Kratom has become popular in recent times, due to the negative information that is being spread in webs and news sites. In fact, a lot has been said about kratom lately, including false news and rumors of the plant being a deadly drug. This misinformation has led people to think that kratom is a dangerous substance that can be very harmful to anyone using it. Additionally, part of the public thinks that Mitragyna speciosa (kratom’s scientific name) is only used by individuals seeking to get high.
But, the reality of the plant is that most people who use kratom, simply look to alleviate a number of symptoms related to different health conditions. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of kratom, what it’s used for and the top 10 kratom effects.
Top 10 Kratom Effects
So, what is kratom used for? And what are its main properties? Kratom has different properties and effects depending on the strain and, especially, on the dosage. So, this amazing plant from the coffee family can be both calming and energizing, it can boost your energy or help you sleep.
Below, you’ll find the top 10 kratom effects and the most popular kratom uses in no particular order.
1. Energy Boosting
The kratom plant belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which is, in fact, the same as the coffee tree. So, being in the same family, they share some common characteristics, being stimulating the main similarity.
One of kratom’s main properties is stimulation, in fact, labor workers of South East Asia, where kratom’s come from, used to chew its leaves to help them go through long working days. For this reason, many individuals drink kratom tea in the morning to help them get a boost of energy for the day.
The best kratom strains for energy are typically white and green varieties. To feel kratom’s energizing effects, it is recommended to take low doses, as kratom is more calming and relaxing at moderate to high doses.
2. Mood-lifting
Kratom is also favored for its euphoric and mood lifting properties. The plant contains alkaloids which bind to the parts of the brain that are responsible for creating euphoria and enhance mood.
Users report that taking low to moderate doses of kratom can enhance mood a produce euphoria. Like energy, the best varieties for this purpose are typically the green and white types.
3. Promotes Concentration
Long working schedules can lead you to a concentration loss when you have to perform your usual tasks. Also, stress and burn-out syndrome can have this consequence. For this reason, some kratom users use the plant to promote focus and concentration. By binding to the cell receptors in charge of concentration, kratom can help you improve your focus throughout the day.
The best strains for this purpose are typically the green and white varieties, specially Maeng Da. To achieve concentration, it is recommended to start on a lower dose.
4. Improves Motivation
Like concentration and focus, our fast-paced world and increasingly demanding schedules can make us lose motivation. Motivation is closely related to focus, for this reason, kratom can help you improve motivation and concentration at the same time. Consequently, the best varieties will be the same used for concentration, i.e.: green and white varieties. And also, lower doses will be more effective when using kratom for motivation.
5. Calming and Relaxing
One of kratom’s main uses is to help relax when you have to face a stressful situation. Additionally, the plant has powerful calming effects, and it’s very effective when dealing with anxiety.
The kratom leaves contains a number of alkaloids, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, that bind to the opioid receptors of the brain. This way, the plant promotes a sensation of calm and relaxation.
The best varieties of kratom for relaxation are typically the red strains, especially Premium Bali. On the other hand, in order to achieve relaxation, the dose should be on the higher range. However, there is no general rule to dosage kratom, so it is better to start on a lower dose and build up until you find the correct dosage. But remember that 8 grams would be a very high dose and you should avoid going above it.
6. Pain-relieving
Probably, the main reason why kratom is used is for its soothing and pain-relieving properties. By binding to the opioid receptors of the brain, kratom can effectively relieve pain and chronic pain. In fact, people who suffer from conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia use kratom to relieve the pain.
The best kratom strains to relieve pain are the red varieties. Regarding the dosage, it is not easy to determine which dose will help you relieve pain, for this reason, it is always recommended to start on lower doses and increase from there until you find what works for you. However, typically moderate to larger doses work better for pain.
7. Relieves Insomnia
Although kratom is a great energy enhancer at lower doses, it can also help achieve better sleep at night. How can this be possible? The answer lays on the dosage. As we have already mentioned, kratom has energizing and stimulating effects at smaller doses. But, on the other hand, it has potent relaxing and even sedating effects when taking larger doses of the plant. However, it is strongly advisable not to exceed doses of 8-10 grams, to avoid develop tolerance.
The best kratom types for insomnia and to achieve better sleep are the red types. Moreover, you should totally avoid the white varieties, as they are typically more energizing and stimulating.
8. Enhances Sociability
Many people who use kratom report that its euphoric properties have helped them socialize and combat social phobia or social anxiety. This is, in fact, one of the main kratom effects and it will help you be more outgoing, talkative and confident.
What are the best strains of kratom for social anxiety? Users report that the best varieties are the red and the green types in low dosages. Ideally, you will start with doses as low as 1 gram to achieve this purpose.
9. Eases Opiates Withdrawal
Kratom popularity is mainly due to its use as an opiate withdrawal reliever. In fact, this is one of the reasons why people mistakenly think that kratom is an opiate. But, although kratom’s alkaloids bind to the opiate receptors of the brain and nervous system, it lacks one of the most common symptoms of opiate: respiratory depression. Kratom doesn’t have this side effect, which is, in fact, the reason why opiates are so dangerous.
By binding to the opiate receptors of the brain, it will effectively mitigate the main symptoms of opiate withdrawal. But, contrary to most opiates, kratom doesn’t affect the person’s behavior, allowing them to conduct a normal and productive life.
Picking the right kratom type for opiate withdrawal will depend on the symptoms that you want to mitigate. Whilst white vein types are more euphoric and energizing, red varieties are more relaxing. The right dose will also depend on the symptoms, but typically moderate doses work best for this purpose.
10. Strengthens the Immune System
Kratom leaves contain more than 25 components, including alkaloids and other ingredients which act on the human system. All of them together can help boost the immune system, helping you prevent illnesses and overcome infections quicker than normal.
On the other hand, kratom’s leaves contain epicatechin, a potent antioxidant which is also present in dark chocolate. This way, taking kratom regularly for other purposes, can also help prevent cell damage and combat free radicals.
And what about you? What do you use kratom for? Do you know any other properties aside from the above top 10 kratom effects? Let us know in the comment section!
I have and keep on hand 23-25 different varieties of Kratom and love them all.
Wow! I think that’s amazing! This is a great read! I learned something new today.