What is kratom and what are its effects?

What is kratom?

Kratom is an herb derived from the tree species Mitragyna speciosa. You can find the herb in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. The herb is more commonly used as a substitute for the illegal drug opium, as kratom also has stimulant and analgesic effects. Different varieties of kratom have appeared on the market and the quality of these varieties can differ based on where the herb is extracted, the vein of the leaf and the age of the tree. The processing of the harvested kratom also determines the quality of the herb. For example, if the tree is an older age, the quality is better.

Kratom effects

Kratom contains alkaloids, substances of which mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are probably the best known. Mitragynine is an agonist of opiates, so it has a stimulating effect on the opioid receptors in your brain. When this substance exerts its influence, you will notice it by feeling euphoric and relaxed, just as opium creates this. Besides acting on opioid receptors, alkaloids also act on other receptors in the brain, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin receptors.

Types of kratom

There are several varieties of kratom on the market, depending on the region where the herb is extracted and the vein and stem of the leaf used. A distinction is generally made between four types: kratom with a red, green, yellow or white vein. The red vein is most commonly used and this type of kratom mainly has a calming effect on the body and mind. It also has a stimulating effect. The green kratom is known as natural energy booster of a mild nature. Kratom with a yellow vein provides relaxation but can be stimulating at the same time. White kratom brings stimulating and euphoric effects. Under these main categories, you will find well-known kratom varieties such as:

• Maeng Da
• Green Thai
• Red Indo
• Super Yellow
• Bali Green
• Super Green Elephant
• White Sumatra
• Red Dragon

Duration of effect of kratom and dosage

When you have used kratom, you will notice the first effects about 15 to 30 minutes after taking it. It depends on your dose and the type of kratom how long the effects last afterwards. On average, the effects last 2 to 6 hours. In your body, the herb can be detected for up to 24 hours. In fact, the half-life of substances such as mitragynine is around 7 to 24 hours. A good dose of kratom is around 3 to 5 grams of kratom. From 10 grams, one speaks of a high dosage.

Kratom offers these benefits

Average Kratom experiences are positive because of its medicinal effects on the body and mind. Exactly which effects will occur depends on the type of kratom and the dosage. However, the average experience with kratom is:

• It works intoxicating.
• It gives energy.
• Kratom suppresses pain.
• The herb reduces anxiety, stress and depression.
• At lower doses, kratom has a euphoric effect.
• At lower doses, the herb also has a stimulating effect.
• Higher doses lead to dreamlike effects.
• Higher doses also lead to sedation.
• Kratom increases libido.

Negative kratom experiences

Kratom also has several side effects. You may develop a craving for sweetness or experience some dehydration symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, dry mouth and headache. With higher doses and prolonged use, the side effects increase. For instance, you may experience itching, diarrhoea or just constipation, tinnitus, lethargy and, in extreme cases, even psychosis. Moreover, an addiction may develop because you want to maintain the mental and physical effects. So a dependence on kratom develops.

This is how to apply kratom

Originally, kratom was used for medicinal purposes, but nowadays it mostly has a recreational function as well. The leaves are often chewed, smoked or made into tea. When chewing kratom, fresh leaves are better than dried leaves. This is because dry leaves are very tough to chew. Making tea is the easiest way to use kratom. Nowadays, however, kratom is also ground into powder or made into extracts. You can take a lower dose of the extracts.