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Kratom Consumer Protection Act: Here’s What You Need to Know

November 17, 2020 by Speciosa Guide 6 Comments

[Latest update: November 2020]

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 and ensure safe access to it in individual states.

Developed by representatives of 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 the production, sales, possession, and labeling requirements of kratom. It also defines an age limit for kratom sales, possession, as well as the 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 and disclose the content of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kratom vendors cannot produce, import, or sell any kratom products that have more than 2% of 7-hydroxymitragynine of the total alkaloid 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 presents the Kratom Consumer Protection Act and lobbies 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 and another 5-year grant worth $3.4 million, 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 and availability. The UF team studying kratom has already concluded that kratom may be beneficial in overcoming opioid addiction. As a result, 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.

The Good Manufacturing Practices program or GMP also has its flaws. It’s completely voluntary, and incompliance with it simply leads to losing the GMP status. Vendors do not actually get punished by fines or otherwise for improper actions.

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 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.

Kratom Consumer Protection Act KCPA by States November 2020 — *Latest update: November 2020*

Which States Are Currently Reviewing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act?

According to the AKA, in November 2020, about a dozen states are considering the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. Even more are being planned to be targeted.

The states 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, there is a bill that may reverse the ban
Vermont – kratom is currently illegal in Vermont, there is a bill that may reverse the ban
Missouri
Idaho
Illinois
Louisiana
Ohio
New York

Rhode Island where kratom is currently illegal was already considering the KCPA once but the bill died in committee. Hopefully, this attempt succeeds.

Oregon also had a bill on regulating kratom, but they decided not to do it at the time. Maine, New Hampshire, and Kansas also had KCPA bills, but they failed.

What Can Kratom Supporters Do?

While the AKA is doing what it can to ensure that kratom buyers have safe and easy access to the herb, it’s a non-profit organization that is limited by budget. Therefore, it requires support from the kratom community to keep lobbying the Kratom Consumer Protection Act in more states.

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. It can help them lobby it across more states in the US. Here is a relevant link:

Donate to the American Kratom Association

Secondly, you can sign any petitions that intend to keep kratom legal. Many petitions are filed via Change.org platform. You can keep an eye on those in your state. You can also join a kratom supporter group, where you can get quick access to any action from other kratom supporters.

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.

[Latest update: November 2020]

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.

A Guide to Kratom Legality: Where Is Kratom Legal?

November 13, 2020 by Speciosa Guide 71 Comments

[Latest update: November 2020]

Kratom legality is a question that concerns many.

Users want kratom to remain legal because it helps them manage pain, stress, and anxiety, boost their mood and gain extra energy. According to testimonials and stories from users, kratom can be used instead of prescription drugs for numerous health conditions. Such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain, depression, and even PTSD.

Federal agencies, on the other hand, want to ban it. They claim that kratom has no medical benefits and poses high health risks.

At the moment, kratom remains legal in certain locations. However, it’s outlawed in others and you can face serious consequences for disregarding that. There are also countries where kratom legality is unclear.

Therefore, knowing if kratom is legal or not in your geographic location is important to know before you purchase it.

But, before we tackle this, let’s look at…

The History of Kratom Use and Legality

Relatively new to the western world, kratom was a traditional medicine in Southeast Asia for centuries. It was used as a stimulant and pain reliever, as well as for a number of conditions such as digestive disorders, intestinal parasites, and cough.

There were no rules or regulations about kratom. Peasants and workers could freely use it.

In the early 1800s, kratom was discovered by Dutch settlers. They brought kratom to Europe and started investigating it. Yet, it became popular among users only in the early 2000s.

The AKA (American Kratom Association) estimates that there are about 3-5 million kratom users in the United States. And, according to the data from 2016, kratom industry in the US was worth over a billion dollars.

Kratom Legality by Country and Continent

Kratom Legality: US

In late August 2016, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) announced it’s intent to place kratom and its active components under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Their reason was kratom’s opioid-like properties and concern about public safety.

