Category: Kratom News

When you’re using an herbal supplement, you usually don’t think of it as a medicine. This is why many people may combine alcohol with the herbal supplement they’re currently using.

More often than not, there are no immediate side effects and people simply continue using alcohol.

But is it really so?

Kratom and Alcohol: The Side Effects

What you need to understand is that there are many types of side effects. If you’re not vomiting or having a headache – it doesn’t mean you’re not experiencing side effects stemming from alcohol use.

Basically, side effects are everything your body experiences contrary to the beneficial aspects of your herbal supplement. This may sound a bit complicated, but it’s not. Here’s the thing.

You may feel perfectly normal, without any major side effects such as vomiting or headaches. At the same time, you could be using an herbal supplement and alcohol, while feeling perfectly normal. And still – alcohol could work against you.

How is this possible? Because alcohol can destroy all the “good” chemical processes that are happening in your body, without you even knowing it. And in the end, it would be as if you hadn’t even taken that supplement in the first place.

This is why you really need to pay attention when combining alcohol with natural remedies and supplements. And here we come to the topic of kratom. How kratom and alcohol go (or don’t go) together?

Lack of Reliable Information Available on Combining Kratom and Alcohol

Many kratom users simply don’t know a lot about combining kratom and alcohol. If you do a search on kratom and alcohol online, you’ll find a lot of discussions about this in many online forums.

Most of the users’ comments are based on their personal experience. There is little reliable information on the topic from trustworthy sources.

And this is the real problem. We are all different, which means that two bodies will react differently to an intake of kratom and alcohol.

Furthermore, kratom is a new supplement, and it hasn’t been around for long. There is still not enough research on it. So, we can’t anything with 100% certainty.

However, there are certain points you should keep in mind. But be sure to take the information with a grain of salt because, as we said, the research on the subject is still fresh.

Doses of Kratom and Alcohol

Combining Low Doses of Kratom and Alcohol

If you use a low dose of kratom with alcohol, it will most likely provide relaxing effects, without affecting you too much. There shouldn’t be any major problems, at least that’s what the majority of the users report. You should feel normal, yet slightly more relaxed and elevated.

In general, kratom users who took low doses with alcohol claim they felt very good and uplifted.

Nevertheless, you should definitely avoid this, especially if you need to operate more complicated tasks, such as driving the car or handling heavy equipment. Even low doses combined with alcohol can affect your judgment.

Combining Moderate Doses of Kratom and Alcohol

If you combine kratom and alcohol in moderate doses, that’s already a different story. Now, side effects are slowly starting to show. Many users have reported feeling sick, experiencing dizziness, and vomiting. Also, many of them feel lethargic.

There are, however, users who don’t experience any side effects whatsoever, even at moderate doses. But again, this all comes down to the individual.

One of the reasons why people can experience side effects at moderate doses is kratom strain. As we discussed earlier, there are different kratom strains and they can all have different effects on the individual. Some kratom strains are simply more potent than others, and they work differently with alcohol.

Nausea comes as one of the most common side effects of moderate-dose use. And the strains that usually cause this are so-called sedating strains, which include most types of red vein kratom.

Combining Higher Doses of Kratom and Alcohol

And finally, we come to high-dose use. If you use a high dose of kratom and combine it with alcohol, it will most likely cause nothing but harmful effects.

The majority of users who experienced this say the side effects include: nausea, headaches, feeling hungover after sleeping, etc. It’s very rare to find a user who didn’t feel bad, in any way, after using a high dose of kratom and alcohol.

And these are just some of the side-effects users experience. There are also general fatigue, stomach discomfort, problems with breathing, dehydration, high levels of mental and bodily stress.

Combining alcohol with a lot of kratom can affect your health in so many ways. It’s not just the side effects we mentioned. It can also lead to kratom overdose, which is a terrible experience. You are hereby strongly advised against using alcohol with a high dose of kratom.

Why Kratom and Alcohol Often Don’t Go Well Together?

By definition, alcohol is a depressant. Its function is to block the signals coming to the brain from the nerve receptors. Because of this, you experience reality in a different way, because your senses are somewhat distorted.

Kratom, however, is a stimulant. The function of a stimulant is to increase physiological or nervous activity in the body. Therefore, kratom and alcohol are in direct opposition, and it’s never a good idea to combine a depressant with a stimulant. This is the main reason why so many people experience side effects when combining kratom and alcohol.

So, what would be the best solution?

The answer is this: if possible, you should completely avoid using alcohol along with kratom.

However, if you still prefer consuming alcohol with kratom, we strongly advise to keep it at a bare minimum. And definitely shy away from taking high doses of kratom with alcohol.

Conclusion

Since kratom is relatively new, we expect a lot more research in the months and years to come. We will definitely know a lot more on the subject.

Until then, we advise you again – stay away from alcohol while using kratom. Not only will this protect your health, but it will also enhance all the beneficial qualities of kratom. And you will be able to experience kratom in a much more fulfilling way.

Have you taken kratom and alcohol together? How did you feel? Did you experience any side effects? If so, what did you do?

Taking kratom for opioid withdrawal is by far one the most common uses of the herb. So, if you’ve turned to the internet to look it up, you’re likely wondering whether it works and, most importantly whether it’s safe.

Is it indeed a miracle drug or will it do more harm than good? After all, the internet I flooded with articles on the dangers of kratom and the authorities keep warning against its use.

As usual, let’s dive in and find answers to your questions about the use of kratom for opioid withdrawal.

What Are Opioids and Why Are They Dangerous?

Opiates and opioids are terms often used interchangeably. Though they are not exactly the same. Both opioids and opiates derive from the opium poppy and have potent pain-relieving properties.

