What Are the Benefits of Kratom?
Look out, cannabis – there’s another green, leafy plant on the scene that promises to offer powerful benefits and effects. Kratom is a natural wellness supplement that’s often used to treat pain, depression, and fatigue. But what are the specific benefits of kratom that help it achieve these things, and what can you do to try them for yourself? We’ve got all you need to know about kratom’s benefits, effects, and potential risks so that you can decide whether it’s right for you.
What is Kratom?
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree from the coffee family that’s native to Southeast Asia. Most kratom is grown in Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia, but it’s begun to make a name for itself worldwide thanks to its powerful effects.
Once harvested, kratom leaves are dried and then used to make beverages, encapsulated, or smoked. There are three strain (or “vein”) types to choose from: red, which tends to be the strongest, green, and white.
How does kratom work?
There are two active compounds in kratom that cause its famous effects: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Each one works on opioid receptors in the body, but they both have fewer side effects than traditional opioid medications.
But don’t be fooled; kratom is not an opioid, though it may act a lot like one. It’s considered an “opioid-like substance” and seen as an “atypical opioid” that doesn’t bind to as many receptors as other similar substances.
What Are the Benefits of Kratom?
Many people use kratom to relieve pain, boost their energy levels, and improve their mood. Currently, there isn’t a ton of concrete research on kratom’s benefits or effects. So, most of what we know is based on anecdotal evidence.
However, that anecdotal evidence does extend hundreds of years. People in Southeast Asia have long used kratom to increase their energy and naturally address health symptoms like fatigue or chronic pain. Today, more people than ever use kratom in pursuit of benefits such as:
- A better mood. Kratom has potential as a tool for managing opioid withdrawals and may even have potential as an antidepressant (though this claim is only based on preliminary research done on rodents).
- Less frequent or intense pain. Since kratom attaches to opioid receptors, it can effectively address pain. In fact, one active compound in kratom (7-hydroxymitragynine) is believed to be 13 times more potent than morphine.
- Alertness. At lower doses, kratom can boost your heart rate and make you feel more awake, much like a cup of coffee.
- Relaxation. Paradoxically, kratom can also make you feel sleepy and mellowed out, particularly when taken in low doses. Some types of kratom might also be better for sleep than others.
- Creativity and motivation. Along with kratom’s stimulating effects comes a host of other positive vibes, including surges in creativity, motivation, sociability, and more.
What does kratom feel like?
How kratom makes you feel depends heavily on the dose you take, how you take it, and how often you use the product. A smaller dose of kratom (a few grams or less) will probably make you feel relaxed, drowsy, and ready to curl up on the couch. However, a higher dose might make you feel ready to take on the world.
As is true with cannabis, kratom that’s ingested orally (think capsules or teas) will usually take longer to kick in than kratom that’s smoked. The effects you get from smoking might come on a lot faster, but they also tend to go away quickly, too. And you may be more likely to feel tired after smoking kratom since it’s harder to consume several grams at once.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
Nausea and constipation are the two most common side effects associated with kratom, though everyone reacts to substances differently. The more kratom you take, the more likely you are to face unwanted side effects like:
- Sweating
- Itching
- Dry mouth
In extreme cases, overusing kratom can cause severe side effects that may require medical attention, such as hallucinations, seizures, and even liver damage. All of this is to say that kratom should be treated with caution – it might not be an opioid, but it has powerful effects on your brain and body.
Always use your kratom as instructed on the package, and check in with your doctor before you add it to your routine. Kratom can cause issues for some people with pre-existing health conditions or who take prescription medications, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How to Take Advantage of Kratom’s Benefits
If you’re ready to try kratom yourself, the first thing you’ll want to figure out is how you’d like to experience the plant. There is no specific recommended dose for kratom since it’s not FDA-approved or -regulated, but some research suggests that an effective kratom dose starts at around:
- < 5 grams for stimulating effects
- 5-15 grams for sedating effects
These doses are based on grams of raw plant material. If you purchase kratom in this form, you can dissolve it in hot water and drink it alone, or you can mix it with other teas to mask the taste.
Premade kratom beverages are another edible option that requires less work and thought on your end, but it might be harder to precisely control the dose you take. Alternatively, you could opt for capsules, which you can either purchase premade or make yourself (using empty capsules and a kratom powder or ground leaves).
Regardless of the product type you choose, be sure to start slow and take a low dose to see how you react. Try starting with about a gram of plant material (or a portion of a beverage or a single capsule) to gauge your body’s response. If you feel little to nothing, try slowly upping your dose until you begin to feel your desired effects.
Once you’ve established an appropriate starting dose, you can continue to adjust as needed to target different kinds of benefits.
Can you overdose on kratom?
It is technically possible to overdose on kratom, though you’d have to take excessive amounts of it to do so.
More research into kratom toxicity is needed, but as of right now, it seems like fatal overdoses from kratom use alone are extremely rare. One 2019 report found that out of the 11 deaths (between 2011 and 2017) in the US associated with kratom exposure, only two were linked with kratom exposure alone.
Of course, even a non-fatal overdose can be dangerous, and these numbers can’t capture the increase in kratom users in the past few years. Some people may also become dependent on kratom, particularly if they use it in high doses on a regular or daily basis.
We share this not to scare you out of trying kratom but to help you make informed (and safe) decisions about your body and what you put into it.
For healthy adults who take kratom in appropriate doses, the risk of adverse health effects is pretty low. Plenty of people safely use kratom to manage health symptoms and achieve benefits that help them live a happier, more productive life. However, kratom’s potential side effects are all the more reason to clear things with a doctor before you experiment.
Final Thoughts
Kratom’s benefits – including energy boosts, mood improvements, lessened pain, and more – make it a popular wellness supplement for people all around the world. If you’d like to hop on the kratom train, make sure you’re strapped in; you’re certainly in for a ride!
Keep yourself safe by shopping with brands you know you can trust. Contaminated products are never a recipe for success. Count on The Green Dragon CBD for access to wellness goodies like kratom and quality cannabis products that you can count on. We’re always here to answer your questions and help you find the right products for your needs!
Learn More About Kratom
Kratom is now legal in most of the US, though a few exceptions remain. While this accessibility benefits those with chronic pain, the lack of regulation highlights the need to research and buy from reputable sources. Verify its legality in your state and locality before purchase, as some cities may have additional restrictions (e.g., San Diego).
It is important to realize that kratom can be addictive, and can itself create severe withdrawal symptoms. Side effects might include:
· Weight loss
· Fatigue
· Constipation
· Insomnia
· Dry mouth
· Frequent urination
· Hyperpigmentation of the cheeks
· Tremors/seizures
· Psychosis
Despite this, toxicity of kratom is considered to be relatively mild. One of the primary safety concerns is drug-drug interactions with other recreational substances or medications.
Kratom is an herbal substance that’s believed to produce stimulant- and opioid-like effects, depending on how much you consume. The kratom you might find in stores is usually sold as a supplement that may claim to boost energy, improve your mood, and relieve pain.
