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Can You Smoke Kratom and Weed Together

December 29, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

Humanity has been relying on plant medicine long before modern medicine existed. Practices such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine are still popular to this day, and alternative healing methods such as Naturopathy and Homeopathy are gaining growing popularity.

While modern medicine saves lives and provides treatment for serious health conditions, a growing number of people are realizing that there is more to medicine and healing than just pills.

Thus, many turn to plants and plant medicine. After all, numerous medications are still being synthesized from plants.

Mitragyna speciosa or kratom and Cannabis, better known as marijuana or weed, are some of the plants that provide relief from pain, stress, anxiety, inflammation, improve mental processes, and much more.

Despite their controversial nature, more and more people are realizing the beneficial effects and minimal side effects of these beneficial herbs.

While both are beneficial plants, kratom and weed have plenty of differences that set them apart. Yet, it can be beneficial to combine kratom and marijuana. The latter can even serve as a kratom alternative in certain cases.

The most popular way of using weed is by smoking. So, if you would like to experience the beneficial effects of both, you may be wondering if you can smoke kratom and weed together.

Let’ explore the differences between the two herbs and see if that’s a good idea.

What’s Kratom and How Does It Work?

A tropical tree from the coffee family of plants, Mitragyna speciosa or kratom is native to Southeast Asia, namely Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.

The kratom tree has large leaves that are rich in a variety of alkaloids. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the two primary alkaloids, with the latter being around 13 times more potent than morphine.

Kratom alkaloids act on the opioid receptors in the brain in a similar way to opioids. While there is much controversy around kratom due to that, kratom does not recruit opioid receptors in the exact same way as opioids do. As a result, kratom provides potent analgesic effects, yet is no more addictive than coffee.

Due to its effect on opioid receptors yet very low abuse and addiction potential, kratom can help overcome opioid addiction. For a long time, user reports were the only proof of a successful outcome. However, currently, studies on kratom alkaloids are being carried out in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and the team working on the study has come up with promising results.

Alkaloid concentration varies in kratom leaves due to various factors. Therefore, there are three natural types of kratom and each of them provides unique effects.

Red vein kratom is soothing, relaxing, and pain-relieving whereas white vein kratom boosts energy and mood and improves focus. Green vein kratom has a bit of both and offers moderate pain relief and relaxation as well as increased energy and focus.

What’s Weed and How Does It Work?

Marijuana or weed is actually a group of three plant species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis indica. Cannabis plants are native to Central Asia and were later introduced to Europe, Africa, and other parts of the world.

In ancient times, natives may have used cannabis for its psychoactive properties in ceremonies. However, the most popular use was medicinal. In addition to that, hemp which is another strain of Cannabis sativa with no psychoactive properties was grown as a durable form of material, used to develop clothes, shoes, ropes, and more.

Cannabis contains beneficial compounds called cannabinoids. There are over 120 different cannabinoids in cannabis plants. As it is with kratom, experts are unsure about the exact properties of each. However, most properties are attributed to the two most-well-known and common components: CBD and THC.

CBD and THC have the same chemical formula, yet their atoms are arranged in a different way, granting each cannabinoid different properties and effects on the body. Both compounds interact with the body in different ways.

THC is psychoactive and intoxicating, making you “high.” It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, primarily CB1 and CB1. CBD is psychoactive and non-intoxicating. It doesn’t bind with CB1 or CB2, yet the exact way of how it interacts with the body is not yet known.

THC is addictive while CBD is not, yet various studies point out that THC may have more effective therapeutic properties.

Similarly to kratom, weed can reduce pain. However, it is more effective for inflammatory, nerve and similar forms of pain whereas kratom is great for chronic pain.

Can you Smoke Kratom and Weed Together?

It is not a good idea to smoke kratom and weed together. While you will get the beneficial effects from weed, kratom will simply burn not providing the results you expect.

Let’s take a look at why that’s so.

Cannabinoid acids that raw cannabis plants contain have an extra molecule – THC is actually THCA and CBD is CBDA. These extra molecules render their beneficial properties inert. To release that extra molecule, cannabis leaves need to undergo a heating process called decarboxylation.

