“Is kratom the right choice for me?” This is a question that many people who have heard of kratom have. Kratom is indeed a powerful product. Its users claim that it can mitigate pain, alleviate anxiety and depression, and even help manage the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. But is it a good choice for everybody? In this post, we will explore kratom properties, as well as its side effects, to help you decide if kratom is the right choice for you.
Basic Facts About Kratom
Kratom is a tree that grows in Southeast Asia. Its scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa and is in the same family as coffee. The leaves of kratom contain alkaloids and other active elements that act on the kappa, delta, and mu receptors in your body. These receptors belong to the opioid system. They are also known as opioid receptors because opiates activate them. However, there are other substances that also act on these receptors, such as chocolate or kratom.
The opioid system regulates reward, pain, mood or stress. Furthermore, this system not only comprises the opioid receptors, but also endogenous opioids (that is, opioids that your own body produces), such as endorphins, dynorphins, and enkephalins.
Kratom Effects
Thanks to the action of its alkaloids, kratom has many effects:
- Analgesic
- Energizing
- Euphoric
- Mood lifting
- Relaxing
- Sedating
That’s why people consume kratom to cope with many conditions and ailments:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Stress
Kratom consumers also claim that this natural product also helps them improve their focus and concentration. There are also some users who take kratom before working out.
Side Effects of Kratom
Despite its positive properties, kratom also has side effects. In some cases, these side effects can be very unpleasant:
- Constipation: This is a common side effect of kratom. Kratom slows the bowel movements and causes dehydration, which results in a harder stool.
- Nausea: Taking kratom on an empty stomach or using high doses can easily trigger nausea.
- Dizziness: This side effect seems quite common among kratom newbies. Whereas in most cases kratom dizziness can be the result of high dosages, it can also be related to low blood sugar.
- Headaches: High doses or stimulating strains may be the reason for headaches and migraines when taking kratom.
- Dehydration: Kratom dehydration is another side effect of this product. Dehydration is responsible for constipation, dry eye or dry skin when taking kratom.
- Eye wobbles: Arguably, this is the most unpleasant side effect of kratom. Eye wobbles (or nystagmus) consist of involuntary repetitive eye movements. They can also produce migraines, dizziness, or vertigo. Eye wobbles are often associated with very high doses of kratom.
Buying Kratom Safely
Kratom is not a cheap product, but that is only natural. Vendors need to import kratom for Southeast Asia (mainly from Indonesia), pay customs, and pay lab tests to make sure the kratom they have bought is safe.
Back in spring 2018, kratom was linked to a salmonella outbreak. Kratom’s enemies used this event to attack kratom fiercely. However, this salmonella affair proved that sometimes some vendors didn’t pay enough attention to kratom’s safety.
Therefore, it is crucial that you buy kratom from reliable sources that offer top-quality products. Make sure you find reliable vendors that have good reviews and a trustable website. It is also recommendable you look for customer’s reviews on external sites, such as reviews sites or even kratom forums (such as Reddit). And don’t trust kratom that is too cheap compared with other vendors (again, kratom is expensive).
Is Kratom the Right Choice for Me?
Knowing if kratom can be the right choice for you depends on what you want to use kratom for. Most kratom users consume kratom for pain. Kratom’s analgesic properties are helping people with chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or Lyme disease. There are also many people who take kratom for alleviating anxiety or depression. In some cases, depression and anxiety are also linked to chronic pain. Thus, users who take kratom for pain also find it useful for anxiety or depression.
For many people overcoming an addiction, kratom has become an ally that helps them cope with the withdrawal symptoms. In fact, the National Institute of Drug Abuse has awarded the University of Florida College of Pharmacy a $3.5 million grant to research on kratom potential to treat opioid dependence.
Regarding the use of kratom for energy, it is quite common that fatigue is a consequence of another condition that kratom is alleviating. For instance, fibromyalgia patients often find that kratom also gives them a boost of energy. But you can also find individuals who use kratom to get the stamina and endurance they need to work out.
Hence, before knowing if kratom is the right choice for you, you must weigh the pros and cons of using this product. What do you want to use kratom for? Do the benefits worth the risks of side effects? And if you finally decide to try kratom, make sure you buy it from a reliable vendor, and you use your kratom safely.
