What Is Kratom And What Are Its Benefits and Risks?

By Carolina Martel

Posted 3 years agoHEALTH

Kratom has been famous in Asia for its medicinal practices for a few centuries now. People use it for alleviating symptoms related to anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, depression, stress, and even opiate withdrawal symptoms.
What Is Kratom And What Are Its Benefits and Risks?

Kratom leaves have been used at traditional medicine for hundreds of years now. It comes from the plant Mitragyna Speciosa which is a part of the coffee family. It is mainly found and harvested in South East Asia.

People use kratom, coming from the plant Mitragyna Speciosa which is a part of the coffee family for many medicinal and therapeutic purposes. But there are many strains of kratom. One of those strains is the Indo kratom. Indo kratom is a famous kratom strain which you can get from any seller.

It is mainly a nervous system stimulant. Scientists have not exactly been able to discover how Kratom is good or bad for us, but we do know that it has some effect on the mind and the body. For now, the FDA has labeled it as a harmful substance, and it is being banned in most states even now as we speak. Most of what we know is speculation and personal observation.

You can find Indo kratom and all its strains at Authentickratom.com/. If you are new to this kratom strain and want to learn about it, you are in the right place. So, let’s learn all about Indo kratom!

Introduction to Indo Kratom

Indonesia is the 7th largest country for its sea and land area. It has a lot of islands. In such a large area, a lot of herbs grow. One of those herbs is Mitragyna Speciosa commonly known as kratom. Indonesia produces a vast amount of kratom. It is very important to many of their ethnic groups.

The reason for Indo kratom’s popularity is its alkaloid rich properties. Indo kratom grows in soil that is acidic and rich in minerals. Such soil is very beneficial for the growth of kratom. 

The name of Indo kratom indicates where it comes from. Another thing that you can learn by the name is the quality of the kratom. 

The name of kratom strains depends upon the regions where they grow. Different kratom strains have different specialties. For example, some strains are good pain relievers while others are the best for relaxation. So, the name tells you about the qualities and effects of the kratom. 

Next, we will learn about Indo kratom strains and their effects. So, let’s get started!

Indo Kratom Strains

There are many different strains of Indo kratom. However, you can distinguish the natural ones by their vein color. Other types of Indo kratom differ by their harvesting and drying processes. Here, we will discuss the most common strains of Indo kratom which are as follows:

  • Red Indo Kratom
  • White Indo Kratom
  • Green Indo Kratom

Red Indo Kratom

Red Indo kratom has red veins on its leaves. There is a meaning behind this name too. Red Indo kratom means that it is mature. Mature kratom has more powerful effects than other strains. 

Red vein Indo kratom has a high alkaloid content. High alkaloid content means its effects are powerful, work earlier, and last longer. 

It is a popular strain of Indo kratom. But why is it popular?

Here’s the thing:

Red vein Indo kratom is popular because it has a potent alkaloid concentration. Potent strains are mostly famous because their effects are the most desired by the users. 

Each leaf of red Indo has more than 25 alkaloids. The percentage of 7-hydroxy mitragynine in red Indo kratom is higher than other strains. This is another reason for red Indo’s potency and popularity.

Effects of Red Indo Kratom

The desired effects in red Indo kratom are due to the alkaloid makeup. Following are the effects that you can expect while using red Indo kratom:

  • Red Indo kratom is famous as a great pain reliever. It makes you feel comfortable by relieving pain in any body part or soreness from your muscles. 
  • Red Indo Kratom is extensively good for sleep problems like insomnia. It helps you feel relaxed and comforts your mind and body.
  • It enhances your mood by reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  • By reducing anxiety and stress, it makes you feel confident. 

White Indo Kratom

Even a small dose of white Indo kratom is helpful for many purposes. It is one of the popular white strains among other white kratom strains.

White Indo kratom has white veins on its leaves. The white color indicates a boost in energy and mild relaxation. 

White Indo kratom grows in the thick and full woods of the Indonesian islands. In those areas, the humidity level is high which is favorable for the growth of kratom. 

