With the growing need for alternative treatments, natural and holistic compounds always take center stage. The little to no side-effects make them a perfect substitute for conventional medications. Kratom and CBD are not new and have been used for centuries. CBD might not sound new to any individual, but kratom might be too many people’s ears. While these two natural products have touched many hearts, people wonder about the difference between them. Let’s get to the depth of these two.
Overview – CBD
CBD comes from the hemp plant and is one of the many cannabinoids found on this plant. It originates from the northern hemisphere in several countries like China and some parts of Europe.
People have embraced CBD for its massive effects on the body and treatment of many conditions. Moreover, CBD comes in many forms. Earlier on, the popular forms were capsules and tinctures. Nowadays, people have become more creative and include it in drinks like coffee and are constituent on body products like lotions, soaps, and hair products.
What makes CBD win many individuals’ hearts is the relaxing effect on the body without making them high. This makes it so different from its counterpart, marijuana, which has a high THC concentration, a cannabinoid with psychoactive properties. Its ability to interact with the endocannabinoids in the human body with the help of cannabinoids receptors enables it to bring balance to many body functions.
Overview – Kratom
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, is a coffee family plant that originates from Southern Asia, in countries like Malaysia, New Guinea, and Thailand, where it grew as herbs in jungles. People discovered it for its medicinal purposes, where they used the supplement to treat diarrhea, fatigue, muscle cramps, pain, and remedy for opium addiction.
As its medicinal news spread, it started gaining popularity in Europe and the United States. Traditionally, people used to chew its leaves or crush them to make tea or capsule. People often search where to get kratom on Google. Today, you can find different kratom varieties such as green Malay kratom, Red Bali kratom, and white Kratom. Besides, it exists in various forms as supplements, tobacco, and vapes for recreational purposes.
Among the active ingredients of kratom, mitragynine, and 7- Hydroxymitragynine, kratom is the health-promoting compound. Mitragynine is the chemical compound that brings relaxation effects, while 7-hydroxy mitragynine has psychoactive properties. These two ingredients interact with the opioid receptors to bring out their impact on the user.
CBD differs from Kratom on consumption method
How to consume CBD
There is a long list of ways by which you can use CBD. Some of them are:
- Edibles – CBD edibles include truffles, chocolate, cookies, candy, gummies, and mints. It is the best way to discretely consume CBD since it masks the weed smell and taste. The only demerit with CBD edibles is that it takes a long time for the body to absorb the effects, and only about 30% of the CBD is absorbed.
- Sublingual products – This includes tinctures and CBD oils. If you are not a fan of sugary CBD edibles, sublingual products are a friendly alternative. You only have to place them under the tongue where they are absorbed. CBD compounds absorbed in this manner have a long-lasting effect on the body.
- Topicals – These are products that one can directly apply to the skin. They include creams, balms, and lotions. Topical, for years, have been used to remedy many skin problems, including eczema.
- Inhaling – Many CBD users go for smoking or vaping because of the fast absorption into the bloodstream. You can feel the effects of CBD almost immediately after smoking the product.
- These are mostly in powder form and used in cooking, baking, and making smoothies. Isolates are the purest forms of CBD since their production involves removing all the other cannabinoids until CBD is the only one left.
These are just a few CBD products and ways of consuming them. Others include CBD capsules, oil concentrates, and pet products, all designed to bring sound CBD effects to the body.
Ways to consume kratom
Those who grow kratom consume it directly by chewing leaves. However, the most common way to take in kratom is by drying the leaves, crushing them to make powder, swallowing, or making tea. People who purchase kratom in retail places buy it as power, which they then add in their drinks to activate its elements.
Also, other people like to toss and wash kratom. This is merely putting a spoonful of kratom in the mouth and then washing it down the throat using juice or water. Kratom also comes in the form of capsules and tablets, and recently there are tinctures, resins, and extracts, which people love due to their high concentrations.
While there are new means that will arise as time goes by, kratom tea seems never to fade away. While there are claims that the pain-relieving properties of kratom deplete when consumed as a tea, people love the euphoric and mood-boosting effects of kratom tea.
Health Benefits of CBD and Kratom
The therapeutic effects of both kratom and CBD are what lures the world into embracing these two products. Although there is no comprehensive research, especially on kratom, these two products are treatments for anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and joint problems. However, these independent products influence the body in different ways. Let’s have a look.
CBD effects on the body
There is new research revealing more ways in which CBD can help treat various body conditions. Many people are attesting to the ability of CBD to help with insomnia, relieving pain, managing mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and relaxing the brain and muscles. Its medical benefits extend to helping with joint problems like arthritis and other conditions like multiple sclerosis, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy.
How does kratom benefit the body?
People who discovered kratom used it to treat minor body problems like diarrhea, fever, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Its effectiveness in restoring the body’s performance in these areas led to more research, which revealed its ability to treat more severe body issues like chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, and inflammation. Athletes and bodybuilders are also using it to improve a person’s performance, increase body energy and relieve muscle tension. The green supplement has become more prevalent in North America in helping people with opium withdrawal get their lives back to normal.
Conclusion
While these two products may seem to have similar effects on the body, they have different properties. Thus, you cannot use CBD as kratom’s substitute and vice versa. However, if you want to incorporate one of these supplements into your diet, consult an expert.
