You’ve probably heard about Kratom, an additive sold as an energy booster, mood booster, pain reliever, and antidote for opioid withdrawal. On the other hand, the facts about Kratom are more complicated, and the safety issues associated with its use are alarming. One can buy kratom capsules online or from nearby medical stores.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a herbal extract made from a Southeast Asian evergreen tree (Mitragyna speciosa). Dry Kratom can be consumed or brewed, and you can chew kratom leaves. Kratom extract can be made into a liquid form. The liquid form is frequently advertised to remedy muscle discomfort, hunger suppression, cramps, and diarrhea relief. Kratom is also sold as a panic attack therapy.
Kratom is thought to work via interacting with opioid receptors. Kratom functions as a stimulant in low doses, making users feel more energized. It decreases pain and may cause euphoria at higher doses. It serves as a sedative at very high doses, rendering users quiet and maybe asleep. Some practitioners of Asian traditional medicine regard kratom to be an opiate replacement.
Why Do People Use Kratom Capsules?
Because medical organizations are increasingly trying to avoid prescribing opioids for pain, many people who formerly relied on them can no longer do so. As a last alternative, some people turn to Kratom, an attractive substitute since it has similar pain relievers. Some people take Kratom to ease pain or overcome opioid addiction precisely because it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors.
People would rather believe that Kratom is safe since it is “natural,” however, this is untrue. In many states, it’s also legal and easily available, with no negative connotations connected with narcotics.
- Libido Improvement
Kratom is recorded as a potential sexual enhancement supplement. Researchers examined many clinical studies on Kratom’s aphrodisiac qualities and published their findings. They concluded that Kratom is a highly effective plant-based sexual enhancer.
- Pain Relief
Kratom comes in three different strains; all of the strains are strong painkillers. By connecting with opioid receptors, the white, green, and red vein types provide pain relief—7-hydroxy mitragynine, a compound that is 13 times more powerful than morphine. Kratom is classed as an atypical opioid, even though it binds to opioid receptors as morphine and codeine do. Certain impulses are specifically inhibited by Kratom, which could explain why it has fewer adverse effects than traditional opioids.
- Mood-Boosting
According to reports, Kratom is a successful treatment for opioid addiction. Kratom has a variety of mood-enhancing properties. It has been demonstrated to help with morphine and ethanol withdrawal symptoms.
Other research suggests that Kratom could be used as an antidepressant and appetite suppressor. Researchers discovered that Kratom decreases corticosterone levels in mice in one animal research. Corticosterone levels that are too high are linked to depression.
Kratom supplementation decreased hunger in rats in another study by suppressing the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for appetite and desires. To see if Kratom has similar effects in people, more research is required.
How is Kratom Used?
Kratom is traditionally used as tea or chewed leaves. Kratom is also available in the form of resins, extracts, and tinctures. We can find Kratom in tablets, capsules, powders, and even drinks on the street. You may buy a combination prepared with kratom leaves, cough syrup, cola, and ice in Thailand.
The amount of Kratom to take is determined by various criteria such as the user’s age, overall health, and other characteristics. The benefits of this herb, according to one study, are dependent on dosage levels, with a low dose ranging from 1-5 grams and a moderate dose ranging from 5-15 grams. However, further research is needed to identify these dosage fluctuations’ _short and long-term effects on the body. Check your pharmacist or physician before adding this supplement to your diet because of the high strength of Kratom and the absence of studies to determine safe intake amounts.
Is Kratom Legal?
For many people, the legality of Kratom is still a grey area. Even though Kratom is officially legal in the United States, there are a few things to consider. The most important thing to remember is that, whether Kratom is federally lawful or illegal in your jurisdiction, several states have outlawed or are in the process of regulating or prohibiting its usage.
The Drug Enforcement Administration in the U.S. is still debating whether or not they should legalize Kratom or not. There have been calls to make it illegal since it has psychotropic effects and can become addictive. Still, supporters argue that it could be the answer to combating the nation’s opioid problem.
Is Kratom addictive?
Like other opioid-related medications, Kratom can cause dependency, which means users will experience physical withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. Kratom has been linked to addiction in certain users. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Muscular pains
- insomnia
- irritability
- bitterness
- aggression
- Changes of emotions
- Common cold
- twitchy movements
Kratom is well-known for being addictive, as evidenced by indigenous’ long-term use in Southeast Asian countries. In Southeast Asian users, withdrawal symptoms similar to narcotic withdrawal and drug-seeking behavior have been reported. Because of the potential for abuse, many Southeast Asian countries have placed restrictions on the use of Kratom.
Because Kratom is produced from a plant, customers should not assume it is entirely safe and “all-natural.” While not all botanicals are hazardous, some narcotics can be made from them, such as heroin (opium poppy), cocaine (coca leaves), and nicotine (nicotine) (tobacco).
What is the treatment for kratom addiction?
_Addiction to Kratom does not have a specific medical treatment. Behavioral therapy has proven to be beneficial to certain people seeking treatment. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of this therapy approach.
Bottom Line
Some people have turned to Kratom as a herbal alternative to medical treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings caused by opiate addiction or other addictive substances like alcohol. There is no scientific data that says that Kratom is safe or effective for this purpose.
The effects of Kratom, when mixed with other drugs- recreational, medicinal, or alcohol, are unknown and potentially harmful. The chance arises that Kratom, like many herbal alternatives, designer drugs, or unlawful products marketed on the Internet, could be contaminated with illegal pharmaceuticals, black-market prescription medications, or even poisonous products. You should avoid internet purchases of unknown drug goods.
