Kratom leaves have increasing benefits for overall health and well-being. Find out here the top health benefits of the Kratom supplement.
Should you take a kratom supplement?
A quick online search will tell you that there are conflicting opinions about kratom. While some recognize its health benefits, others are quick to dismiss it because of safety concerns.
Of course, the only way you can decide if kratom is worth taking is if the benefits outweigh the risks. Here, we’ll talk about those benefits, as well as the possible side effects.
First Things First: What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree found in Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian countries. It belongs to the coffee family and has a long history of use in traditional medicine.
In the US, kratom is available in stores that sell supplements and alternative medicines. There are also online shops such as The Kratom Connection that carry different strains of the herb in both powder and capsule form.
Now, if you’re ordering the herb from another country, you have to know that kratom is banned in Australia, Malaysia, Burma, and other EU countries. Don’t forget to check first before buying online to make sure you’re not violating any kratom laws or regulations.
The Benefits of Kratom
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the active ingredients in kratom. These are alkaloids found in the leaves or extracts from leaves of kratom and the ones responsible for kratom’s health effects.
What’s interesting about kratom is it can act as a stimulant and a sedative depending on the given dose. At low doses, it produces stimulant effects including increased alertness, energy, and sociability. Meanwhile, consuming higher doses (10 to 25 grams) does the opposite.
Aside from acting as a sedative, kratom at higher doses produces analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. It also has anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxant properties. Though there aren’t enough clinical trials done on kratom, there are studies that show how its active compounds are able to act on the body’s opioid receptors.
This suggests that kratom may have potential in managing pain, opioid withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and other health conditions.
What to Know Before Taking a Kratom Supplement
It’s possible to overdose on kratom since the right dosages have yet to be established. Even at low doses, there can be severe side effects such as anorexia, insomnia, hallucinations, and so on.
Further studies are also needed to determine if kratom can interact with other drugs. You can talk to your doctor and hear what they have to say about kratom’s safety.
Want to Know More About Kratom?
Now, that you know more about the benefits and possible side effects of taking a kratom supplement, don’t stop here. Continue your research and maybe ask relatives and friends who are taking (or have taken) kratom about their experiences.
For more tips and advice on pain relief and other health concerns, don’t hesitate to browse the site. We have tons of articles on healthy living, essential oils, nutrition, yoga, and more!
