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  • Kratom vs. Marijuana: Which Will Benefit You Most?

    Kratom vs. Marijuana: Which Will Benefit You Most?

    Kratom and marijuana are both rather controversial herbs that help masses of people improve their quality of life. If you are considering both, making the right choice can be challenging. Let’s take a look and kratom vs. marijuana to find out more.

    What Is Kratom?

    Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical tree that is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Due to its potent alkaloids, namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, kratom has numerous beneficial properties, such as pain relief, stress, anxiety, and depression relief, euphoria, and more.

    Kratom plant belongs to the coffee family of plants, yet kratom alkaloids have opioid-like properties and affect the receptors in the brain that opioids affect. Therefore, many people choose kratom as an alternative to opioids as well as to overcome opioid addiction.

    Kratom pain relief is potent and effective for various kinds of pain, including chronic pain that resists opioids.

    Kratom has various vein and strain types. Depending on the type, kratom can be more stimulating like coffee or have relaxing and sedating effects.

    What Is Marijuana?

    Cannabis, also commonly known as marijuana, weed, or pot, is a plant that is frequently used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Indigenous to central Asia, cannabis has been used for medicinal and spiritual purposes for centuries.

    The cannabis plant has nearly 500 known active compounds. At least 65 of them are cannabinoids. One of them, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Cannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid receptors, which are a part of the endocannabinoid system.

    Cannabis plants have various species and strains, each of which attributes to different uses and effects. However, people most commonly use it for chronic pain relief, relaxation, stress, depression, and anxiety relief, alleviating ADHD and PTSD, controlling seizures, and more.

    Are CBD and Marijuana the Same?

    CBD and marijuana are not the same. However, let’s take a look at the details to clear any misunderstandings.

    Currently, there are three recognized cannabis species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. While virtually undistinguishable visually, hemp and marijuana are both varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant.

    Hemp plants have less than 0.3% of THC content, whereas marijuana plants can contain anywhere from 0.3% to up to 30% THC. Both are high in cannabinoids. Hemp plants have many uses because it’s the strongest and most durable natural fiber.

    Hemp plants can grow outdoors and do not require any special conditions or much control. In the meantime, marijuana needs a controlled environment, such as temperature and lighting, and regular care and supervision.

    CBD oil or cannabidiol is a natural compound that can be derived from Cannabis sativa plants. Therefore, CDB can come from both hemp and marijuana. However, most CBD oil you’ll encounter on the market derives from hemp. That’s because hemp-derived CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC is legal across the US.

    Kratom vs. Marijuana: Similarities

    Benefits

    People use both kratom and marijuana for their analgesic properties. Both can provide potent pain relief, relief from stressanxiety, and depression, mood boost, as well as help with conditions such as ADHD, PTSD.

    Kratom vs. Marijuana: Differences

    Origins

    Kratom belongs to the coffee, also known as Rubiaceae or Madder, family. Coffee and Gardenia are some of the other plants from this family. It’s native to Southeast Asian countries that include Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

    However, cannabis plants are indigenous to Central Asia and belong to the Cannabaceae family, which is a small family of flowering plants. Hop plant is another popular and economically important plant in the same family.

    Uses

    Most kratom comes in powder form. Therefore people take it by brewing kratom tea, tossing and washing it, or mixing it with liquids such as juice, yogurt, or smoothies. Heat can potentiate kratom effects, but it’s not needed for one to benefit from kratom.

    Kratom also comes in capsule, extract, and resin form.

    When it comes to marijuana, it needs to be heated for one to experience beneficial effects. That’s because the active compounds contain an extra molecule that cancels out the psychoactive effects. Heating causes the decarboxylation process. During it, heat turns THCA that does not have psychoactive effects into THC that has numerous beneficial properties.

    Therefore, marijuana is taken by smoking or vaping it, or through edibles or extracts. On the other hand, vaping and smoking kratom is not a good idea.

    Both herbs come in topicals, yet, THC topicals are a lot more common. You may come across kratom soapbath bombs, and balms. In the meantime, there are THC balms, bath salts, lotions, oils, shampoos, and other products.

    Dosage

    The effects of both kratom and marijuana are dose-dependent. The more marijuana one takes, the stronger the effects.

    Things are a little different with kratom.  A smaller dose has mild pain-relieving effects and acts as a stimulant in a similar way to coffee. However, larger doses of kratom have stronger relaxing and sedating effects.

    Psychoactive Effects

    While kratom is frequently mislabeled as a psychoactive plant or a plant that will give you a “high,” it does not possess psychoactive compounds or properties. Marijuana, however, does. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in kratom.

    Effects on Body

    While cannabis and kratom are both effective for pain relief, they work in different ways. Kratom interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain. Therefore, it provides similar pain relief to what you can expect from opioid medications.

    Cannabis acts on the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system. These receptors are located throughout the body and are involved in processes such as pain sensation, appetite, mood, and others.

  • SAD and Kratom: Can Kratom Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder?

    SAD and Kratom: Can Kratom Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder?

    Kratom can improve your quality of life with a variety of conditions. So, if during certain times of the year, Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD impacts you, you may be looking for means of alleviating it.

    What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

    Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a form of depression that occurs due to the changes in seasons and affects roughly 4-6% of the US population. Therefore, SAD always begins and ends at the relatively same time of the year.

    If you tend to suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, you’ll start experiencing its symptoms when the weather gets colder and the days become considerably shorter and darker, usually in late fall or early winter. They last during the winter months and go away when the weather gets warmer and sunnier, in spring or even early summer.

    In most people, SAD occurs due to limited sunshine. This can affect the circadian rhythm and cause serotonin levels to drop. Serotonin is a brain chemical linked to happiness and wellbeing, whereas low levels of it can lead to depression.

    Yet, not all people suffer from SAD in the winter. Some suffer from summer depression or summertime SAD. It’s a reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder that about 10% of those who experience SAD have. Experts indicate that people living closer to the equator are more prone to experiencing summertime SAD.

    While causes are unclear, it’s believed that longer days can lead to disrupted melanin levels, heat and increased humidity can make us feel worse. In addition to that, school holidays and more active duties at home, body image issues, and financial burdens due to holidays can lead to people feeling depressed.

    SAD Symptoms

    It’s common for the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder to vary in intensity. They can be mild at first and become more intense as the season progresses. The most common SAD symptoms are:

    • Feelings of depression throughout the day, almost every day,
    • Low energy and motivation,
    • Difficulty focusing,
    • Sleeping issues,
    • Changes in weight and appetite,
    • Sluggish or agitated feelings,
    • Anxiety,
    • Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt,
    • Loss of interest in any of the activities that used to bring pleasure and excitement,
    • More frequent death or suicide thoughts.

    Common SAD Treatment Methods

    Common SAD treatments include medication, such as antidepressants, and psychotherapy which involves therapy.

    An alternative Seasonal Affective Disorder treatment method is phototherapy. Phototherapy or light therapy involves working or simply spending time next to a device known as a light therapy box. For certain individuals, this approach is much more effective than a combination of counseling and medication.

    What Is Kratom?

    Kratom is a tall tropical tree from Southeast Asia that can have stimulating, relaxing, and pain-relieving properties, among many others. Kratom trees can have red vein, white vein, and green vein leaves, each of which has different alkaloid properties and effects.

    Several million Americans take kratom to relieve chronic pain, overcome opioid or prescription medication addiction, improve their mood, focus better, reduce stress and anxiety, and a lot more.

    Can Kratom Relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder?

    While kratom will not treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, it can definitely alleviate the symptoms that you may be experiencing.

