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Trainwreck Kratom: A New Potent Strain or a Hoax?

January 8, 2021 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

Something new is often considered as something better. So, consumers often flock toward new products. Just think about the latest models of iPhone, PlayStation, or other products. There is never a shortage of buyers, and these products tend to be sold out as soon as the products are out.

However, new isn’t always better. Quite a few highly-hyped releases had miserably flopped. For instance, in 1985, in hopes of beating the growing popularity of Pepsi, Coca-Cola released its “New Coke,” replacing its traditional formula in hopes of beating Pepsi. Consumers weren’t happy, and a few weeks the company went back to its old formula.

Similar flops happened when Amazon intended to release an Amazon phone, Apple tried to release a tablet in the early 90s, long before the public was ready for iPads, Cosmopolitan magazine launched a yogurt brand, and with other products.

As kratom gains growing popularity and demand, we’re seeing an increased supply and a wider array of strains being offered by vendors. One of the newest offerings in a number of vendors’ inventory is Trainwreck kratom which you may have come across.

So, what is Trainwreck kratom and should you be jumping on the bandwagon?

Is Trainwreck kratom a trend like the newest iPhone release or more like the “New Coke?”

Let’s dive in, review the details, and figure that out.

What Is Trainwreck Kratom?

While vendors are rather vague in describing what Trainwreck kratom is, most state that it’s a “full-spectrum blend” or a “full-spectrum strain.” Beyond that, very little additional information is provided.

Vague kratom product descriptions aren’t anything new. Due to the herb not being unregulated by the FDA vendors cannot openly speak about the effects of kratom on the human body or its abilities to help with health conditions. Otherwise, they can get in trouble with the FDA.

However, Trainwreck kratom descriptions are even vaguer than that.

Here are some descriptions that we have found reviewing various vendors that sell Trainwreck Kratom:

Full-spectrum blend or strain
A blend of 11 strains or “all our strains”
More powerful than original kratom strains
Not a kratom extract but a blend of finely ground Mitragyna speciosa leaves
Secret blend, with every kratom vendor having their own signature recipe
Trainwreck kratom has multiple colors such as red, green, yellow, blue, and violet
Trainwreck kratom facilitates a wide array of alkaloids
Good for beginners

We’ll take a closer look at these so that you can make an informed decision if you consider investing in Trainwreck kratom products.

But first…

Where Does the “Trainwreck” Moniker Come From?

“Trainwreck” isn’t a very positive word, especially considering the controversy around kratom. So, why is it used to refer to a supposedly more powerful, well-rounded, and overall better kratom product?

The name is borrowed from the cannabis industry, namely from Trainwreck marijuana.

Trainwreck marijuana is a hybrid strain with a very high THC level (around 18%-26%). Therefore, it is of higher potency than other strains and can lead to very intense mental “highs.”

The Trainwreck marijuana strain was developed in the state of California by crossing Thai and Mexican Cannabis sativa strains with Afghan Cannabis indica strains. The hybrid bled is approximately 65% sativa and approximately 35% indica. So, it’s a powerful relaxant, yet it’s not too drowsy.

According to user reports, this strain is not for a workday or any other day when you need to get things done. It’s for a day off or when you need to wind down. Its effects are euphoric, relaxing, and pain-relieving.

Clarifying Trainwreck Kratom Questions

1. Is Trainwreck Kratom a Strain or a Blend?

Trainwreck kratom isn’t a strain but rather a blend of different strains that each vendor of it mixes according to their own “recipe.” Some vendors state that they mix 11 different strains; others say they mix all their strains.

Kratom blends are not new in the kratom world. In fact, yellow kratom and gold variety are blends. They offer moderate effects akin to those of moderate greens and usually have long-lasting effects.

If we must find an equivalent of Trainwreck marijuana in the kratom world, then it would be Maeng Da kratom. Maeng Da has been grafted from a Thai and an Indo kratom variety to yield a more potent strain. Thus, it has retained the most potent qualities of its strains of origin, as well as is more resilient to weather and pests, potent, and long-lasting.

2. Is Trainwreck Kratom Full-Spectrum?

Vendors that offer Trainwreck kratom blends state that it’s full-spectrum in comparison with other kratom strains.

This is actually improper use of the term.

Similarly to the “Trainwreck” moniker, “full-spectrum” vs. “isolate” are terms that are borrowed from the cannabis industry. They are commonly used to refer to CDB; however, the term “full-spectrum” is used differently by Trainwreck kratom users.

Isolate CDB is simply a pure form of CBD where cannabidiol, or CDB for short, is extracted from cannabis. It is not the only beneficial compound in cannabis. CBD along with THC are two of the most abundant cannabinoids. Yet, cannabis plants have a minimum of 144 different cannabinoids as well as other chemical compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids.

Meanwhile, full-spectrum CBD includes CBD as well as the other beneficial compounds that are naturally present in the cannabis plant and are removed when producing isolate CDB. Full-spectrum is simply referring to the product being closer to the more natural form of the plant.

The way Trainwreck kratom sellers use the term “full-spectrum” implies that individual strains are not full-spectrum. This, however, is not accurate.

Kratom is a raw botanical product acquired by grinding kratom leaf matter. No chemical compounds are removed during the process, making each individual strain full-spectrum. Non-full-spectrum or isolate would be, for instance, pure mitragynine or 7-hydroxymitragynine extract.

