Please note: the use of Kratom for medical or recreational purposes may be illegal in your country.
The opioid crisis is presently one of the biggest threats to the health of millions of Americans. This group of pain management medications has been known to have a high potential for abuse, leading many of those who use prescription drugs into addiction and dependence.
Unfortunately, opiates remain some of the most prescribed medications in the country because of their effective use against pain.
On the other hand, experts and researchers have found that kratom might be the solution to this growing problem. As a natural remedy against pain, kratom doesn’t only provide an organic alternative for those struggling with discomfort, but has also shown promise in the treatment of opioid addiction.
What is Kratom?
The Mitragyna speciosa is a tropical evergreen plant that’s native to Southeast Asia. It’s a distant relative of the coffee plant, and has an extensive history in folk medicine for its pain-relieving effects. In areas where the plant is indigenous, locals chew on the leaves to alleviate discomfort and physical stress after a long day of work. Farmers often chew on the leaves throughout the day in order to minimize the pain of hunching over for hours on end.
Kratom can now commonly be found on the US market, but it has yet to be approved by the FDA as a food additive, supplement, or medication. Nonetheless, there are countless anecdotal sources that testify the plant’s healing properties, especially against pain.
How Does Kratom Work?
The brain has what’s called opiate receptors which react to the presence of opioids. However science has found that two compounds found in the kratom leaves – namely mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine interact with the same opioid receptors, producing a similar response as opioids. With the right quantities, kratom can manifest sedation, pleasure, and pain relief which is commonly associated with opioid drugs.
This discovery has led experts to assume that kratom may be a sound substitute versus opioids, considering that the natural herb also poses a much lower risk of addiction and dependence.
How Does Kratom Help with Opioid Withdrawal?
Another interesting discovery is that kratom might actually be a viable treatment for opioid abuse. Individuals who develop a dependence on any sort of substance have a hard time weaning off of its use because their bodies become so accustomed to the presence of the drug that they can’t function without it.
That’s why opioid abuse can be tough to deal with because those who use it develop a ‘need’. however, kratom’s close resemblance to opiates means that individuals might be able to use it and fool their system into thinking that they’re still using opioids.
Individuals with a dependence on opiates can wean off of the drug by substituting with kratom. This way, the need to stimulate the opiate receptors is still met, but the body is slowly relieved of the addiction to the substance. And because kratom is much less likely to develop a dependence, users can taper off their use until they no longer need the intake to function for daily life.
Are There Dangers to Using Kratom?
As with any substance that you put into your body, there will always be risks. When taken too often in copious amounts, it’s still possible to develop a kratom dependence, albeit at a much lower probability. So to avoid the risk, it’s important to fully understand how kratom should be used for pain:
- Use only when necessary – As long as you can tolerate the discomfort, try to avoid using the herb. The less you expose your body to the kratom substance, the less likely you are to develop a dependence. If you suffer from chronic pain, make sure you allow the effects of the kratom to wear off completely before you take your next dose so your body has time to touch base.
- Rotate strains – There are lots of different kratom strains, including super green malay, maeng da, and red bali kratom. All of these strains come from different phenotypes of the same plant, and thus have slightly different chemical compositions. Instead of using the same kratom over and over, opt to rotate different varieties so your body doesn’t acclimate to a single strain.
- Take a break – Schedule a few days or a week when you plan to avoid using the natural herb all together. Going on a cleanse allows the body to adjust back to its normal state, and prevents the development of a dependence. Make sure you take a break from kratom use at least once a month or more, depending on how much you take per dose.
- Don’t overdo it – One of the biggest mistakes people make when taking kratom is using more than they need to. If you’re a first timer with kratom, make sure you measure out the proper dose. Start at the lowest possible dose and then work your way up gradually to your therapeutic threshold. Don’t try the max possible dose and then work your way down – this could lead to potentially dangerous side effects especially if you’re new to the stuff.
- Maintain the right schedule – Some people end up taking more kratom than they should because they can’t feel its potency. But sometimes it’s not a matter of dose, but of timing. Taking your kratom after a big meal can subdue its effects as its interacts with other food being digested in your gut. If you want to elevate the effects without taking a bigger dose, try scheduling your intake before a meal.
The Bottom Line
Too much of a good thing can be bad for you, and the same goes for kratom. This powerful miracle herb has been found to help people against chronic pain and a variety of other physical and even mental discomforts. But it’s important to fully understand the herb and how it works. By following these tips and using kratom responsibly, you can reap its benefits and even ease the process of opiate withdrawal without a hitch.
And also make sure that you’re buying kratom for reputable vendors like goldenmonk and others. This is the ensure that you are getting the highest quality kratom strain you buy.
