As the world enters 2023, kratom is increasingly becoming a popular natural remedy for its potential health benefits. Kratom has been used in various forms for centuries in traditional medicine across India and Southeast Asia due to its purported ability to alleviate pain and provide energy.
With recent scientific studies yielding promising results of how this plant can help people manage chronic conditions such as inflammation, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, fatigue, sleep problems, and much more—it’s no wonder why kratom is now gaining traction around the globe!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you need to know about kratom today, from its regulatory status to tips on using it safely and effectively. Catch up with us as we bring light onto the many faces of this special plant.
What Is Kratom?
When talking about kratom, especially when deciding if you want to consume it in 2023, you first have to understand what it is and where it comes from. Contrary to the belief of many, kratom is actually a natural substance that can be found within the leaves of a type of coffee tree that grows in Asia and Africa. Today, as Kratom IQ explains, there are various kratom strains to enjoy, and understanding them will empower you with the right information to make the best choice.
Kratom was first documented in 1836 in a research paper about how it was used as an opium substitute by the people in Malaysia. It is thought that since the 19th century, it has been used for medicinal purposes in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand.
What Benefits Does It Offer?
Now that you have a bit of an understanding as to what kratom is and where it comes from, it would be a good idea to learn about the benefits of this natural substance. First, kratom is basically like an opioid but without many of the extremely negative side effects. It activates the supraspinal delta and mu-opioid receptors. As such, the first benefit is that it is used to alleviate pain, but that’s only if you consume between 5 to 10mg, which is considered a relatively high dosage.
Second, it turns out that many kratom users actually use kratom to recover from the withdrawal symptoms of more aggressive and addictive opioids, such as heroin and morphine, meaning it’s commonly used to aid in quitting such addictions. One of the primary reasons kratom is used is because of its benefit in providing a boost of energy to users, which only occurs in lower dosages.
Finally, the last benefit that kratom is thought to have is that it can aid those who suffer from sleeping disorders, such as insomnia. This is because kratom can act like a sedative if taken in large doses, which would be anything more than 15mg. However, you should always consult your doctor before starting any self-treatment with any medication or substance, natural or not.
Popular Consumption Methods
One of the things that makes kratom so interesting is that there are many ways to consume it. The consumption method will determine the effects experienced since it will determine how much can be consumed in one go. For example, kratom capsules are usually recommended for users looking for accurate doses or to treat specific conditions, such as insomnia.
There are, of course, other methods, such as directly swallowing the powder. You just need to throw some powder in your mouth and wash it down with a liquid, such as water. Most kratom users prefer making tea, either using the leaves and brewing them or using powder. Finally, kratom can also be smoked or eaten.
Side Effects And Precautions
Finally, now that you have a better idea about what kratom is and how it can be consumed, you should learn about some potential side effects and precautions when using it. First, a few side effects of kratom include hallucinations, aggression, difficulty breathing, and nausea when taken by mouth.
In terms of precautions, you should always check with your healthcare professional since kratom is known to interact negatively with other medications. For example, medications for the liver could be compromised in terms of efficiency since kratom changes how the liver breaks down medications.