Around 5 million people in the United States use Kratom, a by-product of an Asian evergreen tree that includes the stimulating compound mitragynine and the narcotic 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom has been advocated as an alternate method of managing pain.
Kratom leaves are used as a recreational drug and are chewed or brewed into a tea to enhance mental and physical stamina. As a medication, Kratom is taken to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, coughing, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, high blood pressure, pain, and to enhance sexual function while also alleviating the withdrawal symptoms from opiates. Typically, it is promoted and sold in stores that sell supplements and alternative medicines. However, it can also be bought in large quantities online or even at farmer’s markets across the country.
In this article, we will talk about Kratom, its good and bad sides, and understand it better. Without further ado, let us just get started.
How Does Kratom Interact with the Brain?
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the two major elements found in Kratom leaves that interact with opioid receptors in the brain. When these substances are taken in small doses, they have stimulating effects, whereas taking them in large amounts has sedative effects. Doctors think that the effects of Kratom on the brain are similar to opioid medicines because they connect to the same regions of the brain.
However, there are no adequate clinical trials or studies that determine the long-term effects on health or how and why it functions. Nevertheless, numerous states in the United States have outlawed Kratom products because of their potential to generate serious adverse effects and dependency.
Does Kratom Impact Your Mood?
Generally, our mood is influenced by several factors. As individuals, we have a complex existence and have numerous facets. When Kratom is used as a natural remedy in place of other medications, it can address specific parts of our lives in various ways and impact our moods as well.
People using Kratom to manage pain may realize that they are happier after starting to use it because they are probably feeling less uncomfortable after all. Others might use modest amounts of Kratom for its alleged stimulant effects because it is generally thought to lift one’s spirits.
Kratom may negatively impact your mood depending on where you are in the withdrawal process and how your body reacts to it. Overall, once you stop using opiates, your mood gets better on a personal level. But, using Kratom can have some unfavorable side effects, depending on your body and the circumstances.
Effects of Kratom: What Does Kratom Do?
A small dose of 10 to 25 grams of dried leaves of Kratom often has stimulating effects, and a larger quantity can have sedative effects. Presently, Kratom is used for a wide range of purposes and is generally accessible for use in the states where it is not outlawed or too controlled. Kratom makes an effective remedy for aiding anxiety, depression, pain and opiate withdrawal symptoms that are mainly caused by heroin, morphine, and others.
Others insist that using Kratom in smaller doses has stimulant-like effects that improve mood, strengthen physical endurance, reduce motor coordination, increase sociability, increase attentiveness, and enhance sexual performance.
Depending on your dosage, these effects typically begin ten minutes after administration and last for one and a half to six hours.
Side Effects of Kratom
When ingested orally, Kratom may not be entirely safe for the majority of people. When frequently consumed, it might cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, oral consumption of Kratom can have a variety of adverse effects, including thyroid issues, hallucinations, anger, dry mouth, frequent urination, and constipation.
Regular Kratom users who stop consuming suddenly may experience a multitude of unpleasant symptoms, including fever, hot flushes, diarrhea, twitching, watery eyes, anxiety, insomnia, or restlessness, negative mood swings, tension, hostility, and restlessness.
Additionally, another matter of concern is that Kratom’s calming properties can make people breathe too slowly. Because of this, people may not get enough oxygen, which would weaken their lungs and cause more problems.
Even in small amounts, consuming Kratom can have dangerous adverse effects like hallucinations and an inability to eat. Other side effects that are frequently mentioned include severe weight loss, itching, sweating, dizziness, seizures, and liver damage. Additionally, when combined with other pharmaceuticals or prescriptions, it is known to produce potentially fatal interactions.
Conclusion
In the end, we need to understand one thing: different substances have different effects on people, which depend on a variety of different criteria. Kratom is no exception to that. It is likely to have good as well as bad effects on the body and mind. Unfortunately, there is not enough information available on Kratom to make any simplifications that can be accepted by both the general public and the scientific community. It is preferable to enjoy Kratom with the intention of staying calm and avoiding a need or dependence to do so.
