Kratom is a leaf that’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia.
In recent years, kratom has been increasingly used both medicinally and recreationally outside of its indigenous home.
Maybe you’re wondering what the difference is between kratom vs weed? Do they have similar effects?
What’s the difference between kratom and weed? Let’s take a look at what you need to know about kratom and weed.
Kratom Vs Weed: What’s the Difference?
There are a lot of differences between kratom and weed. While both being naturally derived from plants that are native to parts of Asia and are used for both medicinal and recreational purposes, these two substances are otherwise pretty different.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom leaves come from a tropical evergreen tree that is native to Southeast Asia. This tree, Mitragynsa speciosa, is a part of the coffee family and its leaves have both stimulant-like effects and some opioid properties. This psychoactive substance could possibly be addictive and have withdrawal effects.
Kratom can be purchased online from a number of different websites, such as The Kratom Connection.
Kratom has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes but recently is also used by some recreationally. Though not approved by the FDA for any medical use, many believe that it has a number of health benefits, such as:
- Pain relief
- Anxiety reduction
- Help with addiction
- Boost metabolism
- Improve the immune system
- Promote healthy sleep
What Is Weed?
Weed, also known as cannabis or marijuana, comes from a plant that was originally from Central Asia. Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that contains hundreds of compounds and dozens of cannabinoids. THC is the major psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Cannabis is increasingly accepted for its medical benefits, including:
- Chronic pain relief
- Help with addiction
- Reduce depression, PTSD, and social anxiety
- Easing the pain of cancer treatment
Is Either of Them Legal?
Depending on where you are, yes and no.
Cannabis is illegal in the United States federally for any purpose, but more and more states have been legalizing its use for either medicinal or recreational purposes over the last several years. Even in states where cannabis is still illegal, it has become increasingly common for cannabis use and possession to be decriminalized.
Outside of the U.S., cannabis is illegal in most countries. In Australia and some countries in Europe, South America, and Africa it is legal to use cannabis with a physician’s authorization. The countries that have legalized recreational marijuana are South Africa, Canada, Georgia, and Uruguay.
Kratom, on the other hand, is labeled as a controlled substance in some but not all states. There are also a number of countries where it’s considered a controlled substance.
Is Kratom or Weed Better?
So, should you use kratom or weed? That’s entirely up to you, but could also be determined by where you live and what is legal there. Both plants come with their own benefits and potential drawbacks, and individuals can always respond very differently to the same substances. The question of kratom vs weed is really a personal one.
If you’re looking for more great articles on all things cannabis, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!