Alkaloid composition differs between different strains; that’s true. However, referring to blends as full-spectrum is inaccurate as each pure strain is full-spectrum.

Blends are not full-spectrum. They are simply blends that present a different versatile combination of alkaloids. Blends only contain a combination of strains, not each and every strain of kratom that exists, and that combination would differ from one Trainwreck kratom blend from another. As a result, referring to these blends as full-spectrum is misleading and inaccurate.

3. Is Trainwreck Kratom More Potent than Individual Kratom Strains?

We would be very cautious with descriptions such as “more powerful than other strains.” If that is truly a blend of kratom strains, it should be just as potent as the other strains.

If Trainwreck kratom is more potent, then that would imply that it contains something other than kratom. It can be a sign of a kratom extract, but that’s not what the descriptions state. Moreover, some vendors actually write that their blends contain pure kratom powder only, not extracts.

Using a blend would be no different than mixing kratom strains yourself, and that alone would not make them more potent than the individual strains. The blend would simply have a different combination of alkaloids that you are exposed to at any given moment if you take individual strains.

4. Does the Blend Contain Different Colors?

This claim would be partially true. If a vendor mixes different stains, they may indeed combine different vein types. So, their blend would actually contain red, green, and white vein kratom and perhaps also yellow or gold kratom. Nonetheless, since each vendor has their own secret recipe, we cannot actually confirm that.

Yet, we did come across a vendor stating that their Trainwreck kratom powder is of different colors. That, however, is rather disturbing.

Kratom powder, regardless of the vein type, is green. That’s because the leaf matter is always green. It’s the veins and stems that have different colors, but they are removed before the grinding process. The shade of green may vary between different strains, but the powder is still green, regardless of the vein or strain type.

Therefore, you shouldn’t expect a rainbow-colored powder. That would imply that there is something other than kratom in it, modifying the color.

Another statement we found read that the brand’s Trainwreck kratom is full-spectrum because it “combines varieties of colors such as red, green, blue, yellow, and violet, thus facilitating a wide range of alkaloids.”

This, too, is a rather disturbing description. While Trainwreck blends would indeed offer a wide range of alkaloids and yellow kratom exists as a blend, there is no blue and purple kratom.

There used to be a brand that had a product called Blue Kratom extract, but that is an individual product, not an actual type of kratom. Meanwhile, purple may be a reference to resins as they have a dark color that can have a purplish hue. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as blue or purple strains.

If the brand is mixing kratom extracts in their Trainwreck blend, it must be explicitly clear about dosage. Extracts are rather tricky to dose and can easily lead to side effects or up your tolerance if not taken adequately.

5. Is this Blend Good for Beginners?

Since there is no standard formula for Trainwreck kratom, each vendor can decide on their own, and we suspect that some may be mixing in extracts to make their bend more potent, there is no solid answer to whether this blend would be suitable for beginners.

Whether Trainwreck kratom is good for beginners would depend on the composition of each vendor’s specific bend. Nevertheless, we generally do not recommend blends to beginners.

As a botanical product, kratom and even its different strains can interact differently with each user. It is usually a better approach to experiment with tried and tested pure strains first if you have no experience with the herb. This will allow you to know how you react to different strains as well as what the right dosage for you is.

What Do Users Say about the Trainwreck Blend?

Since this is a new product, finding reviews for it on product pages is not easy, at least at this time. However, there are some comments on Reddit. Here’s what we were able to gather:

“$20 an ounce is a train wreck in itself. I see that it was a blend but still waaaaaaaaayyyyyy to much money.” Another person agreed with this comment stating that it’s a third of what a split kilo would cost.
“…we’ve tried blends. It depends. It’s a toss-up whether it’ll be good or rather, that you’ll get desired effects from a blend.”
“Mixing a bunch of strains doesn’t mean it’s better. Stop paying the shop price they are just ripping you off. You can get much better kratom for a 5th the price.”
“It was alright. Nothing spectacular”
“Eh, couldn’t tell the difference between this and a plain Maeng Da tbh.”
“I’m pretty curious as to the whole “11 strain blend” thing. To me, this either means they’ve actually taken some of pretty much every strain, or it’s a jumble of leftovers. I guess I’ll find out…”
“I used to make crazy blends. 5+ strains, multiple vein color, etc. What I found was less than average burns most of the time. I now rarely mix more than two strains. Others chimed in with similar results when this was brought up.”
“Tried it, about 5 grams and it actually did hit harder than the same dose of what I normally take.”

From the comments we were able to find, only one person stated that the mix was more potent than the same amount of kratom they would normally take. While this could speak in favor of the Trainwreck kratom blend, this may also indicate the poor quality of kratom that this person usually takes. Low-quality kratom is not uncommon; so, this comment could go either way.

Other commenters pointed out that the blend is very expensive or not that effective. One person even expressed their doubts about whether the blend is actually a well-crafted blend or simply a mix of leftovers.

Do We Recommend Trainwreck Kratom?

We personally are dubious about Trainwreck kratom products. Brands use lots of powerful wording to sell their products, and a lot of it is misleading and inaccurate.

Moreover, without seeing the actual composition of a product such as the strains used along with their percentages, we cannot state more. Therefore, we would not recommend Trainwreck kratom to our readers.

However, if you do choose to buy Trainwreck kratom blends, make sure that you trust the company selling those.