Decarboxylation converts THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD. Without it weed is ineffective.

If you smoke weed, this heating process occurs in real time. If you choose edibles or other products that contain THC or CBD need to undergo a heating process during their manufacture to become effective.

While kratom tea is the most common way to take it, it is not necessary to get the beneficial effects of kratom. You can consume kratom as is. In fact, locals in Southeast Asia used to simply chew the leaves. Heating simply potentiates the effects of kratom.

Yet, kratom does not require as high of a temperature as weed does to be potentiated. You simply need to simmer the tea. Smoking or vaping kratom would expose it to four or more times higher temperatures which would burn kratom and its alkaloids without providing beneficial effects.

If You Can’t Smoke Kratom and Weed Together, How Can You Combine the Two

While you shouldn’t smoke kratom and marijuana, that doesn’t mean you can’t combine them. There are various ways of consuming both.

You can make kratom tea, toss and ash, mix kratom with juice, yogurt, or smoothies, or even take capsules if those work for you.

Smoking isn’t the only way to consume weed. You can also get edibles or bake goods with weed.

So, instead of going for a smoke of kratom and weed, you can:

Smoke weed and drink kratom tea or smoothie
Have kratom tea with a weed muffin or brownie
Mix kratom with yogurt or milkshake and take some cannabis edibles
Toss and wash kratom and smoke weed

As you can see, you have plenty of options. Just make sure that you don’t smoke kratom and weed together.

Have you tried combining kratom and weed? Which is your favorite method?

7 Outstanding Benefits of Kratom for Seniors

December 22, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

The majority of kratom users are young or middle-aged. While there are many ways in which they can benefit from this beneficial herb, there are also numerous benefits of kratom for seniors. The herb can provide support for a variety of health issues as well as significantly improve their quality of life.

What Is Kratom?

Native to Southeast Asia, kratom or Mitragyna speciosa is a tree that has leaves with beneficial properties. That is due to a high concentration of alkaloids in them.

The herb has a minimum of 25 alkaloids and 40 total chemical compounds, all of which have unique beneficial properties. However, the most prominent of those are two alkaloids – mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Mitragynine is an alkaloid with stimulating, pain-relieving, anti-tussive, and other effects. It’s also the most abundant alkaloid in kratom, making up about 60% of the total alkaloid content.

Meanwhile 7-hydroxymitragynine is found in much lower quantities, yet it’s exponentially more potent than mitragynine. The most prominent effects of this alkaloid are potent pain relief and opiate withdrawal relief.

In fact, kratom interacts with the same receptors in the brain as opioids do, yet it engages those receptors in an entirely different way, resulting in very few and minor side effects if kratom isn’t taken properly.

7-hydroxymitragynine is about 13 times more potent than morphine but doesn’t cause addiction or respiratory depression as opioids do.

Due to these properties, kratom for seniors can be a natural alternative to opioids with fewer risks and side effects.

Let’s take a look at how you can use kratom for the elderly wellbeing.

Kratom Benefits for Seniors

1. Potent and Efficient Pain Relief

As seniors tend to experience pain due to various ailments, health issues and conditions, pain relief becomes important. Kratom can provide effective and potent pain relief that seniors would normally need to purchase a wide range of medications for.

The pain-relieving potency of the herb changes based on the type of kratom you select. Red vein kratom for seniors can be the most suitable if they require strong pain relief. This vein type is also relaxing and can be sedative, thus being more suitable for the evening and nighttime.

Therefore, green vein strains can be a better option during the daytime. While their pain relief is more moderate and less intense than that of red vein strains, it’s more energizing in nature.

2. Increased Energy

Another popular use of kratom is additional energy. Mitragyna speciosa is in the same plant family as coffee. As a result, it provides similar effects – increased mental and physical energy – and can serve as a substitute for coffee.

While white vein strains are the most potent in this regard, whites tend to be a bit too much for novel users. Therefore, green vein kratom for seniors could be more suitable. It provides additional energy. However, if taken in proper doses doesn’t make one anxious or jittery just like coffee does.

3. Stress and Anxiety Relief

Kratom has relaxing properties which can help seniors to relieve stress and anxiety. Moreover, kratom can do so in addition to pain relief and other benefits without requiring seniors to purchase additional medication.