While the proposal received major backlash from the public and was withdrawn, the battle for kratom continues.

Kratom Bans in the US States

Currently, kratom is legal in most of America except for the following states:

Alabama
Arkansas
Indiana
Rhode Island (though Rhode Island may reverse the ban)
Vermont (though Vermont may reverse the ban)
Wisconsin (though Wisconsin may reverse the ban)

Kratom Bans in the US Cities and Counties

Kratom is also illegal in the following cities and counties:

San Diego in California
Monument Town in Colorado
Parker Town in Colorado
Sarasota County in Florida
Jerseyville in Illinois
Alton in Illinois
Edwardsville in Illinois
Alcorn County in Mississippi
Belmont County City in Mississippi
Blue Mountain City in Mississippi
Booneville City in Mississippi
Bruce City in Mississippi
Burnsville City in Mississippi
Caledonia City in Mississippi
Calhoun City in Mississippi
Calhoun County in Mississippi
Columbus City in Mississippi
Corinth City in Mississippi
Derma City in Mississippi
Fulton City in Mississippi
Guntown City in Mississippi
Itawamba County in Mississippi
Iuka City in Mississippi
Lowndes County in Mississippi
Mantachie City in Mississippi
Marietta City in Mississippi
Monroe County in Mississippi
New Albany City in Mississippi
Noxubee County in Mississippi
Okolona City in Mississippi
Oxford City in Mississippi
Pontotoc City in Mississippi
Prentiss County in Mississippi
Ripley City in Mississippi
Saltillo City in Mississippi
Senatobia City in Mississippi
Tippah County in Mississippi
Tishomingo City in Mississippi
Tishomingo County in Mississippi
Union County in Mississippi
Vardaman City in Mississippi
Franklin City in New Hampshire

In the remaining locations, it is legal to grow, possess, and use kratom. You also do not need a prescription to buy it.

Regulating Kratom

The FDA does not regulate it at this time. There are no regulations on the federal level that would endure the purity and quality of kratom products. Therefore, kratom cannot be sold or marketed to treat any sort of condition or disease. That means that kratom is legal as long as vendors do not sell it labeled as a dietary supplement.

To counter that and ensure buyer safety, individual states are taking the initiative to regulate sales, manufacturing, and labeling of kratom products using the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. A few states in the US regulate kratom and more consider regulating it.

For more detailed information on kratom legality in each state, view this post on kratom legality in the United States.

Kratom Legality: Canada

Kratom legality in Canada is a grey area, similarly to how it is in the United States. There is also an ongoing debate about whether the government should implement a kratom ban.

According to CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and Health Canada, kratom is illegal if one sells or possesses it with an intent to ingest.

Yet, kratom powder and capsules are available for sale in Canada. As long as it’s not meant for ingestion, kratom remains legal.

Kratom Legality: Europe

While the European Union has no borders and has a unified currency, each country has its own legislation.

Thus, kratom legality by country will vary.

As of 2016, it is illegal to import, export, or sell kratom in the United Kingdom. There is a UK based kratom company that claims that kratom is 100% legal in the UK. Nonetheless, the UK Psychoactive Substances Act that came into effect in May 2016, does include in the list of outlawed substances that produce psychoactive effects.

In 2017, Ireland also enlisted kratom as a Schedule I illegal drug.

Kratom also remains a controlled or illegal substance in Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, and Turkey.

Since 2016, kratom has been listed among major drugs in Italy. It is illegal to possess, sell, or import it there.

In Denmark and Finland, kratom is a controlled substance, yet one can purchase it with a valid doctor’s prescription.

Germany remains a grey area for kratom users. It is not an illegal substance, but it can only be bought or sold as a herb that isn’t supposed to be ingested. Therefore, vendors sell it as an ethnobotanical sample or sometimes even as paint.

Hungary has a similar situation. Kratom is illegal for human consumption, yet it’s possible to buy and sell it as a botanical sample for analytic purposes.

In the rest of the European countries, kratom is currently legal.