Have you tried Trainwreck kratom? We would love to hear what your experience with it has been.

Kanna vs. Kratom: Which Is Best for Pain Relief and Relaxation?

July 14, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

Kanna and kratom may both seem like completely different and unrelated herbs. Yet, there are actually quite a few similarities between them. So, let’s jump into the details and find out who wins the canna vs. kratom battle. Which is superior analgesic, relaxant, and anxiety reliever?

What Is Kanna?

Kanna, scientifically known as Sceletium tortuosum and also called Channa or Kougued, is a flowering succulent plant that commonly grows in South Africa. The name of this plant literally means “something chewable” or “something to chew on.”

Historically, hunter-gatherers in South Africa chewed kanna for mood-altering. It is still possible to chew it now; however, it is also available in powder form in gel capsules, as well as in tinctures and teas. Some people also prefer to smoke it.

The Effects of Kanna

Traditionally, the herb has been used to relieve stress, tension, anxiety, and depression. Kanna can also be used as a pain-reliever and can reduce hunger.

Kanna effects depend on the dosage. Taken in small doses, kanna is a stimulant. In moderate doses, it becomes euphoric, while in large doses, it is sedating. Certain sources may claim that kanna is hallucinogenic. Yet, that is not accurate.

The beneficial effects of kratom are due to alkaloids it possesses. Some of the alkaloids are mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, and turtuosamine.

Kanna is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, working in a way similar to anti-depressants. It is also a cannabinoid agonist, which signifies that it interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the human brain in a way that is similar to that of CBD and marijuana.

In addition to the beneficial alkaloids, the succulent also contains oxalates. Oxalates or oxalic acid are organic compounds that many plant foods have. These compounds are known as anti-nutrients. That is because they bind to calcium and other minerals and can reduce their absorption by the body.

This is common with foods like spinach and kale, which contain similar levels of oxalates to what kanna does. So, in the case of spinach, for instance, consuming it raw can prevent the body from being able to absorb calcium. As a result, despite spinach being rich in calcium, the body is unlikely to absorb all of it.

While it’s not very common, oxalates can also form kidney stones, especially in people with weaker digestive systems.

What Is Kratom?

While kanna is a small succulent plant, kratom is a tall tropical tree. It commonly grows in Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea.

Ground-up kratom leaves yield a fine powder, which is available for sale in bulk powder form as well as in capsules, extracts, and resin.

The Effects of Kratom

Kratom has also been in traditional medicine for centuries. People in Southeast Asia used it to boost energy, treat colds and diarrhea, and more. Yet, the most popular and prominent benefit of kratom is its powerful pain relief.

The effects of kratom result from its alkaloids. While mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the most abundant ones and responsible for most of the effects, kratom has at lear 25 total alkaloids and 40 total compounds. Yet, the full alkaloid profile and their scope of effects are yet to be determined through more scientific studies.

7-hydroxymitragynine is a powerful alkaloid that is approximately 13 times stronger than morphine in relieving pain. 7-hydroxymitragynine and other alkaloids interact with the opioid receptors in the brain.

Kratom is also dose-dependent. In low doses, it has stimulant properties and can boost mood and concentration. In moderate doses, the herb is moderately stimulating and pain-relieving. It also boosts the mood and creates a calm and steady focus. In large doses, however, it is a potent analgesic and relaxant. Moderate and low doses of certain kratom strains can be effective in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.

It is important to accurately dose kratom as an excessive dose can lead to unpleasant side effects like nausea and vomiting. Yet, unlike common claims, kratom is not an opioid, nor it is addictive or a dangerous drug.

Kanna vs. Kratom: Which Should You Choose?

Kanna vs. Kratom: Effects

While some effects of the herb overlap, kratom offers more versatility than kanna. That is because kratom comes in a variety of strains and vein types. Each strain and vein come with a unique alkaloids profile and result in slightly different effects,

The most beneficial way of taking kratom long-term is rotating strains. This means that you take different strains of kratom on different days. As a result, this keeps kratom tolerance low and the user can experience variations of the herb.

Since some of the effects overlap, kanna can serve as an alternative to kratom when the user is taking a break. That is due to the mild pain relief that kanna provides. Nonetheless, frequent kratom users, especially those with intense chronic pain who take red strains, may find that kanna does not have the same potency as kratom.

Kratom may also be a more effective herb for more severe health conditions such as PTSD, cancer, Lyme disease, and similar.

Kanna vs. Kratom: Side Effects

While both herbs are generally safe, excessively high doses can lead to unpleasant side effects. In the case of kanna, this can be diarrhea, drowsiness, high blood pressure, and headaches. People with kidney stone issues and weak digestion should also be cautious when taking kanna products due to high oxalate level.

In addition to that, you should not take kanna if you take any form of SSRI, regardless of whether it is a natural herbal product or prescription medication. This can lead to serotonin syndrome, a condition when levels of serotonin are too high. It can lead to agitation, confusion, increased heart rate, muscle twitching, excessive sweating, diarrhea, and even death in very severe cases.

The most common side effect of regular kratom use is constipation. Therefore, it is important to consume lots of liquids and fiber. High kratom dosage can also lead to nausea, vomiting, and headaches.

Yet, one thing is common – neither one of the herbs is as bad as some sources imply.