As with pain relief, red vein kratom is strongest in terms of stress and anxiety relief. However, green vein strains are potent in that regard too. They are more energizing, yet they also provide relaxation at the same time. So, unlike coffee, you will feel energized, yet calm at the same time.

4. Improved Focus and Cognition

Green vein kratom for seniors can be beneficial to improve their focus and concentration. Since this variety makes you energized as well as calm, you can expect a very calm focus and fewer distracting thoughts.

5. Better Sleep

Kratom can be beneficial for seniors to improve their sleep in various ways. Since seniors tend to sleep fewer hours and sleep more lightly, Mitragyna speciosa can help them get better rest.

Red vein strains are best for the evening and nighttime. They have relaxing and sedative qualities and can last up to eight hours. Thus, kratom can help seniors to fall and stay asleep.

That doesn’t mean that you are missing out on sleep benefits if you take green vein kratom. If you take it regularly and at relatively the same time, it can help you regulate your sleep cycles, stay active and energetic throughout the day, and be tired and ready to go to bed in the evening.

6. Relief of Depression Symptoms

It’s not uncommon for seniors to experience depression, and kratom can also help with that. Its mood-boosting and energizing properties can provide the positivity and energy needed to get up from the bed and get through the day.

7. Improvement of Overall Wellbeing

People who opt for kratom generally tend to develop healthier eating and lifestyle habits. Lowered stress levels can help manage a variety of health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

The herb can also suppress the appetite which can lead to less snacking in between meals. This can make kratom helpful for seniors who struggle with their weight in addition to other health issues.

Final Words

While kratom is legal in most of the United States, the world of kratom is primarily unregulated. The FDA does not regulate kratom and only four states in the United States (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Georgia) regulate it with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act at this time. The lack of regulations leaves plenty of room for bad players.

Therefore, when buying kratom for seniors, you must be extremely cautious and only opt for vendors that are trustworthy and properly test their products in third-party laboratories.

Are there seniors in your life for whom kratom could be beneficial. How do you think it could help them the most?

The Different Types of Kratom and Their Effects

December 15, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

You may have been wondering what the different types of kratom are. Especially if you are new to kratom. There is a wide variety of strains available on the market, and things can get confusing. So, let’s break that down.

Most frequently, kratom is classified by color. There are three main types of kratom: red-vein, green-vein, and white-vein.

But kratom comes from the leaves of the same tree, you may think. Aren’t they all green? Yes, indeed, however, the colors refer to the stem and veins that run through these leaves.

If you look at the kratom leaves, you’ll notice that their stems and veins are a slightly different color. It means a different chemical composition, and, as a result, different properties.

What Causes the Different Kratom Vein Colors?

While some believe that there is such a thing as a red-vein, green-vein, or a white-vein tree, that’s not actually true. All three vein colors can grow on the same tree in a very similar way to bell peppers. Green, yellow, and red bell peppers can all be on the same plant and are simply at different stages of ripeness.

The different vein colors are the result of how kratom leaves grow and develop. Different strains thrive in different conditions and develop different alkaloids. Their properties will depend on factors such as soil content, the location of the leaves on a kratom tree, sunlight exposure, as well as the rain and dry period ratio, and the maturity of leaves.

These qualities are further amplified by kratom processing methods. Or, more specifically, by the conditions in which it’s dried. Farmers usually keep the exact process secret. But, we’ll give you a little sneak peek into what happens on the inside.

During the grinding process, farmers remove the stems and veins. So, the powder that you buy is purely the leaf matter. Yet, there are a few kinds of coarser kratom that does contain the stems and veins. It’s a matter of preference, but some users like the latter more.

Red-Vein Kratom and Its Effects

Red-vein kratom is generally the most popular by users and the most widely sold. It’s mainly due to the fact that it generally yields larger harvests. It also tends to be the kind that receives the most sunlight.

Its leaves have red strains and veins, and leaves have higher 7-hydroxymitragynine and lower mitragynine content than other varieties. Farmers dry it outdoors in direct sunlight or indoors under UV light lamps and also longer than the green and white varieties.

