Kratom Benefits: A Research-Based Exploration of Its Potential
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Table of Contents
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree indigenous to Southeast Asia, whose leaves have been used traditionally for their various proposed medicinal benefits. As an increasing number of people search for alternatives to mainstream medicine, interest in kratom has grown worldwide.
In this article, we will explore research-based evidence surrounding the potential benefits of kratom, delving into its history, usage, benefits, mechanism of action, side effects, controversy, and ongoing research. Lastly, we will also answer some frequently asked questions regarding this tree kratom.
Did you know?
The Kratom tree is also called as Ketum, Biak-Biak, or Maeng Da. This is a kind of evergreen tree. This tree is a part of the coffee family and is native to places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. What’s special about this tree are its leaves. They contain active compounds called alkaloids. These might have different impacts on the body. For centuries, these leaves have been used as natural medicine. They are said to help with several health problems.
150 years ago in Southeast Asia, workers chewed on Kratom leaves. They needed a boost to get through their long, hard workdays. Besides that, they would brew tea from Kratom leaves. This helped them relax and relieve their pain.
The color of Kratom leaves can differ based on the type of Kratom. These leaves are rich in active compounds known as alkaloids. These compounds cause the body’s reaction to Kratom. They can vary in strength based on the strain of the plant.
Each type of Kratom has its own special property and effect. The most common ones include Maeng Da, Indo, Bali/red vein, Green Malay, Thai, Borneo, and Malaysian.
Meet Maeng Da. It’s a powerful Kratom strain. People say it strikes a balance between relieving pain and stimulation. Many report feeling more energetic, focused, and in a better mood after using it.
Indo-Kratom originates from Indonesia and comes in red, green, and white vein forms. It’s less stimulating than other strains. Many people report that it helps with relaxation and overall well-being.
Then there’s Bali Kratom. This also comes from Indonesia. It has a red vein and is known for easing pain. It also creates a feeling of euphoria, like opioids.
The dark green, Green Malay kratom comes from Malaysia. At low doses, it may boost energy, focus, and ease pain. At higher doses, it may have calming effects.
Known to originate from Thailand, Thai kratom is available in red, green, and white vein types. The green and white vein types often cause stimulating and euphoric effects. The red vein, on the other hand, is great for pain relief.
Borneo kratom comes from Borneo. It is also available in red, green, and white vein types. This strain was reported to have more calming effects. Many people use it to cope with stress and anxiety. It might also help with pain relief.
Malaysian kratom strains come in green, red, and white vein types. People say these strains strike a balance between excitement and calm, while boosting mood, focus, and energy levels.
Kratom is used in many ways, both traditionally and today. It may help relieve pain or may be a management option for opioid problems. Each method of use can affect what sort of reaction you might have.
Traditionally, workers chewed raw kratom leaves. They needed an energy boost to get through their workdays. People also used to make tea from kratom leaves. This was proposed to help them relax and ease their pain.
Today, people in Western countries use kratom as an alternative medicine. They use it in many forms to help with specific health issues. These might range from chronic pain and anxiety, to opioid withdrawal.
You can take kratom orally in many forms. Tea, capsules, and extracts, for example. Some people prefer brewing kratom leaves into a tea. Others find it easier to swallow capsules or use potent extracts for quicker effects. The method used can affect how soon and how long you feel kratom’s effects.
You can put kratom in creams and balms. This is less common, but these products might provide localised pain relief and reduce swelling. You apply them directly to the skin.
Many people claim that Kratom has potential benefits for many conditions. For example, pain relief, coping with anxiety and depression, and managing opioid withdrawal. But we need more research to know for sure what its benefits and risks might be.
Kratom may help manage chronic pain. It may reduce swelling, offering an alternative to mainstream pain medicines. The active alkaloids in Kratom might be responsible for this. These include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which are proposed to have pain-relieving and anti-swelling properties. More studies should be conducted to further explore these properties of kratom.
Some people say that Kratom may help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It might lift mood, lower stress, and promote a sense of well-being. But we don’t have much evidence of this yet. We need more trials to be sure about these effects.
Certain strains of Kratom might provide more energy and focus on low doses. This may make users more alert and productive. It may be an alternative to caffeine.
Kratom is sometimes used by people trying to get free from opioid addiction. It might help ease withdrawal symptoms, because the active compounds in kratom interact with the brain’s opioid receptors. But we don’t know enough about how good and safe kratom is for this yet. We need more research to understand its long-term effects on handling addiction and withdrawal.
Some people who promote Kratom say it might have several other health benefits. It might reduce muscle cramps, manage diarrhoea, and be a muscle relaxant, for example. But science has not proven these claims yet.
To get a better grasp of Kratom’s effects and risks, we should understand how it interacts with the body. We need to know what its active compounds do.
Kratom’s main active compounds are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These interact with the brain’s opioid receptors. Doing so can have various effects, determined by dosage and personal factors. These interactions might cause reported effects like pain relief, mood enhancement, and stimulation.
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the main active substances in Kratom. They are known to have pain-relieving, anti-swelling, and psychoactive properties. Other alkaloids in kratom include things like mitraphylline and corynanthidine. Combined, these alkaloids shape the overall experience of using Kratom.
