What does kratom do to you?
It’s time to speak of the way Kratom products influence consumers. Actually, this the main part of our today’s guide through the world of an exotic and awesome plant. Let’s become more acquainted with kratom effects.
The basic feature of the effects is that the very effects can vary significantly. And this variety is an indisputable advantage of the product.One can obtain total relief either with empowering and leveling up endurance and capability to stay focused on activity. So, these are the edges of the spectrum. Now we are going to define factors that determine this or that effect.
The first factor is a dose one gets. Law dosages cause stimulation and higher dosages lead to a sedative effect that can reach euphoria – the condition of absolute emotional and nerve relaxation.
The second factor is a type of Kratom strain which the precise product was made of.
Basically, there are three main types: red ones – the strongest, white and green ones – generally weaker but still effective.
And the third factor is the specific condition of a consumer, - individual features of his or her nerve system, weigh, age, stay of mind, health, etc.
Under these three factors, each consumer faces some vagueness of the extended effects reaching. Though, the trends are determined.
The mentioned effects are similar to some that can be reached communing opiates. Besides the mentioned effects, this plant's products help much to reduce pain and treat sleeplessness. This resemblance made Kratom famous as an opiates substitute.
What are Opioids?
To get a deeper understanding of what Kratom is. In this stage, we ought to present a bit more information regarding opioids.
Opioids are microelements that are contained by some plants. Generally, opioids are treated as drugs, so, the consumption is regulated via special laws, and selling opioids is restricted. There is a broad group of plants that opioids can be made of. Such products as morphine can be explicated from the poppy plant or even made synthetically in a laboratory. When opioid elements get into somebody’s blood they attach specific opioid receptors of brain cells, which makes these cells release impulses which shot down the feeling of pain simultaneously elevating the feeling of pleasure.
There is a list of negative consequences of opioids consumption.
And the worst thing is – that opioids are so hard to quit. The addiction rate is very high and this is the point where kratom products serve their useful service as an opioids substitute, a helpful thing to stand the syndrome of opioids withdrawal.
But is Kratom an opiate? – that’s the crucial question. To answer correctly we would better firstly learn more about Kratom.
What is Kratom?
The components of the products we are discussing have been researched very little up to now, as well as the effects they cause. Some latest researches show that Kratom does contain opioids or/and opioid-like elements.
Kratom (scientifically - Mitragyna speciosa) is an exotic plant originating from Southeast Asia. It reaches big size and demands specific climatic conditions which are naturally intrinsic to this region: high level of moisture, a lot of sunny days, and high medium average temperature, and of course, the soil rich with some microelements.
This tropical tree belongs to the coffee family and its leaves produce elements that provide stimulating, uplifting, and opiate-like effects – pain relief and euphoria. The number of components the plant possesses are difficult to detect as the precise type of drug – stimulant or opiate, as long as their properties perform both ways.
The names of two main components that play the central roles in Kratom affecting consumers are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. They act most powerfully dealing with a human opioid receptor, the same one which is affected by oxycodone or heroin.
So, is Kratom an opiate? – Yes and no simultaneously. Some recent researches show that Kratom contains opioids and opioid-like components. Though, their quantity and power are not so dangerous as long as the US Drug Enforcement Administration has not proclaimed Kratom to be a drug.
Correspondingly there are no Kratom drug effects. Because Kratom is not a drug. But if you ask something like Does Kratom really work? The answer is Yes, it does. Definitely.
Why do people use kratom?
Using Kratom initially was a cultural tradition for local people of Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and New Guinea.
People simply chewed or brewed a tea from the dried leaves of Kratom. It was a common supplement for them to struggle against fatigue and enlarge endurance and industrious. The climate conditions which are so necessary for Kratom trees growing, at the same time are very depleting for a human’s body.
The high rate of moisture and sun hit made any outdoor work complicated, while the productiveness was a factor of surviving. Moreover, the socio-religious ceremonies stimulated a state of trance that was easy to reach with the help of Kratom.
Later, the plant was recognized as a treat for opioids withdrawal and as an alternative to opioids. And the popularity of Kratom extended the original area.