Opiates are natural substances that come directly from the poppy plant. For instance, codeine and morphine are naturally present and can be extracted from it.

Opioids, on the other hand, are synthetic or semi-synthetic. They are either completely manufactured or combined with natural opiates. Fentanyl and methadone are examples of completely synthetic opioids while oxycodone and hydrocodone are semi-synthetic.

When administered and/or absorbed opioids (and opiates, too; but we’ll start referring to them interchangeably) travel through our body and eventually attach to opioid receptors in our brains.

That alters our perception of pain and creates feelings of pleasure. So, the pain is still there but we no longer feel it until the effects of opioids wear off.

According to Mayo Clinic (and other medical sites) opioid use us safe as long as one uses them according to the doctor’s instructions. However, opioids have high abuse potential and can cause respiratory depression.

If you take opioids for a long period of time, you have a high likelihood of developing dependence. Your body adapts to the substance and requires more to achieve the same effects. Yet, in high doses, opioids lower your heart rate and breathing. This can be fatal especially if taken in combination with alcohol and other medication.

What Is Opioid Withdrawal and Why Is It a Big Deal?

If you take opioids for a long period of time, your body becomes accustomed to them. If you suddenly stop taking them, it is highly likely that you will experience negative physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, and cravings for another dose.

In addition to that, the pain-relieving effects wear off and you’re left feeling the pain that opioids were helping you to deal with.

According to global statistics, at this time the United States is the country with the most frequent opioid prescription and use in the world. Doctors prescribe opioids to every one in 20 Americans. In Germany numbers are also high – one in every 30 people there gets an opioid prescription.

From there, numbers drop drastically. The third on the list is Japan where doctors prescribe opioids to only one per every 800 people. That is a dramatic difference, yet data gets even worse. Sadly, opioid use is increasing in Nordic countries as well.

As a result of such frequent prescribing of opioids, millions of Americans suffer from opioid addiction and 130 people die from an opioid overdose every day. This includes prescription opioids as well as illegal opioids like heroin. Curiously, 80% of those who use heroin started by prescription opioid misuse.

This isn’t just hurting the American population, but also the economy.  The CDC estimated an economic burden of nearly $80 billion a year. This includes health care costs, substance addiction treatment costs, criminal justice costs, and lost work productivity.

This situation is known as the opioid crisis or the opioid epidemic.

How Did the Opioid Epidemic Happen in the First Place?

Up until the late 1990s, opioids weren’t frequently prescribed. Then, pharmaceutical companies reassured the American medical community that prescription opioids would not cause addiction. As a result, physicians started prescribing opioids at an increased rate.

This led to increased misuse of prescription and non-prescription opioids. Approximately a decade later, in 2017, the HHS declared the Opioid Crisis a public health emergency.

Why would pharmaceutical companies do something like that?

Well…. profits. And it’s not just us saying that.

In January 2019, a report was released. Based on Obamacare data, researchers made an association. The more pharmaceutical companies spent on marketing prescription opioids, the more doctors prescribed them and, sadly, the more opioid-related deaths occurred.

Common Ways of Treating Opioid Withdrawal

The most common ways of treating opioid addiction are one of the following:

• Gradually reducing and eliminating opioids. While a person can quit opioids, they still have to struggle with the pain that got them to use opioids in the first place. This means they their quality of life, satisfaction as well as the ability to perform day-to-day tasks are not optimal.
• Other medication. Doctors prescribe drugs like Buprenorphine temporarily to transition from opioid use. The problem is that Buprenorphine is an opioid. So, doctors recommend treating opioid addiction with an opioid.
• Detoxification through the use of opioid antagonist. This treatment method involves medication that binds with opioid receptors instead of opioids. After this treatment, the patients still suffer from pain.

Yet, people who suffer from opioid addiction and withdrawal seek alternative treatment methods such as kratom.

Does Kratom for Opioid Withdrawal Work?

If you search for kratom for opioid withdrawal, you’ll come across sources that state that kratom is ineffective, has no medicinal use, or is even dangerous. Yet, kratom users state the opposite. Statements like “kratom saved my life” are not uncommon. Millions of Americans are using kratom for opioid withdrawal and other health conditions, and the popularity of the herb is only growing.

Nonetheless, the government seems to be pushing an anti-kratom agenda. The FDA repeatedly referred to kratom as another opioid and even developed its own computer algorithm that proved it. They mentioned 44 kratom deaths as proof for that. Then, the CDC issued a warning statement about nearly a hundred deaths caused by kratom.

Another study involved a computer algorithm that scanned 1.5 million Reddit posts to identify alternative treatment methods for opioid withdrawal and their risks. It identified kratom for opioid withdrawal as one of the three main alternative treatment methods. No actual risks appeared in the post. The article describing the study only included speculations on the risks of using kratom for opioid withdrawal.

However, examining these cases closer showed that kratom wasn’t the only substance present. Kratom was the only substance in just a few cases, and even in those, the authorities didn’t rule out the presence of other substances.

Final Thoughts

Though kratom hasn’t been extensively studied and we still don’t know everything about it, one thing is clear. The numbers don’t make sense. Over a hundred people a day die from opioid overdose. Yet, the authorities consider more opioids as a safer alternative to kratom when it’s questionable whether the kratom deaths actually happened due to kratom.

While kratom can be rather expensive, it is still in general cheaper than opioid medication. Yet, the profits from it aren’t going to the pharmaceutical industry but individual vendors.

So, could this be a reason for the anti-kratom agenda? Is kratom truly as dangerous or is it simply cash in on a herb that is actually making a massive difference?

What are your thoughts on it? Is kratom effective treatment for opioid withdrawal? We’d love to discuss this topic with you.