Kratom Legality: Australia and New Zealand

In 2003, Australia banned kratom as a narcotic substance due to concerns about potential abuse. However, no actual instances of kratom abuse have ever happened there.

Since 2009 kratom and its active ingredients are illegal to grow, buy, or sell in New Zealand without a medical prescription. If you do have one, you can use kratom in New Zealand without problems.

Kratom Legality: Asia

Ironically, the very region that kratom is indigenous to, does not allow its free use. At least not everywhere.

ASEAN

ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, refers to kratom as a drug. No traditional medicines or dietary supplements in these countries can contain kratom or its derivatives. Thus, it is illegal to use, buy, or sell kratom there. Countries that are a part of the ASEAN are:

Brunei
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

Yet, you’ll notice that some of the countries on this list, for example, Indonesia and Malaysia, are where kratom is currently grown and produced.

Despite the blanket regulation, in several of these locations kratom legality remains a grey area. It’s neither legal or illegal, having no rules regulating it within the country. Or, it is illegal and heavily punishable, yet allowed to be grown, harvested, and exported (without using it, of course).

This makes it dangerous to purchase kratom directly from these countries. No laws or regulations means that there is no guarantee that their kratom is safe, lab-tested, and contaminant-free. We highly advise anyone against purchasing directly from Asian countries and instead choose US-based vendors who test kratom in US-based labs to ensure that it is contaminant and adulterant free. Read more here.

If you travel to any of these countries and are unclear about the status of kratom there, it’s best not to put kratom in your luggage. Southeast Asian countries normally have strict drug laws and heavy punishment for breaking them if you get caught.

Thailand

In addition to that, Thailand legalized kratom for medicinal use in December 2018. Nevertheless, it remains not entirely “legal” as Thai police keep repeatedly seizing kratom possession. Moreover, in August 2019, Thai Prime Minister critically referred to kratom starting that it may be legalized if proven useful.

Since then, Thailand has been inching toward legalizing kratom. In summer 2020, the country decided to decriminalise the use of kratom in certain parts of the country, aiming to monitor the effects of legalizing kratom.

Korea, Japan, China, and India

South Korea also prohibits the use of kratom. You risk fines or jail time if you choose to import or export it.

Kratom is illegal in Japan.

Its status is unclear in China and there are no reliable sources to clarify that. However, according to our sources various vendors on TaoBao, the Chinese equivalent of Amazon, were shut down after listing it for sale. Also, considering China’s policy on opioids (which are illegal), we wouldn’t risk using or importing kratom into China.

In India kratom is currently legal, though be careful purchasing it there. There is a tree of the Mitragyna family that grows in India. While it has similar properties they aren’t the same as those of kratom. Indian vendors label it as Indian Kratom which is much cheaper. Yet, users have complained about it not being nearly as effective and causing nausea.

Kratom Legality: South America

The only official reports on kratom legality are available on Brazil where kratom is legal.

Is kratom legal in other locations around South America?

Currently, there is no reliable information available in other South American countries. But, users have reported having no problems traveling into and around South America with kratom.

They do, however, advise against traveling back to the USA from countries such as Colombia. They mention that border officials can mistake kratom for coca leaves and may cause issues.

Traveling with Kratom

If you intend to travel with kratom, be sure you know the latest information on the legislation of kratom in your destination. Is kratom legal there? Then, most likely you will be fine because, in most locations around the world, kratom is currently legal.

Nonetheless, there are countries where you will face a fine or other punishment if you act against the law. If you are an active-duty military member, you cannot take kratom with you either. The US military prohibits kratom.

Keep in mind that there are locations that are still unfamiliar with kratom. As a result, they may not have any rules or regulations about it at all.

Meanwhile, other countries have kratom legality in the unclear, grey area.

If that is the case and you can’t find a definite answer to whether you can enter the specific country with kratom, it may be safer to leave your kratom at home. Doing so will ensure that you don’t get into any legal problems.

