What Are Kratom Alkaloids?

You’ve probably heard about kratom or even tried out some popular kratom strains such as Maeng Da kratom, Premium Commercial Bali Kratom, White Vein Borneo Kratom, or Thai Red Vein Kratom. The thing is, like many people who are just getting started with this ethnobotanical plant from Southeast Asia, you might not know what’s in the leaves of this plant. Kratom contains various alkaloids that contribute to its effects, including mitragynine and a related compound called 7-Hydroxymitragynine. 

In fact, these two compounds are among the primary reasons why this plant has long been used for traditional medicinal purposes in Southeast Asia. It’s only recently that modern research has identified more than 25 alkaloids in kratom, including these two primary psychoactive compounds. So what are these kratom alkaloids?

Where Do Kratom Alkaloids Come From?

Kratom is a herb that has been grown and used for centuries across Southeast Asia, where people have traditionally chewed on the leaves to combat fatigue or used it as an herbal medicine for various ailments and all different types of physical discomforts. Today, kratom’s popularity is growing because of its mood-lifting, calming, and soothing aromatic effects.

Kratom alkaloids come from the kratom tree’s leaves. These alkaloids vary depending on where the kratom trees grow, the harvesting process and time, and the specific leaf color (green vein, red vein, etc.). Kratom leaves contain at least 25 alkaloids, including Mitragynine, 7-Hydroxymitragynine, Isomitraphyll, and more, which affect different types of neurotransmitters in your brain. The aroma of kratom’s alkaloid content has varying effects from energetic to euphoric sensations to soothing to calming effects.

What are the Most Common Kratom Alkaloids?

Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine are mainly responsible for the effects of kratom. Mitragynine is a stimulant alkaloid that works on the mu and kappa opioid receptors. It’s a factor that has long been seen as the reason why so many people have traditionally used kratom as a natural herb in Southeast Asia. While this is not scientifically proven yet, Mitragynine has shown to be a very promising compound in a variety of ways.

On the other hand, 7-Hydroxymitragynine is a sedative alkaloid that acts as both a delta antagonist and μ agonist. This alkaloid is responsible for kratom’s sedative and relaxing effects, which causes users to seek out kratom strains with higher potency. The leaves of the kratom plant contain other varieties of alkaloids, but these two are what give kratom its stimulating and sedating effects.

What are the Effects of Kratom Alkaloids?

Depending on the type of kratom strain, kratom alkaloids can be said to have an uplifting, calming, soothing, relaxing, stimulating, and aphrodisiac aroma or scent. Red vein kratom often has a more calming and soothing effect. White or green kratom strain has a more energetic and euphoric effect. Effects vary greatly depending on the type of kratom strain, potency level, quality of the kratom powder, capsules, or extract.

More research is being done to understand kratom alkaloids and their effects on the body to find out how they can benefit us. There’s a lot of misinformation that needs clarification about kratom alkaloid content, types, what type of strain has more or less of it, and other important factors. Whether you’re new to kratom or a long-time user, it’s important to know the facts about kratom effects and alkaloids. The American Kratom Association notes that educating yourself is the first step to learning more about kratom.

Are Kratom Alkaloids Safe? 

Kratom is a natural herb that has been used for centuries, originating from different countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In recent years it’s become more popular as an ethnobotanical plant in the West due to its promising medicinal potential that’s still being determined. But the question in many people’s minds is whether or not kratom alkaloid content is safe. 

The FDA doesn’t regulate kratom, so, unfortunately, there’s no way to be 100% sure that the kratom alkaloid content and the safety and quality of kratom products in the market are safe. However, reliable and reputable kratom vendors use third-party lab testing to verify that their products are free of dangerous contaminants and safe for users. Since kratom is a natural plant, it’s important to buy from vendors specializing in selling high-quality herbs with strict quality control standards. 

It’s up to the manufacturers of different kratom product strains or extracts to determine how potent they are and label their products with accurate information. Buyers must also be aware of the possibility that kratom alkaloid content may vary from one batch to another. This makes it crucial for users to do more research, read reviews, and consult with experts before determining the kratom product best suited for their needs. 

Shop Fresh, Organic Kratom Products at Kratora

Now that you know what kratom alkaloids are, you might be interested in trying our kratom for the first time or even adding new products to your existing kratom collection. At Kratora, our kratom is always fresh and sourced from the best growers since 2013. Shop organic, all-natural, and fresh kratom products at our online store and enjoy our 30-day money-back guarantee, fast same-day priority shipping, and free shipping +$75. 

Have any questions about kratom alkaloid content? Contact us.

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