Spring, 2019, came with a new term in the kratom world. The Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Just a few weeks prior no one knew about it, suddenly about a dozen states were considering it, and it was popping in the news at least every other day.

So, you may be wondering what the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is and what’s the big deal about it.

Therefore, we’ve done some research to answer all of your questions about the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

What Is Kratom Consumer Protection Act?

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act or KCPA for short is a bill that intends to regulate kratom in individual states.

Developed by representatives the American Kratom Association (AKA) and the Botanical Education Alliance (BEA), it intends to make kratom use as safe as possible for the consumer and prevent any negative incidents such as contamination or adulteration that could potentially push the authorities to ban kratom in the entire US.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act covers production, sales, possession, and labeling requirements of kratom. It also defines an age limit for kratom sales, possession, and use of kratom.

Some of the statements proposed in it are:

• Production, sales, and distribution of adulterated, contaminated, or otherwise unsafe kratom products cannot be sold.
• Only individuals over the age of 18 can buy kratom.
• All kratom products need to be labeled.
• Kratom vendors cannot produce, import, or sell any kratom products that have more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine content.
• Vendors must state the contents of any kratom product, the exact alkaloid content, and the origin of the product.
• Producing, selling, or distributing contaminated, adulterated, or otherwise unsafe kratom or kratom products leads to fines or incarceration.

The AKA and BEA present the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and lobby it in individual states. It is a guideline to educate the authorities and serve as a guideline to what is important to make kratom safe for the consumers. However, states can modify and amend it.

While it appears that the Kratom Consumer Protection Act came out of the blue and seemingly overnight, it’s not actually the case. The AKA and the BEA were looking for ways to ensure that kratom remains legal yet is also safe to users for a long time.

Why Do We Need the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?

In 2016, the DEA announced its intent to ban kratom in the entire country. This received a massive backlash from the kratom community. Kratom users and supporters expressed their strong support for the herb in a variety of ways such as signing petitions, leaving comments, and sending letters to the DEA.

In the meantime, regulating kratom nationwide as a medication or dietary supplement would be much harder, more expensive, or even impossible. To make it a regulated drug with approved medical properties, it would require decades of research and study and millions or possibly billions of dollars.

While the University Of Florida College Of Pharmacy received a $3.5 million grant for 2 years of kratom study, that alone will most likely not be enough.  In addition to that, if kratom was truly recognized by the FDA, we do not know how that would affect the price of kratom. It may simply become another expensive drug that the masses cannot afford.

Kratom also does not completely comply with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 which would be able to recognize kratom as a dietary supplement. While the AKA made a step forward by developing its Good Manufacturing Practices in 2018, the AKA’s meeting request is still being ignored by the FDA.

So, both kratom supporters and those willing to see it banned know that tackling it statewide is the best approach for now. You may see anti-kratom advocates doing it in northern Mississippi. They are trying to ban kratom one county and one city at a time.

So, the fact the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is being positively received by many states, is excellent news.

Which States Have Signed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?

Utah became the first state to regulate kratom. The Utah Senate reviewed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and passed in it on March 26, 2019.

Arizona passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act a month later, in April 2019. So did Georgia.

Nevada joined the states that regulate kratom a month later.

Which States Are Currently Reviewing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?

According to the AKA, in April 2019, about a dozen states are considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.

The sates that are currently reviewing or considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act or their own variation of it are:

• Rhode Island – kratom is currently illegal in Rhode Island, passing the bill would reverse the ban
• Kansas 
• Missouri
• Maine

Oregon also had a bill on regulating kratom, but they decided not to do it at the time.

What Can Kratom Supporters Do?

If you would like to make sure that kratom remains legal and is regulated in your state, you can do a variety of things

First of all, you can donate money to the AKA and the BEA to help them lobby it across more states in the US. Here are the relevant links:

• Donate to the American Kratom Association
• Donate to the Botanical Education Alliance

Secondly, you can sign any petitions that intend to keep kratom legal. Many petitions are filed via Change.org platform.

Finally, you can make a statement by choosing to buy kratom from a vendor who cares about the future of kratom and keeping it legal. Make sure to thoroughly research whom you choose to buy kratom from.

If you aren’t quite sure whom to buy kratom from, we outline our tips on how you can avoid kratom buying mistakes in our Kratom Buying Guide that you can download from us or free. We’ll send it to you in exchange for your e-mail.

Rest assured that your email address will be safe with us. We’ll only use it to send you updates on new blog posts on kratom, kratom legality news, any important petitions that are active, and any other interesting bits of information that we found online.

What do you think of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act? Have you heard any news about kratom legality in your state? We make sure to include the latest information on it. However, if we have missed anything, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know. 

While kratom is safe if taken in its pure natural form and adequate doses, like any substance, natural or not, it can negatively interact with others.

Most governmental institutions and medical sites claim that kratom intake is dangerous. However, their reports tend to be misleading. Almost all of the so-called kratom deaths are not actually due to kratom but other substances taken alongside it. The rest usually lack valid data.

Sadly, due to the lack of regulations, studies, and trusted, unbiased information on kratom, individuals taking it need to be particularly cautious and informed. Therefore, it is essential to know what drugs and substances can potentially interact with kratom to avoid potential adverse side effects and consequences.

Common Kratom Drug Interactions

Kratom and Prescription Opioids

Kratom and prescription opioids target the same areas in the brain. As a result, the effects of both are similar.

While many label kratom as an opioid because of that, it isn’t actually the case. Despite similar effects, kratom is a plant that belongs to be coffee family. It also does not engage opioid receptors in the brain in the same way that opioids do. Therefore, kratom provides strong pain relief, yet does not cause life-threatening respiratory depression and is about as addictive as coffee.

