Kratom with a scientific name of Mitragyna speciosa is an indigenous plant in Southeast Asia. It specifically is commonly found in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia because it grows in tropical forests. Today, it is illegal to possess Kratom in Thailand. It is a natural plant that belongs to the coffee family. It is known to have a psychoactive effect on its users. Consumers usually use the leaves for tea or take it as a pill where it is in powder form placed inside capsules.
Thai government passed the Kratom act of 2486 on August 3, 1943, making ownership of Kratom illegal. This was brought by the increased usage of opium, which the government wanted to control primarily because it was known to be a cheaper alternative to opium. Until 2018, possession of Kratom was declared illegal in Malaysia, Ireland, Denmark, the UK, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, in 2016, it was made a controlled substance in some states in the USA. The history of Kratom has not been so popular because of political issues and struggles. It was made illegal because it has made other drug sales restricted knowing that it is cheaper.
What does it do?
If you have heard how hemp oil can miraculously be beneficial to health, Kratom is believed to be the same. Based on history, some people have been using herbal medicine practice as an alternative treatment for diseases, to deal with anxieties or life stresses, and to have self-awareness. Kratom plants’ leaves were mainly used for the consumption of herbal teas because it is believed to have pharmacologic effects on those who ingest it. Kratom leaves come in three types which include red, green, and white varieties. It has an active content known as Mitragynine, a compound that acts like what opioids do to the human body and another is 7-hydroxy mitragynine that affects the neurons in the body to relieve pain. There are numerous ways by which Kratom can be beneficial to the body, these are listed below:
Pain Relief
A common ailment that Kratom can address is pain. It can benefit both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is mainly due to an injury to the tissue, muscle, or tendon. Neuropathic pain is those caused by chronic conditions. Kratom leaves work well with neuropathic pain by binding to pain receptors in the body’s central nervous system. And among the types of Kratom, the red vein is effective on this because of its analgesic effects.
Boost Energy
Kratom has heightened metabolic effects on the body, making it more active due to increased energy levels. Based on studies the leaves boost metabolic processes, making the body recharge its energy faster. It increases blood circulation, making the cells receive oxygen faster and metabolize food to produce energy. Because of this effect, Kratom is recommended as an herbal medicine for Chronic fatigue.
Improves Focus
Kratom leaves also have sedative effects. Kratom triggers acetylcholine release to help alleviate pain, regulate the endocrine system, and enhance focus. When ingested Kratom also influences the release of dopamine and serotonin, making a person’s attention span increased. Since Kratom can also put you to sleep, the best strain for focus and clarity is a white vein Borneo.
Anxiety Relief
Kratom usage also lifts the mood and relieves anxiety. Because it is related to giving effects the same as opioids, it is capable of lifting the mood. It also gives a positive outlook for one person who takes it. Based on studies, there are top three strains that work well with dealing with anxieties. These are Bali, Borneo, and Indio. Besides, experts recommend a red vein or green vein.
Borneo is known to be the best strain for anxiety relief because of the high content in 7-hydroxy mitragynine and low in mitragynine content. Borneo is known to have lesser side effects as compared to Bali. Bali, on the other hand, is commonly bought due to its dual effect in sedating and anti-anxiety effects. Bali is also the cheapest that Borneo and Indio. Indio has somewhat similarities to Borneo except for it being slightly sedated but it also helps in anxiety relief.
Diabetes Management
Researches have shown that Kratom can modulate levels of insulin and glucose in the blood. When these two are managed, diabetes can be prevented. When the leaves are ingested, they try to interact with receptors in the hypothalamus. Kratom also serves as an alternative to sugar, chocolate, and other diabetes trigger foods.
As demonstrated by these benefits, Kratom powder has its herbal benefits and it should be taken in moderation or as prescribed by a doctor. In the market or eCommerce, Kratom for sale online is usually in powder form which you can add to your beverage or mix it with other herbal tea medicines that promote your wellness.
In a survey conducted in the United States, most respondents who used Kratom were white non-Hispanic males between 31 to 50 years old. They claimed that they experienced increased energy and focus, decreased pain, and lower levels of anxiety. While for some it also had negative effects experiencing nausea, drowsiness, and constipation. So this requires a better understanding and precaution when dealing with the consumption.
Being an alternative to opioids, cannabis, and cocaine, Kratom was first vaguely legal in the United States. No government body regulates and checks the quality of Kratom that is being sold in the market. Until some states made it legal, some states were in the process of controlling its usage. But still, this has been a gray area as the Drug Enforcement Administration has to make a final decision when it comes to legality. Consumption of this substance, however, has not been approved or allowed to be prescribed as alternative medicine. Knowing that there are diverse patterns in the results after ingestion, additional research should be paramount to support and further expand the information and findings. Proper labeling should be observed by sellers following quality standards and practices to avoid misuse or improper selling of synthetic or adulterated substances. Health professionals should also be given adequate information so they can assist patients who want this as alternative medicine.