If you’re looking to get creative with alternative wellness options, you’ve likely heard of kratom. Growing in popularity within recent years, kratom is an herb that reportedly offers wellness support. While many people claim to feel numerous benefits from the herb, the lack of widespread knowledge and scientific research about kratom products has led to a somewhat misunderstood reputation. This definitive kratom guide breaks down what kratom is, how it is used, where you can find it, and answer common questions regarding its safety and legality. Providing potential benefits to interested users, kratom is a naturally sourced wellness product that more people are looking to understand. Whether you feel like kratom is a beneficial botanical or simply want to learn more about this herb, explore our full kratom guide to see if it could be a positive addition to your wellness routine.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a tree, scientifically known as Mitragyna Speciosa, that is native to southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. As a part of the Rubiaceae family, kratom is a close cousin to the coffee plant. In appearance, the kratom tree is a simple evergreen. People use the leaves for their potential benefits; kratom leaves are often chopped up and turned into a powder or extract. From early civilization, kratom has been incorporated into wellness solutions to address discomfort. Common in southeast Asian countries, kratom is treated similarly to the way western cultures regard caffeine. A subject of several recent studies, scientists have been attempting to learn more about this herb and kratom’s benefits since the early 20th century.
A Brief History of Kratom
Kratom use has been referenced for many generations. In the 1930s, a group of Dutch botanists led by Pieter Willem Korthals shared kratom within the scientific community as a medicinal plant. He was able to deduce that kratom had the potential to support dependency recovery. These botanists were some of the first people to describe kratom officially and discuss its potential use. Much prior to this, laborers in southeastern countries commonly used kratom to boost their energy levels and address day-to-day pain experienced while working by chewing up kratom leaves. As time went on, alternative consumption methods were adopted.
As one of the largest global exports in Indonesia, kratom has only become more popular as time has gone on. Many kratom advocacy groups have popped up in recent years to help share personal anecdotes on kratom’s benefits and further support the distribution and availability of it to the public. To be absolutely sure if it’s legal to buy in your area, reach out to your local officials to learn more.
How Do People Use Kratom?
Kratom is often used to help encourage productivity, offer relief from minor aches and soreness, and to ease worry. Nowadays, kratom is typically available in a powder form, or in capsules so you can easily take it with you on the go.
- Powder: Easy to store, powdered kratom allows you to easily experience the benefits of kratom.
- Capsules: Easily the most portable and convenient method of kratom. Having kratom in capsules allows you to carry it with you on the go. This convenience appeals to many.
Kratom Strains and Extracts
As a general guide for kratom, it’s important that those interested in trying the herb are aware of the different strains of kratom and what they can expect to experience from each. Fans of kratom’s benefits typically report it improves their productivity and offers an energy boost throughout the day. The extraction method and preparation, and the strain of kratom itself, can all play a role in the user’s experience. It’s important to ensure you purchase kratom products that are reliable and ethically sourced.
Kratom strains are derived from red, green, or white leaves, and each leaf offers a slightly different experience. Using a small amount of kratom may offer the energetic experience described. The aroma will have a more sedative effect if using a higher quantity. It’s important before trying kratom that the user researches the specific strain so the person taking it can know what to expect and address any concerns appropriately. Understanding the personal intentions in trying kratom is imperative, as different strains will provide different experiences. Any interested kratom user should always ensure that their kratom is pure and coming from a reliable source in order to set themselves up for a positive experience of taking kratom. A guide to kratom strains would be:
- Red Vein kratom: Red vein kratom leaves have red stems and veins within their leaves. As one of the most popular strains of kratom, red vein kratom is easily the most accessible within the kratom market. Red vein kratom has been said to provide a calming sensation and is often used by those having difficulties falling asleep. Kratom has been claimed to relax the muscles as well, and kratom users often use red vein kratom to have a peaceful experience.
- White Vein kratom: White vein kratom is a strain mostly associated with encouraging a positive mood and boosted energy levels throughout the day. Out of the different veins of kratom, white vein kratom is typically associated with providing the most euphoric effects. Those looking to improve their concentration levels often invest in white kratom products.
- Green Vein kratom: Offering experiences that tend to be right in the middle of white vein and red vein kratom products, green vein kratom is a mild energy stimulant that can help increase productivity. Green vein kratom is often mixed with the other strains to provide a well-rounded full-bodied experience while using kratom. Green vein kratom has been claimed to help those experiencing situational concerns, such as nervousness in social encounters.
Some of the most common strains of kratom include White Borneo, Red Thai, Green Malay, White Horn, and Maeng Da.
Kratom Extracts:
Kratom extracts are higher potency reformulations of kratom. Multiple strains of kratom are typically present in a quality kratom extract in order to provide a well-rounded experience. Similar to kratom powder or capsules, kratom users should assure that their kratom extracts are sourced ethically with pure compositions that won’t cause adverse health effects. Common kratom extracts include:
What Does Kratom Do?
An element of kratom is that each experience can vary depending on the strain or extract used. Due to the current regulations on kratom in many regions of the world, there is more evidence that needs to be gathered in order to understand the full scope of kratom’s benefits and potential. In terms of personal testimony collected over time, many kratom users claim that kratom can:
- Increase energy when tired.
- Alleviate discomfort experienced by day-to-day pain.
- Elevate mood and ease worry.
But as we clarified above, anecdotes are helpful but not necessarily proof that kratom will cause these benefits for everyone that takes kratom. An important consideration for anyone looking to try kratom is that every person is affected by it differently. There’s a plethora of factors that go into determining a user’s experience, such as the kratom’s strain, quality, climate, harvesting, method of processing, and more. In order to determine which kratom products are best for you, focus on your personal intentions and wellness goals.
The Legality of Kratom
The legality of kratom can vary depending on the region, as some countries such as Thailand have deemed it to be a Schedule 5 substance. Kratom is a legal substance in some states in the U.S. While there are states where the herb is legal, there may be counties or cities within that state where it’s not. When traveling, make sure to do research regarding your destination’s local kratom laws to feel comfortable traveling with kratom.
Due to the various states of legality that kratom has experienced from region to region, there has been an increase in online support to help advocate for kratom’s benefits and help encourage further scientific study and distribution. A huge reason that people push to increase regulations over kratom use is due to the lack of research regarding kratom’s side effects and consequences of its prolonged use. With studies conducted as recently as 2018, some of the myths of kratom have started to be debunked. The American Kratom Association is a great resource for learning the regional legality, and finding opportunities to support kratom use. They want to amplify the personal stories of those that have claimed to receive help from kratom use and follow the science of kratom’s benefits.
The Future of Kratom
As time goes on we continue to learn more about kratom and its potential within the wellness circle. While we have a strong foundation of evidence to support kratom’s role in helping countless people adjust their methods of alleviating discomfort to transition to an alternative solution, more studies are still necessary. With many of kratom’s benefits reported from personal testimony, there is still much to be understood about how kratom may support aspects of our modern life. Kratom has been used for thousands of years in southeastern countries due to its effects, but we need to know more about its full potential with carefully conducted scientific research. This kratom guide serves as a general overview of kratom and Kratora’s experience with kratom’s use, but kratom is still similar to any natural product in that its effects will vary with each person. Kratom can provide a road to wellness and, with more research, more people can see kratom’s benefits and consider trying this potentially beneficial botanical.
Please note that the US FDA has not approved kratom to be sold for human consumption, sold for external use only. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. None of the products sold on our website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
what would you reccomend for powder. enchanted or/and extract
Hi,
Thank you for visiting Kratora!
Enhanced and extracts are much more potent than plain leaf powder. It will depend on your personal preferences.