What is Kratom CBD? A Complete Guide!
Have you heard about Kratom CBD? At least some of you might be familiar with this word and even some of you might be using it. Kratom is becoming popular day by day just like CBD.
However, CBD is more popular and widely used in different parts of the world due to its inevitable benefits. Like CBD, kratom is also a natural plant that is used as a substitute for other drugs.
But is it safe to use kratom and does it have a darker side? Let us find an answer to this question and learn more about kratom including how it is consumed through this article.
What is kratom?
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa is a coffee family plant in South Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
It was used as a medicinal plant by the ancient people of those places for a long time. They used kratoms to make tea which helps to fight fatigue and boost physical and mental energy.
When consumed in low amounts it promotes relieving pain and makes you more alert but the high dosage may lead you to a sedative effect.
The consumers of kratom claim various benefits of it such as it relieving chronic pain, muscle cramps, panic attacks, etc. It is also used to treat bladder diseases and infections, fevers, diarrhea, diabetes, and fatigue.
It contains Mitragynine, an alkaloid that combines with the opioid receptors of your body and thus helps with opioid addiction.
The medical field is not promoting the use of opioids for pain relief due to the addiction caused by them. So, many are opting for kratom as it has a similar pain-relieving effect as opioids.
Its low dosage will help to activate your central nervous system to make you feel more alert and energized. It also allows you to improve your stamina.
However, the high dosage is something that should be seriously considered. It may lead you to addiction and sedation and in turn, other serious situations which adversely affect your physical and mental health.
Its two components of it, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine interact directly with the opioid receptors in your brain.
How to use kratom?
The traditional people used it by chewing the leaves fresh and making tea with its powder which helps in boosting their energy, and stamina and removing their tiredness.
However, there are several other ways to use it nowadays. Kratoms are found in resins, extracts, and tinctures. It is also available in the form of pills, capsules, and drinks.
Another most common way of consuming kratom is mixing the dried powdered leaves with a glass of water. It produces a strong, bitter liquid and most people will not like this flavor.
They will add honey or other sweeteners to help with the bitter flavor. In Thailand, you will find it in the form of a concoction that is made by using kratom leaves, cough syrup, cola, and ice.
Dose of kratom
The dosage of the kratom varies depending on the strain selection, freshness of leaves, individual weight, and desired result. However, it can be classified into two doses.
Low-Dose kratom – The dosage of kratom is considered to be low if the consumption is 2-6 grams of its dried powder.
High-Dose kratom – The dosage of kratom is considered to be high if the consumption is 6-12 grams of its dried powder.
The new users of kratoms are advised to start the consumption in low doses first and gradually increase after waiting for the response of their body.
The more precise way of estimating the dosage of kratom is,
- Take 0.03g per pound of your body weight for obtaining a stimulating effect.
- Take 0.06g per pound of your body weight for getting a high dose of sedative or pain-killing effects.
How does kratom make you feel?
A low dose of kratom gives you the same feel as that of drinking coffee and is less likely to the adverse side effects like anxiety, stress, etc. in a low dose it also provides mild euphoric effects like uplifting your mood and providing you more focus.
This dose also stimulates to boost your physical and mental energy and stamina.
A higher dose of kratom gives you a sedative effect and as a result, you will feel relaxed, carefree, and lazy. This dose also helps with supporting sleep, relieving anxiety, and easing chronic pain and muscle cramps.
It may also include mild visual effects, hallucinations, increased empathy, etc.
How long does the effect last?
It will take at least 30 minutes to take into action after consumption and the effect will last for about 4 to 4 hours.
It is found that those who take kratom on an empty stomach will have a faster effect than others. On the other hand, it also increases the risk of side effects.
What are the benefits Of Kratom?
Some of the benefits of kratom are discussed below.
Pain reliever – Kratom is considered the most effective natural pain reliever. The medical industry is using kratoms as a pain reliever alternative to morphine which causes addiction when used continuously.
Treats addiction and withdrawals – A study found that the withdrawal period is considerably less intense when compared with the painkillers but took a few times longer for complete recovery.
kratom is found that apart from preventing withdrawal symptoms, it also soothes chronic pain which forced the patients to take painkillers as the first option.
It is also used to get rid of the mild symptoms of alcohol withdrawal like restlessness, anxiety, pains, loss of mood, etc.
Used as a nootropic – Kratom can also be used to improve your mental health and concentration. It also improves your memory and increases mental alertness.
kratom enhances your overall mental ability and stamina for the long term. Kratom also stimulates deep, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal healing.
It also helps you to neglect and deviate your attention from problems that should be given less importance. This helps to improve your mood.
Eases anxiety – The study shows that kratom has anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties too.
The users of kratoms are found to have a lower concentration of corticosterone in their blood, which is the main hormone produced during stress.
Side effects of kratom
However, kratom has got some side effects and it becomes more serious when the dose increases. Even though it is natural doesn’t imply that it is completely safe. Some of the side effects are.
🟢Constipation, dizziness, headaches
🟢Hyper-pigmentation and insomnia
🟢Itching in the skin and allergies
🟢Loss of muscle coordination and lower blood pressure
🟢Nausea and poor appetite
🟢Seizures and tremors (muscle contractions)
🟢Altered mental status
🟢Anxiety and irritability
🟢Delusion and hallucination
🟢Dry mouth and tongue numbness
🟢Frequent urination
Other serious side effects of kratom include
- Cardiac issues like heart attack, abnormal heartbeat, and high blood pressure
- Encephalopathy (brain damage)
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Liver failure and liver damage
- Rhabdomyolysis (kidney damage due to the disintegration of muscles and release of a protein in the blood)
Is kratom addictive?
The addiction is milder when compared to other drugs, it will still make changes in the opioid receptors which lead you to physical dependence.
The longer you use the higher dose and the chance of getting addicted is higher. People undergoing kratom withdrawal may experience muscle spasms, pains, rhabdomyolysis, rigidity, seizures, tremors, etc.
Is kratom legal?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given awareness about the dangerous aspects of kratom and it is considered illegal in six states in the following.
🟢Alabama
🟢Arkansas
🟢Indiana
🟢Rhode Island
🟢Vermont
🟢Wisconsin
🟢In certain places
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given awareness about the dangerous aspects of kratom and it is considered illegal in six states in the following.
In certain places like California, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, etc it is considered legal by the state but banned or controlled in individual cities, towns, and countries.
However, globally kratom is illegal and restricted in many countries like parts of Europe, Japan, Russia, and others.
Conclusion
In short, kratom is a herbal plant which is originated in Southeast Asia and has been used in the US to ease anxiety, treat chronic pain, and lessen opioid withdrawal symptoms.
It is mainly purchased online and is legal in some places while illegal in others. However, when consumed in low amounts it does not cause many side effects, and the best way to use it as an alternative to morphine is an addictive use as a pain reliever.
Kratom has opioid properties and the mitragynine which is present in it is 13 times more potent than morphine. Mitragynine is the content that provides the opioid effect.
However, the FDA is continuously warning the consumers of kratom, since even death has occurred due to its use.
According to FDA, it causes harm to various organs in your body and it affects the same opioid receptors as morphine.
Dr. Edward Zelman
Dr. Edward Zelman works as a Neurologist with the expertise of over 15 years, helping more than thousands to get back in complete health through his research-proven treatments. He earned his Masters from Harvard University and completed his Ph.D. from Columbia University. Dr. Edward Zelman is one of the notable names in the medical industry for his work in pain management, chronic disorder, and so on. He is also a former faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At present, Dr. Edward Zelman is researching safe and effective natural remedies that can restore as well as maintain the youthful functioning of the body.
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