Mitragyna speciosa has experienced a popularity increase amongst individuals seeking a natural way to relieve a variety of conditions. Despite the bad reputation of the plant, due to news and rumors spread by those who want to ban it, more and more people swear by its effectiveness and claim that they would be helpless if kratom is prohibited.
But what is kratom used for? Is it really that effective? Keep reading below to discover its main uses.
What Is Kratom Used for In South East Asia?
Kratom is an indigenous plant of Asia, and most of it that we can find in the market comes from places like Indonesia. In its areas of origin, the locals have used the plant for centuries for various reasons. They typically chewed the leaves of the plant to get an energy increase for their long working days, increase productivity and combat fatigue. In fact, kratom is in the same family as the coffee tree, hence the similarity. Additionally, it was used in preparations to help achieve relaxation and in social gatherings.
On the other hand, the plant was used in traditional medicine to treat illnesses, such as fever and diarrhea.
What Is Kratom Used for in the US?
In Western countries, has only become popular in recent years. Today, we can find many kratom powders, tinctures, and extracts in the market. However, due to current regulations, vendors won’t display a lot of information about the products.
So, what is kratom used for in the US? Let’s see its main uses below.
Pain Relief
Kratom is greatly praised for its analgesic properties, in fact, this is probably the main reason why people use kratom. Kratom’s main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine act on the opioid receptors of the human system, allowing it to relieve pain. So, the plant not only works to alleviate mild pain, but also chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, back pain, and arthritis, just to name a few.
Red vein is probably the most effective strain for this purpose. In order to use kratom for pain relief, moderate doses tend to work better (4-6 grams). However, you should start on a lower dose and start increasing until the desired effects are felt.
Anxiety Relief
Anxiety relief, stress relief, and relaxation are some of the main effects of Mitragyna speciosa (kratom’s scientific name). People who use kratom for this purpose report that the plant helps relax the mind, mitigate muscle tension and helps sleep.
The most popular varieties for anxiety are the red veins, including Borneo, Indo, and Bali. Additionally, some green kratom strains, such as Green Malay, can help ease social anxiety. On the other hand, you should avoid white vein varieties for this purpose, as they tend to be more energizing and stimulating.
Regarding the dosage, there is no general rule on how to administer kratom. However, it is believed that moderate dosages work better for anxiety. But, as we mentioned above, it is always better to start on lower doses and build up until you find the desired effect.
Stimulation and Energy
Kratom is a member of the Rubiaceae family, same as the coffee tree. As such, both share some common properties, i.e.: energizing and stimulating. Typically, the white vein kratom types are the most effective to achieve stimulation and energy. Also, Thai Kratom, Green Malay, and Maeng Da are adequate for this purpose. On the other hand, if you seek stimulation, you should avoid the red vein varieties, since they are more relaxing and even sedative.
Many users take kratom in the mornings to get more stamina for the day. The dosages for energy and stimulation should be low, 2-3grams. However, if you achieve this effect on a lower dose, stick to it to prevent developing tolerance.
Focus and Motivation
Like we said above, kratom shares some common properties with coffee. Motivation and focus are some of them. Green Malay, Maeng Da and the white varieties are probably the best strains of kratom for focus and motivation.
Regarding the dosage, you should keep them low to achieve this purpose. A starting dose of 1-3 grams may do the trick.
Opiate Withdrawal
Finally, opiate withdrawal is one of the most common uses of kratom. In fact, many users take kratom to help them come off opioids. Most of them report that thanks to kratom, they can be active and productive members of society again. Consequently, many individuals who use the plant for this purpose claim that a potential kratom ban, will have terrible consequences for them.
The right kratom type to choose for this purpose will depend on the effects that you want to achieve. If you want to relieve anxiety caused by opiate withdrawal, red veins are the best options. On the other hand, if you are seeking stimulation or mood elevation, white varieties are better. Other users like to mix red vein varieties with green vein types to get a more balanced effect.
The dosage for opiate withdrawal depends on many factors, including the amount and type of opiates used. But, like we always say, it is best to start on a lower dose and build up until you find your effect. However, consider that you shouldn’t go above 8 grams, as it is a very high dosage.