Red-vein strains are most widely known for their powerful sedative effect. They have the potential to relieve pain, stress, and anxiety. Red vein strains can also help one to fall asleep, which can be useful for people who suffer from insomnia and other disorders that may negatively affect sleep.

Nonetheless, varieties such as Red Sumatra can provide uplifting, mood-enhancing effects. Especially if used in smaller doses. So, make sure to look into individual strains, especially if you have never used them before.

These are some of the most popular red strains:

Red Bali
Red Maeng Da
Red Thai
Red Horn
Red Borneo
Red Kapuas

White-Vein Kratom and Its Effects

White vein kratom earns its name due to the white, or more so pale green, color of veins and stems. Its leaves receive less light than the red vein or green vein variety. As a result, it has the highest mitragynine and the lowest 7-hydroxymitragynine content out of all types of kratom.

Farmers primarily dry this variety indoors with no exposure to light.

White strains are best known for their stimulant and mood-enhancing properties. It can help you boost focus and concentration. Those who suffer from depression or stress can benefit from white vein kratom as well because it can energize and lift one’s mood. However, they need to be taken carefully and with moderation.

Quite a few users don’t recommend starting off with white strains if you are completely new to kratom. Instead, they suggest starting off with red or green strains and easing into the white ones.

Here are a few of the most popular varieties of white-vein strains:

White Maeng Da
White Horn
White Borneo
White Bali
White Kali
White Kapuas

Green-Vein Kratom and Its Effects

Green vein kratom comes from leaves that have green veins and stems. These are also the leaves that get moderate exposure to sunlight. Farmers dry the leaves indoors with little light and afterward also outdoors. Usually, only for a very short time.

Green vein strains provide a balance between the red and white vein varieties. If red strains primarily have sedative effects and white strains – a stimulating effect, then green strains have both. Yet, they are not as intense in potency, but rather somewhere in between. Both their mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine levels are moderate and in between those of red and green vein strains.

These are some of the most popular strains for this variety:

Green Maeng Da
Green Horn
Green Malay
Green Borneo
Green Kali
Green Bali
Green Kapuas

How About Yellow-Vein Kratom?

Well done, you’ve noticed that something is missing! Indeed.

Although red, white, and green strains are the most common types, there’s also the fourth type of kratom – yellow kratom. And it’s been rapidly gaining popularity.

It’s not yellow vein kratom because no such thing as live kratom leaves with yellow stems and veins exixts. Instead, this variety is known as yellow kratom.

This usually refers to blends, fermented, or differently dried varieties. This can be a green and white mix that’s fermented or a red and green mix that’s fermented. Yellow kratom can also be a red-veined variety that’s been dried longer or fermented. It can also be the green and white strains that have been dried outside rather than inside. But yet again, farmers keep the exact process to themselves.

As per its effects, yellow strains produce effects that are close to, yet slightly more potent than green strains. It also tends to last longer.

Here’s our pick for yellow strains:

Yellow Bali
Yellow Vietnam

Which Types of Kratom are Best for You?

The types of kratom that suit you best would depend solely on you, your needs, and situation. If you’re looking for a strong sedative or pain-relieving effect, then red strains may work better for you. If, on the contrary, you want to feel more energized, then white or green strains may be your type.

But, if you aren’t quite sure or are looking for a bit of both, you can start with green or yellow strains.

We’ve put together a quick quiz to help you find out which kratom would be the most suitable for you. Check it out here.

What are your favorite types of kratom, and why? Is there a type that you haven’t et tried but would like to? Feel free to leave your answer in the comments section below.

Military Kratom: Can You Take Kratom in the Military

December 8, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

US military members are well-known for their extraordinary abilities, strength, endurance, and capacity to go through rigorous training and extreme and life-changing experiences. As a result, many veterans suffer from handling pain, PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep, and other health issues.

Therefore, it’s not uncommon for veterans to take kratom. The herb has many health benefits and can aid veterans in a wide variety of ways.

But what about active-duty members? There are many ways in which they could benefit from the herb. But can you take kratom in the military?

Can You Take Kratom in the Military?

Unfortunately, kratom is illegal to active duty military members in the United States. The Department of Defense (DoD) prohibits a wide range of substances that could negatively impact military readiness and performance and lead to possible disciplinary action.