    Kratom has numerous beneficial properties that can help you have more energy, improve your mood and ability to concentrate and stay productive despite the lack of energy and motivation. Kratom can also relieve stress and anxiety that may come with SAD.

    Keep in mind that a combination of various alternative treatment methods may be beneficial. Therefore, consider experimenting with light therapy and counseling as well.

    Best Type of Kratom for Seasonal Affective Disorder

    Green Vein Kratom

    For people struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder, green vein kratom strains may be the most suitable option. Greens offer a balanced mix of stimulating and soothing effects. Therefore, you can expect to feel a boost in energy, mood, motivation, and productivity, and improved focus.

    Green vein kratom can also alleviate stress and anxiety, leading to a calm and steady focus. Along with an improved mood, this can help you get through the day as well as perform tasks that may not be as pleasurable.

    Providing an increased dose of energy throughout the first half of the day, green vein kratom can help you feel tired and ready to go to bed in the evening. This way, it can help you maintain healthy sleep cycles.

    Green Maeng Da and Green Malay Kratom are two popular strains among those who are looking for a boost in mood, energyproductivity, and general wellbeing.

    White Vein Kratom

    White vein kratom is more stimulating and has more potent mood-boosting properties. Nonetheless, new and experienced kratom users frequently find white strains to be a bit too much for them.

    People may also feel agitated after white vein strains. So, if they suffer from anxiety and stress in addition to seasonal affective disorder, they may feel worse after taking white vein kratom.

    This, however, does not necessarily mean that you should not try white vein kratom. The chances are that it may help you. Start with a threshold dose and see how you feel.

    If you’d like to try whites, While Borneo, White Maeng Da, White Kali, and White Horn kratom can be great options.

    Because of this, you may want to get a few kratom samples or a smaller amount of kratom to see which strains. If you’d like to do that, our top recommended kratom vendor offers kratom samples. You can get two 10-gram kratom samples that are free, though you need to cover shipping costs. Regardless of that, it’s a beneficial way of trying out a few strains and see what makes you feel better.

    Do you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder? What have you done to alleviate it? Have you tried kratom? If so, which strains have been the most helpful?

  • Kratom during Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

    Kratom during Pregnancy: Is It Safe?

    Over the past years, at least a few news reports have raised awareness of the use of kratom during pregnancy. They indicated that newborns of mothers have displayed withdrawal symptoms similar to those resulting from opioids.

    Therefore, this has caused various health professionals and other sources to urge pregnant women not to take kratom. Yet, are the consequences of taking kratom during pregnancy as dangerous as they are claimed? Let’s investigate.

    What Is Kratom?

    A tropical tree from Southeast Asia, kratom leaves have numerous beneficial alkaloids and other compounds. Due to them, kratom has been used for its medicinal properties in the Southeast Asia for centuries.

    Not all kratom is the same. Depending on the circumstances such as the amount of sunlight and hydration that kratom leaves receive, they develop different levels of alkaloids. As a result, not only the stems and veins of these leaves are different, but the leaf matter produces different effects.

    Kratom leaves naturally develop three different vein types: red, green, and white. Red vein kratom has potent pain-relieving, euphoric, and sedating effects.

    White vein kratom is the exact opposite. It acts in a similar way coffee does, providing alertness and energy and improving focus and productivity. White vein kratom can also significantly boost the mood as well as has mild analgesic properties. Surprisingly, this is not the only similarity kratom has with coffee. Both herbs come from the same plant family.

    Green vein kratom offers a mix of the two – moderate relaxing and pain-relieving as well moderate energizing effects.

    Though kratom leaves have many alkaloids, two of them come in the most abundant quantities, shaping the overall profile of kratom. These are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

    Kratom alkaloids affect the same receptors in the brain, though they do not engage them in the exact same way.

    Therefore, kratom possessed opioid-like properties and can serve as a substitute to prescription and other opioids, yet, it’s not an opioid itself. Kratom does not belong to the opioid plant family, but rather to the Rubiaceae or coffee family, as mentioned above.

    While this makes kratom an alternative to opioids and helps people overcome opioid addiction, it also brings a lot of negative and often unfounded fame.

    Why Do People Take Kratom

    Different varieties of kratom have various uses. So, people take it to relieve strong chronic pain, improve sleep, quit opioids, increase energy and focus, improve the mood, and much more.

    Medication during Pregnancy

    In general, doctors advise pregnant women to avoid taking medication unless it’s absolutely necessary. This is especially important during the first three months. That’s because all vital baby’s organs develop during this time.

    Yet, not all medicines are bad. Some are safe to take during pregnancy. So, it’s important to discuss with a doctor and follow their recommendations when it comes to medicines during pregnancy.

    Medicines that Are OK during Pregnancy

    Certain medications are safe during pregnancy. These include:

    • Most asthma medication
    • Some depression medication
    • Some allergy medicines
    • Certain heart burn medicines
    • Some high blood pressure medicines
    • Certain antibiotics
    • Some over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol

    Medicines to Avoid during Pregnancy

    However, there are also medicines that you should definitely avoid, such as:

    • Pepto-Bismol or other medicines that contain bismuth subsalicylate
    • Decongestants like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine
    • Cough and cold medicines with guaifenesin
    • Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other pain medication
    • Isotretinoin containing acne medication
    • ACE inhibitors
    • Valproic acid and some other anti-seizure medication
    • Some antibiotics, for instance doxycycline and tetracycline
    • Methotrexate, which is sometimes used to treat arthritis.
    • Warfarin
    • Lithium for bipolar depression
    • Alprazolam and diazepam used for anxiety.
    • Paroxetine for depression

    Keep in mind that this is not medical advice, but simply a guideline. Always talk to your doctor about any medication that you may be taking if you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy.

    Substances to Avoid During Pregnancy

    Pregnant women should abstain from the use of alcohol, drugs, as well as shouldn’t smoke.

    When it comes to opioids, those too should be avoided as they can negatively affect both the mother and the baby. Opioid use during pregnancy can lead to poor infant growth, preterm birth, stillborn birth, maternal death, birth defects, as well as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome which is withdrawal in babies.

    Pregnant women are either advised opioid use that follows a strict schedule, or, they are advised to quit opioids using medication to facilitate that. However, the medication used to quit opioids can also lead to dependence and other negative outcomes.

    Kratom during Pregnancy

    Since opioid use has many side effects and opioids may even not be effective for certain kinds of chronic pain, many people choose alternative pain management methods, such as kratom.

    Yet, pregnant women often are fearful about the effects of kratom on their unborn child’s health and development. News reports can make things even worse.

    While the mother and the baby have different blood streams, the baby depends on the mother for oxygen and nutrients.

    The nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood go through the placenta and access the baby via the umbilical cord. Then, the carbon dioxide and any waste products leave the baby via the umbilical cord and are eliminated through the mothers blood circulations.

    Since kratom is digested and absorbed into the blood, it too can access the baby in the same way as any other substances can. The fetus absorbs the nutrients it needs before the mother does, therefore, the baby would also be exposed to kratom.

    Yet, how bad is it?

    Can Kratom Affect the Baby?

    Despite the reports on kratom withdrawal symptoms in babies, there are also many women who do not experience any problems or side effects. Moreover, the cases that do reach the news feature heavy kratom use that is not recommended in general.

    Keep in mind that the developing baby is very small, and it does not need as many calories and nutrients as an adult. So, a regular kratom dose can be immense for a fetus, such as a large coffee dose, which is why pregnant women are advised to only take one cup of coffee a day. Too much coffee can lead to low birth weight or can even cause miscarriage.

