Understanding the Chemical Composition of Kratom For Safe Use
When you order Kratom online, you might notice that there are a lot of articles out there claiming that Kratom is bad or that it’s a drug. Unfortunately, there are still so many people out there who are severely misinformed about Kratom, despite the thousands of people who swear by its positive effects and the medical research that support those claims.
However, as with any substance, both legal and otherwise, misuse and abuse can happen, and unfortunate side effects can surface. That being said, we are firm believers in the idea that, if people were equipped with accurate information about the substance they’re interacting with and they’re encouraged to be moderate with their usage and to follow proper dosage, then the risks of overdosing can drastically reduce.
In essence, Kratom is a wonderful supplement that promotes clarity, focus, relaxation, and an overall positive mood. It’s a great daily supplement that can encourage holistic wellness of body and mind. Here are some answers to Kratom FAQ’s to help clear out the misinformation.
What is Kratom?
Kratom –scientific name Mitragyna speciosa –is a tropical evergreen plant that is native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It is a relative of the coffee plant, with its leaves being known for their sedative and stimulating effects, with its use being recorded in ancient texts as both a spiritual aid and a recreational substance.
Most Kratom products are simply the processed leaves of the Kratom plant. By dehydrating the leaves, the active components of Kratom are concentrated, thus providing the user with a direct hit of its positive and holistic effects.
How Does Kratom Work in the Body?
There are two active substances in Kratom: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These 2 compounds –an alkaloid and a metabolite, respectively –are believed to act on the opioid receptors in the brain, triggering the release of serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain that help in pain relief, anti-inflammation, mood boosting, improved focus, and other positive effects.
The active metabolite of Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is believed to be 13 times more potent than the active components in morphine, allowing it to pass through the blood-brain barrier more rapidly but without damaging anything along the way. While more research is required to confirm these claims, current researcher is showing promising results.
Why Do Some People Think Kratom is Bad?
If you noticed, the pharmacological process of Mitragynine and its active metabolite involves interacting with the opioid receptors in the brain. Opioid receptors are the same neural gateways that hard drugs like morphine and heroin use to provide analgesic effects in the human body.
This has led to the very misguided idea that Kratom –and, in essence, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine –are in the same class as opioids.
But let’s be clear: Kratom is not in the same class as hard drugs or other illicit substances.
While drugs like morphine and heroin act on the same opioid receptors as Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, their interactions are different, albeit producing similar results. That being said, the similarities of Kratom and hard drugs start and end there.
Bottomline: Is Kratom Safe?
The short answer is: yes, Kratom is safe when it is used moderately, responsibly, and with the idea that it is used as a dietary supplement for holistic wellness.
Regular, moderate Kratom usage has been proven to provide a host of positive effects, including, but not limited to:
- Improved mood
- Increase in energy levels
- Increase in sociability
- Mild sedation
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
That being said, when Kratom is abused and misused, negative side effects can be observed. However, this is true with pretty much any substance, be it Kratom, aspirin, alcohol, tobacco, even water. Unfortunately, because people are not educated about proper Kratom usage, Kratom overdoses can happen. While clinical studies have yet to confirm it, Kratom is seeing promising results as an all-natural supplement in MOUD, or Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, a therapeutic regimen that helps opioid-dependent people wean themselves off of the drug.
There are also cases of unscrupulous online Kratom vendors who might cut their substance with dangerous additives and other unsafe chemicals. This is why it is crucial to source your Kratom from reputable vendors only.
Learn More About Kratom with Dakind Botanicals
There’s a lot of misinformation about Kratom floating around there. Thankfully, when you order Kratom online, there are thousands of positive reviewers from both regular users and researchers. Help fight misinformation by learning more about Kratom with Dakind Botanicals.
At Dakind Botanicals, we pride ourselves of being subject matter experts in the field of Kratom, from chemical composition and accurate strain identification to teaching people about the proper dosage and even providing sources on how to consume Kratom responsibly. Read our FAQ’s to learn more about Kratom.