The DoD based its reasoning for banning kratom in the military on the statements made by the FDA. It explains the reasons for prohibiting the herb as being the lack of evidence of safe use and deadly risks resulting from its use.

The military allows certain legal substances. These include prescription drugs, alcohol, and nicotine, provided that they are taken adequately and properly. However, the list of illegal substances is long. It includes actual drugs such as cocaine, LSD, heroin, and more, as well as other substances like steroids and smart drugs.

What Are Smart Drugs?

Smart drugs are a wide range of substances that have nootropic properties and can enhance cognition. This includes mediation. An example of such a smart drug includes Adderall, a common ADHD medication. It’s legal as long as the military member has a valid doctor’s prescription. Otherwise, it is off-limits.

Another class is so-called herbal smart drugs. Examples include cat’s claw, ashwagandha, L-theanine, green tea, piperine, Panax ginseng, and also kratom.

While most of those herbal smart drugs are OK in the military, kratom is an exception. The military prohibits it because, according to its words, it alters mood and function.

What Else Does the Military Forbid?

Kratom in the military isn’t an odd exception. In addition to the herb and substances that are already illegal in the US, the military also forbids the following substances and dietary supplements:

Acacia rigidula, also known as blackbrush acacia or chaparro prieto – a dietary supplement that aids weight loss is illegal in the military due to the lack of evidence for safe use,
Aconite or wolfsbane – homeopathic medicine that can also be poisonous,
Cannabidiol or CBD – used for anxiety, stress, inflammation, and pain relief, illegal due to service policies,
Hemp or hemp oil – used for stress and pain relief, illegal due to a DoD policy,
Phenibut – a supplement used for anxiety and stress relief, illegal because it’s a synthetic substance that does not meet the standards of a dietary supplement,
Salvia – a supplement that produces relaxing effects in small doses and hallucinogenic effects in large doses, also illegal in the military.

Besides these supplements, the military also forbids a long list of synthetic dietary supplements. These include HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), HGH (Human growth hormone), IGF (Insulin-like growth factor), and others.

Does the Military Test for Kratom?

Kratom is an illegal substance in the military and on the DoD forbidden substances list. So, active duty military members can be subject to illegal substance screening. Kratom, however, is unlikely to come up in a routine DoD drug test because most standard tests such as SAHMSA-5 do not test for it.

Nonetheless, it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be tested for kratom in the military. Changes are continuously happening.

In 2017, the DoD announced that it will be expanding its testing to detect 26 illegal substances that active-duty members are tested for in military applicants as well, making substance screening more rigorous. The list included drugs such as cocaine and heroin as well as a range of synthetic cannabinoids or spice.

While kratom wasn’t mentioned in the list, certain military members have reported that their divisions have started testing for kratom, as well.

Therefore, it’s best to abstain from taking kratom in the military. Even if your unit does not currently test for kratom, this can change at any time. This can put you at unnecessary risk if you take the herb while on deployment.

Active duty members are subject to drug testing three times a year and this occurs at random. Kratom alkaloids remain in the system and can come up on a urine drug test for up to 7-9 days. With this in mind, you cannot prepare for a kratom drug test.

And even if kratom isn’t among substances a drug test screens for, there have been instances of it resulting in a false positive. This can be an unnecessary and highly damaging risk for active-duty members.

Is Kratom Safe?

The DoD bases its judgment of kratom on statements by the FDA. Thus, it should come as a surprise that the military questions its safety. It mentions the side effects of kratom, including death, and the risk of it being laced with other substances like opioids.

The DoD also claims that kratom is addictive while its 8-Factor Analysis states the opposite, saying that kratom is no more addictive than coffee, a plat from the same plant family as kratom that is legal in the military.

Contrary to the FDA claims, the safety concerns regarding kratom use are exaggerated. Kratom deaths that it cites as proof of its deadly effects are misinformation. None of the “kratom deaths” had conclusive results and other substances with deadly effects were present.

Final Words

While kratom is prohibited to active duty military members, it’s legal in most states when one is out of the military and no longer serving. Kratom has numerous benefits that can help veterans lead better lives.

