Kratom, a plant that originates from the area of Southeast Asia, has been used frequently globally due to its potential effects and benefits to enhance the well-being of some people. Even though kratom is equipped with a variety of potential effects that can benefit some users, it is important to perform necessary research on usage of the plant. Because the world of kratom may be seemingly complex for some, we have detailed a beginner guide below and the top 10 things you should know before trying kratom. With this information in hand, we hope that you will be able to make more kratom purchases in confidence with knowing the ins and outs about both the vendor landscape as well as general information about the plant.
The Basics of Kratom:
It is always great to start with the basics – what kratom exactly is! Kratom is scientifically known as mitragyna speciosa. People generally consume the leaves of the kratom, which are harvested from the kratom tree. The plant is usually sourced from areas of Southeast Asia, where it is widely used by local inhabitants. Kratom has a storied history within Southeast Asia, with many of its residents using the plant for its many varied effects ranging from both pain management as well as its stimulative effects.
Kratom is typically ingested in its most natural state, from the kratom leaves. Most vendors sell kratom powder, which is the finely grained version of the kratom leaves. With kratom powder, users can brew kratom tea through hot water. Many people will actually add lemon, honey or other additives that can make the taste of kratom a bit more appealing.
Kratom capsules have also increased in popularity due to its convenience when taking the plant. Kratom capsules are simply the kratom powders packaged into smaller capsules for users to swallow. By using kratom capsules, you do not have to worry about brewing any teas or including the kratom powder in any other recipes. You can simply take the capsules as desired with no additional prep time needed. One caveat of using kratom capsules, however, is the fact that you would need to take multiple capsules at a time to reach the recommended dosage of kratom, simply due to the fact of how small the capsules are and how much kratom powder actually fits within each capsule.
Lastly, kratom extracts have continued to dominate the market due to the increasingly potent nature of these products. Kratom extracts are the most potent form of kratom available and are extracted from the kratom powders to make in some cases kratom that is 2x, 5x, 20x or even 50x the strength of regular kratom powder. We only recommend taking kratom extracts if you are a seasoned veteran of kratom and can handle larger dosages of the plant.
Varied Strains and Veins:
Kratom is an extremely varied product and has many different strains as well as vein colors that each provide different properties for those looking for specific effects. The vein colors of kratom typically relate to the age of the kratom plant when the leaves were harvested. As a general rule of thumb, white colored kratom is the kratom at its youngest age. Green vein kratom is the kratom leaf as it is maturing, and red vein kratom is the most mature stage of the kratom. All of these different colored strains of kratom provide different effects of kratom and it is necessary to research which age of the kratom plant works best for you.
In addition to differing colored strains of kratom, there are also various strains of kratom. The most popular strains of kratom can include maeng da kratom, bali kratom, borneo kratom, and even thai kratom. As we mentioned above regarding the different colored strains of kratom, each different strain of kratom will also provide differing effects. It is important to research which strain of kratom works best for you.
Alkaloid Content:
The effects of kratom are directly related to the alkaloid content within the kratom products, measured through the different alkaloids present within mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The alkaloids are the main determinants in the effects of kratom as they interact directly with receptors in both the mind and the body.
Potential Benefits of Kratom:
The different alkaloids of kratom cause different effects of kratom that affect everybody differently. Many users of kratom have noted that the most common benefits and effects of kratom range from pain relief, pain management, increased energy, mood enhancement, improved focus, improved sleep and even addiction treatment. It is important to research which dosages and strains of kratom would work best for the desired effect that you are looking for. Most importantly – everybody’s body works differently so experiences can vary between individuals.
Responsible Usage:
As with any supplement to take, it is imperative that you take the plant responsibly. It is important that you always begin with a small dose, which you can adjust as needed. It is important to always listen to your body and remember that you can always take more of a substance, but never less. The key with consuming kratom is to limit consumption both in terms of individual amounts as well as frequency of taking the kratom
Quality Matters:
It is imperative that you properly research that the kratom product is of the highest quality. This can easily be seen through verified third party lab testing results. These lab results will typically show mitragynine counts as well as if there is any detection of outside adulterants that are potentially harmful to the human body. It is important that you select high quality kratom and Outlook India’s top kratom brands in 2023 may be a helpful guide for a vendor landscape.
Potential Side Effects:
Some side effects of kratom may include constipation, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
Legality and Regulations:
Because kratom is still a developing industry, the laws and regulations will differ between regions and states. To ensure that you are following all legal guidelines, it is important to determine whether kratom is legal in your region. Make sure to stay up to date with all of the legal developments regarding kratom in either your city or state.
Consultation with Healthcare Professionals:
It may also be helpful to consult with healthcare professionals before deciding to take kratom for any uses. It is even more important if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Personal Experience:
It is important to remember that everybody’s body works differently. It may take some time for you to determine what the optimal amount of kratom works best for you.