It will also prevent the reputation of kratom from being tarnished even further. Any negative incident anywhere in the world can be used by federal agencies as a reason for the kratom ban.

Do you have any experience with kratom in the countries that we have and haven’t mentioned? Is kratom legal there? Any other comments on kratom legality in different corners of the globe? Feel free to share them with us.

We do our best to ensure that we have the latest and most accurate information on our website. However, we wrote this post in September 2018, and the information included in it may change over time.

[Latest update: November 2020]

If you notice a recent change in legality that we have not included yet, don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know. Or simply leave a comment. We will highly appreciate it.

Kratom for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Does It Work?

October 6, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

We all know what it’s like to be tired if we have too much on our plates and don’t get an adequate amount of sleep. However, for some people, this tiredness never goes away.

This condition is called chronic fatigue syndrome, and it’s actually more common than many think. Let’s look into what it, and if you believe you may have it, how kratom could help.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a complex chronic health disorder. Its most prominent characteristics are extreme fatigue, which lasts longer than six months. This unpleasant condition can’t be explained in full detail, and neither can be its underlying cause or medical condition.

Chronic Fatigue Symptoms

Chronic fatigue has a wide range of symptoms. These can come and go or persist all the time. The combination of symptoms may vary from one person to another, and so can the intensity.

The most common symptoms include:

Extreme fatigue that worsens and persists for longer than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise,
Having sleep issues and not feeling refreshed even after having slept enough time,
Difficulty concentrating as well as maintaining attention and memorizing,
Feeling dizzy upon standing up or sitting up,
Muscle pain,
Joint pain, often accompanied by redness or swelling,
Headaches that are different in terms of pattern, intensity, or type from what a person usually experiences,
Continuous or frequent sore throat
Tender lymph nodes under the arms and in the neck.

While these are rather common, there is a range of symptoms that are less frequent, yet may still occur. These include:

Blurring, light sensitivity, pain in the eyes, blurring, and other vision issues,
Night sweats and chills,
Irritable bowels,
Either low body temperature or low-grade fever,
Allergies or sensitivities,
Burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands, feet, or face,
Irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, anxiety, mood swings, or other psychological changes.

These symptoms may not be obvious to others. Therefore, a person with chronic fatigue may seem normal and healthy to others, and it may be hard for friends, family, and colleagues to emphasize what they are going through.

Chronic fatigue is not only unpleasant and debilitating, but can also lead to other issues such as depression, social isolation, frequent work absences, and lifestyle limitations or restrictions.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

There is no definite answer to what causes the condition. Possible causes include prior viral infections, chronic stress, physical or emotional trauma, hormonal imbalances, and immune system disorders.

Common Chronic Fatigue Treatment Methods

Since we do not know what the cause of chronic fatigue is, a cure for it currently does not exists. Therefore treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms.

There is also no test to confirm that one has chronic fatigue. Symptoms may often mimic other health conditions, and people with this disorder may also suffer from other chronic health disorders. These can be various sleep disorders, IBS, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia.

Treatment may involve a combination of medication as well as therapy.

Medication can be either prescription or over the counter. Some of the most commonly prescribed ones include:

People with long-term chronic fatigue tend to also have moderate to severe depression. Antidepressants are prescribed to improve a person’s ability to cope with chronic fatigue symptoms as well as can help get better sleep and better manage pain.
Pain medication. Since it is common to experience muscle and joint pain and conditions like fibromyalgia may go hand in hand with chronic fatigue, pain relief medication like over-the-counter ibuprofen and prescription drugs like pregabalin and gabapentin may be used.
Blood pressure and heart rhythm medication. These can aid people who become nauseated and feel like they will faint when sitting or standing up.

As a means of therapy, people with chronic fatigue may be recommended:

This can help cope with additional stress, depression, and limitations that occur due to the chronic condition.
While intense and aggressive exercise can worsen chronic fatigue symptoms and should be avoided, light impact and low-intensity exercise can help improve the mood and prevent reconditioning, which may result from decreased physical activity level.
Lifestyle changes to improve sleep. A doctor may advise a variety of practices and lifestyle changes to improve sleep hygiene and quality. These may include bedtime routine, lower caffeine intake, set bedtime, reduced use of technology before bedtime, and more. If the case of disorders like sleep apnea, a breathing machine can be helpful.

