When I decided to take Kratom, it was for a very specific reason. My wife and I had been going through some tough times in our marriage — we’d been fighting about money, sex, parenting, and other things that couples fight about. We both agreed that the root of all these problems was stress.
I began researching alternative methods for dealing with stress, and after looking into several different options that were available online, I found Kratom. It seems like a harmless herb, right?
Well, not quite. Kratom is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves are typically chewed by locals as a stimulant. In recent years, however, people have begun using it recreationally and medicinally. The drug has become popular among those who want to quit smoking cigarettes, but its use has also drawn attention from federal agencies trying to ban it.
Many people think kratom is safe because it comes in capsules or powder form and doesn’t contain any of the chemicals or synthetic drugs that cause serious injury or death when abused. But is this true? Is it addicting? These are some of the most common questions about kratom. Let’s answer them. Best place to buy kratom online.
What does research show about kratom?
A lot! A 2013 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology looked at the effects of 25 strains of kratom on mice. Researchers gave the mice doses equivalent to human consumption. They determined that the average dose was around 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). This means that a person weighing 100 kilograms would need to consume roughly 5 grams of kratom to get similar results as someone consuming 50 mg/kg.
The mice experienced a number of side effects. Some of these included a decrease in motor coordination, a loss of muscle mass, and changes in brain activity. While these are typical symptoms of opiate overdose, they aren’t necessarily caused by kratom alone. Many other opioids can cause similar issues. However, when taken in small doses over time, there is no evidence to suggest that kratom poses a risk of harm. There are a few studies that indicate otherwise, but more recent data suggests otherwise.
Is kratom addictive?
You may be wondering why anyone would consider taking a substance that could potentially be addictive. After all, isn’t everyone addicted to something? Well, yes, but addiction is a complicated topic. There are a number of factors that determine whether a given substance will make you dependent or addicted to it.
One example is how quickly your body builds up tolerance to the substance. If you take a single dose of heroin, you may experience a rush of euphoria that lasts for a short period of time. Over time, however, you will build up a tolerance to this effect. To feel the same level of euphoria, you’ll need to increase the dosage. This leads to a dependency on the substance. This is known as physical dependence.
However, not every case of physical dependence is a result of drug addiction. For example, withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a medication. You may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects. Withdrawal from kratom is much less severe than withdrawal from substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and prescription painkillers. The fact remains, however, that there have been cases of people becoming physically dependent on kratom.
Another factor that determines whether a substance makes you dependent is frequency of usage. If you’re taking a substance daily, your body will eventually adapt to the presence of the substance, reducing the intensity of the effects. When you take it less often, the effects may continue to linger. This is known as psychological dependence.
While the long-term health effects of regular kratom use remain unknown, one thing is clear: If you regularly consume it, you can develop a dependence on it. That said, many people who have tried kratom don’t find it to be addictive at all. This is likely due to the fact that it takes a relatively high dosage to trigger withdrawal symptoms. So while you may become physically dependent on kratom, it’s unlikely that you will become psychologically dependent on it.
This is why it’s important to remember that there is no definitive way to know whether kratom will make you dependent. There is evidence that it can become habit forming, but it is rare. According to a 2017 review of the scientific literature, only three articles reported cases in which kratom made users psychologically dependent on it.
Can kratom cause harm?
There are two main reasons that kratom can give rise to serious health problems: First, it contains compounds called alkaloids that are toxic in large quantities. Second, some of the strains of kratom sold online contain other additives that have yet to be approved by the FDA. As mentioned above, these additives can potentially lead to health complications when combined with the alkaloids.
In addition to being toxic, alkaloids affect your body differently depending on their concentration. For instance, the active ingredients in kratom can create euphoric sensations, relaxation, increased alertness, and even extreme anxiety. This can have a negative impact on your mental state and interfere with sleep.
There are also reports of seizures occurring as a result of kratom use. Since seizures are usually triggered by chemical imbalances within the body, it’s possible that taking too much kratom can do just that.
It should go without saying that you should never try kratom out on yourself without first consulting a doctor. Just like any other drug, the consequences of overdosing are extremely serious. And unlike many other recreational drugs, there are no legal alternatives to kratom. Your best bet is to always consult a doctor before trying anything new.