Kratom is a newly popular phytomedical product originating in South-East Asia that is becoming quite popular in alternative medicine circles in recent times. Its versatility and easy availability is turning it into a hot favorite. Still, questions remain unanswered in the minds of many: what exactly is Kratom, and why should we be interested in Kratom powder?
What is Kratom?
Kratom is known scientifically as Mitragyna speciosa and has been used in South-East Asian herbal medicine for eons. The tropical evergreen tree grows natively in countries such as Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand and derives its psychoactive properties mainly from two compounds: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Historically, it is ingested, brewed into drinks, or chewed to relieve pain, restore energy, and increase libido. We also used it to treat and dress wounds, as it is also effective topically. Rarely, people also smoke it.
The psychoactive compounds in Kratom have different effects depending on the dosage: low concentrations are said to cause effects akin to stimulants like cocaine, increasing energy levels, while higher doses have a soothing effect akin to opioids, inducing sedation and relieving pain. While you can still buy traditional preparations, Kratom is also made available in contemporary forms such as extracts and capsules in modern times. Depending on how and where the plant is grown, Kratom can be divided into various strains.
Every strain is subdivided into three varieties of Kratom: red, green, and white, depending on how mature the leaf is when processed into the drug. The youngest leaves are white-veined and slowly turn green and then red with age. As the leaves get on in age, their sedative potency increases and takes over their stimulating effects. Because of this, red-veined varieties of Kratom are used as painkillers and sedatives to relieve discomfort in users. On the other hand, white-veined formulations are highly stimulating and produce effects similar to a cup of coffee, raising their alertness. Green Kratom comes midway, offering benefits from both sides of the spectrum; however, they are inferior in their respective areas of expertise.
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder begins its life as leaves plucked from the Mitragyna plant, graded and separated according to their variety and quality. The shiny dark green leaves are harvested when the plant is fully mature; Kratom trees can grow up to 80 feet, and the leaves are often more extensive than a human hand. The plucked leaves are then set out to dry under the sun. Once desiccated, they are shredded and then ground by an industrial grinder into a fine powder with flour consistency. Usually, all three varieties are processed separately, but sometimes farmers will mix them in various percentages to create their unique blends.
Some growers also perform additional processing before grinding, which yields distinctive strains; for example, fermenting the plucked leaves is theorized to increase the alkaloid concentration.
Another way of differentiating strains is by using various biotechnological processes; for instance, Maeng Da Kratom is made by grafting tissue from various desirable strains together into one plant. Kratom is often considered a safer alternative to traditional drugs: its alkaloids have been shown not to activate receptors responsible for debilitating side effects in other sedative drugs like morphine. Withdrawal symptoms are also generally milder.
Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom has not been listed as a drug by the United Nations to date. It is also legal federally in the United States, though the FDA has not cleared it for medicinal use. Some restrictions are still there in Indonesia and Malaysia. Still, they are almost inoperative due to the traditional and cultural usage of the drug, which leads to lackluster enforcement at best. Only 16 States formally control Kratom usage.
Health Benefits of Kratom
Kratom offers many beneficial effects on the mind and body, as you can utilize it in a wide variety of scenarios. Traditionally, it's used for pain relief, increasing productivity, relieving anxiety, and stimulating libido. Modern research is also beginning to uncover more use cases, though research into the plant is still picking up steam. Each strain and variety has different effects and potency, so your choices will depend on your needs. Red vein Kratom, for example, is a potent sedative and relaxant which can alleviate stress and anxiety-related problems, leading to a clearer mind. It can also help with symptoms of PTSD or depression.
On the other hand, white vein Kratom raises alertness and energy levels, helping stave off tiredness and allowing you to work through the day with newfound strength. It can also help counter the effects of neurological conditions like ADHD or lift your spirits in a depressive mood. Green vein Kratom is mellow but provides a holistic sense of healthiness and vitality, improving mood and willpower to face life head-on. Kratom is sold mostly pre-blended into blends optimized for various use cases, but you can mix and match the various strains and varieties to create your combination that will have the desired effects.
Bear in mind, however, that this requires knowledge, patience, and above all, experience. If you are beginning your journey into experiencing this fascinating product, sticking to commercially available mixes should do the trick; if not, you can generally find advice on forums and other communities on how to create your blends safely. Above all, be careful with Maeng Da or other potent strains; even veterans often accidentally overdose on them and suffer uncomfortable side effects.
Conclusion
While using Kratom is generally indicated to be safe, research in the area is still relatively limited. Factors like dosage, pharmacological action, and side effects vary significantly from user to user, and concrete principles have not yet evolved to provide standardized guidelines. When doubtful, do not hesitate to defer to more experienced users or suppliers for advice. Above all, be sure to buy blends and other products from reputed and trustworthy suppliers to avoid being cheated; phytomedical products can often be fake or even contaminated with hard drugs or toxic substances which can make you seriously ill. Kratom will likely not get you into trouble with the law, but it never hurts to check and ensure your local regulations.
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