Kanna vs. Kratom: Legalities

While kanna is legal in the US, kratom isn’t legal everywhere. Certain states, cities, and counties have banned kratom products. Other states, however, are moving towards passing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, legislation that ensures that kratom sales and distribution are regulated by state law and safer for buyers.

Due to restricted kratom legality, people in certain locations may benefit from kanna’s similar relaxing and pain-relieving effects.

Have you tried both kratom and kanna? When it comes to kanna vs. kratom, which herb do you prefer and would recommend and why?

Kratom Stories: Kratom Has Helped Becky Relieve Multiple Myeloma Pain

March 17, 2020 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

Becky Moore is a Tillamook, Oregon, resident. She is a terminal cancer patient who suffers from multiple myeloma.

What Is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that develops in plasma cells, a type of white blood cells created in the bones.

It is a painful form of cancer that causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow. They push out the healthy bone cells, making bones fragile. As a result, bones easily break and lesions develop inside the bones.

“I have been in pain for the last few years.” Becky accounts. “The war on opiates here has made it hard to get a prescription for pain medication. Even for a person with cancer. I know it is ridiculous but what can I do? I have tried mindfulness, yoga, steroid injections, and other things. But nothing worked.”

Pain medication that is commonly used to relieve cancer-related pain is also the very medication causing the opioid crisis in the United States. Due to it, there is a lot of stigma associated with prescribing opioid medication even to cancer patients.

It’s common for cancer patients to suffer from excruciating chronic pain. Nonetheless, every one in three cancer patients does not receive pain medication for their intensity of pain.

How Did Becky Discover Kratom?

“One day, a friend of mine who has multiple sclerosis told me about this plant. She gave me some and told me to try,” remembers Becky. “That night my pain was excruciating, and I was in tears. I remembered the kratom my friend had given to me and mixed it with orange juice. I put in three teaspoons as my friend had directed.

Yet, kratom was able to help by providing potent pain relief.

“About thirty minutes later the pain was down from a 9 to a 1. It was a miracle.”

Becky proceeded by finding her perfect kratom vendor.

“I called my friend and she gave me the names of some reputable vendors. I tried several kratom vendors until I found the perfect one. Not too far away. I got to be friends with the owner. She herself had found kratom. She used to be addicted to opiates. After she found kratom, she was totally drug-free.”

Why Does Becky Love Kratom?

According to Becky, kratom does not only relieve multiple myeloma-related pain. It has improved her quality of life and allows her to do tasks that she wasn’t able to perform before.

Becky shares: “The great thing about kratom is that I can live again. I still have pain but I can pick up my granddaughter, play ball with my grandson, help my mom in her garden and do other things. I CAN LIVE AGAIN! BECAUSE OF THIS PLANT!”

Because of the effects that Becky has experienced with kratom and the changes that it brought to her life, she wants to make sure that kratom remains legal and helps even more people.

“Please, this plant has changed thousands if not millions of people’s lives here in the United States. Without kratom, I would be bedridden or in such pain in a rest home. I want to continue my life without pain. I know that eventually, things will get worse but my oncologist says that could be years. Do not take this miracle away from us. I talk with people who use this every day like myself. They say the same thing. It has changed their lives for the better.”

Kratom Legality in Oregon

At this time kratom is legal in Oregon, yet, it’s unregulated. A new bill that intends to regulate kratom in the state of Oregon, is currently under review. If Oregon Kratom Consumer Protection Act passes, Oregon-based kratom vendors will have to comply with regulations that will offer safer access to the herb across the state.

Nonetheless, there is much controversy about kratom across the United States. Many believe that it’s an opioid or a dangerous drug that provides a high as well as other effects that have nothing to do with kratom.

Therefore, stories like Becky’s are crucial to share to counter the mass of misinformation on kratom. Kratom is a life-saving herb and more need to know about it.

“Thank you for reading my story,” Becky says. “I hope whoever reads my story, will pass it on. Like I’ve said, there are millions of stories like mine here in the United States. Please let us keep our miracle!”

We thank Becky Moore immensely for the time and effort it took to share her kratom story with us. If you too have a kratom story that you’d like to share with others, please do so by filling out this form. Together, we can help to make sure that kratom remains legal and helps millions of people across the United States and the world.

Best Kratom Vendors to Try in 2020

January 21, 2020 by Speciosa Guide 4 Comments

While a few kratom vendors dominate the market, we believe that some of the best kratom vendors are actually lesser-known. So, we decided to dig the Internet and see what the kratom community has to say.

How We Found and Reviewed the Best Kratom Vendors

We believe that the most popular does not necessarily mean better. Moreover, one of the main buyer complaints about the top vendors is that their prices tend to be too high. As a result, buyers may opt for lower-quality kratom simply because it’s cheaper. Sadly, cheaper kratom also tends to be of lower quality. Because of that, buyers may end up paying more in the long run.

Therefore, we looked through forums and blogs for kratom vendors that are less popular yet highly recommended by kratom lovers.

As we did that before, when reviewing the top kratom vendors, we went a step further.

We not only looked through their website and buyer reviews for positive feedback and complaints but also placed an order with each of them to get the feel of their customer service as well as their products. Then, the entire Speciosa Guide team tried their products so that we would be able to provide more thorough and accurate feedback.

We placed all our orders on a Tuesday afternoon around 2:20 PM PST. Our goal was to see whether we’ll receive our orders before the weekend.

