What is Kratom?
Those asking themselves “what is kratom?” should not feel alone. Although this plant has a long history of proven traditional and modern usage with few reported negative side effects, it is relatively new in the Western Hemisphere.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a large tree that is native to Southeast Asia. In its native region, kratom leaves have been used for its psychoactive effect in a tradition that dates back centuries. In these areas, the fresh leaves are usually chewed by manual workers or laborers who enjoy the numbing effect. It is not often smoked, as this method of ingestion does not provide very potent results.
As a euphoric natural drug, kratom has both stimulating and depressant qualities and is used to aid work, but also to help relax. Psychoactive and euphoric effects are comparatively short in their duration, which may contribute to this plant’s long usage by workers who have to remain active and alert. The effect of kratom has been described as similar to the effect of many other alkaloid-containing opiates, although less sedating than things like valium or oxycontin. Kratom also has a great numbing analgesic effect which many people take advantage of in helping them to deal with various pain symptoms.
Kratom can be made into a decoction by mashing the leaves and then boiling them in water to extract the active compounds. Sometimes kratom is sold in preparations that are ready to be consumed immediately after mixing with water. It is important to note that as with any opiate alkaloid, increasing the dosage above a recommended amount can increase unpleasant effects, which can include nausea or feelings of increased body heat. For this reason it is not recommended to take kratom again until your initial high has worn off, as with any ethnobotanical or drug. Generally, these side effects are minimized through not combining kratom with other drugs like alcohol, as kratom itself is usually enough.
Kratom is used everyday by people who are not addicted to the drug, and has been noted to show potential in replacing other more addictive opiates in therapeutic applications such as the treatment of cancer patients. Kratom is no cure for pre existing opiate addiction, as it is doubtful that any such cure exists. Different varieties, or strains of kratom leaves can also produce slightly differing experiences as the concentration of the different alkaloids in them are different.
Kratom is a legal ethnobotanical that many have found to be both effective and recreational. The fact that it is not as strong as many other psychoactive drugs makes it ideal for those who want try to use something that won’t disrupt the dynamics of other aspects of their lives, yet still provide its own pleasant factors.
