There is a tree called kratom; grown and cultivated in some parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and its neighboring country. The plant has been used by the natives to cure numbers of diseases for hundreds of years. However, due to the significant number of protests and arguments regarding the herb’s efficacy and notable side-effects, the Thai government had passed a law including kratom in the “Thai Narcotic Act”, penalizing civilians who grow, cultivate, and sell kratom.
As years passed, more and more studies have proven the efficacy of kratom as a powerful herb to cure numerous diseases. As a result, the Thailand government has approved the use of kratom, however, for medical use only.
What is Kratom anyway?
As mentioned kratom, or mitragyna speciosa, is a tree-like plant that contains a powerful chemical called mitragynine, which usually works similar to codeine and morphine to relieve acute pain and more.
Traditionally, the leaves of the kratom tree are often used to make kratom capsules, pills, powder, and oil. Kratom contains more than 40 compounds and 25 more alkaloids, but the most active is the mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which has stimulating and depressant effects but possesses powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Is Kratom dangerous?
You might wonder if kratom’s efficacy is always in controversy, shouldn’t you waste your time and health to use it? Firstly, according to the experts, the side-effects of kratom are limited; this means, side-effects may occur only if kratom is used in high doses, which includes:
• Psychosis
• Seizures
• Tremors
• Liver damage
• Trouble breathing
• Brain swelling
There are non-life threatening side-effects for some medium doses too; however, these will vary person to person and how the kratom product was prepared. The effects may include:
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Frequent urination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tongue numbness
What can kratom do?
Kratom, being involved in controversies, has a lot of benefits too; these include the following:
- Relieve chronic pain –As explained, kratom contains alkaloids, which has the same relieving effects as the mild opioids; however, kratom does not have an addictive effect than the opioids.
- Helps ease the effects of addiction –Several experts have pointed out that kratom is not any form of opiate; however, it can activate the opiate receptors in the brain but in a good way. It helps the addicts to recover from drug addiction. Also, kratom helps reduce symptoms of opiate withdrawal, which includes:
o Vomiting
o Muscle cramps
o Nausea
o Pain
o Sleeplessness
o Anxiety
So, if you know someone who wants to stop taking drugs, you can advise they can try mitragyna speciosa or kratom; however, they need to consult the experts to avoid serious adverse effects caused by overdosage.
Helps people suffering from depression, stress, and anxiety – Kratom contains psychoactive substance, which helps release serotonin and endorphins – hormones that are responsible for overall mood.
There are more things to discover about kratom. If you are planning to take some kratom product, make sure to consult your physician, buy the product from a reliable source, and take the right dose as instructed.