Since most of us prefer white vein kratom during the day, we looked for white stains, preferable White Maeng Da or close variants of it. Then, we tried each of them twice, two hours after a meal, compared our results, and took notes.

Interested to learn about our findings?

Then let’s proceed!

Best Kratom Vendors to Try in 2020

1. Kraoma

We’ll start our best kratom vendors list with Kraoma, an established kratom vendor that has been in business since 2014.

Background

In their about story, Kraoma explains how they have established relationships with kratom vendors in Indonesia and order directly from them. According to them, they’d been through some bad experiences, had been scammed, and had lost a lot of money before they were able to find reliable suppliers.

If you’ve read our post on buying kratom directly from farmers in Indonesia, their story confirms the fact that it’s extremely risky for individuals to do so. This about story gives a very personal touch, which we definitely like.

Kraoma also displays recent lab-test results on their site. This makes them more credible and trustworthy.

They also regularly blog on different kratom-related issues, such as kratom legality and buying tips. On their blog, they have various posts on kratom legality, and it’s evident that they regularly update them and answer reader questions. So, you can be pretty sure that they’ll have the latest information on kratom legality.

Products

Kraoma has a wide array of kratom strains, and some of the most popular products have hundreds of positive reviews. Kraoma’s products also have unique names that imply the effects that you can expect from each strain, such as Comfort Kraoma for Red Bali or Active Kraoma for White Maeng Da.

Their product descriptions also have some information in them about the strain, more than you can usually find on kratom vendor sites. It’s a nice touch that can help less experienced buyers make a choice.

Customer Experience

Kraoma’s website has links to shipping, returns, and other policies, so it’s easy to find any relevant information.

Depending on your order price, Kraoma has different types of shipping. They basically make sure that any order ships for free. Pricier orders ship faster. Yet, you can also upgrade your shipping for a fee and get your order faster. Buyers also state that Kraoma provides fast shipping.

Kraoma offers free kratom samples. Well, they’re not 100% free; you still need to cover shipping costs, but it’s still a great way to try two 10-gram kratom samples for $4.95. Returning customers can also add one free sample to their order, which is a great way of trying new strains with this vendor.

Kraoma’s website is simple but easy to navigate. It’s easy to find what you are looking for, browse through, and find products. Product images are professional and natural; they show products as they are and are not unnaturally enhanced.

A few other positive features that we came across:

Kraoma offers a 10%-discount when subscribing to their newsletter.
You can get a 20%-discount if you pay in cryptocurrency.
Kraoma also has a loyalty program that allows you to earn points for purchases and later redeem them when you buy.
They offer discount bundles. You can buy different strains in bulk and get a discount.
They always have some extra in their packages.
Kraoma is a Nevada-based vendor. Since Nevada has passed the KCPA, you can expect their kratom to be pure.

We found plenty of good reviews on Kraoma’s customer service. They always try to make up for mistakes or mishaps.

In general, people state that Kraoma’s products are potent and consistent. We also came across some bad reviews on quality, though in the same complaints, people also speak positively of Kraoma’s owner and blame the dip in the quality on the suppliers instead.

As per their prices, many state that they are affordable. However, we also came across a few complaints about their prices being too high.

Our Experience with Kraoma

We found Kraoma prices to be fair and midrange. They are a little higher than what some cheaper vendors, but lower than what other vendors offer.

We ordered White Maeng Da and paid for it in Bitcoin, which resulted in 20% off our order. We opted for First Class Mail. This way, the shipping was free. Had our order been over $75, it would have shipped with Priority Mail and arrived sooner.

Our order shipped that same afternoon and arrived on Thursday, two days after ordering. Out of the vendors we reviewed, Kraoma was the only one that shipped the same day.

In addition to our order of White Maeng Da, we also got two free samples and a coupon for 10% off our next order.

We took the first dose in the morning. We started feeling the effects in about 10 minutes, and full effects were in 30 minutes. All of us took our regular doses, and, to be honest, it was almost a bit too much than compared with other vendors.

We felt a good boost in energy, focus, as well as the mood.

The effects started to fade around 4.5 hours and were gone after 5.

Six hours after the first dose, we took the second. This time, we took approximately 25% less than the first time, and the effects were more tolerable this time. The overall experience was very similar to the first dose.

We most definitely can assure that Kraoma’s kratom is potent. To experience the same effects as with other vendors, we needed less kratom. So, even if their prices are a bit higher, due to the smaller amount needed per dose, their kratom is definitely going to last longer.

Moreover, due to the other perks such as discounts and free samples, Kraoma was definitely worth our money.

2. Viable Kratom (Viable Solutions / Herbal Salvation)

Frequently recommended in kratom forums, Viable Kratom also made it into our best kratom vendors list.

Background

Viable Kratom has been in business since 2011 and used to be known as Herbal Salvations. Since then, they rebranded and identified themselves as Viable Solutions, though they’ve kept their old URL till mid-January, 2019. Now, they call themselves Viable Kratom.

Viable Kratom states that their products come directly from the source. They also state that they test their products for contaminants. You need to enter LOT details to view the results.

In their about story, Viable Kratom state that they were one of the first kratom businesses to test kratom products and push GMP standards. They also emphasize that they strive to set the bar higher and offer the safest, best quality, and most consistent kratom products on the market. Nonetheless, they have recalled their products in the past. Moreover, some reviews noted that they were removed from the Kratom Vendor Daily List due to bad quality, bad reviews, and Salmonella issues.