Because of this, many use kratom to overcome opioid addiction, which is currently plaguing America.

Unfortunately, many take kratom in addition to opioid medication to enhance the pain-relieving effects or avoid opioid withdrawal symptoms.  This can be potentially dangerous, especially if one has developed a high tolerance to opioids and is taking low-quality, contaminated, or adulterated kratom.

While taken independently from other substances, kratom causes low respiratory depression that is not nearly enough to be fatal. However, taken with opioids, especially in large uncontrolled dosages, it can add on to the respiratory depression caused by opioids, and that can be dangerous, even if kratom itself wouldn’t be causing it.

To prevent this from happening, we advise not taking prescription or other opioids together with kratom. If you are willing to quit opioids and use kratom to manage your pain, it’s best if you give your body some time to clean itself first and only then start using kratom. Make sure that you only take pure, lab-tested, high-quality kratom from trusted vendors.

Kratom and Stimulants

Generally, we advise not taking kratom together with stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine as well as herbal stimulants like guarana.

In small doses, kratom can have stimulant effects. Green strains are moderately stimulating, while whites have strong stimulant effects.

Taken with other stimulants, kratom can result in negative side effects such as agitation, anxiety, sweating, and heart palpitations.

When it comes to coffee, it can act as a kratom potentiator. Yet, those new to kratom shouldn’t mix it with caffeine. It’s best to get used to kratom first before experimenting. Moreover, if you take kratom and coffee, you should lower both your dose of kratom and coffee.

More about kratom and caffeine here.

Kratom and Depressants

Common depressants are anti-anxiety drugs, alcohol, and tranquilizers, such as central nervous system depressants. It’s best to avoid such combination as depressant drugs can have a similar effect to those of opioids.

Combining depressants and kratom can result in severe sedative effects and can potentially be dangerous if these doses are excessive, and one takes low-quality kratom.

Combining kratom with alcohol can also result in nausea, vomiting, headaches, and hangover. Therefore, it is not wise mixing them even if you’re trying to quit alcohol.

More on kratom and alcohol here.

Kratom and SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

SSRIs are a type of mediation used to alleviate depression symptoms. They are most commonly known as anti-depressants.

Kratom interacts with the mu-receptors in the human brain, whereas anti-depressants interact with serotonin receptors. Serotonin receptors and mu-receptors can work together in certain processes; therefore, there may be potential negative consequences when taking both.

While currently, no studies are elaborating on the effects of kratom and anti-depressants taken together and these are only speculations, it’s best to approach this with caution.

Kratom and Medication Changed by the Liver

Our liver breaks down and changes the chemical composition of some medications. Kratom can potentially interfere with the process and slow down the rate at which our liver does that. This can alter the intensity of the effects or side effects of these medications.

This category includes a variety of Cytochrome p450 substrates such as Codeine, amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), flecainide (Tambocor), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra),and other.

Since there are many medications in this category, it’s best to consult a physician before taking any prescription medication with kratom.

Kratom and Modafinil (Provigil)

There has been a reported case of a person experiencing seizures and going into a coma after taking kratom and modafinil (Provigil), a drug used to manage sleepiness due to narcolepsy.

It is currently unclear what is causing this to occur; however, other people also have experienced seizures after combining the two, especially after high doses of kratom. Therefore, it is generally advisable to avoid taking kratom and modafinil (Provigil) together.

Final Thoughts

On many occasions, kratom gets the blame when any negative effects occur after mixing it with other substances or drugs. However, that is not to say that kratom would cause any of those by itself.

Therefore, we urge you to make sure that you buy your kratom from a trustworthy and reputable kratom vendor who tests their products in an independent third-party laboratory. This way, you have the highest chance of getting a quality product that’s free of pollutants, adulterants, and other risky substances that may cause negative consequences.

Keep in mind that buying questionable kratom and mixing it with potentially dangerous substances does not only put your health and life at risk, but negatively affects the reputation of the herb.

Are there kratom drug interactions that have we not mentioned, but you believe that the kratom community should know? Let us and our readers know! This can not only help people avoid negative consequences and side effects but also help us keep kratom legal!

As the popularity of kratom grows, there is increasing interest in and awareness of the other plants in the same genus, namely of Mitragyna hirsuta, a close cousin of Mitragyna speciosa. Many sources refer to hirsuta as an alternative to speciosa.

So, how does Mitragyna hirsuta compare vs. Mitragyna speciosa? Should you be on the lookout for a hirsuta vendor?

Let’s compare and find out.

The Mitragyna Genus

Mitragyna speciosa is not the only plant in the family. In addition to kratom, there are six other trees in the Mitragyna genus. They grow across various countries across Southeast Asia, as well as in Africa.

However, they aren’t the same.

Despite some similarities and some alkaloids that the varieties have in common, there are rather stark differences between the different trees in the Mitragyna genus.

This is also true about Mitragyna hirsuta and speciosa. Let’s break it down.

What Is Mitragyna Speciosa?

Mitragyna speciosa is a tall tropical tree from the Coffee plant family and the Mitragyna genus, which grows in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Commonly known as kratom, it is used in powder and tea form for a variety of effects, primarily pain relief and relaxation.

Main Alkaloids in Mitragyna Speciosa

The powerful effects of Mitragyna speciosa, aka kratom, are due to its alkaloid. Current research on kratom indicated that the herb contains at least 25 various alkaloids and 40 total beneficial compounds. In addition to alkaloids, kratom also contains polyphenols, flavonoids, and other compounds.

The primary alkaloids in this variety of Mitragyna are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. You can find them in more abundant quantities than any other alkaloids and compounds Mitragynine content in kratom is approximately 60%, whereas 7-mitragynine is just under 2%.

