Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard about kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) - an herb native to Southeast Asia that’s widely reported to contain powerful healing properties.

Wellness enthusiasts worldwide swear by kratom’s therapeutic benefits. The herb can reportedly treat various ailments without triggering the adverse events associated with conventional medications.

Thanks to kratom’s efficacy, many proponents now believe the herb can have a tremendous impact on modern medicine. In this post, we dive into kratom’s perceived therapeutic properties and how the plant’s extracts might revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry.

Kratom – An Effective Remedy for Multiple Ailments
Kratom’s popularity is rooted in its ability to remedy several common ailments. Using premium-quality kratom Canada, you can effectively treat medical issues that would otherwise require prescription meds.

Below are the various conditions that you can manage or prevent with kratom-infused supplements;

1. Pain

Locals in kratom’s native habitat of Southeast Asia have administered its extracts for centuries to alleviate body aches. Fast-forward to today, chronic pain relief remains the most common reason kratom enthusiasts consume the herb.

Kratom is loaded with alkaloids that soothe body aches by binding to specific opioid receptors, the same receptors affected by regular opioid drugs.

2. Inflammation

Many of kratom’s alkaloids contain anti-inflammatory properties too.
According to one study published on Nature.com, kratom may treat inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines. The herb also impacts the expression of the inflammatory-related enzymes - COX-2 and 5-LOX.

3. Anxiety

Kratom might not be the magic pill for anxiety disorders. However, findings suggest the herb may attenuate anxiety by reducing hyperarousal and improving sociability.
Besides, the active alkaloid in kratom - mitragynine - has been shown to ramp up serotonin signaling. High serotonin levels are associated with antidepressant and antianxiety effects.

4. Fatigue

Euphoria - typically marked by intense sensations of pleasure and high energy levels - is one of the signature effects of opioid agonists.

Kratom stimulates energy and mental alertness at lower doses while inducing sedation at higher serving portions.

Kratom – A Solution to the Opioid Epidemic?
Opioid addiction is a scourge that has plagued North America for years. The growing accessibility to illegal synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, compounds the situation.
In Canada alone, at least 3,000 people succumb to opioid-related overdose annually. Not to mention the millions of dollars allocated to containing the raging epidemic.
Emerging reports indicate that kratom may ease the opioid crisis.

While kratom alkaloids have the same biological pathway as synthetic opioids, they only produce partial effects on the opioid receptors. That’s in contrast to opioids like heroin and oxycodone, which exert their full impact on opioid receptors.

This variance in effects allows kratom to produce most of the therapeutic benefits associated with conventional opioids without triggering worrying adverse events.

Besides, one study found that mitragynine binds to mu- and kappa-opioid receptors in a manner that mitigates opioid withdrawal. Therefore, mainstreaming kratom might alleviate the opioid crisis by providing addicts with a safer alternative to scheduled opioids.

Co-administering Kratom With Conventional Medications
A major concern before integrating herbal supplements into your lifestyle is their potential to interact with conventional medications. This is particularly important if you’re on prescription drugs for chronic illnesses.

Fortunately, kratom interacts positively with many pharmaceutical drugs. Multiple studies have shown that the plant may produce additive or synergistic effects when co-administered with several prescription meds.

Research has notably uncovered positive interactions between kratom and various central nervous system (CNS)--active drugs, including opioids, antidepressants, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates.

Further, in vitro studies have shown that mitragynine may inhibit the multidrug transporter P-gp. The implication is that kratom might enhance the therapeutic potential of drugs that function as substrates of the P-gp transporter.

Due to its synergistic effects on prescription medications, kratom may reduce overreliance on conventional pharmaceutical drugs. However, be sure to consult your doctor before co-administering the herb alongside prescription meds.

Kratom – Fostering Sustainability in Healthcare
Many pharmaceutical drugs are formulated with compounds derived from rare plant species, which explains why such medications are typically costly.

In contrast, kratom is widely available. The herb is spread throughout the expansive rainforests of Southeast Asia and in controlled plantations worldwide.

While the recent past has witnessed a skyrocketing demand for kratom supplements, we’re unlikely to run out of kratom raw materials in the foreseeable future. Kratom’s widespread availability allows manufacturers to avail themselves of a steady supply of high-quality products at competitive rates.

The fact that kratom is an evergreen tree lends further credence to its sustainability. Growers can harvest kratom leaves all year round, keeping the supply chain moving.
Besides, kratom is incredibly resilient. The tree can endure extended sunshine and moderate drought conditions, making cultivating in multiple climatic regions worldwide easy.

If Southeast Asian countries legislate against kratom, as is presently the case with Malaysia, wellness enthusiasts elsewhere around the world can continue to cultivate the herb. All it takes is to recreate its ideal growing conditions.

Kratom’s Safety Profile Compared to Conventional Meds
Kratom isn’t entirely risk-free. However, multiple findings suggest the herb is safer than many prescription drugs.

Kratom functions as a mild opioid agonist. That property makes it considerably safer and less addictive than scheduled opioid drugs.

Besides, reports of kratom overdose are nearly nonexistent. Although new users may experience side effects, the reactions are typically mild and manageable.

Common adverse events associated with kratom use include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth, and agitation. The actual reactions will depend on the preferred delivery method. While kratom-infused edibles may trigger gastrointestinal distress for newbies, you’ll experience almost no significant unpleasant response if you apply the herb externally.

To enjoy kratom without suffering adverse events, start with lower serving portions. Monitor your body over 24 – 48 hours before possibly increasing your dosages. If no adverse effects occur, you may increase your doses until you hit your sweet spot.
Lastly, stop taking kratom if you experience severe reactions to the herb.

The Bottom Line
Kratom’s healing benefits are well-documented. While research into the herb’s pharmacological properties remains ongoing, available findings indicate its remarkable efficacy against numerous medical issues. By alleviating common ailments naturally, kratom can significantly reduce the strain on our healthcare systems and lower the medical bills associated with treating those diseases.

Kratom also boasts a higher safety profile than many conventional drugs, including scheduled opioids. As such, it poses minimal overdose risks. Besides, kratom can trigger synergistic effects when co-administered with several medications.

So, while drug regulators like the DEA and FDA are yet to authorize kratom for official consumption, it may only be a matter of time before the plant enters the mainstream pharmaceutical industry.