Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. It has been used by locals there for centuries as a natural remedy to fight pain, anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, and more. Now, the plant is becoming increasingly popular worldwide thanks to its wide range of health benefits.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how kratom can help you get healthy. We’ll also discuss any side effects or risks associated with it so you know what to expect if you decide to try it out. Click here for more information.
How Does Kratom Work?
The active ingredients in kratom are called alkaloids, which are naturally found in plants, fungi, animals, and microorganisms.
These chemicals interact with the body’s neurotransmitters to produce different effects. For example, some of them work on the opioid receptors in the brain. When they do, the user feels euphoric, relaxed, and less anxious.
Other ones have an impact on serotonin. They increase your levels of the neurotransmitter, resulting in feelings of well-being. Still others affect acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphins, and GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid). Kratom works these neurotransmitters to achieve many different effects:
Pain relief
Reduced anxiety
Improved mood
Increased energy
Enhanced appetite
Increased focus
Anxiety reduction
While kratom is still not FDA-approved, many people who use it report having fewer symptoms from various conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, and more.
Some Side Effects You Should Know About
There are two main types of side effects associated with using kratom: physical and mental.
Physical side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, nervousness, sweating, and/or stomach cramps.
Mental side effects include agitation, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness, paranoia, and psychosis.
If you notice any of these side effects while taking kratom, stop using it and consult a doctor right away. In rare cases, they can become serious enough to require medical attention.
Can Kratom Cause Addiction?
Unlike prescription drugs, kratom contains no addictive properties. This means that you won’t develop a dependency on it or suffer withdrawal symptoms when you stop using it.
However, if you consume too much kratom over time, it can cause addiction. If you start using it regularly, you may find yourself needing it more frequently and in higher doses than before.
As a result, your tolerance increases. So does your risk of developing problems related to drug abuse. These include overdose, dependence, withdrawal, and addiction.
If you think you might be addicted to kratom, talk to your doctor immediately about getting professional treatment.
Is There Research on Kratom?
There isn’t yet enough research available to answer whether kratom is effective and safe. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) published guidelines for doctors and other health professionals regarding the use of kratom. The NIH recommends that healthcare providers consider prescribing kratom only under certain circumstances.
This includes treating someone who suffers from opioid addiction, anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other conditions. The ASAM suggests considering it as an alternative treatment option for opioid addiction if other methods fail.
What Is Kratom Used To Treat?
Kratom was first discovered by Thai farmers who used it to treat their opium addiction. They noticed that their opium withdrawals were shorter and less intense after consuming large quantities of it. Soon afterwards, scientists started studying it to see if they could replicate those results.
They did. And kratom has been shown to provide effective relief for a variety of conditions since then.
Here are just some of the health issues that people use kratom to treat:
Opioid addiction
Depression
Chronic pain
Treatment-resistant epilepsy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Panic disorders
Anxiety
Alcoholism
Because kratom has been around long enough to show positive results in clinical trials, many researchers believe it holds promise as a treatment for these conditions. But there aren’t enough studies done yet to make a definitive conclusion.
Where Can I Buy Kratom?
You can buy kratom powder online or in stores. Both options have their pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of each one:
Online
You can buy kratom in bulk at kratom wholesale suppliers. These companies typically sell powdered extracts of kratom leaves. Prices for high quality products start at $25 per gram.
But keep in mind that even though you’re buying it in bulk, you will still need to break down the powder into smaller amounts for use. Also, because kratom comes from nature, the quality will vary from batch to batch.
Another thing to be aware of when shopping at online retailers is that most of them ship internationally. As such, they don’t offer free shipping. Instead, they charge international customers a flat rate fee based on how much weight their packages contain.
Retail
Many retail pharmacies sell kratom extract, which you can purchase individually or in larger bottles. While this option makes things easier, it also introduces another source of variation into your experience.
For instance, because manufacturers don’t test their products for contaminants, you might find that some batches contain more or less of the active ingredient than others. Some also come with fillers like rice flour and talc, which some users say makes them feel worse than regular kratom does.
Wholesale
If you want the consistency of a single product but don’t want to pay full price for it, you can buy bulk kratom from kratom wholesale suppliers. These companies usually sell whole leaf kratom and offer discounts based on volume.
Keep in mind that wholesale kratom is typically sold in small portions. Therefore, you will need to break down the powder into smaller amounts to use it properly.
How Much Do Kratom Supplements Cost?
When you go through a reputable retailer, kratom supplements cost between $12 and $30 per gram. This is cheaper than the price of whole leaf kratom, but not cheap compared to pure powder.
One good place to start looking is Amazon, since all of the top brands are listed there. You can also check out some local retailers in your area.
