For those who want something different than marijuana and alcohol, more ways to get high are emerging. Some of these methods are dangerous and some are natural. A popular social drink or substance is kratom.
Kratom is already experiencing controversy. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) claims it’s dangerous and is calling for a ban. But since kratom is natural, most people believe it’s safe and even has health benefits.
But there are some well-known kratom facts that we know now. If you’re curious to know all about kratom, you should know the facts before trying this substance. Here’s your guide to kratom, its benefits, and how to take it.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is natural because it comes from a tree.
It’s derived from Southeast Asia from the tree Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom consists of the tree leaves, which have psychoactive properties. These crushed leaves go into tea, capsules, or are even smoked.
We aren’t the first people to use kratom. People used kratom hundreds of years ago. It was popular amongst farmers because kratom increases productivity and serves as a sedative. When people use kratom, they feel wired, but relaxed.
In addition, kratom has benefits. This comes from the 25 active alkaloids that benefit the body in a variety of ways.
What are the Kratom Effects?
The kratom effects you experience depends on your dosages. In smaller doses, kratom will make you feel energized and stimulated. But in higher doses, you’ll feel relaxed and sleepy.
Your dosage depends on many factors. This includes weight, tolerance, and your brain receptors.
When used in low doses, here are some common effects:
- Energy
- Alertness
- Increased libido
- Euphoria
- Decreased social anxiety
- Improved mood
- Better focus
In higher doses, here are some common effects:
- High energy
- Euphoria
- Decreased pain
- Relaxation
- Anti-depressant effects
- Anti-anxiety effects
- Improved sleep
For starters, start with a small dose and increase to a higher dose.
In addition, each person is different. Since kratom enters your opioid receptors, it depends on your brain’s reaction. Some people may experience euphoria while others may want to go straight to sleep.
Why is Kratom So Popular?
One of the reasons for kratom’s popularity is the health benefits.
Kratom is famous for being a painkiller. When the kratom popularity rose, opiate users switched from pills to kratom because kratom is a natural alternative to dangerous prescription medicines.
Kratom also benefits opiate withdrawal. It calms the withdrawal symptoms and still offers pain relieving benefits.
Kratom has relaxing properties so it’s popular amongst people with anxiety disorders. Those with PTSD and social anxiety benefit the most from kratom.
Other users just enjoy the effects. With kratom, you feel a high similar to a marijuana high. But unlike marijuana, kratom is legal. Consumers can walk into a kratom tea bar or in smoke shops and purchase it.
Why is Kratom Beneficial?
There hasn’t been many studies on kratom, but we know there are health benefits. Kratom has over 25 active alkaloids, the most powerful being mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
These alkaloids are most famous for their pain relieving benefits. They act within our opioid receptors, resulting in pain relief with anti-inflammatory benefits. But these alkaloids aren’t as powerful as opioids, so you don’t get addicted.
These two alkaloids are also the reason why any user feels relaxed and euphoric when taking kratom. Similar to opioids such as fentanyl, you feel euphoria when taking kratom. But kratom isn’t as addictive or as dangerous as strong opioids.
What Are the Side Effects?
Since kratom isn’t fully understood yet, the knowledge of side effects and risks is little-known. There have been some reported deaths and stories of addiction.
We have a limited understanding of these cases. The reported deaths are also not believed to have been the result of kratom use.
Most users won’t experience the dangerous side effects.
Instead, they will likely experience the common side effects. These include nausea, upset stomach, itching, and sedation. If you do kratom and experience these symptoms, you have nothing to worry about.
Some of the dangerous side effects include difficulty breathing and liver pain.
This only happens when you take too much kratom. But before you get to that point, you will usually vomit out the kratom. This is why a kratom overdose is almost unheard of.
So, is Kratom Addictive?
Kratom has addictive properties, but they’re mild. This is mainly the case with those who take kratom for health ailments, such as pain or severe anxiety.
Some users have experienced withdrawal symptoms, but they clear in a few days. Many users don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms.
The reason for kratom’s slight addictive properties is tolerance. When used frequently, you’ll build up a tolerance. To get the full effects, you’ll have to take kratom every day and often throughout the day.
But if you take kratom for enjoyment, there are very few risks of addiction. If you take too much, then you’ll likely vomit before you can get addicted or overdose.
Kratom for Beginners
If you’re a beginner taking kratom, you should know what dosages and forms to take kratom. Taking too much kratom with a low tolerance can result in vomiting and other side effects.
There are three main ways to use kratom:
- Kratom in powder-form, mixed with water
- Brewed in tea — this is how you consume kratom in a bar
- In a capsule — take kratom powder, stick it in an empty capsule, and swallow.
Here’s some additional advice:
The kratom quality depends on your experience. For beginners, talk to the bartender or smoke shop owner and ask about the product and for their dosing recommendations.
Beginner kratom users should drink kratom as a tea or diluted in water. Taking the kratom on its own, such as in a capsule, may be too strong for a beginner.
Now You Know All About Kratom
Kratom is a new way to relieve pain and feel a relaxed and euphoric “high.”
Even though kratom has been around for hundreds of years, we’re starting to understand more about this plant now. Before you try it, research all about kratom.
Addiction and overdose are extremely uncommon but read some beginner tips before using kratom.
For more legal ways to get high, visit our blog.