Regardless of that, it is important to always get high-quality raw kratom products from a trusted vendor.

While most claims by the FDA and DoD are untrue about kratom, one thing however is possible. That’s the fact that kratom can be contaminated or adulterated by other dangerous substances. To avoid that, one should always purchase kratom that has been accurately and properly tested, processed, handled, and labeled, preferably from US states with an active Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

Are you an active-duty military member or a veteran? Have you ever tried kratom? And most importantly, thank you for your service.

Kratom Alkaloids and Their Effects

November 24, 2020 by Speciosa Guide 8 Comments

Kratom provides diverse effects and benefits which is one of its most astonishing features. This is due to kratom alkaloids, natural chemical compounds present in Mitragyna speciosa leaves.

Users report feeling differently after using different strains and strain varieties. And even different doses of the same strain can have one experience distinct effects. This occurs due to the different alkaloids that are present in the kratom leaves as well as their concentration in each individual strain.

While many kratom lovers know that alkaloids are beneficial and responsible for kratom effects, most don’t know their specifics and they actually work.

What Are Alkaloids?

Just like any other living organism, plants contain natural chemicals. In plants these plant chemicals also known as phytochemicals.

There are different kinds of phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and many more. Alkaloids are one of them.

Alkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen-containing molecules in plants and fungi. Scientists hypothesize that they protect plants from insects and animals. However, it’s not entirely clear what the purpose of alkaloids in plants is.

What we do know is that they have powerful medicinal as well as other properties, even in small quantities. They have unique effects on the human body and provide diverse effects and health benefits.

Alkaloids can treat pain, inflammation, immune disorders, and even more. Nonetheless, some can also be toxic.

Because of this, alkaloids are popular in conventional medicine and other industries. Some of the popular alkaloids the effects of which you may be familiar with are:

caffeine – alkaloid with stimulant properties found in coffee and cocoa beans and tea plant leaves,
ephedrine – it’s a stimulant used in asthma medication and to prevent blood pressure drop during anesthesia,
quinine – alkaloid used in malaria medication,
morphine – the primary alkaloid in the opium poppy with strong analgesic properties,
nicotine – stimulant alkaloid present in tobacco.

The Main Types of Kratom Alkaloids

It’s believed that kratom’s leaves have at least 25 different alkaloids. Other hypothesize there are at least 40 or even more. But, there have only been limited scientific studies on kratom thus far to confirm the exact number.

While there are many different alkaloids in kratom, two of the most powerful ones are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Both of these alkaloids are different in terms of the benefits that they provide. But, they both are responsible for pain relief as well as opioid withdrawal relieving effects.

The variety and amount of kratom alkaloids both depend on various factors. These can be the type of strain, the maturity of the leaves, where and in what conditions it grows, how it is harvested, and more.

For example, younger kratom leaves have a higher mitragynine concentration and the amount lowers as the leaves mature. The opposite is true about 7-hydroxymitragynine. Young leaves have less 7-hydroxymitragynine and the amount increases as the leaves mature.

So, the younger leaves tend to have pale green veins and stems. As the amount of mitragynine lowers and that of 7-hydroxymitragynine increases, the stems and veins gradually turn green and then red. As a result, all three – red, green, and white vein leaves can be present on the same tree and mature in a similar way to how bell peppers do, turning from green to yellow and then red.

Factors such as the amount of sunlight can also affect the concentration of the alkaloids. For instance, leaves that develop during the rainier and less sunny periods of the year tend to be white or green-veined.

This change in alkaloid concentration does not only affect the appearance of the leaves but also the effects that they produce.

Mitragynine and Its Effects

Mitragynine is the most abundant of all alkaloids in the kratom leaves, making up around 60% or more of the total content of kratom alkaloids. It is primarily responsible for the stimulant effects of kratom. That’s why it is found in higher amounts in green-vein and white-vein strains.

Mitragynine’s stimulating effects are much smoother and much more stable than those of other stimulating substances, such as caffeine.

Yet, stimulation is not the only benefit of this alkaloid. It has a variety of different properties.

