Are you looking for an alternative to opioid drugs to help with chronic pain? Continue reading to learn about kratom’s potential benefits to your health, plus how to choose the best kratom for pain.
Kratom is an herbal remedy from the Mitragyna speciosa tree that grows in Southeast Asia. The active ingredient in kratom is mitragynine, extracted from the plant’s leaves. Kratom is also known as biak, kakum, thang, Thom, or ketum. Kratom comes in a variety of strains that vary in potency. The Maeng-da strain, for example, is stronger than the Indo strain.
Kratom is legal in the U.S. and classified as a dietary supplement. This means that the FDA or CDC does not regulate it for medical use. However, individuals can purchase kratom online for personal use, whether for recreation or pain management. Regardless of its form, you should always buy high-quality kratom products to ensure the health benefits.
How Does Kratom Work as a Drug in the Body and Brain?
Kratom works in the brain in a similar way to opioid drugs. The active kratom compounds target the opioid receptors, producing sensations of pleasure, sedation, and decreased pain levels.
Kratom also contains alkaloids, just like opium and magic mushrooms. Taken in large volumes, it can cause hallucinations or even seizures. However, when taken in small quantities, the mitragynine in high-quality kratom produces stimulating effects.
Kratom users often say they feel more energized, alert, and sociable, but only following a small dose of kratom. Larger doses produce the sedative effects instead, making kratom a possible solution for pain and anxiety.
What Are the Effects of Kratom?
Kratom typically has various physical, mental, and behavioral effects depending on the quality and quantity you use. The potentially positive effects of kratom include:
- Better focus
- Better overall mood and calmness
- Lower anxiety levels
- Lower pain levels
- Relaxed muscles
The best kratom products take five to 10 minutes to produce these effects, and they can last anywhere between two and five hours.
On the other hand, kratom can have potential adverse effects on the body and mind:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Sleeplessness
- Lack of appetite
- Facial discoloration
- Itchy skin
- Dry mouth
- Extra sensitivity to sunburn
- Sweating
- More talkative or euphoric behavior
- Anorexia
- Hallucinations or confusion
- Reduced physical coordination
- Irritability
Does Kratom Have Any Medical Uses?
At this time (January 2022), kratom is not approved for medical use in the U.S. Kratom is only available online from kratom vendors. Anyone looking to try kratom should talk with their primary care physician first.
If you’re receiving treatment from a specialist pain clinic, it is possible to try kratom if other therapies haven’t worked well for you. A combination of high-quality kratom with alternative mind-body exercises can potentially help manage pain. If you opt to self-medicate and buy kratom products, be on the lookout for signs of dependency and seek help as needed.
What Are the Risks of Taking Kratom? Can They Be Avoided or Reduced?
The best kratom for pain works in small, managed doses. The adverse side effects listed above arise if you take kratom in large quantities over a prolonged period. Treat kratom just like any other pain medication or recreational drug—it has the potential to be toxic in the body in high doses.
The best way to avoid these risks is to buy kratom from reputable vendors. Additionally, start with the lowest possible kratom dosage and pay attention to how it affects your health. Discontinue kratom usage before it causes any physical or mental health problems.
What Health Conditions May Make Kratom Use More Dangerous?
Kratom can be potentially more dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. For example, elderly individuals prone to salmonella should avoid kratom since it has been linked to salmonella cases in 38 states.
Individuals with liver disease should avoid taking kratom, and those who struggle with alcohol and heroin use disorders. Only choose high-quality kratom that is free of contaminants or additives.
Can Kratom Be Combined with Other Drugs?
Kratom can interact with prescription drugs to cause brain abnormalities including severe headaches, confusion, and inability to communicate. The main medications known to have a negative impact are:
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
- Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers)
- Botanicals (approved herbal medicines)
- Narcotics (morphine, heroin, opium, hydrocodone, e.g., Vicodin)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel) for schizophrenia symptoms
- Modafinil (Provigil) for treating narcolepsy and excessive sleep disorders
- Drugs that rely on Cytochrome P450 for processing in the liver
Check the labels of all prescription medications before you purchase kratom online.
Is Kratom Addictive?
One study of kratom shows that mitragynine may have addictive qualities. Addiction is a natural progression once the brain gets used to the positive effects of high-quality kratom.
Kratom dependency symptoms include tremors, insomnia, hallucinations, sweating, and nausea. In addition, users who stop using kratom go through withdrawal symptoms, such as mood swings, nausea, insomnia, heightened anxiety, and depression.
Keep in mind that kratom products carry a higher risk of dependency because many people take kratom to manage pain. If you already have a history of substance abuse, chronic stress, or genetic predisposition to addiction, it can be more difficult to manage usage.
Harm Reduction Advice for Kratom Users
Enjoying the benefits of the best kratom for pain comes down to the quality and dose of kratom. Since the FDA does not monitor kratom vendors, there’s no standard to guarantee product purity.
Choose only the best kratom vendors online to ensure quality. For dosage, remember that the form of kratom will determine potency. Use smaller quantities of kratom extract than kratom powder. The best kratom for pain is a maximum of 5 grams of kratom powder taken three times a day. Lower doses offer stimulating effects, while higher doses increase the risk of serious side effects.
Kratom Myths and Misunderstandings
Myth: Kratom is completely natural and safe.
Truth: Kratom comes from plants, but further studies are needed to prove or disprove this assertion. As with any prescription or over-the-counter drug, kratom has potential negative effects, including seizures, kidney and liver damage.
Myth: Kratom isn’t an opioid, so it’s not addictive.
Truth: In the brain, kratom produces effects similar to opioid drugs. As you choose the best kratom to buy online, exercise caution and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Myth: Kratom is a sufficient replacement for opioid drugs
Truth: Always consult your physician before you change your pain medication. Kratom is best when combined with other holistic pain management therapies.
FAQS
How Does Kratom Work In the Brain?
Kratom contains alkaloids that bind with the opioid receptors in the brain. This leads to sedative effects and pain relief. In small quantities, kratom can stimulate the brain to make you feel more energized and focused. The best kratom for pain is less than 5g of kratom taken three times a day.
What Are the Health Impacts of Kratom?
The health impacts of kratom include reduced pain, muscle relaxation, and improved mood. Effects can last for two to five hours. If taken without caution, kratom can cause digestion problems, dry mouth, hallucinations, and poor coordination.
Users can also experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking kratom suddenly. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking kratom. In case of serious negative kratom impacts, always consult your physician.
Is Kratom Effective in the Treatment of Anxiety and Insomnia?
There are few studies about the effects of kratom on mood, although some users experience improved anxiety and depression symptoms.
Kratom works for depression and anxiety, almost like morphine or codeine. High-quality kratom can also help improve sleep. Remember, always start with the lowest possible kratom amount and monitor its effectiveness.
Why Do People Use Kratom Products?
The latest data shows that more than 90 percent of kratom users take it for pain relief in their back, shoulders, and knees.
Sixty-seven percent of kratom users take it for anxiety, while 65 percent use it for depression. Another 41 percent of users prefer to buy kratom products for opioid withdrawal symptoms to reduce dependency.
The Takeaway
As with any medication, always check with your primary care provider for advice on the kratom forms and dosage to suit your health. Once you get the all-clear from your doctor, shop for high-quality kratom products from Burman’s Health Shop.
Disclaimer:
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.