Products

As per their product selection, it has only a few strains. Their kratom powder strain selection is limited to Maeng Da, Borneo, and Sumatra kratom. However, they also sell blends, enhanced kratom, capsules, extracts, and digital scales for measuring kratom. Viable Kratom also offers sample packs for new buyers. You can get five 25-gram samples for $25 + the shipping fee.

Their product images look enhanced to the point that the products look unnatural. They do state that the photos are stock imagery rather than the representation of the actual product. Nonetheless, this still creates an inauthentic feel.

Customer Experience

Each product has a short description which states basic data on the origin of the products, testing, and similar. The products have only a few reviews on the site, though those are mainly positive.

On kratom forums, you can also find generally positive reviews on the quality of their products, though buyers also state that sometimes their products can be miss.

They also have a loyalty program for return customers.

Our Experience with Viable Kratom (Viable Solutions / Herbal Salvation)

We found the prices of Viable Kratom to be fair and ordered White Maeng Da kratom powder from their selection. No free shipping options were available.

We opted to pay with eCheck. Although Viable Kratom accepts credit cards, most of the US-based card processors consider kratom a high-risk product due to its controversial legality issues. So, most companies willing to work with kratom vendors are offshore processors or are masked under fake companies.

We have heard of people being overcharged or having their card information stolen when buying kratom with their bank card. Although we’ve have not found reports or reviews of that happening with Viable Kratom, it is always a possibility when buying kratom with a credit card. So, we didn’t feel comfortable taking such a risk.

Once again, this has nothing to do with this specific vendor, but rather with the card processors who use deceptive tactics to process cards for kratom sales. That’s not something they are supposed to be doing it in the first place.

Our order shipped the following day, and we received in on Friday, three days after ordering. No freebies came with our order.

We took our regular dose and started feeling the effects 15 minutes later. Full effects were an hour later and lasted for about 5 hours. We felt a very subtle boost in energy and focus, though the mood-lifting effects were rather noticeable.

Six hours after our first dose, we took our second. Overall, the effects were much less noticeable and short-lived. Perhaps, if we had increased our dosage, our experience with the second dose of Viable Kratom would have been the same as the first time. Nonetheless, doing this consistently would have definitely upped our tolerance.

3. First Coast Tea Co.

The next on our best kratom vendors list is another frequently recommended vendor that was formerly known as SoCal Herbal Remedies. We did a bit of digging to find out what caused the rebranding to occur. We found out that SoCal was sued by a family in Philadelphia.

The young man whose family sued the company had a heart attack that resulted in a car crash. Nonetheless, the official cause of death was “acute mitragynine intoxication.” As with most “kratom death” cases, the results were inconclusive, and the full toxicology results weren’t disclosed.

We also found an article that shared screenshots of a former HuffPost journalist being refused to see official toxicology results even after a lawsuit as well as screenshots of the victim’s Facebook posts on his experience with kratom, kava, and an antidepressant.

It’s unfortunate that this company had to go through this as it’s evident that there is a lack of crucial information on the case.

Products

First Coast Tea Co. offer kratom powder and capsules for sale. However, it is virtually impossible to find their kratom products unless you know how to look for them. They also used to offer extracts that, according to reviews, did not seem to be good.

Their main offerings seem to be different botanical products, essential oils, soap, kava, and a variety of teas for sale. Neither their product selection nor product categories indicate kratom.

Even though their kratom products are hidden from the main inventory, First Coast Tea Co. label their kratom powder as “tea.” Since the authorities have not approved kratom for human consumption, selling kratom labeled as tea may not be the best approach.

We found no information either on the origin or their kratom products, not on whether they are tested.

Customer Experience

While some buyers indicated that their quality is consistent, others mentioned that it was hit or miss.

Buyers also referenced high-quality, responsive customer service, and the company sometimes providing samples to buyers who weren’t able to afford them otherwise. In general, we came across very few dissatisfied reviews; most people are satisfied.

Finally, buyers also report fast shipping and free samples, though not always.

Our Experience with First Coast Tea Co.

First Coast Tea Co. prices are low. We ordered White Maeng Da kratom powder, and no free shipping options were available.

We paid with PayPal. Payments with Stripe and credit cards are available as well. While this was convenient, in actually, PayPal classifies kratom as a high-risk product, similarly to credit card processors. So, it is possible that they get around this issue by not openly stating that they sell kratom products but rather tea.

Our order was shipped the next day and arrived the following Monday, six days after we ordered. There were no freebies with our order.

As per our experience with it, effects began 15 minutes later, and full effects were in 45 minutes. We experienced a moderate boost in energy and focus, as well as a mild mood boost. The effects began fading after 4 hours and were completely gone after 4.5 hours.

Overall, our second experience with this vendor’s kratom was very similar to the first.

4. Acadica

Acadica is the next company we decided to add to our best vendors list due to many positive reviews and recommendations.

Background

This vendor is a small business. Yet, buyers refer to the quality of their products as good and on par with the big brands. Some users even call it the best kratom they’ve ever had.

They were working on GMP compliance and clean-room packaging in 2018. Yet, there is no information on whether that was completed.

There is no information on whether they lab-test their products though the owner claims on Reddit they do. Nonetheless, the company has been involved in the 2018 Kratom Salmonella outbreak.

