News Americas, NEW YORK, NY: Kratom is a Southeast Asian herb that grows naturally in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, etc.
What is it?
Historically, it has been used as a herbal medicine by the natives of the regions where it grew. Its first use dates back hundreds of years, but the first documented use was in the early 19th century.
As an herbal medicine, people will use it to manage pain holistically and increase their energy levels. Sometimes, it was also used to overcome opioid addiction.
Kratom became famous in the West with the advancement of the Internet. It was the Internet that popularized it in the West sometime around the early 2000s.
Today, it is available in the form of powder, crushed leaves, capsules and extracts. It is easily available both offline and online. While many choose to buy it locally, they can also find it online.
How to get it?
You can consume kratom in different ways. All of these methods are super straight forward and require no special tools, equipment or skills.
With water – This method is also called the cast wash method and is, by far, the easiest and most preferred method of getting it into your body. It basically involves washing the dose down with a glass of water quickly enough so that it doesn’t settle on the tongue.
As a capsule – This is pretty self-explanatory. It’s just like taking any other pill or capsule. Each capsule comes pre-dosed. Typically, the dose is 1 gram. So, accordingly, you measure the number of capsules, and one by one you start popping them into your mouth and chasing them with a drink (mostly water). But you can also use juices such as blueberries, apples, oranges, etc.
Like a tea – You can also enjoy kratom as a hot drink. In this form, it becomes a full experience as you drink it slowly, like coffee or tea. The recipe is quite simple. You can boil the crushed leaves in water for about 20 minutes before straining or adding a sweetener of your choice.
Or, you can leave it in hot water for a good while until all of the alkaloid content (it’s the chemical compound that gives it its analgesic, soothing, and relaxing effects) has seeped into the water.
If any of these are putting you off, you can always Google kratom tea recipes which should tell you everything in detail.
Why do people take Kratom?
Pain relief is easily the number one reason most people choose Kratom. As an herb, it has strong analgesic and sedative properties. Many studies have determined its analgesic effects which are attributed to the presence of alkaloids such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Another majority uses it as a substitute for harmful drugs such as opioids. Many have used it as a tool to ease their way to a sober, drug-free life. Although these effects are not supported by science.
Management of mental health disorders such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety, depression, etc. is the third main reason behind the growing popularity of kratom.
And although some varieties of kratom plants (also known as strains) are supposed to provide a light high and a feeling of euphoria, that’s not why most people use it. Its recreational use accounts for only a small number of users.
What does Kratom do to the body?
Honestly, the working mechanism of kratom still remains a mystery. This is mainly because as a herb, it is a very understudied plant. However, some studies believe that kratom interacts with the brain like an opiate, which is surprising because technically kratom is not an opiate.
Some studies attribute this binding nature of kratom to the presence of mitragynine, which is the active ingredient in kratom. But it is possible that many other unknown compounds work in synergy to produce those effects that range from analgesic to sedative to stimulant.
Kratom dosage at lower levels tends to be stimulating, while higher doses tend to be more sedating and can make you drowsy/drowsy.
Kratom Effects
Pain Management – If you suffer from pain such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle pain, joint pain, etc. there is a chance you will experience relief from kratom. But this effectiveness will depend on the dose and type you consume.
More Energy – Some types are highly stimulating which means they make you feel more energetic, just like coffee. That’s why it’s gaining popularity among gym goers and bodybuilders who need that extra boost of energy in the gym.
Better focus – Often some users find that it helps them stay focused with better attention. They may find studying and other demanding mental activities much easier when consuming kratom.
Improving mental health – As mentioned, kratom can help with issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD; there is the potential for a casual user to experience a more optimistic and hopeful outlook on life.
Is it legal or not?
Kratom is legal in the United States; although some states and counties may have different legislation where, as a substance, it may be prohibited. That’s why you should check local laws before buying, selling or consuming it.
Over the years, there have been many pushes by the DEA to place kratom under the list of controlled substances. But, so far, their efforts have been in vain.
But, in terms of legality, it is very legal. Please know that kratom is not FDA approved as a drug. She has warned vendors who sell kratom to treat any medical condition. Their concern mainly stems from the fact that kratom is an unregulated substance which means there can be fake and counterfeit products circulating in the market. This is why users should be careful and only buy from a trusted site.