    Nonetheless, studies on kratom are very limited at the moment. Even though many women report no negative side effects, it is unknown how kratom could affect babies in the long term.

    The Bottom Line

    There are not enough studies to conclude whether kratom during pregnancy is safe or not. Therefore, to avoid any unknown complications its best to quit kratom during pregnancy until we have more information on it.

    Do you think kratom is safe during pregnancy? Why or why not?

  • 8 Kratom Benefits You May Not be Aware Of

    8 Kratom Benefits You May Not be Aware Of

    Kratom benefits seem to be infinite.

    Kratom has potent pain-relieving properties. It can soothe various kinds of pain, eve stubborn chronic pain that may resist traditional prescription pain medication. The herb can also boost your mood and energy, improve your focus and productivity. Moreover, kratom can also alleviate conditions such as stressanxietydepressionarthritisfibromyalgiaLyme diseasecancer, and more.

    Can it get any better?

    Can kratom have other benefits that you may not be aware of?

    The answer is yes.

    Let’s explore some of the lesser-known kratom benefits and how they may help you improve the quality of your life.

    8 Lesser-Known Kratom Benefits You Should Know About

    1. Kratom Boosts Your Immune System

    Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are not the only compounds responsible for kratom benefits. Kratom is a powerhouse of numerous beneficial alkaloids and other unique compounds.

    Two of the lesser-known kratom alkaloids are isorhynchopylline and isoptreropodine. Both of these alkaloids have immune-boosting properties.

    Moreover, mitragynine has properties that help lower blood pressure in addition to relieving pain.

    Together, these alkaloids create a synergy that may help your body have a stronger immune system and resist a cold or the flu.

    2. Kratom Improves Physical Performance

    If you regularly work out, go to the gym, or practice sports, kratom can help you improve your physical performance. The faster kratom strains, such as white and green vein kratom, can not only boost your energy work and power through less pleasurable tasks but can also improve physical energy. So, you may be able to lift a few extra pounds, do a few more reps, or run longer.

    Additionally, kratom can help you relieve the pain and discomfort that you may experience after a good workout.

    3. Kratom Possesses Anti-Inflammatory Properties

    In addition to the well-known mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, kratom also has rhynchophylline and epicatechin, two alkaloids with anti-inflammatory properties. These alkaloids are some of the reasons that help kratom alleviate arthritis-related pain.

    Kratom also has polyphenols and flavonoids, previously known as tannins, compounds that are commonly found in green tea and have anti-oxidant properties.

    The exact amounts of these compounds are not known as there are still limited studies on kratom.

    4. Kratom Can Help You Relieve Chronic Fatigue

    The fast-paced lifestyle that we have leads to many people experiencing chronic fatigue. Kratom can help in a variety of ways.

    First of all, fast and moderate kratom can increase energy during the day. So, you can remain busy and productive. Moreover, this can tire you just in time for sleep and help you establish a healthier sleep cycle.

    In addition to those, slower strains can help you relax, wind down, fall asleep, as well as stay asleep. As a result, you can have a better night’s rest letting your body the time it needs to recover.

    5. Kratom Can Help with Type II Diabetes

    A few kratom studies have indicated that kratom alkaloids can have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Kratom can also relieve stress and pain, which can cause blood sugar level spikes in diabetes II patients. This can help diabetes patients manage their blood sugar levels.

    6. Kratom Can Improve Your Love Life

    Traditional practitioners and kratom enthusiasts view kratom as an aphrodisiac. Kratom stimulates blood flow as well as improves the mood and energy and relieves stress. All of these factors can boost libido.

    Moreover, some studies also indicate that kratom can increase male libido and lengthen the duration of sexual intercourse. Studies on mice have suggested that kratom ingestion may increase sperm count and lower sperm mortality.

    7. Kratom Can Help You Lose Weight

    Kratom users report having a reduced appetite and snacking less between meals which can lead to kratom weight loss. Additionally, they also tend to become more conscious of their diet and other aspects of their health.

    Kratom also relieves stress and anxiety as well as depression symptoms, all of which can lead to unhealthy choices and poor self-care. Stress and anxiety can also lead to increased levels of adrenalin in the body, which can result in increased weight.

    Kratom can also help quit unhealthy habits such as alcoholism.

    8. Kratom Can Improve Your Heart Health

    High stress and anxiety levels, excess weight, and insufficient sleep can be damaging to heart health. Effectively managing those in combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.

    Since kratom has powerful relaxing properties that can help maintain a calm focus throughout the workday as well as loosen up in the evening and relieve sleep issues. All of these factors, along with kratom’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties as well as its effect on weight, can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

    Have you experienced these kratom benefits? Which kratom strains are your favorite?

  • Common Mistakes When Growing Kratom at Home

    Common Mistakes When Growing Kratom at Home

    Growing a kratom plant at home is not an impossible task, but it does require effort. Especially because it requires conditions that may not be natural where you live. This may lead you to taking the wrong decisions and needing to part with your kratom tree.

    Luckily, kratom plants are quick to let you know when they are not happy by dropping leaves. As long as the stems are green and healthy, there is enough time to make the necessary changes.

    Let’s review the most common kratom plant growing mistakes and what you should do instead to ensure that your kratom tree is healthy and happy.

    Growing Kratom at Home: Common Mistakes and What to Do Instead

    1. Choosing the Wrong Soil

    To grow kratom trees, you need a pot and soil. Yet, if you visit your local garden center or even look for soil online, you may be surprised at the variety available.

    You’ll find soil for seeding, potting, transplanting, containers, as well as for various types of plants. Moreover, you’ll come across soil and soilless blends, soil products with fertilizer and without it.

    But which one of these would be best to grow kratom?

    Most likely, none of those. Most commercially bought soil is not optimal for kratom. It encourages mold and fungus growth that can be detrimental for tender kratom plants.

    Best Soil for Growing Kratom Seeds and Seedlings

    If you have gotten a hold of kratom seeds, your best bet may be high-quality soilless blends. Those usually consist of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, and are usually the best for starting seeds and seedlings.

    Store-bought soilless mixes are pasteurized or heated at very high temperatures and do not contain any organic matter or pathogens that may be harmful or even kill your tender kratom seedlings. Soilless mixes are also relatively light. So, they are much easier for seedlings to get started in.

    However, if you have bought kratom cuttings, then you should plant them into soil.

    Best Soil for Growing Kratom Cuttings

    In tropical jungles of its origin, kratom grows in humus-rich and fertile soil that has a pH level that ranges between 5.5 to 6.5. This means that the soil is slightly acidic. That’s not all you need, though. The soil also needs to have the consistency that enables it to drain easily yet retain some moisture at the same time.

    So, regular seeding or potting soil may not be the best option for growing kratom trees. If you can find it, go for ProMix potting soil, one of the most favored soils of organic gardeners.

    Promix soil contains ingredients such as peat moss, peat humus, perlite, limestone, organic fertilizer, as well as Mycorrhizae fungus. The peat in the soil provides some bulk volume that allows the soil to hold on to moisture and nutrients. The Mycorrhizae fungi create a symbiotic relationship with the roots by colonizing them. This, in turn, increases water and nutrient absorption and boosts plant growth.

    2. Not Watering Enough

    Kratom plants naturally grow in tropical rainforests. So, they require plenty of moisture to thrive, and you need to recreate the tropical environment to ensure that your kratom plants are happy and healthy.

    Therefore, you should water your kratom plants more frequently than you would any other plants that you have.

    In addition to watering, kratom plants also require air humidity. So, you may want to invest in a humidifier. That, however, can be expensive to run and maintain. If that’s your case, you can also regularly spray your kratom plants with water.

