An Overview of Kratom
Kratom is an herbal supplement that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. Although it has not been approved by the FDA, many are touting kratom’s potential benefits.
If you’re considering taking kratom but aren’t sure what it is or how it works, this blog post is for you! Let’s take a look at what kratom is and why people are taking it.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia that belongs to the coffee family. It grows in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and other parts of South Asia. Kratom leaves can be chewed, smoked, or brewed into a tea-like beverage.
They can also be dried and crushed into a powder form which can then be taken orally or mixed into food or drinks. The effects of kratom vary depending on the dosage taken and can range from mild stimulation to sedation.
Why People Take Kratom
The most common reasons people take kratom include pain relief, increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, and reduced anxiety/depression symptoms. Some also use kratom for its opioid-like effects as an alternative to traditional opioids such as morphine or codeine.
Kratom does contain small amounts of alkaloids that work similarly to opioids but without the same risk of addiction or overdose. As with any new supplement or medication though, it's important to talk to your doctor before taking kratom as there may be interactions with other medications you are taking or other medical conditions you have.
Potential Side Effects
Like any substance, there are potential side effects associated with kratom use including nausea, sweating, constipation, itching/tingling sensations in the skin/mouth/throat area (known as “kratting”), confusion/delusions/hallucinations (if taken in large doses), increased heart rate/blood pressure (especially if already high), and liver damage (if taken over long periods of time).
It's important to note that these side effects tend to occur when users take too much kratom at once or take multiple doses within a short period of time so make sure you consult with your doctor before starting any type of supplementation regimen.
Conclusion
Kratom is an herbal supplement that has gained traction recently due to its potential benefits for pain relief and energy levels among others. While there are many purported benefits associated with its use, there are also some potential side effects so it's important to talk to your doctor before starting any type of supplementation regimen with kratom so they can help you decide if it's right for you and monitor your progress over time if necessary.
Ultimately though, more research needs to be done in order for us to really understand the full effects that this herb can have on our health and well-being so until then we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider first before deciding whether or not this supplement is right for you!