Mitragynine effects slightly vary from person to person. It mostly depends on their sensitivity towards kratom. Nonetheless, its overall effects are quite consistent. A few of them are:

Anti-malarial
Anti-tussive (relieving or stopping cough altogether)
Anti-diarrheal
Stimulation
Pain relief

While mitragynine provides pain-relieving properties, they are lower than those of 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Also, its effects can vary according to how large a dose is. Lower dosages generally provide more stimulating effects, while higher dosages result in less stimulating, but rather more pain-relieving and relaxing effects.

Due to its versatile nature, mitragynine still needs to be scientifically studied in more depth to understand the full breadth of its potential.

7-Hydroxymitragynine and Its Effects

7-hydroxymitragynine is the fourth most abundant alkaloid in kratom. It is more concentrated in sedating kratom types, such as red-vein strains. It is less versatile in terms of its properties and effects and is present in much lower amounts than mitragynine. However, it is a lot more potent than mitragynine.

In fact, it is the most potent alkaloid found in kratom.

Some experts believe 7-hydroxymitragynine may even be 30 times stronger than mitragynine. Studies have indicated that it is also 13 times stronger than morphine.

The most prominent effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine include:

Powerful pain-killing effects
Opiate withdrawal relief

Other Kratom Alkaloids

As we already know, kratom has a lot more than just these two alkaloids. Though there are numerous alkaloids present in its leaves, some of these need to be studied in more detail to know their full potential

Below, you’ll find a few of the important alkaloids that are inside kratom leaves. Although they appear in kratom in much smaller quantities, they are working together with each other to create the unique effects of kratom.

Ajmalicine is a muscle relaxant as well as an anticoagulant (a blood thinner that can prevent blood clots).
Ciliaphylline works as a sturdy analgesic.
Corynoxeine serves as a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Corynoxine helps dopamine move throughout the body.
Corynantheidine is an antagonist of the opiate receptors. It blocks opioid receptors from responding to opioids and endorphins. That can help with opioid addiction.
Epicatechin has numerous functions. It is an anti-leukemic alkaloid. In addition, it also has anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It also helps to prevent fat cells from clogging the arteries and controls blood sugar levels.
Paynantheine is a muscle relaxant.
Speciophylline has an anti-leukemic action.
Speciogynine gently releases the muscles.
Tetrahydroalstonine has an anti-adrenergic (can help with anxiety, heart disease, and high blood pressure) and hypoglycemic activity (can lower blood sugar).

Note that these are only a few of the alkaloids present in the leaves that we know more about.

Even though the effects and benefits of kratom can be life-changing, we may only be scratching the surface when it comes to understanding kratom’s full potential.

More Studies on Kratom Alkaloids

Sadly, scientific research on kratom is still quite limited at this time, preventing us from knowing the full potential of the herb.

Yet, more are being carried out.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is where Christopher McCurdy, the pioneer of kratom research works. He was the person to first uncover and perform studies on kratom in the United States.

NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) has awarded Mr. McCurdy and his team two grants to study kratom, its alkaloids, and their effects. They are worth $6.9 million and give the team seven total years for this research.

The team has already come up with some positive conclusions, suggesting that kratom could treat opioid withdrawal and addiction. While kratom users already verify that from personal experience, having scientific studies back that up could improve the general reputation of kratom and help keep it legal and accessible.

Common Misconceptions about Kratom Alkaloids

Much attention is drawn to the fact that kratom alkaloids hit the same receptors as opioids. That does not mean that the kratom alkaloids themselves are opioids. But rather that they target the same receptors that opioids do.

Opioid use comes with a dangerous side effect of affecting the user’s respiratory system. It slows down the breathing and can result in death, especially if used improperly and irresponsibly.

Kratom does not do that. It causes minimal respiratory depression that doesn’t endanger human life, and Mr. McCurdy’s team’s research has proven that.

As a matter of fact, kratom is actually an opioid antagonist. It can help to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms as well as overcome opioid addiction.

Chemically, the structure of alkaloids resembles that of psychedelic drugs. However, kratom users do not actually experience psychedelic effects.

Instead, they feel pain relief and euphoria among other effects and benefits. Ones that are already discussed above.

What kratom strains have you used and what effects have you experienced?

Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.