Their website is very basic. They also do not have an about page or blog; so, it’s hard to gauge how good they are without looking for information on them elsewhere. Moreover, links to the Return Policy, Privacy Policy, Payment, and Shipping Info don’t work.

Products

Acadica’s product selection is very limited. They do not sell any of the popular strains, such as Bali, Maeng Da, Thai, Borneo, or Horn kratom. Hulu, Kali, Ketapang, and Jonkong kratom seem to be all they have. Moreover, their product organization is very confusing, and it is hard to see everything that they offer for sale.

Products have only one to three reviews, though those are very positive. Product descriptions are missing for most products.

Customer Experience

Acadica does not offer free samples, but they tend to add extra kratom to their packages in some instances, such as around holidays.

Acadica offers free shipping, and their orders come on time and usually earlier than expected. However, since it’s a small company, people even state that it may be a one-man business. So, he can only handle a certain amount of orders at any given time. Therefore, orders may not always process within a 24-hour window.

The company is regularly low on stock. Some comments also indicating that the vendor doesn’t keep good track of their inventory and sells when there are no products in store. One person also has indicated that their negative comments were deleted. Nonetheless, they seem to refund and send some free kratom when that happens.

We also came across a comment on them using scare tactics to drive sales, though there is no indication of what these scare tactics are.

Buyers state that their checkout is complicated, yet their customer service is good, and correspondence is personal. They engage with their customers in comments on social media and offer a number on their website that is available for texts. The owner tends to respond quickly.

Our Experience with Acadica

Acadica’s prices are low. From their selection, we ordered White Ketapang, the only white strain they had available. We paid with PayPal, and free shipping was included. Our order shipped the following day, and we received it on Friday, three days after placing our order. There were no freebies with our order.

The first time, we started feeling the effects in 15 minutes. We weren’t quite sure when full effects set in as the effects from this strain were very mild. We believe that we felt a slight increase in energy and mood. However, we couldn’t agree on whether that was due to the kratom or a placebo effect.

Six hours after our first dose, we took the second. This time we increased our dose by 50%. The effects began in 15 minutes, and we felt full effects within an hour. This time it felt like we took kratom. We felt a moderate boost in energy and mood, as well as a mild boost in focus. The effects began to diminish after 3 hours and were gone after 3.5 hours.

While our second experience was much better, taking 50% more than our usual dose is neither sustainable nor good for our kratom tolerance. Despite their low prices, we would be paying a lot more over time than initially expected if we were consistently buying from them.

5. Canopy Botanicals

The last vendor we decided to review for this best kratom vendor list was Canopy Botanicals. According to buyers, the owner tries to make sure that his customers are happy and is known having sent his customers extra products when they were not satisfied with their order.

Products

Canopy Botanicals offers soap, tea, spices, and supplements for sale. Similarly to First Coast Tea Co., kratom isn’t obviously seen on their site, you need to search for it to find it. Therefore, it can be confusing for new customers, and people have problems finding their kratom products.

Their kratom powder photos look slightly unrealistic, for example, some white powders look like ashes and their Red Bali, that seems to no longer be in their inventory, looks like red paprika spice. Those are either enhanced images, or they are doing something to the powder.

Customer Experience

Their kratom prices are affordable and are lower than those of some of the more popular brands. Their shipping is fast. Some indicate that that’s due to their warehouse being next to a USPS office.

When it comes to quality, buyers state that their kratom is potent and sometimes too strong, whereas their quality is consistent. However, others also mention that their quality isn’t that good, though there are very few negative reviews in comparison with the positive ones.

Buyers also remarked that Canopy Botanicals send extra sample bags with orders, as well as some other products from what they have in store. They also sell ginger chews, which they sometimes include with their orders. This is a nice touch because ginger is good for the stomach and can alleviate some kratom side effects such as constipation and nausea.

Nonetheless, some reviews online state that there is no refund or satisfaction guarantee policy. There is also no info on kratom lab-testing.

Our Experience with Canopy Botanicals

We found their prices to be very low. We attempted purchasing White Maeng Da and White Elephant. No free shipping options were available.

At the checkout, we tried to send payment to their instructed address, but it would not go through. We reached out to their customer service; however, we never got a response.

As a result, we ended up not buying kratom from this company.

Verdict

From the best kratom vendors recommended by many buyers, Kraoma was our favorite. It is a small company with a big company feel. Through their prices are higher than those of some cheaper companies, their kratom is very strong, and they also offer freebies, free shipping, discounts, and other perks that ultimately pay off.

Curiously, we found fewer people referring to Kraoma on forums than we did on other vendors. Yet, it was the company that has the most consistent feedback, only a few somewhat negative reviews, and no public issues with their kratom.

We came to the conclusion that this vendor does not get the credit they deserve. So, if you are looking for a new vendor, Kraoma is definitely worth checking out.

If you would like to learn how to choose a kratom vendor, feel free to download our FREE guide with tips on it.

Have you ever bought kratom from these vendors? Let us know what your experience with them was.

Who are the best kratom vendors, in your opinion? Would you like us to review another vendor? We are passionate about making sure buyers get honest reviews, so feel free to drop us a line about your picks for best kratom vendors!

Kratom for IBS: Can Kratom Help with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

December 31, 2019 by Speciosa Guide 2 Comments

For a very long time, humanity viewed our gut simply as a part of our bodies responsible for processing food and eliminating the waste that’s left behind. Yet, an increasing number of scientific studies reveal that our gut is more than just a poop producing mechanism.

