Effects

What are the Risks of Kratom Addiction?

kratom addiction

Can you develop a Kratom addiction if you use too much of this plant product? Kratom leaves from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree are today being sold in powder or extract format as mood boosters, energy pills and herbal pain relievers. Kratom is a close relative of the coffee tree and has been found to contain alkaloids that both stimulate the mind at low doses while sedating you at higher doses. This plant is being used as a natural analgesic among individuals wary of prescription medications for pain as well as feel-good supplement by people suffering from depression and anxiety. In traditional Asian cultures, the psychoactive benefits of Kratom tea have long been recognized and the leaves are used to boost productivity among workers. It has also been used to treat withdrawal symptoms in patients addicted to opiates as well as heroin.

Is Kratom Addictive?
But there are some voices out there warning against the use of Kratom for fear that it can cause an addiction and eventual withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. In one article, a writer cautioned, “Parents, listen up — there’s a drug out there that you probably haven’t heard of before but it could leave your kids addicted.” With a warning like that, it’s no wonder that the general public has a fairly unfavorable impression when it comes to using Kratom even in legitimate medical contexts. If you ask most of the uninformed public, they will tell you that Kratom is just another addictive street drug, claiming victims left, right and center. But this count not be further from the truth. Kratom is not addictive and does not lead to withdrawal symptoms, except when egregiously abused.

First off, we should clarify exactly what it means to be addicted to a substance like Kratom. Under the technical definition, an addiction is a physical dependence on some substance that creates a strong and harmful need to this thing regularly. Addiction causes a literal rewiring of circuits in your brain that makes you dependent on constantly having some chemical compound. Kratom is not addictive in this sense, making it quite different from other natural pain medicines or drugs like opium and heroin. However, Kratom may be habit forming or cause some type of psychological dependence if it is continuously abused for long periods of time. It is pretty clear that yes there have been cases of Kratom habits recorded around the world. But these cases are extremely rare and are usually the result of taking excessive amounts for long periods of time.

Kratom Addiction Risks

According to the United Nation Bulletin on Narcotics, “Progression to Kratom addiction is a gradual process with increases in dosage and frequency of use.” In the UN report, Kratom dependences were only observed in individuals who has been using the herb for upwards of 10 years. They studied the prevalence of Kratom abuse in indigenous Thai populations which have been using this plant for hundreds of years. They found that only a very small percentage of the population had what would constitute a problematic Kratom habit and for the most part the addictive potential was considered to be less than the caffeine in coffee.

If someone starts using more Kratom leaf every day, they may start to develop a tolerance to the effects of this substance. Over time, your neural receptors can start to adjust so that they are not as sensitive to the alkaloids in this plant as they originally were. In some users, that can prompt them to continue increasing the dosage to experience the same degree of effects that were originally present. This behavior is considered risky and dangerous. As your tolerance accumulates over months at a time, it some individuals may end up taking ten times or more the suggested maximum dose of Kratom. Once you have developed a habit of using this much Kratom leaf per day, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop.

For this reason, it is imperative that you never exceed the recommended dosage with Kratom. If you find that you are starting to develop a tolerance, consider taking a short break from your use of this herb. Another option is to switch to a different strain or a mix of Kratom types to expose your neural receptors to other combinations of alkaloids that will slow or prevent tolerance from forming. Cycling Kratom and using it every other week is another good preventative strategy, especially if you consider yourself to have an addictive personality.

Quit Kratom

In most cases, when you stop feeling Kratom you will feel no different than you did before you started using it. Some people might start to miss the experience of being on this plant which can make them desire more of it, but it would not be appropriate to call these feelings a Kratom addiction. Addiction only occurs when you cannot control your cravings and find your focus completely interrupted until you have fulfilled that need. Regular Kratom users will often stop taking the herb after a month or more of continuous use without any withdrawal symptoms at all. However, if you have been exceeding the suggested dosing on a frequent basis, you may notice some signs of withdrawal when you quit Kratom. These signs typically consist of headaches, nausea, irritability and increased stress. The easiest way to avoid these issues is by simply controlling your dosages and spreading out your use. If you follow these steps and exercise moderation, you are unlikely to develop a tolerance or experience any negative effects from taking Kratom powder.

