So, What Is Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) is part of the Rubiaceae family. A tropical tree, native to Southeast Asia. These Kratom leaves, whether they were chopped fresh or dried, would be chewed or brewed into tea. Mainly used by local workers to stay energized. Kratom was also used for centuries to treat several different medical conditions. As of today, Kratom is not approved by the FDA to be used for any medical conditions whatsoever.  Rumor has it that this tree was given its name “Mitragyna” by the Dutch botanist Korthals because the leaves and stigmas of the flowers look like the shape of a bishop’s mitre.

This special tree contains several different alkaloids making it very unique, difficult to understand, and surrounded by rumors. The main parts of this plant that people talk about are the alkaloids in the leaves. These are called Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragnine. Both ONLY found in Kratom. However, there are certainly other alkaloids to take note of. Speciogynine, Pantetheine, and Speciociliatine. The effect one person may have with kratom can be greatly different than the next person. Effects are very subjective. While one particular strain from a certain source may not work for one person, it may work wonders for the next. Small doses will mainly produce an energizing like effect. While larger doses will most likely be more sedating. But again, this is very subjective.

LEGALITY

As of the past ten years, Kratom has become very popular in Western culture. Mainly being exported from Indonesia. Up until recently, Thailand considered Kratom to be a dangerous drug. Thankfully Thailand officials have removed Kratom, as well as Marijuana, from that list. Several states, cities, and towns consider Kratom to be a schedule 1 narcotic. Kratom is illegal in these areas in the United States.

This is despite the research and the science showing that Kratom is in fact safe, in its pure form when not adulterated. As of 2014 the FDA banned importing and manufacturing of Kratom as a dietary supplement. Though it is still being successfully imported, don’t be surprised it you run into a seizure by customs at some point. *sad face* It can happen to the best of us. Thankfully, The American Kratom Association is on it. With the help of them, and donations from the people, a good fight is being fought! You can subscribe stay updated by the AKA HERE! Keep Kratom Legal!

Why Do People Use Kratom?

As pointed out earlier, Kratom has been used for centuries for a variety of reasons. People have reported using these leaves to relieve aches and pains, increased energy, appetite suppression, increase sexual desire, mood enhancement, depression, anxiety, sleep or restlessness, diuretic. In Thailand it has been used to treat coughs, and intestinal infections, opiate withdrawal and/or replacement. None of these statements have been approved by FDA, and we make no claims to the validity of statements. The use of Kratom goes back so far, especially in Thai culture. It is said that Kratom was initially banned in Thailand because it was cutting into the opium trade. And through the years the prohibition has lasted, until recently. Very similar to the Marijuana prohibition in the States, until recently. Thank God.

Colors and Strains

Alright so this here can be a bitch of a touchy subject. Feel free to check out a post previously written by Becca: The Truth Behind Strain Names for more information. Kratom comes in three main colors. These colors represent the color of the vein in the leaf. Red Vein, Green Vein, and White Vein. Also, Yellow Vein and Gold Vein. We’ll discuss those last two in a minute though. When I first started using Kratom I remembered it like this. If you are a frequent user you’ve probably heard this a million time. White for flight, red for bed, green in between. Even though this is again, very subjective, in my personal life I have found that to be true. White is typically used for energy and mood. Like a big cup of coffee in the morning. For me they all enhance my mood really. Red is more sedating out of them. Best to use for relaxation. But you might get your hands on a red and end up cleaning the entire house! You never really know until you try it. Green is the more neutral out of the three. Kind of like the best of both. You can get up and get your day going, or you can lay in bed and watch a movie. And feel really happy with whatever you decide to do. As for yellow and golds, I don’t think we will ever get a full answer. Indonesian suppliers can be pretty secretive about their methods, especially their drying methods. One person will say that yellow and gold is all apart of the drying process. Yellow being a fermented white, and gold being a fermented green. If you ask an Indonesian supplier, he might say one of those things. Or, he might simply say that they achieve that color through a blending process. I think if you want a full definitive answer, you might have to hop on a plane and take the trip yourself. The effects of yellow are said to be more similar to a white. While gold being more similar to a red. In my life those statements seem to be accurate. Now Strains can be a controversial topic. Many strains are named after the location that those particular leaves were harvested. For example, Bali, Borneo, Kalimantan, and Aceh. While some of this may be true. Most of it…get ready…is not! I know!! I’m sorry! But just think about it. Do you think they have to time and means to travel to all these different places to pick all these different strains of Kratom leaves? If so, that’s one hell of an operation, and I would love the contact information. But in all honesty, most of the time it is just a special blend. X amount of this vein color from this place, x amount if that vein color from that place. Not saying this is a bad thing at all. If it’s a good product, then it’s a good product. But that is mostly the truth behind it.

HOW DO I USE KRATOM?

When I first started using Kratom I had no idea what to do. Further research into it just made me feel overwhelmed, because people do it so many different ways. Here are some of the methods used to take Kratom.
-Toss and Wash
-Mix in liquid
-Oblate discs or cones (watch how to video)
-Parachuting
-Honey Balls (view instructions)
-Brew into Tea
These are just some of the methods.
Check out our previous post, and let us know what your method is!

Conclusion

Plants and substances have been used therapeutically, religiously, spiritually, and medicinally. Some may be good for you; some may not be. Some you may prefer, some you may not. The pharmacology of Kratom is extremely complex and does in fact require more research. Opioid agonists can create serious problems for an individual. But there are these things called atypical opioids, which can create very similar effects without all the dangerous side effects. This is what makes Kratom so amazing. Kratom is an atypical opioid. Kratom does target some of the same receptors. But it a different way than opiates and opioids. Mitragynine acts as a biased signal which activates the G-protein pathway and does not turn on the arresting pathway. Kratom will only turn on the G-protein pathway. Not the dangerous arresting pathway signals, like some harmful substances. But as a partial agonist, it does not carry the full effects and risks of a total agonist opioid. That is a cold hard fact! If you are wondering if Kratom might be for you, I urge you, while doing your research, make sure you sift through all of the propaganda. Look for the real science. You will find that Kratom is in fact, when unadulterated and used alone, safe! We as people need to come together and protect our plant. If you see legislation somewhere that would ban it, drop a comment. Send an email. Donate to the American Kratom Association. They are on the front lines of this fight and they need our help!

Kratom can’t keep itself legal, but we can.

Article by Adam Suib
Article by Adam SuibFounder of Otie's Botanicals
Adam is an ally of many herbal alternatives. He has been using kratom for several years and has gained experience with several ethnobotanicals. Adam has spent time working on relationships with friends overseas to bring you a potent, safe product. If you would like to reach out for any reasons, please do not hesitate.