For hundreds of years, farmers in Southeast Asia have been using the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. You may know the tree by its common name: Kratom.
If you’re new to the kratom community, you’ll likely have questions about the popular substance. Keep reading to learn more about using kratom and the potential benefits and risks.
What is Kratom?
Kratom comes from the Mitrigyna speciosa tree, a relative of the coffee plant. The kratom plant is native to Southeast Asia but has recently been cultivated in other areas.
The leaves of the tree contain a variety of alkaloids — organic plant compounds that have physiological effects on humans. Many know the plant for the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These psychoactive components are unique to the kratom tree.
There are many types of kratom available. The different types of kratom are known as “strains.”
Kratom comes in 3 different “veins,” named after the color of the leaves’ veins when the plant is harvested. You can find naturally-grown red, white, or green vein kratom. You can also find hybrid kratom strains, such as gold and yellow kratom strains.
Kratom Legality
Although the FDA has not approved kratom for human consumption, kratom is legal in most of the United States. The only states where kratom is illegal are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
When purchasing kratom online, take caution to purchase from a quality wholesale kratom provider. This step will ensure that your product is safe and tested before use.
Before buying kratom online, you should double-check your state’s kratom laws.
Ways to Use Kratom
There are a variety of kratom products available online. You can purchase kratom as a powder, a capsule, or an extract. Different users prefer different forms of kratom use.
As a powder, kratom can be mixed into drinks, such as water, tea, or coffee. Capsules allow you to control the dosage of kratom you consume and may be a good option for new users. Kratom extract often sold as a tincture, is potent and should only be used by experienced users.
Potential Kratom Benefits
There isn’t much research into the benefits of kratom, but users report various benefits that differ per strain. Different strains have different alkaloid profiles, meaning they have different effects.
Users claim that kratom enhances their mood and overall sense of well-being. Many kratom users also note the soothing effects and ability to relieve discomfort.
Potential Risks/Side Effects
As with any natural supplement, there are potential side effects to kratom use. The side effects vary depending on the strain and dosage of kratom you consume. The most commonly reported side effects include dry mouth, dehydration, and constipation.
Kratom is typically safe in small doses, and side effects appear to be mild. In cases of high doses of kratom, users report feeling nauseous, feverish, or tired.
Quality kratom will contain proper alkaloid levels and therefore be less likely to make you sick. Ultra enhanced kratom products are typically a safe choice for new users.
Enjoy Using Kratom
Now that you know more about kratom use, you can decide if using kratom is right for you. Make sure you purchase your kratom from a quality provider and do your research before making a purchase.
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