer to feel the effects of kratom.
Kratom use is associated with various side effects. Addiction and dependency are some of the common adverse effects of kratom. The saving grace, however, is that kratom is less addictive than synthetic opioid drugs. That’s because the herb is a partial opioid agonist. In other words, it binds only partially to opioid receptors. Conventional opioids like heroin are considered full opioid agonists – they bind fully to the opioid receptors in the brain.
While kratom is less likely to induce addiction than synthetic drugs, medical experts still recommend consuming the herb in moderation. Remember to start with the lowest doses possible, then work your way up gradually.
The following are other common health risks associated with kratom use;
So far, kratom is a controlled substance in sixteen countries.
In the United States, the FDA has since banned the importation and manufacturing of kratom-based dietary supplements. The regulator issued a stern advisory in 2019 warning consumers that kratom remains unapproved and is potentially unsafe for use.
There have been reports that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is also considering listing the herb as a Schedule 1 drug. If that happens, it will be illegal to possess, distribute, or use kratom except with special advisory from qualified medical practitioners. Outside of the US, kratom is banned in ASEAN nations. The herb is also controlled as a narcotic drug in Australia and New Zealand.
Other countries that have enacted kratom regulations include;
There’s a lot to know about kratom before integrating the herb into your wellness system. Like most medicinal herbs, kratom has its benefits and risks. The trick is to consume kratom extracts in moderation to avoid experiencing its adverse effects.