Effects of White Indo Kratom

Energy-boosting quality is what makes the white kratom famous. White Indo kratom is no less in this regard. Following are the effects of white Indo kratom:

  • White Indo kratom is a great energy booster. It increases the ability to do every task efficiently.
  • White Indo is a mild pain reliever but it is not as strong as red Indo kratom. You can use it to get through the day in mild pain.
  • It provides you mild relaxation. As a result, it improves your sleep quality.
  • White Indo kratom reduces the symptoms of stress but it isn’t as effective for anxiety as other strains.

Green Indo Kratom

Green Indo kratom is a mixture of white and red vein Indo. The name indicates the green color of the kratom leaves. 

It has a balance of energy and relaxation as its major effects. The alkaloid concentration of green Indo is not as high as other strains. So, the effects of green Indo are mild. But they are long-lasting.

Effects of Green Indo Kratom

Green Indo kratom has a combination of the effects of other Indo strains. It is a great balance between all the desired effects. For new users, green Indo kratom is good. It is because the effects of green Indo are mild. The effects of green Indo kratom are as following:

  • Green Indo kratom increases your concentration. This way, it enhances your ability to do every task.
  • Like white Indo kratom, it provides you energy. But that energy is not as much as white Indo. 
  • It relaxes your mind and body but it doesn’t sedate you like other strains. So, you can use it during the day. 
  • It is a great pain reliever and provides you physical comfort. 

There were no really significant complaints about experiencing severe side effects after using any kind of kratom product, but very mild ones might appear depending on sensitivity and dosage. Beginners who want to use the benefits of kratom might seem confused with the possible dangers of this supposed to be a miracle plant. This article is going to elucidate on all the things that one should be aware of the link between kratom and heart. But before going there, let us understand what is meant by kratom.

Kratom is a type of herb that has become quite popular today because of its outstanding medicinal properties. It’s mostly known for the treatment of chronic pain and opioid-withdrawal symptoms. Kratom is initially found in the Southeast Asian countries and is primarily available in three different types. The strains are classified based on their central vein’s colour. It can either be white, green, or red. All of them are known for having variable properties, and it all depends on the different alkaloids found in the leaves of the herb.

9 Great Health Benefits of Kratom

1. Useful Painkiller

A lot of people use Kratom for pain-relieving purposes and these people have firm belief that kratom does wonders for their pain.

The alkaloids we find in Kratom are what are responsible for providing pain relief. The effect is similar to that of morphine and opioids. Unlike those two drugs though, Kratom is not addictive in a debilitating way.

Like marijuana and opioids, it is mostly use for relieving chronic pains associated with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and any kind of neuropathic pain. And just like any other useful painkiller, Kratom is also associated with relieving inflammation that occurs as a result of these diseases as well.

It is interesting to note that Kratom is not approved by the FDA to be prescribed by doctors, so most people who take it do so out of their own willingness.

2. Helps in Relieving Anxiety and Depression

One of the only well-known facts about Kratom includes that it is a psychostimulant. People say that taking kratom helps them to calm their nerves and relax them. Scientists have speculated that maybe the reason for Kratom’s calming effects is that it releases endorphins and serotonin in mind.

The immediate effect that Kratom has on your anxiety is that it can get rid of palpitations, cold sweats, nightmares, etc.

It can relieve anxiety and depression in a generalized manner, but it is noteworthy to see that it can help calm anxiety in social situations as well, making you less awkward. This is probably why it is a popular recreational substance in South East Asia even now.

Because kratom is said to relieve anxiety and depression to some extent, there is no disregarding the fact that it can relieve conditions associated with anxiety and depression as well. These conditions include Panic situations, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and anxiety related to work and study life.

3. Relieves Insomnia

Insomnia is a common symptom of many illnesses, and at the same, it can show up in perfectly healthy people too at times.

One of the most common causes of insomnia is anxiety, and we have already discussed how much kratom can be beneficial for anxiety!

Kratom, taken in moderate to high doses, has a sedative-like effect on the body, which means that it will relax you and put you right to sleep.