Kratom may affect mood and behaviour by acting on the brain’s opioid receptors. The effects can range from more energy to calmness, depending on the strain and dosage. It might also help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, promote relaxation, and improve cognitive function.
Like any substance, Kratom may have side effects. We should consider these safety concerns before using it.
Possible short-term side effects of kratom include dry mouth, itching, need to urinate often, headaches, stomach problems, sleepiness, dizziness, sickness, and throwing up. How bad these side effects are can depend on personal factors, the strain of Kratom, and the dosage.
Over a long time, using kratom every day might lead to dependence and harmful side effects. These could include liver damage, kidney problems, ongoing stomach problems, and even addiction. The quality and pollution of kratom bought from different sources can vary. So, that also carries risks for users.
Kratom may interact with medicines or substances. These could be prescribed drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs. These interactions could lead to serious health problems. Always ask a healthcare professional before mixing Kratom with any medication or substance.
Since Kratom is not regulated in many places, there’s a risk of swindled or tainted products. Such products could have harmful bacteria, heavy metals, or other harmful substances. This could pose a risk to a person’s health.
Kratom has caused much debate. Its legal status, how it is handled by authorities, and different opinions on its safety and possible benefits all play a part in this.
The laws for Kratom are different around the world. Some places criminalize having, selling, or using it. Others leave it unregulated. In parts of the USA, Kratom is managed as a health supplement. However the FDA has not approved it for any medical use.
The rulings on Kratom vary a lot around the world. Some places, like Thailand, Australia, and some EU countries, ban having, selling, or using it. In other parts of the world, like most of the USA, there aren’t clear rules, making it easy to get Kratom products.
Both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) worry about the safety and possible misuse of Kratom. The FDA has warned about misuse of Kratom. They’ve also taken steps to control how it’s sold, distributed, and marketed.
People in favour of Kratom argue it may provide many benefits. It is proposed to help with pain, anxiety, and depression. They say it’s a safe and workable alternative to opioids. And that it carries less risk of dependency or side effects.
Yet many doctors and researchers are concerned. They’re not sure that Kratom helps as people claim. They question its safety and potential risks. They note that Kratom hasn’t undergone rigorous tests or clinical trials. And they fear it may have side effects or long-term risks we don’t yet fully know.
Also Read: Potential Benefits of Nutritional Yeast: An In-Depth Research-Based Guide
Even though Kratom has been used for a long time in traditional medicine, there’s limited research on it. The studies we do have are not all of the same quality and scope. We need more research to better understand just how Kratom affects us.
The research we have on Kratom includes preclinical studies, animal studies, and fewer human trials. These studies have shed light on possible benefits of Kratom. These include pain relief, mood improvement, and relief from symptoms of opioid withdrawal. But we still have a lot to learn about Kratom’s long-term effects, best doses, and safety.
Preclinical studies involving Kratom and its active compounds have provided useful information. They’ve given us some idea of how these might work and what benefits they may provide. But these studies often have a narrow focus and can’t always be applied to human use.
There have been limited clinical trials involving human use of Kratom. They’ve shown mixed results. Some point towards possible benefits regarding pain relief and opioid withdrawal management. But these studies were often small and might not reflect the experiences of most people. Additionally, many focused on specific Kratom strains. This gives us a limited understanding of the full range of possible Kratom benefits and risks.
Despite the ongoing research, there are significant gaps in our understanding. We lack large-scale, randomised controlled trials, consistent methods across studies, and data on long-term Kratom use. We need more in-depth research on Kratom and its active compounds. And we need to study their effects on the body, to fully understand their potential benefits and risks.
Kratom, a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, has been at the center of ongoing debate and controversy regarding its potential medicinal benefits and risks. While some users report relief from conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, and opioid withdrawal, limited research supporting these claims and known side effects raise concerns about its safety and effectiveness. More comprehensive research on kratom, its active compounds, and their effects on the human body is needed to determine the full extent of its potential benefits and risks.
As we learn more about what Kratom does to the body, both doctors and people looking for alternative management options will need to weigh the potential benefits against the risks. Please remember, before you use Kratom or any herbal remedy, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional.
Kratom is sometimes used instead of traditional pain medicines like opioids. But it’s not certain that Kratom is safe or effective. Some people do find it relieves their pain. But the research we have so far is limited, and Kratom can have side effects and interact with other medicines.
Regular use of Kratom can lead to dependence, with withdrawal symptoms similar to those of opioids. It’s important to use kratom wisely and to ask a healthcare professional before making it part of your routine.
Because there aren’t rules about Kratom in many places, it’s important that you buy pure Kratom from a trustworthy source. Look for tests by third parties and clear product labels. This can lower the risk of polluted or tampered products. Also always discuss with your doctor first, don’t self-medicate.
You should always talk to a healthcare professional before using Kratom. They can tell you the possible benefits, risks, and how it might interact with other things you’re taking.
In some cases, Kratom may help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. But there isn’t much research to support these claims. Always talk to your healthcare provider before using Kratom for anxiety or depression. It’s important to consider the potential risks and existing management options.
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