    3. Watering Too Much

    While a lot of water for your kratom plants is good, too much water is not. It can cause your plant to drop leaves or its roots to start rotting. So, you can monitor the surface of the soil. When it starts drying out, it’s time for another watering. Alternatively, you can stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches deep. The soil should be moist.

    If your kratom plant is in a smaller pot, you may need to water it less frequently. A smaller pot has less room for roots to spread, and it can retain moisture longer.

    Moreover, pay attention to the weather. If it’s rainy and humid, don’t let your kratom drench. So, you may want to water your kratom less frequently and empty the water tray. Too much humidity can result in your kratom losing some leaves.

    4. Not Giving Kratom Enough Light

    Not enough light can be worse for kratom than too much light. After all, it’s a tropical plant. So, consider buying some high-quality LED lights or full-spectrum halogen bulbs.

    Electric Sky LED Grow Lights are some of the most economical lighting systems for plants like kratom. They can outperform even cheaper LED lights in terms of energy costs. They are also relatively lightweight.

    If you do not mind having higher electricity costs, you can leave the lights on 24/7. Contrary to popular belief, red vein kratom isn’t just a type of strain. Leaves that receive the most exposure to light, even if it’s artificial, produce darker leaves with red veins. So, the same tree can produce more red vein kratom during hotter and sunnier months and more white vein and green vein kratom during the colder months of the year.

    5. Growing Kratom in a Wrong Size Pot

    Your kratom plant is just like Goldilocks. A pot should neither be too big nor too small. It needs to be just right. If you grow a kratom cutting, then you should transport it to a gallon pot a few days after you have purchased it. Then, the next time you change the pot should be when you start seeing kratom plant roots growing out of the opening at the bottom of the pot.

    Growing a kratom plant in a pot that’s too big can result in moisture retention. This could lead to the development of mold or fungus.

    A pot that’s too small may prevent a kratom plant from growing further and cause it to drop leaves. This can happen if the plant does not receive enough water and nutrients from the soil.

    6. Not Feeding Regularly

    Kratom plants are very heavy feeders. Therefore, the soil in which you’re growing kratom plants needs to be continuously rich in nitrogen and other minerals. You can sprinkle about a teaspoon of organic plant fertilizer for an 8-inch pot every one to two weeks. You can reduce that in the winter unless your kratom plant keeps growing quickly and steadily. Liquid plant food can work too.

    In addition to that, you can also mix rock dust, kelp meal, and green sand into the soil mix. Rock dust can help kratom plants resist pests and diseases; kelp meal releases additional nitrogen and other minerals as it breaks down, whereas green sand contains a variety of trace minerals which can keep kratom plants healthy.

    Are you growing a kratom plant? Have you ever been guilty of these mistakes or perhaps others that we have not mentioned? How did you cope with them?

  • Quitting Kratom: How to Do It Right

    Quitting Kratom: How to Do It Right

    Kratom is a highly versatile herb with numerous benefits. So, it may come as a surprise that someone may be looking into quitting kratom. It may even alarm you as some of the top results on search engines will come from drug rehab centers or similar sources claiming that kratom is a dangerous drug.

    Rest assured that in most cases there is nothing to worry about. Let’s dive deeper and find out why.

    How Do People Get Here?

    Kratom can relieve severe pain from a wide variety of ailments, ease stress, anxiety, improve depression symptoms, and aid sleep. It can also boost energy and productivity and well as enhance the mood and focus. Some of the lesser-known kratom benefits include a better immune system and sex life, as well as the possibility of improved diabetes symptoms and better heart health.

    So, why would one possibly want to quit kratom?

    Well, there are a few reasons for that. Keep in mind that many of those who quit kratom do so temporarily. In fact, if you plan to take kratom long-term, it is actually recommended to quit kratom and take breaks from it regularly.

    Kratom Tolerance

    The most common reason for quitting kratom is tolerance buildup. Kratom intake during an extended period of time can result in tolerance. In simple terms, kratom alkaloids build up in your system, and your body gets used to them. As a result, the dose you initially took no longer yields the effects it used to.

    While some sources make it sound worse than it is, tolerance isn’t something that is exclusive to kratom.

    Regular intake of coffee, which is a close relative of kratom, can also lead to tolerance buildup. And, in the case of certain food sensitivities or allergies, tolerance can be built up over time with controlled exposure to the substance. For instance, if one is lactose intolerant, regularly taking small amounts of milk can build up their tolerance to lactose over time, eliminating the unpleasant food sensitivity.

    Keep in mind that this is a blog about kratom, so if you suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, make sure to consult that with a doctor. In more severe cases, exposing yourself to allergens can be dangerous.

    Kratom tolerance can be unpleasant as you experience that kratom is no longer working, that you keep upping your kratom dosage, or that you’re burning through kratom supplies and money.

    So, quitting kratom for some time can help your body reset. As a result, you should be able to go back to your initial dosage.

    Travel or Similar Reasons

    Another instance of needing to resort to quitting kratom is travel. Unfortunately, kratom isn’t legal everywhere. So, if you have pending travel plans and can’t take kratom with you, quitting kratom and making any necessary adjustments prior to that can make the experience less taxing on your body and emotional wellbeing.

    Quitting Kratom to Prevent Tolerance

    It’s also common among experienced kratom users to quit kratom regularly to keep their tolerance in check. This allows their bodies to fully eliminate alkaloids on a regular basis. This way, they are able to maintain their regular dosage and kratom spending while experiencing the same effects.

    Kratom Withdrawal Symptoms

    If you are considering quitting kratom for one reason or another, you may experience kratom withdrawal, especially if you have not been careful about your dosage, such as roughly measuring kratom with a spoon rather than using a sensitive digital scale. You may have developed kratom tolerance without being aware of it.

    You may also experience withdrawal symptoms if you have been consistently increasing your doses or if you already know that you have developed tolerance.

    The most common kratom withdrawal symptoms are:

    • digestive issues
    • runny nose
    • irritability
    • agitation
    • restless limbs,
    • sleep issues

    The severity and combination of symptoms can vary. Some people with higher tolerance may have a harder time, while others may only have a runny nose or feel slightly irritable. There are also people who do not experience withdrawal at all.

    However, one thing that many in the kratom community agree on is that kratom withdrawal is nowhere near as severe as opioid withdrawal.

    3 Approaches to Quitting Kratom

    If you’ve decided to quit kratom, there are a few ways in which you can do it:

    1. Quitting kratom cold turkey is the roughest and quickest of the methods. This means that you will abruptly stop kratom intake. If you have already developed tolerance, your withdrawal symptoms may be rather intense for approximately one to two weeks.
    2. Gradually tapering off to zero will be the easiest transition; you are likely not going to experience any withdrawal symptoms at all. The essence of this method is gradually reducing your kratom doses until you no longer take any. It may take around one or two months. However, if you have stopped feeling kratom effects, this may be a challenging approach.
    3. Tapering off slightly and quitting is a mix between the two. You would gradually reduce your dose until quitting cold turkey feels alright to you. With this approach, you are likely to experience some withdrawal symptoms, though they won’t be as severe as they could have been if you were quitting kratom cold turkey.

    Objectively assess how severe your tolerance is and how willing you are to be going through an uncomfortable period.

    Tips When Quitting Kratom

    1. Stay Hydrated

    Make sure to hydrate yourself properly. It will help your system flush out the alkaloids. Proper hydration can also make you feel better overall, reducing, for instance, headaches. If you take kratom for energy and decide to up your coffee intake instead, drink an extra cup of water for each coffee cup you take.

