Kratom Effects: Top Positive and Negative Effects

Due to the huge popularity of Kratom, more and more people want to try this amazing herb. However, it is very important to research and understand this herb before trying. Effects of Kratom leaves vary from person to person. Person’s body weight, the strain, dosage among others have an impact on the kind of effect you’ll experience.

With this, it is important to first take a deeper lens on the positive and negative effects of Kratom before giving it a try.

Top Therapeutic Effects of Kratom Leaves

Let’s take a look at some of the amazing benefits of Kratom leaves:

Energy Booster

Kratom’s metabolic effect is one of the reasons why it is highly popular among laborers in many countries. By optimizing a particular metabolic process and affecting hormone levels, it can increase the body’s level of energy.

Kratom’s energy boosting effect is due to increased circulation, increasing the transport of oxygen and nutrients to different areas of the body, combined with increased metabolic activities that result in a burst of energy. While Kratom is a useful nootropic, iSum discusses many more in their biohacking guide.

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Analgesic Effect

One of the most widely known effect of Kratom is pain relief. For centuries, the leaves of Kratom have been used by indigenous people as a pain relieving agent. The alkaloids of the leaves possess a unique analgesic properties that can immediately relieve pain by affecting the hormonal system. Kratom alkaloids work by increasing the dopamine and serotonin level released by the body.

Basically, Kratom alkaloids dull pain receptors all over the body. Such opium-like effect of Kratom is widely recognized as its most important application
.

Anti-Anxiety Effect

Any substance that can relieve pain and has an opium-like effect will likely have an effect on the person’s mental state. Many people use Kratom as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant herb due to its ability to regular certain body hormones. People suffering from mood swings, chronic stress, anxiety and even depression may benefit from using Kratom.

Boost Immune System

Based on a study, Kratom leaf extracts were found to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Tests revealed that the antioxidant activity of Kratom extract is due to its high phenolic content. The alkaloids of M. speciosa showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi. These combined effects can have a significant effect on the resilience and strength of the immune system.

Sexual Stimulant

This is observed specifically in the case of fertility. Kratom has been traditionally used as a fertility booster and aphrodisiac due to its effect in increasing blood flow and energy. An animal study has found that ingesting Kratom may increase sperm count. This finding can be used for further studies on how to improve conception rate using natural means.

Aid in Opioid Withdrawal

Because of the inherently medicinal nature of Kratom, along with its range of benefits, it has been used as an aid to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms. Regular intake of Kratom leaves offers a similar sensation without the negative side effect. Hence, when people want to ‘get clean’ from chemical-based drugs, they turn to Kratom leaves as a tolerable solution.

Side Effects of Kratom

While there’s no known danger, given that the recommended dose is taken, some people experience certain side effects. The side effects of Kratom vary depending on the amount, length and type used. Apart from that, Kratom comes in various strains that have different effects on people.

Some of the most common side effects of Kratom include:

Mild

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Cramping
• Fatigue (when used in heavy dose)

Severe

• Headache
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Disturbed sleep pattern
• Poor concentration on work
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Seizure, with combined with prescription and/or illicit drugs
• Tolerance, when used on a daily basis

Experiencing side effects is normal, be it from taking natural supplements or from prescription medicines. It is your body’s natural reaction to a specific herbal remedy or drug. Side effects may not be the same because every person is unique.

If you experience the symptoms listed above, this is usually an initial reaction and your body has to acclimate to the sensation. Some users call it ‘Kratom hangover’, which includes nausea or headaches in the morning. This is something you have to determine on your own, based on your specific sensitivities.

If you experience side effects, here are some measures you can do:

1. Take a break from using Kratom from 2 days to 1 week. In this way, your body will be able to reset and recover. Kratom does not remain in your system for a longer period. It is excreted the same way as food.
2. Drink 2 to 3 litres of water, if possible, with lemon, to help remove existing toxins and help the body rehydrate.
3. It is important not to use alcohol, cigarette or any stimulant until the side effects cease.
4. Take a long rest. Nothing beats a quality sleep to help the body recharge and return to function.

Why Kratom is a Better Natural Alternative to Prescription Opioids

Kratom plant is not an opioid, but a member of the coffee family. The reason why it has an opium-like effect is that its active components bind to the same brain receptors as opioids such as codeine, heroine, morphine and oxycodone. These drugs typically cause a feeling of euphoria and can dull pain.

Because it mirrors opioids in a unique way, many people are concerned that Kratom is also addictive. However, research studies and reports are still limited and sparse. The only negative effect in taking Kratom is when you reach tolerance. However, there are different ways to prevent Kratom tolerance from setting in.

Kratom is far less harmful than prescription opioids. The usual cause of death from opioids is respiratory depression – in which the muscle controlling the diaphragm fail and breathing stops entirely. However, Kratom’s chemical composition does not produce same effect. The two primary alkaloids in Kratom – the 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine, don’t have the ability to induce respiratory depression like morphine or heroin.

That is the reason why it’s hard to find deaths attributed purely to Kratom use. Another interesting part is that all fatality and toxicity reports have appeared in the West. Such reports do not emerge in South East Asia, which has a much longer history of using Kratom. On the contrary, prescription opioid overdose has been accounted for 68 percent of US ER visits in 2010.