Kratom Dangers: What is the Real Risk of this Plant Harming You?

kratom dangers

Kratom is a widely misunderstood herb that is both celebrated by some and feared by others. There are thousands of people around the world who use this plant to enhance their mood, heighten their mental energy, reduce pain sensations and help them loosen up. But recently, media outlets in the USA have been raising significant concerns and spreading myths about the safety of this quote “drug”. Kratom dangers have been discussed with great frequency in some circles, leading to certain states working to make it illegal. However, many of the reports of Kratom dangers are based on unfounded rumor and undocumented science. Some news articles claim that Kratom is highly addictive, easy to abuse and will get users “high” leading to long-term side effects. All of these claims are disproven by the academic research conducted into the effects of this natural substance.

Is Kratom Dangerous?

Is there potential for Kratom use to be dangerous? Yes, it is pretty clear that like most other herbs which can affect the way you feel, the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree can be abused and used in excess. But Kratom is not addictive in the medical sense of the word and there are few known side effects associated with its use. When taken in small, controlled dosages, the Kratom herb is particularly safe and offers numerous health benefits. Negative side effects only start to occur when users take dosages up to 10 times the recommended amount and use it every day for months at a time.

Much of the mistrust around Kratom comes from the fact that people think it is a novel synthetic drug like “bath salts” or “spice” that are being abused by today’s youth. Kratom is in fact a natural medicinal substance that comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa plant. This is a tree that has long been recognized by Southeast Asian communities as offering positive benefits for mental well-being and physical health. It is used as an ingredient in their foods, prepared into an herbal tea and administered as a pain reliever. As an ethnobotanical, this plant is said to be used by agrarian societies to help field workers stay energized and upbeat while working in demanding conditions.

The effects of Kratom mirror those of the body’s natural supply of endorphins which are released after exercise. This herb naturally blunts sensitivity to pain as well as the nociceptive response in the body. It does this with no risk of serious side effects like respiratory depression which can occur with stronger prescription pain relievers. Kratom is also observed to increase brain activity and many users have said they are more motivated when taking it. It can help you complete especially arduous tasks and boost your executive functions in the brain. Kratom enhanced productivity by increasing attention, focus and judgment all of which can improve your capacity for purpose-driven activities.

Reported Kratom Dangers in the Media
Reports suggest that people are taking Kratom to get “high” and to promote a sense of ecstasy. But this is not an appropriate description of the effects of this supplement. In small doses, Kratom is more like caffeine; it causes you to feel energized yet mellow with greater mental clarity. In larger doses, one may feel some mood brightening effects and develop a mild sense of euphoria. But most of the time, larger doses will simply put you at ease and make you feel sleepy. There are no cases of Kratom overdose that have been reported to the Poison Control Center and there have never been any deaths from Kratom use in the USA. To overdose on this herb requires an exceptionally large doses since there is a significant range of therapeutic use.

Another supposed Kratom danger is that once you start using it, you will become immediately addicted and suffer serious withdrawal if you ever try to stop. This concern is amplified by the fact that Kratom contains alkaloids that agonize the opioid receptors in the body which respond to opiates and morphine. But these receptors also respond to our natural endorphins which can be described as happiness chemicals released by the body to cause analgesia and promote positive feelings.

Analysis from a United Nations report finds that the danger of Kratom addiction is extremely low. In fact, it would be more appropriate to call this a risk of habit formation as opposed to physical addiction. Incidents of dependence and habit formation with Kratom only occur when someone is using excessive amounts for months or years at a time. If you do happen to use too much of it on a frequent basis, you can develop a tolerance to the effects of this herb. This could lead some individuals with an addictive personality to feel a need to take more and more. In these cases, it is possible that quitting Kratom could lead to some withdrawal signs when you stop such as irritability, low energy, and anxiety. But again, this risk is quite low and would only develop gradually over a long period of time. Fears about this Kratom danger are often trumped up by rehab clinics that charge thousands of dollars to “cure” patients of their supposed addictions.