    2. Consider Reducing or Quitting Dairy Intake

    Kratom constipation is rather common. So, if you are quitting kratom and it no longer constipates you…. this means…. hello diarrhea! So, you may need to go easy on dairy, such as yogurt or milk, or quit it altogether, until you feel a bit more balanced. Dairy tends to be diuretic; so, consider using non-daily alternatives such as oat or almond milk instead.

    3. Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet

    Even though you may not feel your best, nourish your body properly to help your body recover as well as to keep your immune system strong. Eat a diet that rich in protein and complex carbs as well as has plenty of fiber and probiotics.

    4. Take Supplements or Medication if Necessary

    When you quit kratom or start tapering off, you’re likely to experience the issues that kratom used to relieve. Therefore, go back to reviewing why you take kratom and consider looking into medication and supplements that can serve as kratom alternatives. Stock up in advance to avoid any unpleasant situations.

    In addition to that, consider sleeping aids, such as melatonin or soothing herbal products like valerian root as well as means of managing stress, anxiety, or mood. It is common to experience sleep issues and agitation when quitting kratom. So, it can be beneficial to prepare for that in advance.

    5. Use Relaxation Techniques

    Agitation and irritation are common when quitting kratom. So, if you feel like that can interact with your daily life, look into means of supporting you through that. Medication can provide relief, but if you’d like to try alternative methods such as meditation, yoga, or similar.

    Regular exercise ensures proper blood flow that properly supplies the brain and other vital organs with oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins, which can boost mood and emotional wellbeing.

    Staying active, such as exercising, can also be beneficial.

    6. Get Distracted

    If you are going through a rough time adjusting to how you feel after quitting kratom, staying mentally engaged can help you take your mind off of how you are feeling. Therefore, consider working on your hobbies or projects that bring you joy.

    7. Seek Support

    Before quitting kratom, it can be beneficial for you to talk to your friends and loved ones and inform them about your decisions. This can help them understand what’s going on with you, provide support, and hold you accountable if things get tough.

    Many people with underlying depression report feeling worse than quitting kratom. Having a support group can assist you if you experience that, as well.

    8. Stay Away from Alcohol

    There are many downsides to consuming alcohol. Therefore, during a time when you may already feel in pain, irritated, and agitated, it may be best to stay away from alcohol, especially if you suffer from depression.

    How to Avoid Kratom Tolerance

    If quitting kratom isn’t something that you would like to do, focus on keeping your tolerance low. This would involve ensuring that your dosage is right and precise each time you take kratom.

    Since a lot of kratom products on the market tend to fluctuate in quality, find a trusted vendor who consistently delivers quality kratom products. This will ensure that you can get the effects you want without needing to increase your kratom dose.

    Buying from cheaper vendors frequently results in you getting kratom that is weaker than the previous batch. If you increase your dose yet feel the same effects that you would with a smaller dose, you’re still taking in a much larger dose of alkaloids. Even though those may be weak, they still accumulate in your system.

    In addition to that, rotate kratom strains and regularly take days off when you allow your body to reset from kratom.

    Are you considering quitting kratom? Why? And how do you plan to do it? If you have quit kratom before, let us know what has worked best for you.

  • Kratom for Diabetes: How Can You Benefit?

    Kratom for Diabetes: How Can You Benefit?

    Many don’t realize that kratom, which is effective for a myriad of health conditions and other needs, can also be beneficial for those with diabetes. Its versatile properties can support diabetics in various ways.

    Let’s take a look at how kratom for diabetes can help you feel better and which strains to choose.

    What Is Diabetes

    Diabetes is a type of disease in which patients experience increased blood glucose, also known as blood sugar levels. Glucose is a simple type of sugar that results from food being digested.

    The body needs glucose for energy. Insulin, a natural hormone that the pancreas produces, helps cells use glucose properly. It also ensures that the blood sugar level is normal, preventing it from being too high or too low.

    Neither one of the extremes is good for us.

    Too much glucose in the blood, or hyperglycemia, for a long time, can cause serious health issues. It can damage blood vessels increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, problems with vision, nerve damage, or even kidney damage.

    However, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can lead to one being clumsy, fatigued, having trouble concentrating and talking. In severe cases, this can even lead to a loss of consciousness, seizures, or death.

    People who suffer diabetes have issues with the way their body produces and utilizes insulin. Therefore, their blood sugar levels are higher than they are supposed to be.

    Types of Diabetes

    There are two types of diabetes: diabetes 1 and diabetes 2:

    • Diabetes 1 is less common. With it, the body does not produce insulin on its own.
    • Diabetes 2, the more common type, occurs when the body does not produce insulin well or does not use it properly.

    Sometimes, it is also possible to have blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, yet not high enough to be classified as diabetes. This condition is prediabetes. A person who has it has a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.

    Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. It is a type that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before. A high blood sugar level can have a negative effect on the health of both the mother and the baby.

    Common Diabetes Treatment Methods

    Insulin, usually administrated in injection form, is the most common treatment method for diabetes 1. There are various types of it, and, depending on how severe insulin depletion is, the doctor wi determine the most suitable dose and type.

    For type 2 diabetes, oral medication such as metformin is common. It can lower glucose levels in the blood and help the body respond to insulin better. However, depending on individual symptoms, other medications may be used.

    In addition to medication, lifestyle changes are also beneficial to improve the health and wellbeing of a person with diabetes. These usually include:

    • A balanced diet low in carbohydrates, especially simple carbs, and foods with high glycemic index and high in fiber. Such a diet ensures that food breaks down slowly and blood sugar that results from its breakdown releases into the bloodstream slowly and steadily rather than at once.
    • Weight loss. Even a small decrease in weight can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.
    • Regular exercise. It can help muscles use up blood sugar for energy as well as reduce weight, which can improve the way in which the body responds to insulin. Excess weight and obesity increase the risk of diabetes.
    • Proper hydration. Drinking plenty of water can help the kidneys flush out excess blood sugar from the system.
    • Reducing stress and anxiety. Stress hormones increase blood sugar levels, and stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation can help release stress and prevent additional blood sugar from being released. Massage can be helpful too.
    • Improving sleep. Not enough sleep can lead to poorer diet choices, overeating, higher stress hormone levels, and can affect the body’s insulin sensitivity.

    While a combination of lifestyle changes and medication may be necessary, some studies indicate that lifestyle and diet changes, as well as weight loss, may be enough to reverse diabetes.

    5 Ways Kratom for Diabetes Can Be Beneficial

    1. Pain Relief

    Diabetes can result in nerve damage. This condition, known and diabetic neuropathy, can be painful. It can manifest as tingling in the hands and feet, or even burning or sharp pain. Kratom can provide natural pain relief that range from mild to strong, depending on the strain. Pain relief from kratom can also be effective in soothing pain that tends to be resistant to medication.

    2. Anxiety and Stress Relief

    Red and green kratom strains can aid diabetes patients to keep their stress and anxiety in check. Over time, this can lead to steadier blood sugar levels and fewer spikes in blood sugar levels.

    3. Better Sleep

    Kratom has the potential to improve sleep is a few ways. Firstly, slow strains can help one relax, fall, and stay asleep. This can lead to a better mood, lower stress hormone levels, as well as help the body get proper rest and recovery.

    Secondly, moderate and fast strains can also improve sleep. While they should be taken during the daytime, they can help one remain active throughout the day and feel tired by the time they need to go to sleep.

    4. Improved Mood

    Living with diabetes can be challenging. The mood can fluctuate, and the person can experience mood swings, anger, and depression. This can worsen the symptoms by causing blood sugar levels to rise.

