Although kratom has gained popularity in recent times thanks to its many properties and effects, there are still many people who don’t know much about the plant. Also, there are some new kratom users who are confused with all the kratom terminology. For this reason, we’ve decided to put together a kratom dictionary, explaining some of the most popular and useful terms related to this substance.
What is Kratom?
Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree native to the South East Asian rainforest. The native population of these areas has harvested the tree’s leaves since ancient times to enjoy its properties. Kratom belongs to the Rubiaceae family which is, in fact, the same family as the coffee tree.
Today, many people in the U.S. use kratom to relieve a wide variety of conditions. Some of kratom’s properties and effects include:
- Pain relief
- Antianxiety and stress relief
- Energy boosting
- Helps relieve insomnia
- Helps relieve opiate withdrawal symptoms
- Antioxidant
Kratom dictionary
Below you can find some of the most common terms relating to kratom.
7-Hydroxymitragynine
It’s one of the main kratom’s alkaloids. Together with Mitragynine, 7-hidroxymitragynine works by binding to the opioid receptors of our brain, especially to the kappa and mu receptors. Thanks to this alkaloid – and other ingredients – kratom has so many properties and benefits.
American Kratom Association
Also known as A.K.A., American Kratom Association is a non-profit organization that helps spread truthful kratom information. Since its establishment in 2004, AKA has participated and organized many actions to protect U.S. consumers access to kratom.
Bali Kratom
It is one of the most popular kratom strains. It is a slow strain which is favored for its pain-relieving properties. Despite its name, not all Bali kratom comes from this region of Indonesia, but it is can also come from Thailand, Malaysia, and Borneo.
Borneo Kratom
As its name may suggest, Borneo kratom comes from this South East Asian island and it’s a sub-variety of Indo kratom. Borneo is one of the largest kratom exporters, that’s why this strain is very popular. Regarding its effects, the red vein types have pain relieving properties and many find them very helpful when dealing with opiate withdrawal symptoms. Whilst green vein is more relaxing and soothing.
Enhanced and Ultra-enhanced Kratom
Enhanced and ultra-enhanced kratom are kratom products that have been processed to increase their alkaloid density. Typically, to get an enhanced kratom product, regular kratom leaves will be mixed with kratom extracts. Due to their alkaloid content, enhanced and ultra-enhanced kratom are more potent than regular kratom powder. For this reason, the effects of these kratom products are more intense and typically last longer. So, in general, you’ll need a smaller dose to feel its properties. One of the most popular products is Ultra-Enhanced Indo kratom, also known as UEI kratom.
Green Vein Kratom
This type of kratom receives its name from the color of the veins on the back of the leaf. Green vein kratom is the most balanced kratom type and has a wide variety of effects. In fact, many people mix it with the red or white varieties to potentiate their effects. Also, green vein kratom varieties are typically longer lasting than their red and white cousins.
Indo Kratom
This is a kratom strain that comes from Indonesia, which currently is the world’s kratom largest exporter. That’s why there are many Indo varieties in the market. Also, since kratom’s ban in Thailand, most of the Thai kratom that is sold actually comes from Indonesia.
On the other hand, there are three regions within Indonesia that produce kratom: Borneo, Sumatra, and Riau. Although each of these strains has their own properties and effects, we can say that Indo kratom is typically pain relieving, relaxing and soothing, mood lifting and has opiate withdrawal symptoms relieving effects.
Kratom alkaloids
Mainly, kratom owns its properties thank the alkaloids that are present in its leaves. Generally speaking, alkaloids are naturally occurring molecules that are composed of nitrogen and carbon. The pharma industry has traditionally synthesized plant alkaloids to develop medicines to treat illness. Kratom’s main alkaloids are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragyinine. They typically work by binding to the opioid receptors of the brain, especially to the kappa and mu receptors.
Kratom Capsules
You can find kratom in different formats in the market, one of them is kratom capsules. Kratom capsules are typically gelatin caps, which are filled with kratom powder. Taking kratom capsules is as easy – or hard – as taking any other types of capsules. The advantage of this format is that you don’t need to endure kratom’s bitter taste. But, on the other hand, the downside to it is that you can’t control your dose when you consume capsules. Nevertheless, you can make your own kratom capsules at home.
Kratom Extract
This is a processed kratom product that contains a higher alkaloid content than regular kratom powder. Typically, when buying kratom extracts you’ll see that the label includes a number followed by an “x”, for example: 20x, 50x. This number refers to the product’s alkaloid content. But having a 20x or 50x alkaloid concentration doesn’t mean that the product is 20 or 50 times stronger than regular kratom powder. Nevertheless, kratom extracts are more potent than regular kratom. So, you’ll need a smaller dose to get the desired effects.
Kratom Potentiators
Kratom potentiators are any foods or substances that people mix with kratom to potentiate its effects. Some of the most popular kratom potentiators are grapefruit, turmeric, watercress, magnesium, valerian root, cayenne pepper, and caffeine. Most of these potentiators work by blocking or decreasing the digestive enzymes that help detoxification of our system. Hence, kratom will take longer to be disposed of our body. However, taking kratom potentiators may pose many risks and it is not a recommended practice.
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is one of the most popular kratom forms that you can find in the market. To make kratom powder the stem and vein will be removed from the leaves, and the remaining material will be crushed into a fine powder. Most kratom users consume kratom powder by brewing it into a tea or by using the toss and wash method of consumption.
Kratom Resin
Kratom resin is a type of kratom extract. Hence, it is more potent than regular kratom powder and its effects will typically last longer. Like with any other kratom extracts, you must pay attention to the alkaloid concentration by looking at the number in the label. It will typically be a number followed by an “x”: 10x, 20x, 50x… Also, like any other kratom extracts, this number doesn’t mean that the product is 10 or 20 times more potent than regular kratom powder. Nevertheless, the potency of kratom resin is higher than regular kratom powder, so the dosage should be smaller accordingly.
Keep posted to see the second part of our kratom dictionary!