Our gut has its own little world inside it, called the microbiota. Formerly known as gut flora, it contains tens of trillions of different microorganisms. That’s about ten times more than the cells that our bodies have.

Our microbiota is so important to our health and wellbeing that it can affect the way we feel, both physically and emotionally. This is why a large number of scientists refer to the gut as our second brain.

Because the gut has such a large impact on our general health and wellbeing, gut issues can be more serious than it may appear on the surface.

One of these gut issues is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.

What is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome?)

IBS, also called irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon, is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. It’s a chronic condition that affects around 25-45 million of Americans, 2 out of 3 of them being women.

IBS is a functional condition. This means that there is nothing wrong with the gut or its structure, but rather the way it works. Guts affected by IBS are more sensitive than usual, and muscular contractions within the intestines do not work as effectively as they should.

While symptoms may vary, most common irritable bowel symptoms include:

Abdominal pain and cramps
Excess gas and bloating
Food intolerances

IBS symptoms get relieved when a person passes a bowel movement, but not always. Frequently the relief is only partial.

The exact cause of this unpleasant and painful condition is currently unknown, though scientists speculate that it can be a combination of factors such as:

Inflammation of the intestine
Abnormal muscle contractions in the intestine
Abnormalities in how nerves in the gut work
A severe infection
Changes in the gut microflora, the good bacteria in the gut

There are periods when symptoms can get worse or better or even disappear entirely. Moreover, factors such as stress, hormonal imbalances, or food can trigger IBS symptoms.

Some people experience IBS with diarrhea, while others have IBS with constipation. However, some people experience alternating diarrhea and constipation.

While IBS is not life-threatening, it can drastically decrease one’s quality of life. In severe instances, it can prevent people from leading their regular lives, such as work, or leave the house for long periods of time. What can make it even worse is doctors dismissing it and calling IBS symptoms psychosomatic.

Common Treatment for IBS

Since the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not yet known, there is no definite cure for it. Most treatment methods focus on relieving the symptoms to improve a person’s quality of life.

Common IBS treatment methods include:

Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and more sleep
Diet changes like drinking more fluids, eating more fiber-rich foods.
Avoiding trigger foods, gluten, dairy, and high-gas foods like carbonated beverages, coffee, alcohol, and raw fruit.
Pain medication.
Fiber supplements.
Laxatives or anti-diuretic medication
Anti-depressants
Alternative stress management techniques like yoga and meditation

There are also a number of medications specifically designed for IBS patients that doctors can prescribe in more severe instances.

Can Kratom Help with IBS?

While it’s not the effect that you may primarily think of, a number of people experience a pleasant side effect of taking kratom – their IBS symptoms disappear or are considerably improved.

Here are a few ways in which kratom for IBS can help:

Bulk up the stool and help with diarrhea,
Relieve cramps and abdominal pain
Relieve stress and anxiety that may trigger IBS
Improve depression symptoms and the mood
Help you relax and improve the quality of sleep
Boost energy and skip coffee or caffeinated beverages
Help manage appetite and avoid unhealthy meals or snacks

What Kratom Strains Are Best for IBS?

Not all IBS instances are the same. Therefore, what you may need may differ from what someone else may benefit from. Since everyone’s body interacts with kratom differently, there may also be people who do not feel any improvement.

Because of that, evaluate your symptoms and select strains of kratom for IBS symptoms that affect you. Be ready to go through some trial and error while determining the strains that work best for you.

Let’s take a closer look at a few types of kratom for different IBS symptoms:

Red or green vein kratom for IBS pain: Strains like Red Bali or Red Borneo will provide the most potent pain relief. However, they are also sedating and relaxing. Therefore, they are best to take in the late afternoon and the evening. Green vein strains like Green Malay and Green Maeng Da will be more suitable for the daytime. They will provide mild pain relief, but will not make you sleepy.
Green vein kratom for energy and clarity of mind: If coffee irritates your stomach, green vein kratom strains can help you have more energy as well as have more clarity of mind. Green kratom can improve focus, helping manage negative or intrusive thoughts. This can help relieve anxiety if that affects you. White kratom strains are the most effective in terms of providing energy, yet you may find them too agitating or irritating. Some people with depression, stress, and anxiety can feel their symptoms worsen.
Green or red vein kratom for stress and anxiety relief: Green strains are best taken during the day when you need more energy, whereas reds are best for the nighttime.
Kratom for sleep. Red vein kratom can help you relax and wind down in the evening. Red strains like Red Bali are long-lasting. This can help you fall as well as stay asleep. Faster strains like greens or whites can help you establish a better routine and, by keeping you active and alert, ensure that you are tired when it’s time to go to sleep.
Green vein kratom for IBS and depression: While kratom will not cure depression, it can make you feel better and have a more optimistic outlook on life, helping you get through your day.

Final Words about Kratom for IBS

Some people report feeling better if they take lower doses of kratom for IBS. That’s because a high intake of kratom can cause kratom constipation if you do not consume plenty of liquids and fiber. Depending on the type of IBS, you may benefit more from green vein kratom for IBS. Greens are taken in lower doses than reds and can be better if constipation bothers you.

Have you taken kratom for IBS? How has it helped you? What strains have you found to be the most helpful for this condition?