    However, kratom can support people with diabetes by helping them improve their mood and overall wellbeing.

    5. Weight Loss

    It’s common among kratom users to have reduced appetite. Kratom lovers also tend to adopt healthier habits such as having more balanced meals, choosing healthier foods, drinking more liquids, less snacking between meals, and taking natural supplements such as magnesium to promote better health.

    All of that combined can lead to weight loss, which can improve diabetes symptoms or even reverse.

    Best Kratom for Diabetes

    Different types of kratom can bring different benefits for diabetes. Therefore, diabetes patients can select strains that best support their needs. Slow strains such as Red Bali, Red Thai, and Red Borneo can help one relax and sleep. They can also provide potent pain relief and euphoria.

    Green and yellow strains such as Green MalayGreen Maeng Da, or Yellow Bali kratom can be beneficial if a diabetic person is looking for improved mood and increased energy throughout the day, while also relieving stress and anxiety.

    While whites can also be helpful, they can, at times, feel too much. Whites are potent in small doses and can make one feel jittery or agitated if the dose is too big. Therefore, new kratom users or people struggling with depression should approach whites mindfully or avoid them altogether.

    Keep in mind that kratom drug interactions are possible. Therefore, you should consult your doctor to make sure that kratom does not interfere with any of the medications that you may be taking.

    Moreover, due to limited studies, it’s best that pregnant women avoid taking kratom for diabetes. While many report not having any issues with kratom during pregnancy, it’s not currently known how that may affect the baby in the long term.

    Do you take kratom for diabetes? Which are your go-to strains?

  • Kratom for Lupus: How Can It Help?

    Kratom for Lupus: How Can It Help?

    Due to the numerous benefits of kratom, many people with challenging chronic health conditions choose kratom over regular prescription medication. Kratom provides potent pain relief that can be effective even against the pain that resists prescription drugs. So, can you use kratom for lupus?

    Let’s look into the facts and find out.

    What Is Lupus?

    Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system becomes increasingly active and attacks its own healthy tissue and organs. The inflammation that lupus causes can affect various systems of the body such as the joints, heart, brain, lungs, blood cells, kidneys, as well as the skin.

    Many but all lupus patients develop a facial rash across both cheeks that resemble the wings of a butterfly. Other signs and symptoms of the disease often mimic those that are characteristic of other ailments and diseases. Therefore, it can be complicated to diagnose.

    The exact number of lupus patients is unknown. However, the Lupus Foundation of America estimates that roughly 1.5 million Americans and approximately 5 million people worldwide suffer from the disease.

    Lupus is most prevalent in women during childbearing age. Only one in every ten lupus patients is male, and it also tends to be more prevalent in African American and Asian women.

    The cause of the disease is unknown. However, exposure to strong medication, a viral infection, sunlight, puberty, childbearing, and also menopause are causes that can trigger it.

    Lupus is not a contagious condition. Nonetheless, a pregnant woman who has lupus can give birth to a child with lupus.

    Lupus Symptoms

    There are several types of lupus, and, just like it’s with Lyme disease, no two lupus cases are the same. Some even call this condition a “disease with a 1000 faces.” That’s because the intensity and the combination of symptoms can vary, making the disease hard to diagnose.

    There are currently four types of lupus:

    • SLE or systemic lupus is the most common form of lupus that affects the organs in the body
    • Cutaneous or discoid lupus is the form of a disease that cause skin lesions and rashes
    • Drug-induced lupus can occur after exposure to prescription medication such as certain tuberculosis and hypertension drugs; the symptoms are likely to disappear approximately six months after discontinuing the medication
    • Neo-natal lupus can occur in very rare occasions when a mother with lupus gives birth to an infant who displays lupus symptoms; the symptoms, however, are due to the antibodies of the mother affecting the child and usually disappear within months after birth

    The most common symptoms of lupus include:

    • Fatigue
    • Dry eyes
    • Hair loss
    • Shortness of breath
    • Fever
    • Reduced appetite and weight loss
    • Chest pain
    • Headaches, confusion, or even memory loss
    • Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints as well as arthritis pain
    • Butterfly-shaped face rash on the that spreads across the cheeks and bridge of the nose; however, it can also spread across the entire body
    • Skin lesions that can become more pronounced after exposure to sunlight
    • Fingers and toes turning white or blue when after exposure to cold or stress

    The symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe. They can also periodically flare up and go into remission.

    Common Lupus Treatment Methods

    A cure for lupus does not exist. However, various treatment methods are used to manage the condition. The most common medication for lupus includes:

    • Anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen
    • Hydroxychloroquine, a medication commonly used to treat malaria, which aids with fatigue and joint and skin issues
    • Steroids that help manage rashes and kidney inflammation
    • Medicines to lower antibodies in the blood can be prescribed for severe lupus cases

    In addition to medication, lupus patients can manage their symptoms and improve the quality of life with lifestyle changes, such as:

    • Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet
    • Staying active, especially during flare-ups
    • Getting plenty of sleep and rest
    • Using sunscreen with high SPF and wearing a hat
    • Using relaxation techniques to ease stress and anxiety
    • Seeking support from friends, family, as well as professionals

    It is also beneficial for those with lupus to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and ultraviolet lights, as well as smoking.

    Best Kratom for Lupus

    While kratom will not be able to serve as a cure for lupus, it can alleviate a wide variety of symptoms that lupus patients suffer from. There are many ways in which kratom can help people with lupus; however, let’s look at some of the main ones. The benefits of kratom for lupus include:

    1. Pain Relief

    Red vein kratom is the most potent of all kratom types in terms of pain relief. Strains like Red Bali, Red Borneo, and Red Thai are excellent for strong lupus pain, especially if you are looking for pain relief in the evening and during the night.

    However, red vein kratom is also very relaxing and even sedative, especially in lower doses. So, it may not be the best choice for the time you need to remain active, such as go to work. So, during the day time, you may want to look into green vein kratom strains like Green Maeng Da and Green Malay, or faster red strains like Red Sumatra and Red Maeng Da.

    2. Relaxation

    In addition to strong pain relief, red vein kratom is also relaxing. It can help you ease stress, anxiety, and tension. Red vein kratom also has euphoric properties and can be helpful also if you suffer from depression.

    If you are looking for relaxation during the daytime, consider greens. Green Maeng Da, Green Malay, and other green vein kratom strains can boost energy and, at the same time, also promote a calm state of mind.

    If you usually fee agitated or jittery after coffee, then consider trying green vein kratom. Keep in mind that you need to carefully dose it. If you take a kratom dose that is too high for, you may feel nauseous.

    3. Increased Energy

    Green and white vein kratom, as well as yellow kratom, can help you boost energy during the day. So, they can be great if you suffer from fatigue. White vein kratom is the most potent in this regard, yet it’s not as potent in terms of pain relief. So, if you’re looking for both pain relief and energy, consider greens or yellows.

    4. Better Sleep

    Kratom can also be beneficial in improving the quality of sleep. Reds like Red Bali are long-lasting strains. They can help you relax, and relieve pain during the night, which can help you stay asleep and get better rest.

    Faster strains can be helpful in regulating sleep too. If you usually feel fatigued during the day, they can help you start your day with more energy. So, by the time you need to go to keep, you’re likely going to feel tired and ready to sleep.

    5. Skin Care

    While it’s less popular, kratom can also be used in topical products such as soapbath bombs, and salves. These products can be purchased or made at home, and they can be easier on sensitive skin than usual store-bought products that a laden with toxic chemicals.