Kratom does not cause the kind of physical dependence that other drugs like morphine, heroin or oxycodone can cause. In fact, this natural plant can be used in the treatment of withdrawal symptoms from these drugs to make it easier to quit an addiction. Kratom leaves have even been recommended by Dr. Oz to lessen symptoms during the detoxification process from narcotic drugs until you can overcome the withdrawal period.

Side Effects
Even if you do not get addicted to Kratom, some reports would have you believe that this plant has such a high prevalence of negative side effects that you are sure to end up severely harmed. One article claimed that Kratom was the latest drug making its presence felt in emergency rooms across the USA. There is simply a lack of evidence to back up this assertion. Using normal dosages, Kratom side effects are rare and do not typically consist of anything worse than nausea, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, constipation, vomiting, or sleepiness. Unlike other prescription pain killers, Mitragyna Speciosa is not toxic to the body and it does not lead to lethargy or mental impairment like morphine. There is also no risk of hypoventilation – a serious concern when taking morphine for pain. Do not let allegations of Kratom dangers stop you from using this herb responsibly. If you are willing to use it in the appropriate way and control your dosages, Kratom is safe and will greatly benefit your personal well-being.

Top 10 Positive and Negative Kratom Effects

kratom effects

New users are trying Kratom every day after hearing about successful experiences with this plant from friends or stories posted online. But before you decide to jump in and give Kratom a try, it is important that you know what to expect from this botanical. Kratom effects can seem contradictory to the uninformed user: this plant can boost energy and strength while also helping to calm and relax you. The divergence in effects depends on how much of this herbal is used at once, the different strains consumed as well as personal biochemistry. If you use a smaller amount, you will feel more mentally awake, experience heightened attention and awareness, and see your motivation increase dramatically. With larger doses, the effects of Kratom can lead to feelings of euphoria, reduction in anxiety, sedative-like effects as well as putting you into a restful state of mind. In the following guide to the positive as well as negative effects of Kratom, we will explore how this herb influences your body as well as your state of mind.

Kratom Effect

    • 1. Stimulatory: In small amounts, Kratom is energizing like a cup of caffeinated tea or coffee. The energy produced is not correlated with restlessness or an increase in your heart rate. Most reports describe it as a cerebral energy where you feel like your mind is clearer, you experience deep focus and have a balanced sense of vigor and vitality.

 

  • 2. Mood Boosting: Most users say that Kratom is very uplifting to your mood and cognitive state. Another effect of this plant is that it can cause you to feel a sense of deep contentment and well-being. One dosing per day can block out negative thoughts and put you in an optimistic frame of mind where anything can see m possible. In larger doses, Kratom powder can generate highly euphoric feelings. This is likely the result of the mitragynine alkaloid which has been found to exhibit anti-depressant qualities.
    • 3. Enhances Concentration: Another effect of Kratom is as an intense focus booster or a nootropic. The white and green strains of Kratom are particularly effective for counteracting brain fog and helping you to focus all of your mental energy on the present moment. Students say it makes them feel more attentive when sitting in class and husbands have said it helps them to be more attentive when listening to their wives. There are reviews from users who say it improved ADD/ADHD symptoms, makes thoughts clearer and makes it easier to concentrate when studying or engaging in difficult mental work.

 

    • 4. Potent Relaxant: As you use larger doses of Kratom leaves or capsules, it produces more of an anxiolytic and sedative effect. While supporting a positive mood, it can also calm you down and help you rid your mind of stressful thoughts. This supplement can also reduce feelings of nervousness and help you release both mental and physical tension.

