Kratom is actively used to treat opiate withdrawals and help addicts during the recovery process. The DEA has found enough cause to pass multiple motions to ban the healing plant. This spells disaster for not only kratom harvesters, but for people who depend on kratom leaves to successfully conquer their opioid-addiction withdrawals.
At low doses, kratom is a stimulant. At higher, more dangerous dosage, it’s a heroin-level painkiller. (Unlike heroin, however, Kratom is naturally grown and harvested – in Southeast Asia and Thailand).
Yet, for all its healing properties, several U.S. states have banned the plant. Why? Probably because it’s a lot less dangerous, deadly, or addictive than synthetic opioids (which are manufactured by many of these states).
Or, as is the case with the ban on cannabis, can something else be brewing that we’re unaware of? To understand exactly why the government would ban what, yes has addictive properties, has ultimately prevailed in helping countless people endure their terrible, unspeakable and horrific drug withdrawals.
- Definition
Traditionally, Kratom leaves have been used as a medicine; as a treatment for diarrhoea, as an analgesic (pain control) and as a way to treat addiction to opiates. It is also used by Thai agricultural workers, who take advantage of its properties as a stimulant at low doses, thus enabling them to work long, backbreaking hours in the fields. Main reasons people have used Kratom include:
- analgesic pain relief
- anti-diarrhoea properties
- mild stimulant for manual labor
- opiate addiction treatment
Advocates say the plant offers relief from these and many more symptoms. What kratom is, however, is rather funny. It’s a plant. First and foremost, it is a plant.
- Why Use Kratom?
The health benefits of kratom as mentioned before are enough for anybody to pay serious attention to this natural, healing, non-pharmaceutical-produced medicine…
Just another few of the many healing qualities include the following:
- Prevent diabetes
- Stabilise anxiety
- Help drug-addicts cope and handle their addiction
- Lowers blood pressure
This is because kratom was a natural substitute for opium. Opium itself, in its original form, was used as a pain reliever by medical doctors. Once word spread of its pain-relieving effects, however, and opium “blew up” like wildfire. Abuse of the drug quickly formed, and addiction to the substance became a worldwide epidemic.
Among other kratom health benefits are:
- Relieves pain
- Stimulating sexual energies and urges
- Helping people sleep
Interestingly, kratom is also an aphrodisiac and fertility booster. (This is great news for couples with marital problems and folks who are looking to spice up their night-time life.) As the natural leaves increase blood flow throughout the system, it naturally stimulates low libido levels.
We’ve established by now that kratom is effective for reducing pain, often causing opiate-like effects. Once again, these effects depend on the dosage. The leaves themselves are widely used by people who are plagued with chronic stress, unstable mood swings, and deep depression. It’s easy to see why kratom is so widely used – and praised, as a healthier alternative to traditional medicine. This is much to the detriment of the pharmaceutical industry, which makes a reported $85 billion in profit from producing such drugs.
One could almost make the argument that, since the FDA can’t profit from kratom leaves (as they are natural and not manufactured in a factory, as most modern medicine is), they are doing everything in their power to make sure kratom is banned. The same argument has been made many times by many advocates of marijuana and its many positive health benefits.
Remember: benefits are no excuse for abuse. It is important to remain responsible.
- What Can Be Expected
The side effects of Kratom are similar to a productive stimulant at lower doses, which is generally safer for people… higher doses of Kratom has an opiate-like effect. As with anything in life, the more quantity you take (even water) the more it will affect you.
The reason these effects resemble opiates are due to Kratom’s two main alkaloids: Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Mitragynine is found in heroin, which is an opioid agonist. It should be noted, though, that similar drugs (heroin, opium, etc.) abuse the mu opioid receptors in the brain. Mitragynine, on the other hand, is absorbed by the delta opioid receptors – giving users their stimulant factor and creates the sedative-like feeling many people experience.
At safe, low doses (which is primarily recommended by both strong users and advocates) Kratom leaves a reportedly positive, buzzed effect – stepping aside of the urge of nausea and upset vomiting.
However, as with any substance in existence, Kratom has its own downsides as well. Since kratom is a psychoactive substance, people can grow a dependency complex on the healing-quality plant. It has a high factor of addictive properties ever present that every user should be aware of.
As is the case with any substance. When heavy users and “addicts” are prone to using too much kratom, sudden withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, the shakes, restless leg syndrome, and anxiety. The exact symptoms kratom is supposed to treat.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use Kratom in the lower-dosage range.
- Use It Responsibly
As mentioned before, kratom has some addictive qualities – depending on the dosage and particular person who uses kratom, and whether or not they use kratom for its intended use. I must reiterate, for the sake of argument, that the effects of any drug or plant can be abused by people – whether they’re illegal or not. Kratom abuse is no different.
For example, over 900 people overdosed on Tylenol and acetaminophen last year. Tylenol can be bought by 12-year-old children in convenience stores; all they have to do is ask for it. A lot of Tylenol-related deaths also occur from accidental overdose, or improper dosage readings.
The point is this: no matter what, excessive use of anything is dangerous to your health. Kratom must be treated with respect – as is anything that alters your mind. Unfortunately, the addictive personalities who took more than their limit, who turned into addicts, are partly responsible for the reason kratom is banned in U.S. several states.
Among these states are:
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
- Arizo
- Virginia
- Iowa
- Vermont
- Hawaii
These states classed it as a Schedule 1 drug claiming that there is a probability for abuse. Therefore, it is ideal to make sure you do not live in any of the aforementioned states if you would like to stay out of jail and have a record of transporting a Schedule-1 drug. As always, use responsibly.
Conclusion
When a drunk driver runs over a kid, do you blame the vehicle or the driver? (In this instance, kratom is the car). Various, countless reports have shown that the benefits of kratom annihilate the many, daily pains of life – often in ways pharmaceutical medicines can’t, in a safe manner.
The claims that kratom is addictive depends on the personality and mental stability of the individual who uses it.
I am sure these are the most 4 valuable tips on Kratom which can be useful for the every kratom consumers. Keep up the good work. Cheers!!