The Ultimate and Complete Kratom Guide
What are Kratom Plants? What is Kratom?
What’s all the hype about?!
Kratom, scientifically referred to as Mitragyna Speciosa, is a naturally growing medical plant known around the world for its powerful effects. Technically speaking, mitragyna speciosa is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family. Medically speaking, there are several benefits associated with Kratom. These include, but are not limited to: opiate addiction withdrawal treatment, increased energy levels, positive mood lifting, pain relief, immune system stimulation, and even relief of anxiety.
Kratom Origins & History
Although use of the kratom plant dates back several thousand years, it was first formally documented when a patch of these trees were found growing abundantly in Thailand. The plant was discovered by Pieter Willem Korthals, a native Dutch botanist, in the early 19th century.
It is important to realize that the birthplace of kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is unknown. However, it has flourished generously in Southeast Asia and Indochina – naturally flourishing in the following regions:
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Bali
- Sumatra
- Java
- The Sunda Isles
- Borneo
- Malaysia
Kratom is such an incredibly versatile plant, due to the fact that it has had to adapt to these different climates and regions. Overtime, the plant has gone through a process of evolution – diverging itself into a wide variety of strains and vein types. Each of which differ in both potency and effects.
Listen up: Later on in this article, we will cover these diverse strains in depth to give you a better understanding of their varied uses, effects, and potential applications of this one-of-a-kind plant. Stay tuned.
What do Kratom Plants look like?
So, who else wants to know what kratom plants look like?
As previously mentioned, kratom is an evergreen tree that naturally grows in several places around the world. A kratom tree can grow up to a whopping 82 feet tall (25 m). Its trunk may grow to an alarming 3 feet in diameter.
Now that’s a plant!
How big do Kratom Plants get?
The trunk of a kratom plant generally grows straight, and the texture of the outer bark is smooth and grey in color. Leaves on the tree are dark green with a glossy finish, and can grow to a length of over 8 inches long and 5 inches wide (once fully open). Kratom leaves are oval in shape, and opposite in growth pattern, with approximately 12-17 pairs of veins throughout.
Kratom plants sprout flowers as well. These flowers grow in clusters of three, and appear at the ends of the branches.
What is Kratom used for?
Due to kratoms unique alkaloid profile, which is unlike any other plant known to mankind, it is linked to a plethora of medicinal benefits and effects. The medical effects of kratom are both highly flexible and diverse due to variations in the alkaloid content profile between each vein type. Kratom effects are also varied due to the unique quality of the alkaloids in each strain as well.
Benefits of Kratom
The positive effects of kratom include, but are not limited to:
- Opiate withdrawal relief
- Opiate maintenance / transitional substance abuse relief
- Pain relief
- Mood-lifting qualities
- Increased energy levels
- Anti-anxiety aid
- Relief of depression
- Insomnia relief
- Stimulation of the immune system
- Nootropic (Cognition Enhancement)
- Anti-leukemic properties
- Anti-malarial properties
- Natural anti-inflammatory
- Lowered blood sugar levels
Additionally, kratom plants have a wide range of other positive secondary properties. These include high-antioxidant and vitamin content, making it worthwhile for general health purposes as well.
Fact: Kratom is safe in every regard, as there have been no reported deaths from the use of the plant (except when used in combination with other dangerous substances).
Pain Relief
Are you sick and tired of your back pain? Do you suffer from migraines?
Kratom’s pain killing properties are much more effective than over the counter substances, especially in those dealing with chronic, ongoing pain. It is due to these incredibly potent pain-killing effects that have allowed many individuals to become entirely pharmaceutical free (an inspiring experience for many within the kratom community).
Once public awareness increases, and outright disinformation dissipate (as well as false claims), you can expect to see kratom plants prescribed as a commonplace alternative to more addictive, unnaturally made opiate medications.
Many have experienced the positive effects of kratom with reduced pain associated with:
- Migraines
- Severe headaches
- Lower back pain and upper back pain
- Pain due to minor injuries: burns, scrapes, broken bones
- Arthritis
- MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
- Carpal tunnel
- Torn muscles or ligaments
- Scoliosis
- Neck pain and soreness
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
But wait! That’s not all…
The list could go on, as kratom’s pain relieving effects occur within the brain, as opposed to over the counter pain medications, which have to work locally. For this reason alone, taking kratom for pain tends to be much more versatile and the effects – much more powerful for pain relief as it can mitigate pain from the “root”.