Nowadays Kratom is a legal herb that is consumed in the form of powder, tea brewing, and capsules.
Kratom pills high - is the easiest way to reach desirable conditions, to experience euphoria. Pills contain a concentrate of Kratom’s elements. There even exists a liquid Kratom and everyone can easily purchase Kratom products he prefers.
Generally, via processing the data of the collected fid back, suppliers claim that Kratom products help to treat stresses, depression, frustration, and fatigue that go along with our intense and fussy life. The list of potent benefits from Kratom products usage includes managing sleeplessness and improving men’s sexual performance.
But, frequently people ask something like this: «Does kratom really work for opiate withdrawal?»
The whole history of Kratoms becoming popular, as we have already mentioned, is based on Kratom’s being opioid-like herb. So, the previous statement together with the fact that Kratom does contain opioids and opioid-like components gives us right to answer «Yes, Kratom really helps with opiate withdrawal»
Pharmacology of Kratom
The growing popularity of Kratom stimulated pharmacological scientists to try harder to define and describe active components of Kratom that influence the human body. Eventually, there have been founded 20 compounds that cause considerable pharmacologic influence.
The structure of the main Kratom’s component – mitragynine analogs have been extensively researched and described during a recent Adkins review. These elements contain an indole ring and have a structure similar to yohimbine. The agents produce different pharmacologic effects, both in vivo and in vitro.
Analgesic and Opioid-Like Effects
As we have mentioned – Kratom is widely known and used as a painkiller and manager of opium withdrawal. And these properties attracted scientific and public attention.
It is strange that despite all interest Kratom products have no rigorous well-controlled scientific study on these effects of Kratom has not been presented yet. Although it seems natural to belonging to scrutinize Kratom’s nature and properties totally.
But, what a relief, we definitely got something proved.
There have been conducted studies that show the capability of Kratom’s molecules to alleviate the pain of animals. Specific tests in, rats, mice, dogs, and cats revealed that Kratom does have analgesic property. Moreover, the compounds isolated from Kratom perform opioid-like in ligand-binding studies and interact the same way with a smooth muscle system.
Kratom also shows potency to act as an anti-inflammatory.
The indole alkaloids that Kratom contains, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, have revealed analgesic and antinociceptive properties affecting animals. But 7-hydroxymitragynime has appeared to have higher potency.
These components provide opioid-like effects on intestines and male internal genitalia.
And finally, mentioned elements produce physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal, when animals are feed with them longer than 5 days in a row.
Kratom Abuse, Dependence, and Addiction Potential
Using of mind-altering products such as Kratom determines the brain’s natural chemistry changing. Some chemical processes are stimulated by the Kratom products and some are depressed. Absorption of some microelements can also be temporarily reduced or stopped. The chemical disorder of some of the neurotransmitters causes an excessive feeling of pleasure and can lead to a rush of euphoria, or “high.”
Regular consumption consequently leads to the brain chemistry alteration and expectation of the Kratom products’ presence. As long as there is no natural way to appear and deliver such chemical messengers to the central nervous system, the syndrome of withdrawal is imminent.
This can be avoided if you do not use Kratom for a few days in a row. Breaks will allow a consumer to diminish risks and enjoy the benefits that Kratom products give.
There are cases when users reported becoming addicted to kratom products. The common withdrawal symptoms are:
- insomnia
- muscle aches
- irritability
- hostility
- aggression
- emotional changes
- runny nose
- jerky movements
Conclusion
Kratom products have the potency to affect a consumer’s mood and act in an opioid-like way.
If used reasonably in law dosages Kratom generally is beneficial for consumers. From this point of view, Kratom can be compared with coffee or tea. But using Kratom more than 4-5 days in a row leads to undesirable consequences. As well as usage of Kratom products together with any alcohol or drugs can lead even to health damages.
Kratom is legal in major states and is not on the list of prohibited products.
Kratom is well-known as a painkiller, sedative, and stimulant herb. And its reputation has been formed during ages. That means that it worth trying, but, of course, with due diligence in a proper environment.