So if you ever have trouble sleeping before a big event or are just cannot seem to fall asleep no matter what you do, you might want to take a hit of Kratom.

4. Elevates Your Mood

One of the effects of Kratom that everyone who has taken it talks about is that it can fix your mood right up. So whether you are sad, angry, agitated, or frustrated, a little hit of Kratom can put your mind back in order. Many people say that Kratom makes them happy and imparts feelings of pleasure as well.

7-hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine are two of the active ingredients found on kratom. They are known to act on the opiate receptors present in the brain. The signals sent from these receptors include intercellular signalling and cellular changes.

It results in sympathetic discharge that makes a person feel stimulated and energetic. When the body releases dynorphins, endorphins, and enkephalins, pain is automatically alleviated. The released of dopamine is known for enhancing the mood which leads to an increase in the confidence levels and euphoria.

An increase in serotonin levels helps in fighting depression, stress, and anxiety. When kratom strains are administered at low doses, it acts a stimulant. However, if you take it in higher amounts, it could deliver effects similar to sedatives.

Again, you must keep in mind that you only need a minor or low dose of Kratom to fix your mood. A bigger dose might give you’re a feeling of euphoria, or it can outright knock you out, depending on what strain you use!

5. Boosts your Energy Output (Sexual Energy Included!)

Field workers in Asia are often seen taking Kratom leaves. On further inspection, it was found that these people take kratom leaves to increase their energy level for the days work. Did it work for them? According to the workers, Kratom has been working for them for hundreds of years so why shouldn’t it now?

One of the metabolic effects of kratom did show that it can increase energy output and make you stronger in the field as well. It does so by improving the circulation of blood in the body and providing a burst of energy.

This reason is quite possibly why people have assumed that kratom works very well for diseases that cause chronic fatigue as well.

6. Boost Your Sexual Functions

Kratom is getting an increasingly positive reputation also for its sex enhancement abilities. It not only relaxes your brain which is clearly a favourable effect, but  also it boost sensitivity, awareness, and better sexual response.

There is a even a more powerful plant which can boost your sexual functions naturally. You may have heard about Butea Superba – a famous plant, known for increasing men’s sexual functions. Its properties are backed by both science and by centuries of eastern tradition. In case you are interested in a natural boost in your bedroom, we recommend this safe and quality source of Butea Superba.

7. Helps Overcome Other Addictions

One of the most coveted benefits of kratom include that it is excellent for oveercoming other forms of addiction. We have already discussed how kratom has a similar effect on the mind and body as opioids but without the debilitating side effects and potential for addiction.

So it was noted that if opioid users slowly start replacing their opioid dosage with that of kratom, they could stop their addiction without facing very harsh withdrawal symptoms. This benefit is one that advocates of kratom talk about the most.

Some scientists decided to dig a little further and found out that opioids can have a similar effect on addicts of other drugs as well.

8. Helps You Focus

Ever felt like you just cannot get your mind to focus on your work or studies? If so then you might benefit from a small intake of kratom as well.

People who use Kratom and its advocates have suggested that a small dose before beginning to work or study helps them keep their mind in focus. The chemicals in our mind that mostly contribute to this unwavering focus are a surge of acetylcholine, and dopamine and serotonin.

Stimulant Effects

Within ten minutes of the consumption of kratom, people will be able to experience the following effects –

•    Reduced motor coordination

•    Sociability

•    Giddiness

•    Alertness

Sedative Effects

After consumption of kratom in high doses, the effects experienced are –

•    Alleviation of anxiety and stress

•    Relaxation of muscles

•    Calmness

9. Helps Your Heart

Kratom results in sympathetic activity, especially when it comes to the cardiac muscle. It is known for activating beta-adrenergic receptors that are located in the heart muscle.

When it gets activates, it results in stronger contractile activity. The contractions in the heart are known for becoming more forceful and rapid. It could result in tachycardia.

In some instances, the pulse pressure might rise as well, which might ultimately increase the heartbeat significantly. The heart’s sinus rhythm also fastens.