    Choose High-Quality Kratom for Lupus

    When buying kratom for lupus, make sure to choose a high-quality product from a trusted and reputable vendor. Kratom is a raw botanical product. The FDA does not regulate it and there are few regulations in place that would ensure that kratom that would ensure that kratom is pure and free of heavy metals, pathogens, adulterants, and other harmful chemicals and substances.

    On a few occasions, people in the kratom community have pointed out that kratom has caused drug-induced lupus or other health issues that went away after discontinuing kratom use. This is troubling to hear because studies indicate that pure kratom is not harmful.

    However, not all kratom on the market is pure, and not every vendor properly tests their product and handles contaminated products. So, it’s not kratom that can cause drug-induced lupus, but rather whatever else is present in kratom.

    On the other hand, kratom can relieve symptoms and make people feel better than lupus medication.
    So, if you suffer from lupus and would like to look for alternative symptom relievers such as kratom, carefully select your vendor.

    Do you have lupus? Which type affects you, and which symptoms are the most prevalent? Would you like to try kratom for lupus? Tell us about that in the comments below.

  • Kratom and Magnesium: Which Magnesium to Choose?

    Kratom and Magnesium: Which Magnesium to Choose?

    In order to improve the effects of kratom and their duration, many take kratom potentiators. Due to magnesium’s ability to ease kratom constipation, many take magnesium and kratom together.

    In addition to that, taking magnesium supplements is beneficial on its own. Magnesium takes part in more than 300 different essential processes in the human body. These include the production of energy, improving sleep, regulating blood pressure, transmitting nerve signals, as well as muscle contractions.

    Magnesium deficiency has been linked to various health problems such as migraines, poor sleep, mood disorders, and even heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Without adequate magnesium levels, vitamin D also becomes ineffective.

    Unfortunately, nearly half of all Americans are deficient in magnesium. So, it’s highly likely that you will benefit from adding magnesium to your regular kratom dose in more ways than you may expect.

    The most common way of adding more magnesium to your diet is through foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, avocados, leafy greens, and dark chocolate. However, you can also take a magnesium supplement. When it comes to choosing a magnesium supplement, however, you may run into a roadblock…

    There are so many. Which one is best for your health? And which type of magnesium is best taken with kratom?

    Different Types of Magnesium and Their Effects

    1. Magnesium Citrate

    Magnesium citrate is the most popular form of magnesium that you can buy as a supplement online as well as in stores. It is bound with citric acid, a natural acid in oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits that gives them their sour flavor.

    According to some research, the human digestive tract can absorb magnesium citrate easier than other forms of magnesium. Therefore, it’s a popular means of quickly upping low magnesium levels and relieving constipation. You need to take magnesium citrate in slightly higher doses to achieve the latter effect.

    Due to this, taking kratom and magnesium citrate together can be beneficial to both ensure that your intake of magnesium is optimal as well as to make kratom constipation go away.

    2. Magnesium Oxide

    Magnesium oxide consists of magnesium and oxygen. It forms a white powder that you can buy in loose powder form or capsules. It’s the primary ingredient in certain laxatives as well as the milk of magnesia and serves as constipation relief. It can also be helpful in relieving other digestive issues like indigestion and heartburn.

    In contract with magnesium citrate, the body doesn’t absorb magnesium oxide well. Therefore, you should not use it to treat magnesium deficiency.

    3. Magnesium Chloride

    Magnesium chloride is a form of magnesium salt that consists of magnesium and chlorine. The human body absorbs it rather well. Therefore, it can be effective in treating magnesium deficiency and digestive issues like constipation and heartburn.

    You can buy magnesium chloride in capsule or tablet form. In addition to that, it can also come in lotions, ointments, and other topical products that aim to relax and soothe sore muscles.

    So, if you are into crafts, you may be able to make natural bath bombs with kratom and magnesium chloride.

    4. Magnesium Lactate

    Magnesium lactate is another form of salt in which magnesium binds together with lactic acid. Lactic acid is a substance that muscles and blood cells produce when they convert glucose into energy. This can occur when you perform strenuous exercise. So, if you feel sore after working out or another form of exercise, that’s due to lactic acid.

    Magnesium lactate is also a food additive that helps to regulate food and beverage acidity as well as a lesser-known supplement.

    Similarly to magnesium citrate, this form is easily absorbed. It is also gentler of the digestive system than other magnesium types. Due to that, it’s suitable for those who need to take magnesium in large doses or cannot tolerate other forms.

    5. Magnesium Malate

    Magnesium malate forms when magnesium binds with malic acid, a natural acid common in fruit and wine. It is also a food additive and a supplement.

    Like magnesium lactate, magnesium malate absorbs well and is gentler on the digestive system. Yet, it is less laxative than other forms like magnesium citrate. So, it can be beneficial for those needing to boost their magnesium level without making too many bathroom trips.

    So, taking kratom and magnesium malate may not be as effective in managing kratom constipation.

    6. Magnesium Taurate

    Magnesium taurate consists of magnesium and taurine, an amino acid.

    Both magnesium and taurine can help regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Therefore, they could be beneficial for individuals with diabetes. Some animal studies also suggest that the combination can boost heart health, though more research is necessary to verify whether that’s also effective in humans.

    7. Magnesium L-threonate

    Magnesium L-threonate is a type of magnesium salt that forms when magnesium binds with threonic acid. The latter is a substance that results from the metabolic breakdown of vitamin C. Some animal studies have concluded that this type of magnesium may be effective in increasing magnesium levels in the brain. Therefore, it may be effective in certain brain disorders and possibly depression. Nonetheless, more research is needed.

    8. Magnesium Sulfate

    Magnesium sulfate consists of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, a combination that is better known as Epsom salts. While consuming small amounts of Epsom salts is considered safe, the substance has a very unpleasant taste.

    As a result, it’s more common to use it topically. You can dissolve Epsom salts in bath water to soothe muscles and ease stress and anxiety. So, if you take kratom, you can add Epsom salt baths to your self-care routine to improve your overall wellbeing.

    9. Magnesium Glycinate

    Magnesium glycinate forms when magnesium binds with the amino acid glycine, which helps the body construct protein and is common in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy, and legumes.

    Glycine, on its own, can aid sleep and various inflammatory health conditions, which include diabetes and heart disease. In combination with magnesium, it may have a calming and relaxing effect and be beneficial for conditions like insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression.

    10. Magnesium Orotate

    Magnesium orotate occurs when magnesium and orotic acid bind. Orotic acid is one of the substances that construct DNA and other genetic material. The body absorbs magnesium orotate easily, and it doesn’t have a strong laxative effect.

    Some studies have concluded that magnesium orotate can be beneficial for heart health. However, it is rather costly and may not be a cost-effective source of magnesium for many people. Therefore, taking kratom and magnesium orotate may not be the best option.

    Which Type of Magnesium Is Best with Kratom?

    While all types of magnesium have their benefits; not all of them may be answering your needs if you take kratom.

    So, to relieve kratom constipation, you can take kratom and magnesium citrate. You can also try kratom and magnesium chloride. Magnesium lactate can also be a good alternative to ease kratom constipation. Though keep in mind that it will not provide the other magnesium benefits and will not boost your magnesium levels as magnesium citrate or magnesium chloride.

    If your constipation isn’t severe or you have a sensitivity to magnesium citrate, you can also try kratom and magnesium lactate combo. Include laxative foods like yogurt, kefir, chia seeds, prunes, and legumes to improve your digestion.

    In addition to magnesium supplements, consider also including magnesium-rich foods in your diet. These include nuts, seeds, legumes, bananas, avocados, and leafy greens like spinach.

