Kratom is an herbal supplement derived from the leaves of the kratom tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. It is touted as a natural stimulant and is available in tea and capsule form.
Kratom has been proposed to have opioid-like effects , and it is believed kratom advantages include relief from withdrawal symptoms and drug-related cravings, as well as pain, exhaustion, and mental health issues. Furthermore, because kratom has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), its use may carry possible risks.
In this article, learn more about kratom, including what it is and how it affects the body.
What is Kratom?
Credits: Shutterstock Kratom is a coffee tree endemic to Southeast Asia and is also known as Mitragyna speciosa. It grows in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and its leaves are dried and used to make tea, or they are packaged into capsules and sold as supplements. Besides, kratom leaves can also be smoked like tobacco.
Kratom leaves, powder, and capsules are available at many physical stores, vape shops, and online stores such as canada kratom . It is commonly used to treat pain, depression, and opioid addiction. The two most active chemicals discovered in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, operate on opioid receptors but have fewer negative effects.
Kratom has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia as a natural home medicine. Historically, it was used to treat:
Fatigue
Pain
Diarrhea
Muscle cramping
Though modern science has provided some evidence for these and other traditional medicine claims, far more research is required.
6 Health Benefits of Kratom
Credits: iStock Photo Consuming kratom in a controlled dosage may offers you the following health benefits;
1. Effective in Easing Pain
As kratom binds to opioid receptors, it may be useful in reducing chronic pain . In addition, thirteen times more powerful than morphine is 7-hydroxy mitragynine, a chemical included in kratom.
Kratom is classified as a typical opioid even though it binds opioid receptors in the same way as codeine and morphine. Furthermore, compared to conventional opioids, kratom may have less severe side effects since it selectively deactivates particular signals; nonetheless, no medicinal application for kratom has been licensed by the FDA.
2. Help in Boosting Mood
There may be mood-enhancing benefits to kratom . Kratom may be a useful treatment for opioid addiction, according to several reports. Some people use it to lessen morphine and ethanol withdrawal symptoms.
According to preliminary research, kratom might be useful as an appetite suppressant and an antidepressant . Researchers found that kratom reduces mice’s corticosterone levels in an animal study. Depressive symptoms include altered brain chemistry, one of which is elevated corticosterone levels.
In another rat study, the hypothalamus—the area of the brain in charge of food and cravings—was inhibited by kratom supplementation, which reduced hunger.
3. Supplement Opiate Withdrawal
According to some reports
, kratom can be used to self-treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Additionally, it has been marketed as a treatment or cure for opiate addiction.
However, using kratom for these purposes has not been approved. In order to determine whether this can genuinely aid in withdrawal, experts must investigate this more. It may also result in addiction and the symptoms of withdrawal.
In select individuals, there’s also a chance of kidney and cardiac damage. If you consume kratom, you should not operate machinery that could cause harm or drive in charge of hunger and desires.
4. Increased Energy and Focus
If consumed in lower doses, kratom can act as a stimulant and may provide users with increased energy and focus . This effect is especially valuable for individuals who experience fatigue or have demanding schedules that require sustained concentration and productivity.
The stimulating effects of kratom can be compared to those of caffeine but without the jitteriness or crash associated with coffee. Many people use kratom shots as a natural alternative to energy drinks or prescription stimulants to enhance their work performance or support their daily activities.
5. Improved Sleep
For people struggling regularly with insomnia or other sleep disorders, kratom may offer a natural remedy. Certain strains of kratom, particularly those with higher concentrations of the sedative alkaloids, can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
Users often report falling asleep more quickly and experiencing deeper, more restorative sleep when using kratom. Given how important getting enough sleep is to both physical and mental health, this could result in improved general health.
6. Enhanced Cognitive Function
Credits: iStock Photo There is evidence to suggest that kratom may enhance cognitive function . Users have reported improvements in memory, clarity of thought, and overall cognitive performance when using kratom. Those who want to improve their mental sharpness, such as professionals and students, will find this especially helpful.
The cognitive benefits of kratom are thought to originate from its possible capacity to improve blood flow to the brain and its stimulating effects, which can aid sharpen attention and promote mental stamina.
Conclusion
Due to its stimulant and opioid-like properties, kratom has been used historically throughout Southeast Asia and has recently gained favor in both Europe and the United States. When misused, this plant’s complicated pharmacology can have negative effects.
People who already have an underlying substance use disorder are more likely to experience some of the dose-dependent negative effects of kratom. There are several advantageous applications for this plant, including the management of pain, anxiety, sadness, or drug withdrawal symptoms. Before advising patients on the medicinal use of kratom, more research is required.
Copyright © 2024 California Business Journal. All Rights Reserved.