All of this may not affect people who have a healthy heart. But people who have a compromise cardiac activity or suffer from cardiomyopathies should not use kratom, as with a weak heart muscle, the heart won’t be able to pump stronger and faster.

When beta receptors are activated, it could deteriorate the condition of a patient, which could ultimately result in ischemia which is the reason behind angina pain. 22angina pain is known for radiating from the chest and then to the left arm and jaw.

Kratom is not recommended to people who are suffering from cardiovascular diseases because it could be potentially dangerous.

However, if you do not suffer from any of these problems, kratom will not be harmful to your body and you can benefit from its health effects and capabilities to relieve pain and opioid withdraw symptoms. You can try The Golden Monk to find some attractive kratom products online.

10.  Kratom Is Benefitial for Bodybuilding and Working Out

Apart from that, Kratom has recently been discovered to work great for fitness and bodybuilding enthusiasts. Users expressed that Kratom greatly improves performance in strenuous workouts and exercises. With the question of whether this claim is true or not will be unraveled in this reading. We will know whether Kratom can really help with bodybuilding and working out, as well as all its other benefits.

  •  It Boosts Your Energy

Kratom can be effectively used for bodybuilding and working out depending on the strain. In this particular purpose, you can choose Thai Kratom as it is very potent in boosting energy for hours. Meaning, you can have all the strength to do more routines without slowing down and easily get tired.

It also energizes you by helping heightened your sensory perception to help you focus more.  It also has pain relieving properties that prove to be helpful in relieving the pain from strenuous exercise.

  • It Helps Build Muscles

If used correctly, Kratom can really help your body build muscles and avoid building fats. This is because one special side effect of Kratom is to lose your appetite, thus stops you from eating when you finally get full. Kratom, in this case, is extremely beneficial when you are cutting cycles.

  • It Provides You With Pre-Workout Nutrition

Pre-workout nutrition is a usual  process of taking supplements with ingredients for boosting energy. These drugs are commonly taken just a few hours before bodybuilding, exercising, or training to help you perform better. The said supplements are designed to provide you with the confidence, motivation, and higher energy for long durations.

Looking into the content of Kratom, it has been found out that the Kratom plant can deliver all the needed effects of the usual pre-workout drug. This is primarily because Kratom is a coffee plant and comes from the same plant family that is extensively used for pre-workout substance. If you want to try it yourself, Kratom Crazy produces quality supplements for your exercising needs.

  • It Stimulates Your Body

In low doses, Kratom can be very stimulating which can make strenuous exercising less tiring. This plant is from a coffee family that is known to sharpen cognitive functioning and improve your overall workout productivity. It also helps you to focus and be alert in every routine you accomplish.

Apart from pre-workout and bodybuilding, low doses of Kratom is advised to be taken when running, doing aerobics, and other endurance exercises. Another benefit of Kratom as an organic stimulant is it allows you to work in the maximum energy level. It gets them energetic while feeling the positive vibes around the gym.

  • It Has Pain Killing Properties

Kratom’s pain-killing properties also come at hand in strenuous workouts, which enables users to train more intensely without feeling any muscle pains and fatigues.

As much as the dosage of Kratom is essential for pre-workout and bodybuilding, the type of Kratom strain you will use is also a key to achieve maximum effect. The best strains to use for this purpose are the White Bali, Super Green Malay, Vietnam Kratom, White Veined, and White Borneo strains. These strains can also be mixed with other variants to get a more enhanced effects.

To conclude, Kratom, if taken appropriately, can definitely help in fitness and exercise. It can also be a great replacement for pre-workout supplements. Indeed, nothing beats this healthier and more natural solution!

Read our related article if you want to more know about what is kratom and its benefits and risks.

Like any other herb or drug, there can be side effects of long-term usage. We are going to list down some of the common ones people encounter. They include –

•    Skin discolouration

•    Irritability

•    Insomnia

•    Weight loss

•    Constipation

•    Loss of appetite

What are the Risks of Using Kratom?