Both alkaloids interact with the opioid receptors in the human brain. They are partial opioid agonists. Therefore, their use results in similar or even more potent pain-relieving effects than opioid medication. However, the alkaloids interact with the brain differently, making kratom about as addictive as coffee and without the dangerous respiratory depression that you can expect from the use of opioids.

Uses and Effects of Mitragyna Speciosa

The effects of Mitragyna speciosa vary depending on the vein and strain as well as dosage. Red vein kratom strains and higher doses result in pain-relieving, relaxing, and sedative effects. White vein kratom strains and low doses yield the opposite effects. They are stimulating and mood-boosting.

Meanwhile, green and yellow strains are rather moderate and offer a balanced mix of effects – mild pain relief and moderate relaxation as well as improved mood and an energy boost.

Most kratom is sold in loose powder form, which is used to brew tea, toss and wash, and mix in with liquids such as juice, smoothies, or yogurt. However, capsules, tinctures, and various skin products such as soap are available too.

What Is Mitragyna Hirsuta?

Another variety of the Mitragyna genus, Mitragyna hirsuta, also referred to as Kra Thum Khok, grows in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. While it is visually highly similar to speciosa, hirsuta is a tree that doesn’t grow as tall as its speciosa cousin.

Main Alkaloids in Mitragyna Hirsuta

As opposed to Mitragyna speciosa, hirsuta does not owe its properties to mitragynine r 7-hydroxymitragynine. Instead, its most abundant alkaloid is mitraphylline. The same alkaloid is present in kratom, though in smaller quantities, as well as in the bark of Cat’s Claw.

A few limited studies on mitraphylline show highly promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

Uses and Effects of Mitragyna Hirsuta

Various vendors offer Mitragyna Hirsuta as a kratom alternative, recommending taking it in large doses, usually up to 25g in ta form. Those who have tried it report feeling mild relaxing effects that ease anxiety and provide a slight mood boost, yet in lower intensity as you can expect from Mitragyna speciosa.

Yet, slightly better mood and mild anxiety relief are, in general, the most you can expect from this plant. It does not provide pain relief and does not help with opioid withdrawal due to the lack of alkaloids that Mitragyna speciosa possesses.

Mitragyna Hirsuta vs. Mitragyna Speciosa: The Bottom Line

While Mitragyna hirsuta does have some relaxing and other beneficial effects, those are not equivalent in their extent and intensity as high-quality Mitragyna speciosa.

Moreover, various buyers have pointed out that they suspect that many vendors disguise low-quality kratom as Mitragyna hirsuta, thus making its use as a kratom substitute non-effective. Especially because of the high doses recommended by the vendors.

Precautions

Taking the wrong herb can result in increasing kratom tolerance without knowing it. You may also end up experiencing kratom side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

In addition to that, due to the increase of farmers who have switched to Mitragyna from other crops due to high demand, many lack experience working with any plants of the Mitragyna genus.

As a result, there is an extremely high risk of buying fake or low-quality Mitragyna speciosa and Mitragyna hirsuta. Only third-party independent lab tests are able to determine the true quality and purity of both

So, you should always thoroughly review those on any vendor’s website. If you see any issues with the tests or any information about either one of the herb does not seem genuine or credible, it is best to avoid such vendor, especially if they are not US-based. Otherwise, you risk exposing yourself to products of questionable origin and quality.

As far as the Mitragyna hirsuta vs. Mitragyna speciosa debate is concerned, Mitragyna hirsuta does possess some beneficial relaxing, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, there may be benefits of taking authentic Mitragyna hirsuta. Nonetheless, it is not a substitute for its cousin speciosa.

Regardless of its beneficial uses, one must be extremely cautious when selecting a vendor. This is true for both Mitragyna hirsuta or Mitragyna speciosa. Due to common scams and misinformation in the industry, it is possible that you may buy an inauthentic or low-quality product.

Have you ever tried Mitragyna hirsuta? What was your experience with it like? Would you recommend trying Mitragyna hirsuta vs. Mitragyna speciosa? Why or why not?

Kratom studies are scarce. As a result, finding reliable and unbiased information on the herb is relatively hard. Many sources refer to kratom as a dangerous drug, and there have even been efforts to ban it on the federal level.

While kratom is legal in most states in the US, many locations are still debating its legality and reviewing options for either banning or regulating it.

Since kratom still remains unregulated in most areas, the risk of it being contaminated or adulterated remains rather hard. This has led to unfortunate instances such as the CDC attributing nearly 100 deaths to kratom, when, in actuality, most cases had other substances present and others had inconclusive results or prior health issues.

Luckily, more studies are being done, which will hopefully shed more light on kratom, its alkaloids, and its effects. One such study was led by John Hopkins University School of Medicine.

But, first off…

What Is Kratom?

Kratom, also named Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree indigenous to the jungles of Southeast Asia. The leaves of this tropical tree are rich in alkaloids and other highly beneficial compounds such as flavonoids and polyphenols.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the most abundant of the kratom alkaloids and attribute most of its properties.

Kratom has a variety of effects that depend on the vein type and strain, as well as the dosage that you take. In small doses, kratom has energizing and cognition-enhancing effects. However, in higher doses, it becomes a potent analgesic with sedating and relaxing effects.

Mitragyna speciose alkaloids affect the same regions in the brain as opioids. Therefore, many mistakenly refer to kratom as an opioid. While 7-mitragynine is around 13 times more potent than the pain-relieving drug morphine, kratom 8-Factor analysis has proven that Mitragyna speciosa does not have the same dangerous abusee potential.

