Kratom seems to be everywhere. You hear about it in random conversations, see ads for kratom on billboards, see it on shelves at gas stations, and then there are stories about kratom in the news. But what is kratom? We find ourselves living in a time when people are looking to get back to their roots. Many people are looking toward nature instead of their medicine cabinet to find help for the things that ail them. Because of this, plant medicine is making a comeback.
Like other valuable herbs and plants, kratom has seen unwanted attention from federal regulators. Is kratom legal, what is it used for, who uses it, and where is the best place to buy kratom? These are all common questions that people have about this widely popular substance—questions we are about to answer.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom comes from an evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa, which is part of the coffee family. It’s native to Southeast Asia and indigenous to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand, where it has been utilized throughout herbal medicine since around the 19th century.
Kratom is commonly purchased in powder form and is consumed straight, in capsules, or made into tea. All kinds of people use kratom, as it has been incorporated as herbal medicine in many cultures for generations.
In 2016, the United States government announced they would temporarily reclassify kratom as a Schedule I drug. This did not last, as kratom is now legal under federal laws in the U.S. However, there are certain restrictions in certain places, such as age requirements for purchasing kratom.
Below, you’ll find the most common types of kratom. Each one offers different potential effects. All kratom is not created equally. This means that you should only buy kratom from trusted brands and retailers with a successful track record of satisfied customers. Like quality medical and recreational cannabis, quality kratom comes with certified test results.
White Vein Kratom
- Clarity and focus
- Enhances mood
- Fights anxiety
- Fights stress
- Increases energy
- Pain relief
- Reduces depression
Red Vein Kratom
- Fight depression
- Mood-elevating
- Offers calming effects
- Promotes sleep
- Reduces stress
Green Vein Kratom
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Energy booster
- Mood enhancer
- Stress relief
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng da kratom is a hybrid kratom created by grafting two varying plants.
- Anti-anxiety
- Energy booster
- Mood booster
- Pain reliever
- Stress reliever
There are several other new varieties of kratom, such as bentuangie kratom, yellow kratom, and more, but they are not as popular, and not as much is known about them.
What Is Kratom Used For?
The leaves from the Mitragyna speciosa are what turn into kratom. The leaves contain bioactive alkaloids. Alkaloids are a very important part of daily life throughout plants, animals, marine organisms, and microorganisms. They are found in drinks, food, and many stimulant drugs. Alkaloids offer a wide range of potential therapeutic benefits, such as helping with the symptoms of pain and inflammation.
Alkaloids are also known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, and many other therapeutic attributes. Many people who suffer addiction to prescription and street drugs utilize kratom throughout their recovery process. Many who fell victim to the opioid epidemic have attributed kratom to helping them kick their addiction and dependency issues.
Researchers believe kratom affects opioid receptors. It is the assumption that lower dosages of kratom produce stimulant-like effects, whereas higher doses induce sedative-like effects. This would mean someone looking for a boost of energy would want to take a smaller dose than someone looking to find rest. Research on kratom suggests the most common reasons people use it are to help with the misuse of prescription and street drugs, depression, and mental illness.
Kratom is used for a multitude of different reasons. Some people look to kratom to help find a much-needed boost of energy to get them through the day. Some people turn to it for mental clarity without feeling shaky and jittery. Some people use kratom to help with pain and sleep issues. People can choose to utilize individual kratom varieties or multiple varieties in a daily regimen.
All kinds of people around the world are adding kratom to their arsenal to help them battle symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, nausea, migraine headaches, chronic pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, insomnia, drug addiction, and more. When people learn that kratom can potentially help with so many different things, they are often very interested in learning more about it. One of the first questions many people have after learning about the different varieties of kratom and the benefits they may offer is how it is used.
How Is Kratom Used?
Kratom can be used in several ways. Perhaps the most common is to consume the powder straight or in capsules. Some enjoy kratom tea. According to Mayo Clinic, “Kratom leaves can be chewed, and dry kratom can be swallowed or brewed. Kratom extract can be used to make a liquid product. The liquid form is often marketed as a treatment for muscle pain, or to suppress appetite and stop cramps and diarrhea. Kratom is also sold as a treatment for panic attacks.”
The way you choose to use kratom depends on you. With options like powders, capsules, oils, and dried leaves, kratom offers a different consumption method for practically everyone. Kratom, like anything else, carries issues like addiction, dependency, and potential health risks. Before you decide to try kratom, remember that knowledge is power. Make sure to equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible so you’ll be able to make an informed decision should you decide to try kratom.
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