Many people have found out that using kratom for stress has improved their lives dramatically. According to many users, the relaxing properties of this tropical tree could help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and stress. In this post, we will explore the pros and cons of using kratom to fight stress.
What Does Kratom Do?
Kratom its one of the common names of Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom has gained a lot of attention thanks to the properties of its leaves. And that is because the leaves of this tree in the coffee family can bring about many effects that millions of people find useful. According to kratom’s users, the powder made of kratom dried leaves has the following effects:
- Pain relief
- Relaxation
- Stimulation
- Euphoria
- Sedation
Thanks to this wide range of effects, it is only natural that people use kratom to relieve pain, fight fatigue, relax or deal with anxiety and depression. Furthermore, kratom seems to be also of help when coping with opiate withdrawal. And according to anecdotal evidence, kratom also improves focus and even motivation.
What Is Stress?
Stress is the body’s response to changes, challenges or difficulties. It implies physical, emotional, and mental reactions. It is the “fight or flight” response of your body. And while for many the word “stress” has a negative meaning, stress can also be positive. Stress can protect us from danger, encourage us to be more productive, or help us solve problems.
However, in many other cases, stress can have a negative impact that will even affect your overall health. This “negative stress” is often the result of ongoing challenges that the person is not capable to manage. Suffering from stress for prolonged periods could end up in physical and mental issues, such as stomach upset, lack of sex drive, high blood pressure, anxiety or depression.
Can I Use Kratom for Stress?
While there are no studies on how kratom affects stress, anecdotal evidence suggests that kratom is an effective natural product to relieve stress. Kratom contains alkaloids that act on the opioid receptors in your brain, producing relaxation, analgesia, euphoria, or stimulation. These receptors are part of the opioid system, which, as you may guess, gets this name because it is activated by opioids. The opioid system manages pain, mood, energy, responses to rewards, and stress. And before you panic, opioids are not the only substances that activate the opioid system. Some food products or even light exposure also interact with this system. Kratom is one of those non-opioid products that act on the opioid system.
Hence, one of the things that kratom can do is to promote calm and relaxation. Thus, many people take kratom to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression, two conditions that often cause or are due to stress.
But for many people who experience stress as a result of chronic or acute pain, kratom helps them combat pain and alleviate the stress that comes from suffering such pain.
Best Strains of Kratom for Stress
There are several kratom strains that might help you relax and relieve stress. And how to choose the best strain may also depend on what is causing you to stress and what else you want to achieve.
White strains are praised for their energizing and euphoric properties. That is, by taking white kratom strains, users report an energy boost and a nice uplifting mood. However, because of their energizing effects, some users who want to use kratom for stress tend to avoid white kratom strains.
Green strains provide a sense of calm and relaxation and have euphoric effects, even if they are not so potent as white strains. Nonetheless, they are still a great choice thanks to their wide range of effects, that comprises all the effects of kratom. And if you are new to kratom, green strains are arguably your best call. Green Malay kratom is an all-time favorite for many kratom users thanks to its versatility.
Many users opt for red strains to fight stress. But red strains can often bring sedative effects, and calm is not sedation. So, if you want to try a red strain of kratom for stress, be very careful with the dosage. Red Bentuangie kratom can help you cope with stress, relax, and fight pain, without the drowsy sense that other red strains bring. Red Bali kratom is another strain is another good choice to fight stress, as it will help you relax without a high sense of sedation. In any case, make sure you use low doses.
How to Use Kratom for Stress
Kratom is energizing at low doses and sedative at large doses. Nonetheless, please bear in mind that “energizing” does not mean that it will make you nervous. Instead, as kratom users agree, it just means that you will feel less tired and more motivated to perform activities. Even at low doses, kratom also provides users with a feeling of wellbeing.
But what are the recommendable dosages of kratom? If you don’t know where to start, you can use this guide as a reference:
- Low dosage: 2 to 4 grams
- Medium dosage: 4 to 5 grams
- Large dosage: 5 to 8 grams
If you want to use kratom for stress, it is recommendable you use low to medium doses. Large doses are not recommendable; they can be way too sedative and could easily cause side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness. On the other hand, you should also avoid using kratom on a daily basis, as it could end up in kratom tolerance (which means that you will need larger doses to feel its effects) or side effects. The side effects of kratom can be very unpleasant, and include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dehydration
- Nausea
- Eye wobbles
You should also consider that the guide above refers to pure kratom powder, not to extracts or enhanced kratom. Extracts and enhanced kratom products are much more potent than regular kratom. Therefore, you should avoid them if you are not a kratom expert. And even so, you should be very cautious with the dosage (which is much smaller than the dosage of regular kratom powder).