The Basics of the John Hopkins Kratom Study

John Hopkins University School of Medicine conducted this study using a survey. It examined the responses of over 2,700 respondents who take kratom. 61% of them were female, and the median age was 40. 84% of all respondents had some form of a college education.

Their purpose was to determine the effectiveness of kratom as well as whether its use has less harm than opioid use.

While the results of this kratom study were purely anecdotal, considering the fact the lack of scientific research on the herb, it is still a highly beneficial scientific insight into Mitragyna speciosa.

The Results of the John Hopkins Kratom Study

The kratom study performed by John Hopkins University found out the following:

• 91% of respondents found kratom effective for pain relief,
• 67% of all respondents found the herb to be effective for anxiety,
• 65% found it effective for depression,
• 41% of respondents were taking kratom for opioid withdrawal,
• 87% of those taking kratom for opioid dependence found it effective,
• 35% of respondents who took kratom for opioid addiction reported being off prescription opioids or heroin for over a year.

In addition to the beneficial effects of Mitragyna speciosa, the study also looked at its side effects. The respondents had to complete a Substance Use Disorder checklist as part of the survey. The results found the following:

• Fewer than 3% of all respondents had moderate to severe kratom use disorder,
• Fewer than 10% met the criteria for mild kratom use disorder,
• 5% of respondents experienced kratom withdrawal,
• Only 1.9% of responded experienced severe side effects such as irritability, anxiety, insomnia, or depression.
• 19% experienced mild kratom side effects.

In the meantime, approximately 80% of those taking opioid medication experience at least one side effects. These include dry mouth, constipation, sweating, weight gain, sleep problems, drowsiness, memory issues, appetite loss, sexual dysfunction, nausea, fatigue, dry skin, and dizziness.

Conclusions and Comments from Organizers

Albert Garcia-Romeu, PhD., who instructs psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine and who lead the team performing this kratom study, commented that the findings of this study do not warrant kratom being categorized as a Schedule I drug. According to him, kratom doesn’t belong in the category.

Moreover, he added that kratom has very low abuse potential and should be explored for medical application as a means of managing pain as well as opioid use disorders.

He also noted that there is a lot of fearmongering due to the opioid-like effects of kratom and the growing concerns and issues caused by the opioid epidemic.

Garcia-Romeu also compared the statistics for opioid deaths and deaths attributed to kratom. He pointed out that in 2017 alone, there were over 47,000 opioid overdose deaths in the united states while, in a relatively similar time period, the CDC attributed nearly 100 deaths to kratom, out of which most had the presence of other substances while others had preexisting health conditions.

Regarding the side effects that kratom use can result in, Garcia-Romeu pointed out that most of that is due to the lack of regulations and standards in the kratom industry. These can result in kratom contamination with dangerous substances or inadequate kratom dosage.

Other Studies on Kratom

In addition to this kratom study, a longer and more thorough study on Mitragyna speciosa is currently in progress at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. NIDA has granted Christopher McCurdy, the pioneer in kratom studies, and his team nearly $7 million to study the herb.

John Hopkins Kratom Study Takeaways

This kratom study concluded that kratom use is not only significantly less harmful than opioid use but also effective. However, it is crucial to be responsible for kratom and purchase it only from reputable vendors to avoid any contamination. In addition to that, one should be mindful of their kratom dosage and not increase it over time, which can result in tolerance, side effects, and possibly withdrawal.

Are you taking Mitragyna speciosa? Would you agree with the results of this kratom study? How has your experience with the herb been?

Some of the most recent kratom news headlines claim that kratom causes liver damage. However, is that a reason for concern or merely a negatively biased piece of news as 92% of news on kratom.

Let’s take a closer look at the data behind these headlines and examine how accurate they are.

Kratom Liver Damage News Data

WebMD published an article referencing a study that looked at 404 liver damage cases accredited to dietary supplements. The study was led by Dr. Navarro, the head of gastroenterology at Albert Einstein Network in Philadelphia.

The team he led attributed eight liver damage cases that occurred between 2004 and 2018 to kratom. Another professor who reviewed the study referred to this data as “concerning.”

While liver damage is a severe health concern, the article also referenced the FDA’s warnings about kratom and nearly 100 CDC kratom deaths. Both of them have been instances of exaggerated claims.

Dr. Jack Henningfield issued a review of a report on the dangers of kratom pointing out the lack of credible data to back the claims. And out of the nearly 100 CDC kratom deaths, most cases had other substances in the blood in addition to kratom. Nonetheless, regardless of what they were, kratom was referenced as the main issue.

Taking a closer look at this study revealed that all of these eight people were also using alcohol.

According to the American Kratom Association, there are at least 5 million kratom users in the United States. 8 people out of 5 million are 0.00016%, which is an extremely rare incidence. In the meantime, alcohol is the fourth leading cause of death among Americans and the second most common cause of liver cirrhosis.

Kratom and Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant, and kratom can be both a depressant and stimulant, depending on its type and dosage. While some kratom lovers find small doses of kratom and alcohol enjoyable, it is generally not advisable to take kratom with depressants or substances that are broken down by the liver. These include alcohol. Avoid taking it together with kratom even if you’re willing to quit alcohol.

So, combining kratom and alcohol, especially in large doses, is not advisable. But that does not mean that kratom in itself is harmful and that it can cause liver damage if taken exclusively.

Kratom is not the only substance that you should not take with alcohol. There are various medications that one should not take with alcohol either. These include antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, opioid medications, and even over-the-counter pain relievers such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen.

That is not to say that all these medications are necessarily harmful. Not in the least. Mindful usage of them can help people feel better. However, taken in combination with alcohol, they can cause adverse side effects.

And, most importantly, alcohol itself is not a healthy substance.

