Ever since the pandemic hit us, humans have become skeptical about what we consume in terms of food and incorporate it into our lifestyles. To make things more complicated, we have started to examine everything.
Having said that, if you are an ardent reader of health news, you must have read about kratom (Mitragyna speciosa). It’s a tropical tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves or extracts are used to make what has been marketed as a natural stimulant and sedative sold in teas, capsules, or plain powder.
Here are a few essential things you must know about kratom while enhancing your health and lifestyle.
1. Buying Kratom
In the U.S., kratom is marketed as one of the many alternative medicines in the market. You can find it in stores that stock supplements and sometimes in farmers’ markets.
Like every other product you can think of, you can also buy kratom online. Online sales are highest thanks to the convenience of delivery along with purchases.
Popular online shops
Some of the best shops include BC Kratom. And if you’re wondering how to locate them, try typing ‘kratom near me’ on the search engines,’ and you’ll be good to go.
Some companies go further by offering guidance on how to grow kratom at home. You can order a live plant, which will be delivered to your door along with special soil to ensure proper growth and instructions on nurturing it.
2. What Kratom Does To the Brain
Kratom contains two main compounds - mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxy mitragynine, which act on opioid receptors in the brain to produce feelings of pleasure, sedation, and reduced pain, much like what you would get from more recognized opioid pain relievers like morphine and oxycodone.
Mitragynine is also found to react with other brain receptor systems to produce stimulant effects. Consumption of small amounts is reported to increase energy levels, alertness, and sociability.
3. How Kratom is used In Southeast Asian cultures, where the plant grows natively, kratom was used to make traditional medicine used to relieve muscle pain and increase appetite, energy, and sexual desire.
In some cultures, small amounts were used as food seasoning. Extracts were also used to treat coughs, intestinal infections, and diarrhea.
Today, most users crush and smoke the leaves or use them to brew tea. For commercial purposes, it is put into capsules and often sold as supplements.
Dosage guidelines derived from a 2018 study indicate amounts ranging between 1 and 5 grams are low and are used to increase energy and focus. Dosage between 5 and 15 grams is considered high and is used to relieve intense pain.
4. Why Take Kratom?
Pain relief
Aside from recreational use, many people find value in kratom for pain relief. According to a study carried out by the University of Rochester Medical Center, kratom has proved to be an effective analgesic and pain killer.
One user reports that kratom powder in a glass of water every day is the reason she can walk after an excruciatingly painful knee injury.
To ease withdrawal symptoms
The other reason people take kratom is to be able to stop using other drugs. Users say kratom helps to ease the pain of withdrawal symptoms, therefore making the recovery journey somewhat easier. It also helps that you don’t need a prescription to get kratom.
5. Strains of Kratom
There are many different types or strains of kratom available in the market with different effects. Effects can be categorized as mood-enhancing, energy-boosting, pain relief, sedation, stimulation, and relaxation.
Whether you are new to kratom use or not, it is important to understand the different strains to select strains to give you your desired effects. Different strains are generally green, white, or red.
Color differences
Green: green kratom strains are best for pain relief and also serve as mild stimulants to enhance mood. Effects last about 8 hours.
White: These strains are best for energy boosting and are commonly used to treat depression. Effects last about 4 hours.
Red: These are ideal for relaxation and pain relief. It is these that serve best in opiate withdrawal. Effects last about 5 hours.
6. Is Kratom Legal in the U.S.?
Laws governing kratom use in the U.S. are pretty complicated because of the presence of both Federal and state laws. As per federal law, it is legal.
Some states and municipalities have opted to illegalize it. In these states, you would be breaking the law by growing, selling, being in possession of, or using kratom. In other areas, local laws have legalized it but place age restrictions, as is the case with alcohol.
Legality is, therefore, based on where you are.
Where is it legal?
There are only four states where kratom is legal. These are:
Nevada
Utah
Arizona
Georgia
On the other hand, only six states have categorically banned kratom. These are:
Arkansas
Alabama
Wisconsin
Rhode Island
Indiana
Vermont
In all other states, it is unregulated. What this means is that no government body checks the safety of kratom products.
In the end!
Kratom is indeed a significant natural option for recreational use and in higher doses for pain management. You can find a wide variety of types of supplements in health shops online. Ultimately, it is essential to consider the strain you choose to achieve the desired effects. But when you proceed, consult once with your doctors or physicists.
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