How to use Kratom
I know what you’re thinking… it’s about time we get down to business!
Dosage
When it comes to taking kratom, dosage plays a big part in what effects you’ll experience. If you take a low dose of kratom, the medicinal qualities will be dulled. That said, dosing too high can lead to relatively harmless, but possibly unpleasant side-effects. These include getting “the wobbles”, or experiencing minor nausea. Refer to the charts below to better understand traditional kratom doses:
- Mild – 1 to 2 grams
- Moderate – 2 to 4 grams
- High – 4 to 8 grams
- Mild – .5 to .9 tsp
- Moderate – 1 to 2 tsp
- High – 2 to 4 tsp
It is important to realize that, due to varying potency between different strains and plants, it is nearly impossible to provide an accurate “standardized” dose. In addition, an individual’s weight and tolerance may also play a factor in how strong the effects will be.
Dosage Intervals
As far as dosage intervals are concerned, there is no exact science to how often you should re-dose. However, for the best effects, most users say that this plant should not be taken in high doses on a regular basis. The reason for this is because kratom loses its medicinal effects and a tolerance can build up with continued daily use. That said, those who suffer from chronic pain find this to be inevitable, as pain does not operate in a convenient time-cycle.
Dosage by Strain
You’ll come to find that certain strains produce more powerful effects, versus others. As previously stated, the type of strain you’re taking plays a big part when it comes to calculating a dosage. The following strains should be dosed relatively lower than the average, as they tend to be stronger in effect:
- Maeng Da – This strain is considered to be one, if not the most, potent amongst all kratom strains. Increased energy levels at lower doses, mild sedating effects at higher doses.
- Bali – Side effects are more common within this strain, even in lower doses.
- Thai – Stimulating strain, can be overstimulating for certain individuals in higher doses.
It is a smart idea to modify dosage when using these strains in order to achieve the desired results. On the other hand, some strains, such as Borneo, may be dosed relatively higher due to their lack of side-effects.
If it isn’t already obvious by now, there is a significant variability within strains of kratom. Due to this fact, it is advisable to start with a low dose, especially with any new or unfamiliar strain. You can always dose up, but you can’t remove too high a dose once you’ve taken it.
For a more in-depth explanation on kratom effects and dosage, please refer to our other guide: Kratom Strains: Effects & Dosage
What forms does kratom come in?
Kratom was traditionally taken in its natural form, as individuals would pull off the leaves on the plant and chew them in their mouths. Now a days, kratom comes in many different forms. These include:
- Powder
- Pills
- Extract
- Liquid Extract
- kVape
Can you smoke kratom?
The closest thing to “smoking kratom”, would be to purchase what’s referred to as a kVape. This is a small, disposable limited-hit handheld vaporizer filled with liquid kratom extract. You can also purchase bottles of this vaporizable liquid kratom extract from various stores online, and use it to fill up an already-owned vape pen or mod.
Is Kratom Safe?
What is kratom used for?
As previously mentioned, kratom is a natural pain reliever, reduces depression and anxiety, works as a mood lifter, and can help raise energy levels.
Is kratom an opiate?
Kratom is known for its two distinctive properties as a psychoactive substance. In low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant and increases ones energy levels. While kratom is not an opiate, it can produce similar sedative effects when taken in higher doses.
Can kratom show up on a drug test?
No. Because kratom is not an opiate drug, it will not show up on a standardized 5 panel drug test.
Can you grow Kratom Plants?
So, you want to know if you can grow kratom plants?!
Good news: You absolutely can! And, it’d be worth it, no doubt about it.
For expert tips and tricks for growing kratom plants, please refer to our other guide: How to Grow Kratom Plants.
Are Kratom Plants Legal to Grow? Are Kratom Plants Legal to Take or Purchase?
According to US Pharm. 2017, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) placed a temporary ban on kratom, making the substance illegal for a time in 2016. However, widespread backlash was sufficient enough to convince the DEA to reconsider its action.
In 2017, the substance kratom became legal in most states. That said, there are some states that still consider the plant to be potentially dangerous.
The States where kratom is illegal are as follows (Updated 2018 Stats)
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Vermont
- Rhode Island
- Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin
- Sarasota County (Florida)
- San Diego (California)
- Jerseyville (Illinois)
- Denver (Colorado) – Banned for human consumption
