Kratom is used as a recreational drug by the natives of Indonesia, where it had originated. While some people prefer consuming kratom leaves raw, others crush down the leaves and boil them in their tea. Kratom was used by people to treat minor ailments such as headaches, colds, and cough.
Gradually, studies and researches are concentrating on the benefits and long-term effects of kratom being incorporated in daily life. The shrinking world has made the availability of kratom in any form very easy. Just type kratom near me and scroll through the interface to find the kratom that best suits you.
How does kratom work?
Kratom contains mitragynine; similar to actual opioids, the compound acts as a pain reliever. Since actual opioids can become trouble quickly, kratom is used by most people to avoid the complications of opioids. The word natural opioid signifies that the kratom contains an opioid-like chemical composition. Researchers and investigators have not yet studied much about the compound. However, some researchers suggest that the mitragynine present in the compound works like magic on depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
● Kratom for depression
In 2017, a survey pointed out that many people use kratom as a self-treatment to treat symptoms of depression. According to them, consuming kratom daily has improved their mood and living style. They register lessened depressive symptoms.
In 2018, scientists confirmed these findings and concluded that some compounds in the kratom leaves interact with the brain’s cells to relieve various depressive manifestations. Mitragynine being a psychoactive drug, can provide you with various sensations. Depending upon the amount of dosage, you might experience a boost in energy at lower levels, euphoria at a moderate dosage, and sedation at high doses.
● Kratom for anxiety
People suffering from anxiety often manifest immense pain, lack of energy, and reduced motivation. Kratom, when used as a stimulant, energizes the body and relieves pain. According to researchers, high concentrations of alkaloids elevate mood and reduce anxiousness in the body. Kratom consumers report a higher alert and focused mind with manageable emotional stress. Consisting of natural and potent sedatives, kratom relaxes your mind and body by releasing mood-enhancing hormones. According to research conducted in 2017, kratom reduces symptoms like pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and high blood pressure. A review suggested the potential benefits of kratom as an anti-inflammatory, multi-immunity enhancing, and appetite suppressing effects.
● Kratom for Post-traumatic stress disorder
Kratom is known for its therapeutic benefits in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. While it alone might not completely cure the ailment, it definitely would ease the associated symptoms. Unlike all the psycho-therapeutical drugs, kratom does not leave behind a trail of mind-altering side effects like hallucinations, agitation, or suicidal thoughts. Though more studies are required on the subject, people who consume kratom register their experience. According to them, kratom makes them stress-free. All the tensions of past and future become irrelevant, hence, ceasing the mental trauma. Kratom can be a better alternative treatment for PTSD and all the other symptoms associated with it.
● Kratom for opioid withdrawal
Drug dependence is common with people consuming oxycodone for pain relief. Continuous usage might lead to drug addiction which causes severe symptoms while withdrawing the drug. These include trembling, sweating, cravings and might last for several weeks. Being a very unpleasant experience, many people opt to ease their symptoms by the use of kratom. Kratom contains similar elements to actual opioid, it evokes euphoria, boosts energy, and relieves pain. However, studies suggest that overusing kratom might also lead to adverse situations like kratom addiction and dependence.
Effects of using kratom:
Since the drug has not yet been studied adequately, the long-term effects of kratom on the body are still unknown. However, daily consumers of kratom register some immediate behavioral, mental, emotional, and physical effects. They can be put down as follows:
Emotional, behavioral, and mental effects:
- Increased focus
- Reduced anxiety
- Enhanced mood
- Euphoria
- Increased talkativeness
- Mental side-effects:
Physical effects:
- Increased energy
- Decreased pain
- Muscle relaxation
Usually, kratom takes only 5 to 10 minutes to show its effects on the body.
Side effects of kratom:
Mild symptoms may include:
- Dry mouth
- Itching
- Frequent urination
- Headache
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mood change
There are some severe side effects associated with the usage of kratom:
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of libido
- Memory problems
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Psychosis
The 2016 report published by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that most kratom users manifested mild to moderate side effects.
However, researchers believe that the interaction of kratom with other substances like alcohol might cause health complications. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should keep themselves away from kratom because of the potential effects of psychoactive drugs to hinder a child’s brain development.
How are the doses determined?
If you visit a doctor, they would consider your height, weight, pre-registered health or mental issues, your physical capacity of tolerating the drug, and if you are prescribed any medications. Your doctor needs to know about your health before deciding whether kratom is the ultimate treatment you need. The insufficient studies have left a question in the mind of the investigators about the interactions of kratom with other drugs.
Conclusion
Kratom has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) department. Knowing about all the side effects, it is advisable to abstain from consuming higher doses of kratom. Newbies should consume lower doses initially and gradually increase the amount of consumption. Different people would manifest different symptoms and side effects.
