Life is busy. And before we know it, anxiety, depression, poor cognitive function, lack focus, and a ton of other ailments have hit us. Sadly, most of the prescription medications leave us struggling with side effects. Worse, some aren’t effective at all.
Thankfully, nature has got our backs. There are plenty of natural supplements and remedies that can help you feel better. One of those products is kratom powder.
This article shares some of the powerful health benefits of kratom. There are many strains of kratom, each with its unique set of properties. Generally, the leaves come in three varieties, based on the vein color: red vein, green vein, and white vein. Many people learn about red Thai kratom and other red-veined varieties first, before venturing into the green and white-veined varieties.
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa,is used as a traditional medicine that originates from Southeast Asia. The leaves contain high levels of certain alkaloids, which people say may help with a range of ailments. Just keep in mind that kratom is not approved by the FDA for any medical uses in the US.
How Kratom Works
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree. The leaves are driec, and typically ground into a fine powder. Some people say that it helps them with pain relief, while other people say that they use it to improve their energy levels.
It’s reported that the plant relieves pain by triggering the production of calming hormones that are then supplied to your muscles. Some people even use it as a pre-workout supplement or to improve bedroom performance.
Kratom is rich in mitragynine, a powerful compound with similar properties to opioid drugs like morphine that help to relieve pain, but without the most dangerous side effects that you would find with prescription opioids. This isn’t to say that kratom is without side-effects, but compared to the alternatives, it’s reported to be a far less harmful, yet effective supplement.
For instance, it can be addictive and may cause withdrawal symptoms if taken habitually. Some people have also reported nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, and delusions. If you’ve ever listened to a pharmaceutical commercial on tv, then you know how common such side effects can be. Alternatively, people also report on how kratom has helped them transform into healthier, happier people. Here are the amazing benefits of kratom.
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Relieves Pain
Usually, kratom leaves are dried and ground. Small quantities are reported to act as a stimulant, while somewhat larger quantities of the powder are used for pain relief. The strain matters, too, and people will respond differently to each type.
Typically, pain is classified as nociceptive and neuropathic. Nociceptive pain occurs when muscles, body tissues or tendons are injured. On the other hand, neuropathic pain is caused by other conditions such as arthritis, cancer, etc.
Kratom is said to work by binding pain receptors in the nervous system hence easing the pain. Of all the kratom strains, red vein kratom varieties, such as Red Thai are believed to be powerful due to its analgesic properties.
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Improves Energy
Kratom leaves are said to improve metabolism which ultimately increases the conversion of body fat into energy. They are also reported to increase blood circulation, which helps with the transportation of oxygen to various vital body cells. This transport mechanism increases the cells’ ability to metabolize food and increase energy. As such, many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have reported positive effects with their use of kratom.
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Improves Focus
In larger quantities, kratom leaves have sedating effects. So, you may wonder how the leaves improve focus. But here is how it works. When taken in smaller quantities, kratom is reported to trigger the production of a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine, according to a study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. This neurotransmitter is the one that helps to improve focus, relieve pain, and regulate the endocrine system.
Studies suggest that acetylcholine improves memory and focus by enhancing the cortical circuits’ ability to respond to sensory stimuli. Kratom also triggers the production of helpful hormones such as dopamine and serotonin that help to increase focus and attention span.
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Improves Mood and Relieves Anxiety
Kratom is also reported to be a natural mood booster and an anxiety reliever. It is said to produce mild effects similar to those of opioid drugs like morphine, and heroin but without the heavy dangers. The mitragynine compound in kratom binds to opioid receptors in the nervous system and people report a reduction in anxiety.
In this way, kratom’s sedative properties may help to relieve anxiety and depression. Generally, kratom leaves could provide an all-natural way to improve motivation and relieve anxiety.
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Addiction Management and Recovery
Kratom is not an opioid drug but has similar effects to opioids. Many people try kratom powder for their addiction recovery as the alkaloids it contains will interact with opioid receptors in the brain, without causing the dangerous effects of long-standing dependency. Instead, it’s reported to help with the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, lack of sleep, mood swings, etc.
Final Word
As you can see, kratom is reported to have lots of health benefits. Many people will test various strains of kratom to find one that suits them. They’ll then consume the powder, often by packing it into capsules or brewing it into tea. Just keep in mind that you should never take kratom or any other dietary supplement without first speaking with your physician.