1. Not Enough Research on the Substance

Moving on to the risks, we can safely say that the biggest issue with kratom is that there is not enough research to back up any of its benefits. All we can rely on are personal observations and speculations, maybe some small-scale studies as well.

So in the scenario that kratom became free to use for everyone and then it was discovered that its ill-effects are extremely harsh, getting it off the market will be quite the task.

2. Not All Suppliers are Reliable

Kratom has some different strains, and few people are aware of all of it. So it is possible that you ask for one and are handed something entirely different. Since there isn’t too much awareness on the substance, there will be no way for you to know for sure!

Another problem with Kratom is that it has a fairly high potential for contamination. There was an outbreak of kratom-associated salmonella which supposedly hospitalized around 50 people in Nigeria, and this happened only last year.

Perhaps the main reason why the FDA is not approving Kratom as a medicinal substance is that it can easily be contaminated and then sold by suppliers to fool the public.

It can work so well, that it becomes addictive

So we are all aware of the fact that Kratom has opioid-like effects on the brain. Earlier we discussed how that is great for relieving addiction, but it is not all flowers and candy. Since you will be taking Kratom to relieve one addiction, you will probably be addicted to Kratom itself.

Now, we can argue that addiction to Kratom isn’t nearly as awful as addiction to opioids. But this means that if someone begins taking Kratom in high doses, they can easily become addicted to it as well.

People who speak against Kratom have also suggested that the opioid-like effects of Kratom occur because Kratom is a type of opioid itself. Again, not much can be said about this but can all agree that the effects of the substance have not fully come to light yet.

Side Effects

Just like all other substances which affect your mind and claim to be medicinal, Kratom also has some side effects. The most common short-term side effects of Kratom include nausea, vomiting, palpitations, drowsiness, itching, and loss of appetite. Less common symptoms include hallucinations and seizures as well.

Kratom also has a large number of withdrawal symptoms associated with it, including muscle aches, irritability, insomnia, and aggression.

Bigger Problems in the Long Run

Long-term uses of Kratom pose a large number of problems for an individual’s future. Some of these problems include loss of appetite, the potential of developing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bad skin conditions, extreme weight loss, and painful bowel movements.

Conclusion

There is no doubt about the fact that kratom is a potent substance and has a large number of effects on the human mind and body. However, no one is entirely sure of what these effects are because there is little to no hard evidence to support anything. We only suggest that if people do plan on taking Kratom, which they do so only in moderate and low doses.

People who only take a single strain of kratom regularly without any break are known to suffer from these symptoms. If you wish to enjoy the benefits of kratom, it is better to administer it in low doses and infrequently. A few may also complain about losing appetite, which can be a secondary side effect experienced by people. If you suffer from constipation, including foods that contain fibre in the diet is highly essential for regulating bowel activity.

As discussed earlier, kratom is not dangerous for people who have a healthy heart and consume it in controlled quantities. Problems are known to arise when people start taking higher doses frequently to get immediate benefits. On the other hand, people who are known for having a weak heart or suffers from a cardiac disorder must avoid kratom because it could aggravate cardiovascular problems. However, consulting the doctor is very important before making any decision.

Kratom is quite a safe herb and is popular among the masses for its medicinal importance. And because of this reason, it hasn’t been labelled addictive or dangerous yet. Thousands of people have been able to deal with opiate withdrawal syndrome or control symptoms that are related to depression, anxiety, or stress.

Many also use it for treating chronic debilitating pain. Kratom carries are very smooth action. And the effect it has on the heart will solely depend on the overall health of the person consuming it. If the person has a compromised cardiovascular system such as hypertension, cardiac myopathy, or hypertrophy, it is necessary not to use it or stop using it. If you plan on taking kratom, consulting with a medical professional is highly recommended.

About the author Carolina Martel

Currently a student of English Literature, in her final years, Carolina Martel is passionate about writing her thoughts in words. She takes up writing projects in her leisure time to accompany her studies. Generally, she understands the essence of writing on every topic but especially those that relate to her field. She regularly writes at Shadedco.com.

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