 

    • 5. Analgesic (Pain Reduction): Mitragyna Speciosa has been proposed as an effective alternative to harsh prescription pain killers. It activates mu-opioid receptors just like the drug morphine to relieve temporary or chronic pain. It has been reported to work for conditions as wide-ranging as headaches or migraines, arthritic pain, vascular pain, muscle pain as well as even chronic pain that may be resistant to other drugs. The effects of Kratom are also viewed as much safer and less addictive than some of the stronger medications currently prescribed by doctors.

 

    • 6. Improves Sleep: Another favored effect of Kratom is that it is one of the best natural herbs for improving sleep quality. It can serve to shut off your mind before going to bed and can put you into a restful state which makes it easier to fall asleep. Some reviewers say they experience more dreams when using Kratom as a sleep aid and that they tend to wake feeling more refreshed and ready to go the next morning.

 

    • 7. Heightens Sociability: A further byproduct of Kratom usage is that it can make you more social and eliminate anxiety when meeting strangers or talking to large groups of people. It can even increase your enjoyment of social interactions so you are more compelled to go out and partake in various social events.

 

    • 8. Sexual Enhancer: There are a lot of reports from individuals taking Kratom extracts as aphrodisiacs and sexual performance enhancers. This ethnobotanical may heighten arousal sensations and enable you to last longer during the act. It seems to work as a sexual excitant both for men and women. Sometimes taking as little as 1 gram of Bali Kratom powder can boost your libido for as much as 12 hours.

 

    • 9. Eases Opiate Withdrawal: This Kratom effect may not apply to many of our readers, but it is one of the quickly growing uses for this natural compound. For those who are addicted to opiates or who want to cut back on their opiate habit without experiencing withdrawal, Kratom offers serious help. It is said to mask the effects of withdrawal from opiates and other illegal drugs which is often characterized by excessive perspiration, vomiting, muscle pains, insomnia, anxiety and diarrhea. Using Kratom leaves, one can control their dependence on these drugs until your system is fully detoxed. Since Kratom is not addictive, you can then stop using it without the same risk of withdrawal.

 

  • 10. Promotes Health: Kratom has been used for hundreds of years by Southeast Asian cultures as a medicinal herb. These populations have identified a variety of general health benefits associated with Kratom. It is a powerful anti-oxidant that has even been found to reduce neuron damage following a stroke. It can lower blood pressure and it naturally contains an alkaloid commonly used in anti-hypertensive medicines. It also contains Catechin which is said to mimic insulin and control blood sugar levels for diabetics. Other effects of Kratom include anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can boost your immune system. Finally, some have found it to promote weight loss and improve athleticism by increasing energy metabolism.

Kratom Side Effects
There are many positive Kratom effects, but one much use it in the right way to prevent side effects. This plant is not considered dangerous and there is a low risk of serious side effects or addictive potential. Unlike what the media reports suggest, no one in the USA has ever died from using Kratom and you will not likely run into serious adverse effects unless taking a dosage 10-20x higher than the recommended amount. However, there are mild side effects that you should be aware of. It can cause drowsiness, fatigue, constipation, nausea, and stomach discomfort when first starting out. Certain strains and types of Kratom are more likely to cause these effects and you may need to experiment a bit to find out which is the right one for you.

Several reports have described a “Kratom Hangover” after taking this substance the next morning. This can show up as a headache, irritability, nausea, anxiety or other related effects. If using regularly, one can develop a tolerance and feel a desire to continue to take more to achieve the same results. Never exceed the recommended amount as this can create the potential for abuse. While Kratom is not addictive, it can be habit forming over a long enough period of time. You should control your usage of this herbal to protect against these risks and minimize possible side effects.

Kratom Benefits for Energy, Relaxation, Pain and Stress

kratom benefits

Kratom is the latest herbal buzz supplement that is being both glorified and admonished in the media. While some cannot say enough about the positive benefits of this supplement, others remain wary of this natural plant. All of this noise has made it difficult to get a clear picture of what exactly Kratom does and the advantages it offers. The benefits of Kratom are extensive for anyone suffering from pain, anxiety, depression or stress. This ethnobotanical is described by many as helping them feel better generally, giving them a brighter mood, and promoting the release of tension and worry.

