Is Kratom Healthy In The Long Run? Find Out

Is Kratom Healthy In The Long Run? Find Out. Millions of people in the world currently struggle with chronic pain. Since they are aware of the dangerous side-effects of using opioid painkillers such as Percocet and Vicodin, there is a search for safer alternatives online.

People might have come across Kratom, a drug derived from a plant native to a few Asian countries. The side effects mentioned don’t seem as intense as those associated with opioids, with its effectiveness in treating pain an additional advantage.

But, as more people turn to Kratom for pain relief, there has been an increase in sales and research of the drug. Wondering where to find kratom near me after hearing of all its benefits? Well, read this guide before you buy kratom near you at a local store!

Is Kratom Healthy In The Long Run? Find Out.

But First, What Is Kratom?

Kratom, a substance derived from Mitragyna speciosa, is a tree-like plant in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia and cultivated primarily in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand for its medicinal and recreational properties.

Kratom is a drug with properties that range from stimulant-like, energizing and uplifting, to opiate-like, causing drowsiness and euphoria. Kratom has dozens of active components that make it difficult to characterize as one particular type of drug such as “opiate” or “stimulant.”

The two main chemicals, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitragynine have intense activity at the “mu” receptor, the primary opioid receptor, which is the same one stimulated by oxycodone and heroin. Additionally, it is used as an energy boost as well as for some mild pain relief.

There is also some anecdotal evidence that hints that Kratom may be helpful in the management of withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate addiction.

Kratom is also called ketum, Maeng Da, or Biak-Biak in different regions. The leaves of the tree used for their pharmacological activity can have other colored veins such as white, green, or red veins,

which are not distinguished in their native habitat but have been attributed to varying effects when sold as powdered leaf extracts in Western countries.

Short-term Benefits Of Kratom Use

Kratom possesses some unique chemicals and characteristics that make the short-term effects of the drug complex. The balance between the opiate-like and stimulant-like effects is dependent on the dose consumed. Therefore, different people had provided varying reports of their experience, even when they took the same dose.

At lower doses, the stimulant like-effects are dominant, and they are usually felt within 10 minutes and last from 60 to 90 minutes. Most users experienced pleasant effects, but some have reported they were uncomfortable and filled with agitation or anxiety. The stimulant-like effects include:

• Increased energy and alertness.
• Decreased appetite.
• Heightened libido.
• Increased sociability.

When higher doses of kratom are consumed, users begin feeling the opioid-like effects. Research is still underway to determine how its effects vary based on the dose consumed. Higher doses of the drug have been described as euphoric and less intense than opioids such as morphine or heroin. Still, some have mentioned their experience to be dysphoric or unpleasant. Some of the effects include:

• Analgesia (pain reduction).
• Drowsiness.
• Cough suppression (similar to that of codeine).
• Reduction in symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
• Calm mental state.

Is Kratom Dangerous?

While Kratom is not illegal, it is a drug that has become famous in the streets and has gained more popularity over the past decade. Some research has reported that when used often, it can become very addictive. The drug is deemed unpredictable as the effects of Kratom vary with dosage.

The opioid effects may cause a person to become more sluggish, slow-moving, yet very content and euphoric. Although overdose is rare, when combined with alcohol or other drugs, it may become more dangerous.

Despite its “legal” status, there are still potential threats that need to be addressed about Kratom and its long-term use. Regular use of Kratom may have long-term effects that may be unpleasant and possibly life-threatening. 

Loss of Appetite: 

Consuming Kratom regularly may cause significant weight loss and even lead to eating diseases such as Anorexia Nervosa. The body can experience dangerous and severe weight loss with a highly restricted calorie intake that negatively affects internal organs. Anorexia can potentially lead to organ failure and death due to starvation and thus will need immediate medical attention to rehabilitate.

Addiction: 

Long-term use of Kratom can lead its users become addicted to it, just like all drugs. This addiction is probably Kratom Is most dangerous long-term effect, as physical dependence may occur with time. Like all dependence, people who stop using Kratom will experience withdrawal symptoms that include aches, nausea, pains, vomiting, aggression, insomnia, diarrhea, and other symptoms. There have also been reports of tremors, delusions, and other more severe issues.

Accidental Overdose:

People who already take Kratom and have a high tolerance for opioids run the risk of overdose because they cannot dose Kratom properly. Since Kratom is found in leaf form, those who buy powdered Kratom have no way of checking whether the substance has been spiked with other drugs to exaggerate its effects.

Conclusion

There are many illegitimate claims on the internet from websites selling Kratom that it can be used to decrease opioid dependency during detox. But science has not substantiated these claims, which means that Kratom can have potential dangers and could turn out to be a harmful substance. Since the FDA and DEA have not yet taken an official stance on Kratom, people still seek treatment for Kratom addiction.