Other Kratom Liver Damage Studies

We dug a little deeper and found another study that claimed that kratom was associated with rare instances of acute liver injury.

This study admittedly couldn’t determine what exactly caused the liver damage to occur. Yet, it added that kratom is often used in combination with other substances, including drugs of abuse. Therefore, the study concluded that it is not always possible to determine the actual cause of liver damage.

Kratom Intake Advice

Kratom is a raw botanical that originates from Southeast Asia where hygiene standards are low. So, it is not impossible for you to get unpure kratom.

Therefore, we strongly advise any kratom user to be cautious when selecting a vendor. Make sure you choose a trusted US-based vendor who lab-tests their kratom. While importing directly from the source may be cheaper, the potential health risks are not worth the minimal savings that you could make. That is if you are lucky enough to land a vendor who doesn’t want to scam you.

Moreover, keep in mind that any unwise decisions and behavior that you may take can endanger you. It can also put the legal status of kratom and its reputation at risk.

We strongly advise against combining kratom with alcohol or illegal drugs. If you take any prescription drugs, there may be kratom drug interactions. Therefore, it is wise to consult a physician who is not against alternative treatment methods before you add kratom to the mix.

If you would like to transition from opioid prescription medication to kratom for pain relief, optimally, we’d advise you to allow your body to detox from opioids first. This way, you’ll be able to accurately evaluate the effects of kratom and the dose that your body needs.

What are your thoughts on kratom liver damage news? Is it accurate information or not, in your opinion?

Opioid addiction is a growing concern. With nearly 70,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2018, the number keeps speedily growing. Heroin is one of these opioids, and its use and overdose deaths have been on an incline, as well, with nearly 15,000 lives claimed in 2018 alone. The interest in using kratom to quit heroin and other opioids is also on the rise.

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a highly addictive and illegal opioid drug. It’s produced from morphine, a natural substance that can be found in the seed pod of the opium poppy. Heroin binds to opioid receptors within the brain, resulting in reduced pain and feelings of euphoria.

Heroin use isn’t safe, and it has a wide range of short-term and long-term negative effects.

It is possible to overdose on heroin. Moreover, it causes respiratory depression, which can result in coma, brain damage, or even death.

Sadly, around a million Americans report having used heroin in the past year, and this number and related issues only keep growing.

Heroin Use Disorder

Heroin is a highly addictive substance. It also creates tolerance in those taking in regularly. As a result, it makes it increasingly dangerous for one to use heroin.

Sadly, however, prescription opioids like Vicodin and OxyContin have a striking similarity to heroin. As a result, misuse of these medications or the inability to access them can lead to a person with chronic to starting taking heroin as a means of managing it.

That’s not the only reason for one to start taking heroin. Others use it to manage anxiety or depression, feel better, and more. A significant number also do so merely out of curiosity or due to peer pressure.

Quitting heroin, though, can be extremely hard, which is why many need professional help.

Common Heroin Use Disorder Treatment Methods

The most common means of treatment are behavioral therapy and medication. Usually, a combination of both is used.

Medications that are commonly used to treat and overcome opioid addiction target the same receptors in the brain. Yet, they are deemed safer. Two common medications to treat heroin use disorder are:

• Methadone – a slow-acting opioid agonist. It’s an oral medication. Therefore, it reaches the brain slowly, as opposed to heroin. The person experiences a much weaker “high” and less likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, methadone use can also be addictive and lead to overdose. Methadone also has numerous side effects that include drowsiness, constipation, confusion, coma, or death.
• Buprenorphine – a partial opioid agonist. This sublingual medication reduces cravings and can also relieve pain. However, it also has negative side effects and potential for abuse and addiction.
• Naltrexone– an opioid antagonist. This medication blocks the action of opioids and is neither sedating nor addictive. While it is a safer alternative to the medications above, one needs to comply with their treatment. Otherwise, the drug loses its effectiveness.

The issue with many medications that treat heroin and other opioid use disorder is that they too are opioids or opiates. Due to that, one may jump from one addiction into another.

This is precisely what happened to Steven Koontz, a 56-year old male, who decided to share his kratom story with us.

How Steven Quit Heroin with Kratom

Steven was addicted to heroin for thirty years. For him, it didn’t start as a means of getting pain relief. “I started with smack and fell in love immediately,” he says.

Regardless of the severity of his countless withdrawals, Steven was unable to quit. He tells us: “I have gone through withdrawal more times than I can count and no matter how horrendous the withdrawal, I would go back.”

As a means of getting off of heroin, Steven was prescribed methadone. Yet, it didn’t help as expected. Doctors prescribed additional medication to deal with the side effects of the prescription drug. Steven also spent time in rehabilitation centers and mental hospitals, against his choice.

“I was on methadone for almost five years, and that was harder to kick than heroin. Doctors wanted to put me on anti-depressants and mood stabilizers, but I hated how I felt on those, so I refused meds. I have been committed against my will twice to mental hospitals and in rehab seven or eight times.”

Everything changed for Steven when his youngest son introduced him to kratom.

“I tried it because I was out of ideas,” he admits.

Luckily, it was a good choice for Steven that he is grateful for: “I thank God for taking me down the path….and my baby boy.”

Not only he feels exponentially better now, but his craving for heroin is no longer an issue.

“It was three years ago since I have had dope. The drastic mood changes, days of lying in bed are almost gone. There are days, but they never last. The most amazing thing happened when I started kratom. The craving for heroin is gone. I’m not being over-dramatic. The desire for that high is just not there.”

Studies on Kratom and Its Effectiveness in Treating Opioid Addiction

While many take kratom to quit heroin and other opioids as well as beat alcohol addiction and have shared their positive experiences in surveys such as the John Hopkins study, official studies on the effectiveness of kratom are scarce.

