Maybe you’ve heard the term kratom in passing. Maybe you know a little bit about what people say about it but want to do your own research before taking the leap yourself. The following will explore some of the top health benefits of kratom as well as some factors to keep in mind when deciding whether kratom is right for you or not.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a herbal extract that comes from a type of evergreen tree called Mitragyna speciosa that is native to Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves can be chewed, or they can be dried and swallowed, or brewed into tea. Powdered and liquid supplements are also available on the market.
Why Do People Take Kratom?
Low Dosage
Kratom had a variety of effects depending on the dosage offered. Lower doses are used to boost feelings of energy, and this is likely what most people are seeking when they buy kratom extract. In particular, kratom is lauded for boosting energy without creating feelings of anxiety or jitters. The energy boost tends to be accompanied by heightened awareness and increased motivations. Think of a small dose of kratom like a cup of coffee that doesn’t increase restlessness or your heart rate. A clearer, more focused type of energy that some people seek out to help with brain fog.
Medium Dosage
Medium doses can be used to soften pain and bring on euphoric feelings. Because of these feelings, kratom can be used to boost mood. Feelings of contentment and well-being have been reported, and users claim it is easier to get into and stay in an optimistic state of mind. The anti-depressant qualities are thought to be the result of the mitragynine alkaloid, but comprehensive research still needs to be done to confirm or deny this.
Kratom has been suggested as an alternative to pain killers because of its ability to activate mu-opioid receptors similar to the drug morphine. This can result in the reduction of temporary or chronic pain. Things like headaches, arthritis, muscle pain, and vascular pain have all been reduced.
High Dosage
At high doses, kratom has sedative effects bringing about feelings of sleepiness and making users quieter. The anxiolytic effect can reduce feelings of nervousness and help release physical and mental tension.
Given these relaxing effects, kratom can be used to improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. There have been some users who have even reported having more dreams when using kratom—more research needs to be done on this aspect.
These impacts have also been shown to have a positive effect on sociability—those who suffer from social anxiety or who have a lack of interest in socializing experience an improvement.
Side Note: Opiate Withdrawal
Kratom has another important effect that probably doesn’t apply to everyone equally. Kratom has been used to ease the experience of cutting back on opiates or quitting opiates by minimizing the symptoms of withdrawal. This being said, kratom itself does produce good feelings and bind to opiate receptors in the brain, which means that if you’re someone who is susceptible to addiction, you might want to be cognizant of your use and dosage.
When Should A Person Be Wary Of Including Kratom?
Foremost, you should not take kratom if you are planning on operating a motor vehicle. Due to the sedative effects, this could result in drowsy driving, which can put you and other people on the road in danger. The same reasons apply to those who will be working on heights or with sharp or dangerous tools.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should also avoid kratom. It has been shown to impact infant development when taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Beyond this, due to the euphoric and pain-relieving effects of kratom, there have been instances of infants suffering symptoms of withdrawal post-birth.
Beyond these standards, it’s important to note that you should always do your research before choosing to include any supplement into your health and wellness regime. Something that has positive effects on someone else might not suit your needs.
Whenever incorporating something new, be sure that you’re not adding several other new things at the same time—this will prevent you from truly feeling through the effects and deciding whether the supplement is right for you. You might end up confusing the impact of different supplements.
As well, if you are currently taking any prescription medications, you need to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions. Kratom has been known to impact the effect of some medications.
The above information should serve only as a jumping-off point. Take into consideration your own medical history and mental health needs when deciding whether or not to include kratom in your health regime.
