Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has been a subject of interest in many wellness discussions in the recent past. That’s understandable due to its many healing benefits.
Native to Southeast Asia, the herb has proven effective at treating and managing some of the most nagging medical problems. These range from pain and inflammation to stress, anxiety, insomnia, and erectile dysfunction (ED), to mention but a few.
But like any herb, it’s important to understand everything there is to know about kratom before integrating it into your health and wellness routine. Read below for the top frequently asked questions (FAQs) about kratom.
What is kratom?
Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree whose extracts are believed to contain powerful healing properties. High-quality kratom supplements obtained from well-reputed Canada kratom stores may help to treat and even prevent numerous medical issues, as you’re about to find out.
Where does kratom come from?
Kratom is native to Southeast Asia. Much of the world’s natural kratom population is concentrated in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Myanmar.
How many kratom strains are there?
Kratom exists in dozens of strains. These strains, sometimes known as cultivars or varieties, derive their names from the coloration of their leaf veins and countries of origin.
The main kratom strains by leaf vein coloration include white-vein kratom, green-vein kratom, and red-vein kratom. Each variety has its signature effects.
For instance, white-vein strains are generally stimulating, while red-vein strains are more sedating. Green-vein strains produce effects that are midway between white-vein and red-vein varieties.
You may also come across kratom products labeled ‘yellow-vein kratom.” This isn’t a distinct strain. Instead, it’s the result of mixing red-vein with green-vein cultivars.
In terms of origin, we have Maeng Da from Thailand, White Borneo from Borneo Island, Green Malay from Malaysia, Red Bali from Bali, etc. The specific climatic regions where these strains grow natively affect their potency.
What medical conditions might kratom treat?
Kratom has been widely investigated for its opioid-like effects. When consumed, the primary active ingredients in the herb, namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, bind to opioid receptors in the brain in a manner that produces pain relief.
Kratom may also alleviate inflammation. The herb fights inflammation fairly similarly to most anti-inflammatory drugs – reducing the production of cytokines, chemokines, and other proteins involved in transmitting inflammatory responses to the brain. The two primary anti-inflammatory compounds in kratom are rhynchophylline and epicatechins.
Stress and anxiety are other major medical problems that kratom may treat. One study following a group of people who self-medicated with kratom supplements found that the herb could soothe anxiety and depression.
Kratom’s anxiolytic effects also make it a potential remedy for sleep disorders. Extracts from the herb can improve sleep quality by reducing sleep latency (the duration from wakefulness to sleep).
You might also consider administering kratom for fatigue. That’s due to its energizing properties. The best part is that the herb can supercharge physical and mental energy, making it a welcome inclusion into your morning routine.
Last but not least, you could benefit immensely from kratom’s milder effects on the brain. Although the herb impacts the same receptors affected by opioid drugs, it doesn’t bind fully to such receptors.
That explains why experts recommend Mitragyna speciosa for recreational opioid users trying to wean off these drugs from their system. Kratom can mimic the effects of regular opioids without triggering the side effects associated with such drugs.
How is kratom consumed?
There are different ways to take kratom. Common delivery methods include swallowing kratom pills or capsules, drinking kratom tea, adding kratom powder to edible goods, and administering kratom tinctures sublingually.
The other common ways to consume kratom include ingesting industrially manufactured kratom edibles (such as gummies) and applying kratom skincare products externally. Others inhale kratom vapor or smoke from vaping, smoking, or burning aromatherapy products.
Each delivery method has its pros and cons.
For instance, most kratom edibles will take 30 minutes to three hours to kick in. But the effects can last for several days.
On the other hand, inhalable kratom products may take effect in as few as five minutes. But their benefits only last a few hours.
How much kratom should I take?
Kratom has no standard dosage. Serving amounts ultimately depends on age, body size, the strain consumed, and the reasons for taking the herb.
As with many therapeutic herbs, the conventional wisdom is to consume kratom sparingly. Remember that kratom overdose can trigger several undesired effects, such as nausea and dry mouth.
Is kratom legal?
Many countries have since moved to regulate access to kratom. So, it’s imperative to check your local laws before using, distributing, or even cultivating the herb.
Kratom isn’t federally illegal in the United States. The federal government appears to have ceded regulatory privileges to individual states.
Kratom is legal in Canada because sellers do not trade in consumable kratom goods. But with many other formulations available, Canadian kratom users don’t have to worry about this regulation.
Wrap Up
The first step in maximizing kratom is understanding its perceived pharmacological benefits and potential side effects. We hope you’ve learned a thing or two about kratom from the above FAQs and can now integrate the herb into your lifestyle better informed.