But not for long. NIDA awarded the University of Florida College of Pharmacy two grants worth nearly 7 million USD. The study is led by Christopher McCurdy, a pioneer in kratom studies in the US, and its objective is to study kratom alkaloid and their effectiveness in treating opioid addiction.

Hopefully, this research will shed more light on kratom and result in a more positive reputation of the herb in the media.

Has kratom changed your life, too? Help us spread the word about kratom and its numerous benefits and uses to those who need it most! Share your kratom story here.

Cancer is a disease that affects countless people across the world. Cancer patients frequently suffer from severe chronic pain, and many seek alternative cancer pain management ways.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a class of diseases that occurs when cellular changes result in the division and growth of cells that become uncontrollable.

In a healthy body, all cells have a lifespan. Old cells die, giving way to new cells that function much more efficiently. Cancer cells lack this mechanism that tells them to die. Therefore, they keep dividing and do not die. Instead, they accumulate in the body forming tumors and use up the nutrients and oxygen that would otherwise be used by healthy cells.

There are many causes for cancer to develop. These include exposure to radiation as well as chemical and biological carcinogens.

The main risk factors are smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, excessive body weight, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and more. Cancer is also more common as people age, and those with a family history of cancer may have a higher predisposition to the disease.

There are also many types of cancer. The most common types are lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer. Lung, colorectal, stomach, liver, and breast cancer claim the largest number of lives.

Cancer is the second largest cause of death in the US. There are nearly 2 million new cancer patients each year in the country, with over 4 thousand patients being diagnosed each day.

Common Cancer Treatment Methods

There are various cancer treatment methods. They focus on treating cancer to enable a person to live a normal life span. However, sometimes, it’s not possible. In such cases, treatment focuses on shrinking tumors or preventing them from further growing. The most common cancer treatments are:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Stem cell transplant
• Hormonal therapy,
• And more.

While in some instances, one treatment method is enough, in many cases, more than one treatment method is needed.

Additionally, modern cancer treatment methods face many challenges, such as difficulty isolating cancer cells. Treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also affect healthy cells.

Therefore, cancer treatments come with many side effects. These include:

• Anemia,
• Gastrointestinal problems,
• Hair loss,
• Fertility issues,
• Memory problems,
• Problems concentrating,
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Sleep problems,
• Depression,
• Anxiety,
• Pain,
• And many more.

Cancer pain is widespread among cancer patients. It is due to cell damage, which can be a result of either the progression of cancer and it causing pressure on bones, nerves, and other organs, or cancer treatment. The most common treatment for that is pain medication, such as opioids.

What Is Kratom?

A tropical Southeast Asian tree, kratom has been used for medicinal purposes for generations. Kratom leaves are rich in alkaloids. Two of them, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are responsible for most of the kratom effects.

Can You Use Kratom for Cancer-Related Pain

Kratom has many beneficial properties. Depending on the vein and strain type of kratom, it can soothe severe pain, relieve depression, anxiety, and stress, improve the mood, improve focus and concentration, and much more.

Therefore, kratom can be a beneficial alternative to traditional cancer pain management methods. Moreover, it can alleviate other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and sleep issues.

Best Strains of Kratom for Cancer Pain Management

1. Red Bali Kratom

Red Bali Kratom is the most popular, widely available, as well as affordable kratom strain. It is also one of the most long-lasting strains.

Red Bali Kratom has potent pain-relieving properties that can soothe cancer pain. It is also very relaxing and produces strong euphoria. Therefore, it can also boost the mood, aid with sleep problems, and relieve anxiety.

2. Red Vein Thai

Due to high 7-hydroxymitragynine content, Red Thai Kratom is another potent pain-relieving strain. It also has sedating properties that can help relieve sleep-related issues.

3. Red Vein Borneo

This red vein kratom strain has strong mood-boosting properties in addition to offering relief for cancer pain management. Therefore, it can also help those experiencing anxiety and depression.

4. Red Vein Maeng Da

Rd vein Maeng Da Kratom is a potent pain-relieving kratom strain that can be effective for chronic pain resulting from conditions like arthritis and cancer.  It also has potent sedating properties and can relieve pain at night.

5. Red Horn Kratom

Red Horn Kratom is a rare strain. The leaves of this kratom variety have horns, and kratom farmers believe that they have higher alkaloid content due to them. Keep in mind that many vendors may mix in unhorned leaves with the horned ones to make more sales using the popular name. So, you should only buy Horn Kratom from reputable vendors to avoid overpaying.

6. Red Vein Sumatra

While most red vein kratom strains have sedating effects, Red Sumatra Kratom is energizing. As a result, it can boost the mood and provide additional energy for days when one may not feel as energized.

Precautions When Taking Kratom for Cancer Pain Management

Keep in mind, though, interactions with other medications, such as cancer treatment drugs, may be possible. None are currently known due to limited studies currently available on kratom. Nonetheless, you should consult your doctor before you start taking kratom for cancer pain management.

The immune system of cancer patients is already compromised. Therefore, if you take kratom for cancer pain management, make sure only to purchase it from a reputable and trustworthy vendor.

Kratom is not regulated in the USA by the FDA. So, kratom powder can become contaminated with substances such as salmonella. Without proper testing, this can lead to contaminated kratom reaching cancer patients.

Moreover, some manufacturers or vendors may add other substances to kratom to enhance its effects. These can be potentially dangerous, too.

Because of that, always make sure that you only buy pure kratom from vendors who lab-test kratom and are based in the states that have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. If your state has not done it, consider online vendors from US states that have the KCPA in place, for example, the Nevada-based Kraoma.

Are you using kratom for cancer pain management? Which strains do you find the most helpful?