What is Kratom?
Kratom is an herb/plant that grows naturally in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, etc. (basically the Southeast Asian countries). The scientific name of this herb is Mitragyna Speciosa and its true potential comes from the leaves.
Kratom grows in marshy regions and has a variety of leaves/strains; each with a differing set of properties and effects.
The natives would use it as a part of folk medicine for remedying a bunch of issues like lethargy, insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, etc. Some evidence suggests this practice to be ancient.
Since the onset of the 21st century, this herb found its way to the Western world. Since then, its popularity has continued to soar by the day.
Kratom as an Analgesic
From a pharmacological viewpoint, kratom carries two active alkaloids; most notably 7-hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine. Both these alkaloids has amazing pain-relieving properties to offer. That’s part of the reason why a large population uses kratom for self-management of pain.
Check out this page highlighting kratom reviews for the management of pain from around the globe left by kratom users. There is no scientific evidence to establish kratom’s pain relieving potency, but that hasn’t stopped people from using it. Know that kratom is banned in many countries including the native regions of Southeast Asia where it is grown and produced. It is, however, legal in the US.
Kratom as a potential tool for managing anxiety and depression
There is at least one study which stipulates kratom’s potential for the management of anxiety and depression. When it was injected in mice, Kratom’s active alkaloid Mitragynine was found to decrease the levels of corticosterone. It’s the hormone that regulates stress response as well as energy.
Let it be known that not all kratom strains are created equal. Some strains are better suited for the management of depression and anxiety, to a mild extent. To that end, Maeng Da is a popular strain.
Green strains are another popular choice in this context. Both green and white strains are reportedly the best for the management of anxiety. You can buy these off of Kratom Crazy.
Kratom as a weight-loss tool
Many individuals, while on kratom, tend to lose weight. Part of the reason is largely that this herb acts as an appetite suppressant. Although, this can sound like a contradiction because some people feel it makes them eat more. The weight loss aspect of kratom can particularly be attributed to its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects that help eliminate junk food craving.
Some kratom strains tend to render excellent energizing effects much like a caffeine high. These effects can be explained by the fact that kratom belongs to the family of coffee plants.
Because of the sudden burst of energy, people are able to work out better without feeling exhausted for longer periods. The ability to get more exercise done is another contributory factor as to why it may help some people lose weight.
Energy Booster
The natives of the regions where kratom grows naturally used to chew the leaves as it gave them the required energy, necessary to toil under the scorching heat out in the fields.
Kratom leaves are supposed to optimize certain metabolic functions of the body. While the mechanism behind this is largely unclear, again the alkaloids present in the leaves are mainly responsible for this action.
Kratom may also render these effects by supplying the body parts with enough oxygen that may be lacking it.
Combine that with improved metabolic functioning and you get a burst of energy. If you suffer from Chronic Fatigue, kratom leaves may just be the natural solution you have been waiting for this entire time.
A possible tool for overcoming opioid addiction
The very nature of kratom leaves is such that it has been used widely for managing myriad kinds of addictions in folk medicine for decades.
Opium addiction is a major issue across several cultures. Kratom leaves is an effective and easy way to get the same sensation as opioids; without the negative effects that accompany psychoactive substances.
Check out this study highlighting kratom’s potential as opioid replacement therapy.
This is why often when people want to ‘get and stay clean’, they turn to kratom as it offers a practical and tolerable outlet for achieving those results.
Additionally, kratom is an excellent tool for managing the often painful withdrawal symptoms that accompany upon weaning off of opioids. Therefore, kratom is good for making a smooth and less painful transition from intense drugs.
Immune-Boosting Effects
Some independent studies have stipulated the immunity-boosting effects of kratom leaves. Apparently, the combination of alkaloids present in the leaves can strengthen the resilience and immunity. The leaf extracts were traditionally used as an herb. These are packed with powerful antimicrobial and free radical scavenging properties. They are also a natural source of antioxidants.
Better Focus and Improved Concentration
Some detail-oriented tasks can be taxing on the mind. To that tend, certain kratom strains can make your focus razor sharp so you can get those mentally draining tasks a lot more easily. Kratom ends to achieve this effect by calming your mind. It tends to put a pause to a rushing train of effects. Since it’s a natural relaxant, most people find themselves struggling with less distractions upon kratom consumption.
May Improve Quality of Sleep
Kratom is supposed to help sleep-related issues. It is supposedly able to do that by calming down a rushing mind. Most people find it hard to achieve quality sleep because they are never able to hit the REM sleep cycle due to the mind never really being able to fully calm down.
Since kratom is a natural relaxant, it may help you fall asleep much quicker.
A word of Caution
Let it be known that the FDA does not regulate kratom’s production and distribution. In fact, it has issued a warning against any company that sells it under any medical claims.
However, it is legal in the US for consumption with a few states as an exception. Be sure to check your state guidelines before buying or consuming kratom.
Also, familiarize yourself with different strains, what effects they might help achieve, and always start low (with 3 mg of dose) before slowly upping it.
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