Can Kratom Relieve Chronic Fatigue?

Due to its wide range of beneficial alkaloids and effects, kratom can help manage chronic fatigue and improve the quality of life. Users report Mitragyna speciosa being more effective than various chronic fatigue drugs. Moreover, the effects of kratom are so diverse that a person can use it instead of various medications.

The herb can help in the following ways:

1. Provide Energy throughout the Day

Green and white kratom strains have effects that are similar to caffeine. Therefore, they can help one stay alert and energetic without needing an extra cup of coffee.

While both greens and whites can be beneficial, greens may be a more suitable starting point for less experienced users and people who also suffer from depression.

Green vein kratom for chronic fatigue can also be more effective if one suffers from pain. That’s because greens have stronger pain-relieving properties.

2. Improve Focus and Concentration

While coffee can make one jittery and agitated in larger doses, making focusing and concentration harder, kratom, especially green vein strains, can be extremely helpful in improving focus and concentration as well as productivity. Greens create a calm focus, which, in combination with increased energy, can help you get more tasks done.

3. Improve the Mood

One of the beneficial effects of kratom is euphoria, which all strains can provide to a greater or lesser degree. A better mood can help you manage chronic fatigue symptoms much more effectively.

4. Relieve Anxiety and Stress

Greens and reds have soothing and relaxing abilities, which can ease stress and anxiety. Moreover, these types of kratom for chronic fatigue can also help control intrusive thoughts and relieve social anxiety.

5. Help Manage Depression

Greens can be beneficial in managing depression symptoms. They not only provide additional energy but also boost the mood and help deal with racing negative thoughts.

6. Improve Sleep

While reds have relaxing and sedating properties and can help sleep through the night as well as alleviate conditions like restless leg syndrome or fibromyalgia, greens can also improve sleep.

In a counterintuitive way, they can help stay awake and alert throughout the day and be tired enough just in time to go to bed.

7. Relieve Pain

Reds have the most potent pain-relieving properties and can be beneficial throughout the night. While greens are milder, they still can provide potent pain relief that can ease one’s tasks and activities throughout the day, making day-to-day life more pleasurable.

Which Type of Kratom for Chronic Fatigue is Best?

Due to its moderate and balanced properties, green vein Mitragyna speciosa is typically the most suitable type of kratom for chronic fatigue. It offers moderate energizing effects combined with relaxation and pain relief.

These properties can help one stay alert, energetic, and focused, yet also ease stress, anxiety, and pain.

Precautions When Buying and Taking Kratom for Chronic Fatigue

Since people with chronic fatigue tend to experience other health issues in addition to the condition, it is extremely important to only buy fresh, consistent, and high-quality kratom that is properly lab-tested and pure. Contaminants, adulterants, and other pathogens could be extremely damaging to an already weakened immune system.

Moreover, one needs to be very consistent and precise with their dosage. Exceeding doses can lead to experiencing jitters, nausea, and vomiting, which could be especially unpleasant and even harmful if added to the typical chronic fatigue symptoms.

Having kratom that is consistent rather than fluctuates in quality can also help one maintain consistent doses and keep tolerance low. Buying cheap kratom can result in getting stronger kratom one time and weaker kratom another. Such fluctuations in potency can lead to overdosing, experiencing kratom side effects, as well as increasing tolerance and burning money.

Do you suffer from chronic fatigue? How long have you had it, and what have you been taking or doing to manage it? Have you tried kratom for chronic fatigue syndrome? If so, what was your experience like?

Mitragyna Hirsuta vs. Mitragyna Speciosa: What’s the Difference?

August 18, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

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 Stories: Kratom Helped Steven Quit Heroin

August 4, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

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.