There might be as many as 16 million Americans who consume kratom, up from three-five million only a few years ago. With this rapid growth in popularity, there is a lot of hype and misinformation in the news and online about this substance. If you’re thinking of trying Kratom, it’s a good idea to do your research first. Questions like: what are the side effects of Kratom? are important to ask.
Let’s take a look at what you should know about kratom uses and side effects.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is the leaves of the Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) plant, which is a tropical evergreen tree. Native to South Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Myanmar, Kratom is in the coffee family.
For most of its history, kratom has been used by the agrarian societies of Southeast Asia. In recent times, however, the popularity and awareness of kratom have grown throughout the western world.
The leaves or their extracts have been used both as a sedative and a stimulant. The leaves contain more than 40 active compounds that act upon various brain receptors. Kratom is unique in that smaller doses act as a stimulant, while higher doses appear to have a sedative effect.
The topic of kratom and its safety has been a growing controversy in recent years. As a result of this, it is considered a controlled substance in sixteen countries. In the United States, there are only a handful of states that have made kratom illegal.
What Are the Different Types of Kratom?
The different strains of kratom are distinguished by the region they grow in. It’s worth learning about the differences between the strains because they can have different effects.
It’s important to note that two people can feel very different effects from the same strain. However, understanding the differences between the strains can help guide your decision of which strain to take.
Some of the most popular kratom strains are Thai Maeng Da, Red Dragon, Bali Kratom, Borneo Kratom, Malaysian Kratom, and Indonesian Kratom.
On top of understanding the different strains of kratom, there is a color cycle the plant goes through that changes the effects.
When a kratom plant is still young, the leaf vein will be reddish in color. Many find red-veined kratom to be the most relaxing. The effects of red-veined kratom lasts for roughly five hours.
In the middle of a kratom plant’s growing cycle, the veins are more white in color. With effects that last about three to five hours, many users find white-veined kratom to be more energizing.
When the kratom plant gets to the end of its growing cycle, the vein is greenish in color. Green-veined kratom is the longest-lasting, with the effects lasting for up to eight hours. These strains are gentle stimulants and considered to be the most potent.
How Do You Take Kratom?
Kratom can be ingested in a number of different ways. In the region it’s native to, kratom leaves are commonly chewed fresh after removing the central, stringy vein.
While it’s possible to chew the dried leaves as well, they can be a bit tough. For this reason, people often choose to crush dried leaves up or ingest them as a powder. Kratom in powdered form can be mixed with water or other liquids and then drank.
Powdered kratom can also be mixed with applesauce, yogurt, or made into a paste.
Kratom tea is another common way of ingesting the dried leaves. One can also prepare a resin-like extract by evaporating the water out of kratom tea. The pellets of this extract can then be either dissolved in hot water and drank as a tea or simply swallowed.
Some individuals choose to mix their kratom tea with regular herbal or black tea.
Kratom is also available in capsule form.
What Are the Side Effects of Kratom?
There are quite a few bad side effects of kratom. These include:
- Nausea
- Tongue numbness
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Need to urinate
- Aggression
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Thyroid problems
Stopping taking kratom abruptly after regular use can result in withdrawal symptoms. While not everyone who stops using this South Asian plant will experience kratom withdrawal, some people do experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Kratom withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Muscle aches
- Cravings
- Fatigue
- Cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tremor
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Watering eyes
- Sweating
- Hot flashes
- Runny nose
- Restless legs
The symptoms of kratom withdrawal are typically experienced within 12 to 48 hours of the last dose. They generally last about three days.
Kratom: Are You Thinking About Trying It?
Kratom has a long and fascinating history in Southeast Asia. In its native region, it’s been used since at least the nineteenth century in traditional medicine.
Since the growth of its popularity around the world has been recent, there is still much to learn about its effects and side effects. At the same time, there is a growing population of people around the world utilizing this plant for its unique blend of stimulating and sedating effects. Understandably, a lot of people who’ve only just heard of this plant wonder “what are the side effects of kratom?”
When purchasing kratom, all companies are not created equal. It’s absolutely vital that you buy your kratom from a business that tests its products for identification, heavy metals content, microbial safety, and other factors. Here at Cali Botanicals, we only sell kratom products that pass laboratory testing.
Is it time for you to start exploring the world of kratom? Check out our selection of kratom extracts today.