Kava vs Kratom: What’s the Difference between kava and kratom? Is kava or kratom better?

Kava and Kratom are increasingly growing in popularity, and now you can buy kratom at kava bars, in stores and online. While powder kratom and powder kava look quite similar, they are each unique natural supplements that produce different effects. 

In this article, we will discuss kava vs kratom, where to buy kava and kratom as well as the key similarities and differences between kava and kratom.

 

Origin 

Kratom

Kratom plants are part of the coffee family, and naturally grow in their native land of Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo, etc.) Kratom’s scientific name is Mitragyna Speciosa, and has been a part of asian culture for generations. The traditional method of consumption includes chewing the raw leaves picked from a kratom tree, shown to alleviate feelings of exhaustion, provide pain relief and act as a mood booster. 

Kava

Kava is part of the pepper family, native to the Western Pacific (Fiju, Papau New Guinea, Micronesia, Hawaii, and Vanuatu). These Pacific Island communities would historically drink kava before the start of an important religious ceremony or ritual. While this is still a common practice, kava is most commonly consumed after a long day of work or school in order to unwind and relax. The drink is also served at Nakamals (Kava Bars), where it is drunk socially in place of alcohol. 

 

Kava vs Kratom – Similarities

Preparation –

Kava and Kratom are prepared in a similar fashion. Leaves of both the kava and kratom tree can be chewed, but are more frequently dried and then crushed into a fine powder – to be mixed with water for a drink or packed for consumers to buy kratom capsules. Kava and kratom leaves can also be utilized to make tea.

Effects –

Kava Effects: As scientific research expands on the topic, we now have a better understanding of the effects of drinking kava. Kava can be used for pain relief, stress and anxiety reduction as well as overall emotional and physical relaxation. Drinking kava has been known to reduce social inhibitions and generate feelings of euphoria. Heady kava varieties create a clear-headed calmness with a slight boost of energy. Heavy kava has more of a sedative effect, and balanced kava induces effects from both of the previous varieties. 

Kratom Effects: Depending on the dosage, kratom can produce similar effects to kava. That said, kratom is a psychoactive substance that, when consumed in low dosages, is known to make people energetic, talkative and even hyperactive. In high doses of kratom, users feel strong sedative effects, pain relief, and euphoria. 

 

Kava vs Kratom – Differences

Pharmacological Differences –

Kratom and kava react differently in the brain. Kratom contains alkaloids, which act as an analgesic when interacting with the brain’s opioid receptors. That said, kratom is not an opioid itself. The unique chemical make-up and positive effects of kratom are reported to have improved quality of life for many kratom users. This is due to kratom producing feelings of contempt, increased energy levels, clear thinking patterns, anxiety relief, euphoria, aid those who suffer from insomnia, and ease pain you may be dealing with physically. 

Kava has been studied for centuries now, therefore we have a great deal of scientific data and research on the effects of kava. The primary active ingredient in kava is kavalactones, making up 90 percent of the active natural ingredients in the plant. Kavalactones interact with the limbic system – the part of our brain that’s most associated with emotions, motivation, and emotional responses.