We can broadly describe four different categories of Kratom Benefits: Mental Energy, Relaxation, Sociability, and Pain Relief. One of the unique things about the Mitragyna Speciosa plant is that its effects are dynamic. Depending on how you use this supplement, it can either act as a Central Nervous System stimulant to heighten your natural energy or it can calm and relax you, in some cases making it easier to fall asleep. The dual nature of this activity comes from the alkaloids in the Kratom plant. The leaves of this tree contain mitraphylline, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as well as a number of other beneficial compounds which activate nervous system receptors throughout the body. Because of these active ingredients, Kratom produces a wide arrange of benefits for the user, though not everyone will experience the same results.

Kratom for Energy and Focus

Not many people know that the original use for Kratom was as a mind enhancing stimulant that could give someone increased energy without making them feel like their heart is racing or lightheaded. Mitragyna Speciosa leaves were customarily consumed by agriculture workers in Thailand to help them work for long hours in physically draining jobs. Kratom was found to prevent fatigue and keep the brain sharp much like caffeine when engaging in tedious physical labor. Present day users find that drinking Kratom Tea or consuming it in powder or capsules will make them more alert as well as help them to concentrate better for long periods of time. Another benefit of Kratom is that it can boost motivation and increase your emotional drive so you are inspired to work intently for hours at a time.

Relaxation & Stress Relief
It might seem surprising that an herb that can make you more alert can also have the opposite effect, helping you relax and feel calm. Once you surpass a certain threshold dosage with Kratom, the effects of this plant start to change and it can promote a feeling of serenity and tranquility. Reviews say this ethnobotanical works to clear negative thoughts from your mind and develop a sense of well-being or satisfaction. It can be used to overcome anxiety, as a sedative to help you fall asleep faster and as an anti-depressant with almost euphoric qualities. If you take too much Kratom at once, it can be very sedating and cause you to fall into a deep slumber or to alleviate insomnia.

Social Anxiety
Kratom is sometimes taken as a recreational drug or “party drug” by individuals who want to feel more at ease in social gatherings. It also has a legitimate medical benefit in treating instances of social anxiety. Many have said they are better able to communicate and experience less anxiety when talking with others after taking a capsule of this herb. It seems particularly adept at improving verbal and linguistic abilities and helping to remove inhibitions or hesitations that might make it difficult for you to express yourself. Some reports suggest that Kratom can be used to overcome shyness and self-consciousness so that your speech flows more effortlessly. A clear Kratom benefit it increased confidence so you can talk to the cute guy or girl in your class or give a presentation in front of your boss at work.

Pain Relief

Another benefit of Kratom that has been explored by the public is to relieve pain symptoms in a safe and side-effect free manner. Most prescription pain medications can interfere with cognitive function and cause you to feel sluggish or foggy. Kratom can stimulate pain relief receptors in the body without causing a decline in brain activity. Studies have shown that Kratom is highly effective as an analgesic, working on some of the same pathways as opiates like morphine and your body’s own endorphins. There are hundreds of reviews online from individuals saying that Kratom helped them to overcome back pain, muscle pain, pain from after a surgery or pain following an accident. It can also help treat headaches, arthritis and even improve severe pain related to chronic or end-stage illness.

Other Kratom Benefits

The list of positive effects does not end there. Other medical benefits can include weight loss, increased athletic performance and endurance, lower blood pressure, diarrhea relief, and as an adjunct treatment for diabetes. Kratom has also proven highly effective in the treatment of addictions to certain illegal street drugs as well as dependence on opioids and prescription pain killers that can carry significant risk of abuse and side effects. This herb can make it easier for addicted individuals to stop using the harmful drugs and slowly wean them off of their habit without experiencing withdrawal. Of course, these benefits will only apply to certain individuals and for the most part people taking Kratom are using it for relaxation, energy, and pain relief. The best way to understand Kratom benefits is to try this herb for yourself following proper directions for safe use.