    If you would like to boost your overall wellbeing, improve your sleep, and soothe sore muscles after exercise, consider taking kratom and supplementing that with regular magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt baths.

    Do you take kratom and magnesium together? Which type of magnesium do you supplement kratom with and how is it helping you? Let us know!

  • Is Kratom for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Effective?

    Is Kratom for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Effective?

    RLS is a common condition that, on its own, may not be dangerous. Yet, if left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues. Sadly, there isn’t a cue or an effective treatment method that doesn’t have a myriad of side effects. Therefore, a growing number of people seek alternative treatment methods such as kratom for restless leg syndrome.

    What Is the Restless Leg Syndrome?

    Restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS, Willis-Ekbom Disease, or WED, is a neurological disorder. It causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, which results in an irresistible urge to move one’s legs to relieve it.

    It’s most commonly experienced in the late afternoon, evening, or during the night when a person is relaxed and trying to sleep. As a result, restless leg syndrome affects sleep, causes fatigue, and daytime sleepiness.

    In the long term, untreated RLS can lead to sleep deprivation resulting in other health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. It can also affect one’s mood and ability to concentrate, leading to decreased work or school performance as well as affecting relationships. Travelling also can be challenging.

    An estimated 7-10% of Americans suffer from restless leg syndrome, with women being twice more susceptible to it. While it’s possible to develop the disorder at any age, symptoms become more frequent and longer-lasting with age. So, middle-aged and older people have a much harder time.

    The exact cause of the condition is not known. However, some individuals may be more genetically predisposed to it, especially if it runs in their family. Certain conditions such as iron deficiency and neurological damage may lead to it as well.

    Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms

    The intensity and frequency of RLS symptoms can vary from person to person. However, in moderate cases, they occur once or twice per week, and more than twice a week in more severe cases.

    Sometimes, there may also be remission periods. When the condition first develops, these can last weeks or even months, but usually become more consistent and frequent as the condition progresses.

    People with RLS experience the following:

    • Unpleasant sensations in the legs such as aching, itching, throbbing, pulling, or crawling that affect one or both legs, and sometimes, though rarely, the arms and the chest. These can range in intensity from irritating to painful. Therefore, people with RLS tend to pace, move leg when sitting, or toss and turn in bed to rid of the uncomfortable sensations.
    • Difficulty falling and staying asleep. Restless leg syndrome symptoms are worse in the evening and during the night.
    • Daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

    In addition to RLS, about 80% of those who have the disorder also develop a condition called PLMD or periodic limb movement disorder. This condition causes legs and sometimes arms to involuntarily jerk or twitch during sleep. This occurs periodically every 15-40 seconds during the non-REM stages of sleep. During REM sleep, the body loses its muscle tone, so a person with RLS does not experience PLMD then.

    Common RLS Treatment Methods

    Currently, there is no cure for restless leg syndrome. However, certain treatment options can alleviate the symptoms and help a person with RLS get adequate rest and sleep.

    Most frequently, RLS patients are recommended to adopt lifestyle changes or natural treatment methods. These can be:

    • Reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption
    • Regulating or changing sleep patterns
    • Exercise, yoga, or stretching routines or programs
    • Leg massage
    • Acupuncture
    • Warm baths
    • Foot wraps
    • Vibration pads
    • Pneumatic compression which resembles a sleeve that inflates and deflates similarly to a blood pressure meter, providing gentle pressure on the affected limbs
    • Applying ice packs or heating pads

    These include:

    • Iron supplements – these are usually prescribed to those RLS patients with low iron levels or iron deficiency,
    • Anti-seizure drugs – for moderate to severe RLS cases,
    • Dopaminergic agents – long-term use of these, however, can worsen RLS symptoms,
    • Opioids – doctors may prescribe these for more severe cases that do not respond to other treatment,
    • Benzodiazepines –due to the side effects associated with this type of medication, they can be prescribed as last resort if no other medication is effective.

    Can Kratom Relieve RLS?

    Sadly, many of the medications that doctors may prescribe, such as dopaminergic agents, opioids, and benzodiazepines, can worsen RLS symptoms or have other side effects. Therefore, people who suffer from RLS, especially in more severe stages of it, may seek alternative relief methods.

    People who’ve taken kratom for restless leg syndrome have found powerful relief in the herb. Some refer to it as a miracle cure or Holy Grail of RLS, others with restless leg syndrome state that kratom has given them their life back.

    Since there are different types of kratom, they can provide support for RLS in a variety of ways, such as by helping to relax in the evening and improve sleep quality as well as by providing energy and focus during the day.

    Which Type of Kratom Is Best for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)?

    Red vein kratom for restless leg syndrome can be helpful during the late afternoon, evening, as well as during the night. It can help to relax, ease stress and anxiety, boost mood, and relieve pain.

    Red strains tend to improve the mood and help one fall asleep. They also tend to have a long duration and can help one stay asleep and get proper rest.

    Some red vein strains of kratom you can try for restless leg syndrome are Red Bali, Red Borneo, Red Thai, and Red Maeng Da kratom.

    Green vein kratom for restless leg syndrome can also be beneficial. Since greens are moderate strains, they are not sedative as red vein kratom strains. Instead, they provide mind pain relief and relaxation as well as mood and energy boost and improved focus. So, greens are best taken in the morning or early afternoon.

    Green vein kratom for restless leg syndrome you can try is Green Maeng Da, Green Malay, Green Horn Kratom, and Green Kali.

    Yellow kratom isn’t a natural strain, but rather a blend of other vein types. Its properties are moderate and similar to those of green vein kratom. Therefore they can be beneficial if you need extra support to get through your day.

    Yellow Bali is a popular and affordable strain and can be helpful if you are looking for daytime kratom for restless leg syndrome relief.

    In most cases, it’s best to avoid white vein kratom if you have restless leg syndrome. While beneficial for getting a strong energy boost, while vein kratom is taken in small doses. Taking too much can make one restless and jittery, especially if they are new to kratom or only have limited experience with the herb.

    Can Kratom Cause Restless Leg Syndrome?

    While not common, it is possible to experience temporary restless leg syndrome or to have your symptoms worsen if you are experiencing kratom withdrawal.

    Even though many sources liken kratom withdrawal to that you can experience from opioids; it’s far from the truth. Kratom withdrawal is more akin to one you can experience after abruptly stopping drinking coffee.  You may feel nauseous, irritable, and anxious, and your sleep quality may worsen too. As a result, your restless leg syndrome may become more intense.

    Kratom withdrawal is not dangerous, but rather unpleasant. And it is possible to avoid it if you take kratom responsibly.

    Keep in mind that you should measure your kratom dose each time. This will ensure that you won’t accidentally increase your dose and up your kratom tolerance. The best way of making a reset and treating kratom tolerance is by taking a break. This can result in a withdrawal.

    In addition to measuring your dose, you should also rotate kratom strains. This involves taking different strains at different times or alternating strains. For instance, you may take Green Maeng Da during the day and Red Borneo before sleep. Or you may take Red Bali one day and Red Borneo the next.

    Lastly, purchase kratom from a reputable, trusted vendor. Buying from shady vendors can result in your kratom being inconsistent in potency and quality. You may end up unknowingly upping your tolerance. There is also a risk of it being contaminated or adulterated, and the substances laced with kratom can also worsen your condition.

    Always measuring your dose, rotate your strains, and make sure that your kratom comes from a trusted vendor.

    Have you taken kratom for restless leg syndrome? How did it go? Which strains are your preferred ones for this condition?