Pain is a common feature in humanity and seeking appropriate remedies for its relief has been a perennial search.
However, there are people embracing natural alternatives to pharmaceutical pain relievers, which have continued to be the standard go-to.
An example of one such alternate is Kratom, which is a southeastern Asian-grown plant that has caught much attention over past years.
Indigenous societies have long relied on kratom as a pain killer, and it is gaining prevalent use among the people from the western part of the world.
The present article describes the characteristics of Kratom as a natural remedy for pain relief focusing on its analgesic characteristics, mechanism of action and safety issues concerning its use in addition to examining the issue of legality of this drug.
What is Kratom?
The evergreen tree called ‘Kratom’ which grows mostly in south-east Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua new guinea is scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa.
The leaves from Kratom trees have been utilized for medicinal purposes by various cultures for generations, providing pain relief, uplifting morale, and improving vitality, among other benefits.
For several centuries now, however, kratom has been a dominant factor associated with conventional medicines and culture in their indigenous areas.
The Active Compounds in Kratom
Alkaloids constitute some of the major bioactive compounds found in kratom leaves. Some of these alkaloids, specifically mitragynine and iso-mitragynine, are responsible for the analgesic effects of Kratom.
The alkaloids act on the opioid receptors in the brain, especially at the level of the mu-opioid receptor that mediates the pain relief effect.
When you are looking for Kratom to exploit its natural pain relieving effects, remember to pick a reliable Kratom vendor who does not violate quality regulations.
Mechanism of Action
The central nervous system perception on kratom is what influences its ability to act as an analgesic.
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine act on mu-opioid receptors and trigger a series of events designed to weaken painful feedbacks.
Unlike synthetic opioids, which manifest more extreme and often fatal side effects such as respiratory arrest, Kratom has less pronounced effects and is less dangerous to users who take it moderately.
The Effectiveness of Specific Kratom Strains in Alleviating Pain
The most common way of identifying kratom varieties is by color of veins and the place of harvest. Every strain is different and offers specific relief. Some of the most popular Kratom strains for pain relief include:
1. Red Vein Kratom:
Red vein kratom is a popular strain renowned for their potent painkilling abilities used for chronic pain conditions.
The strains can provide relief due to pain-induced insomnia. For example, they are of great value in treating sleeplessness since they help users relax and fall asleep.
2. Green Vein Kratom:
Such strains have a combination of stimulation and sedation. Thus, they have become popular among persons who want to relieve pain but don’t wish to sleep much.
3. White Vein Kratom:
While many of the white vein strain varieties are famous for their stimulating effects, some of them are also able to gently ease away pain.
These painkillers fit these individuals for example, working professionals who desire drowsy but pain-free day.
4. Maeng Da Kratom:
This one of the most sought after Kratom strains with high pain relieving potency. It is commonly said to be among the best strains for alleviating pain.
5. Bali Kratom:
Bali kratom strains are well known for their sedative and painkiller potential. It is commonly associated with middle pain.
Using Kratom for Pain Relief
The frequency and quantity of Kratom taken when mitigating pain can also be influenced by personal tastes and chosen strains. Kratom can be consumed in several ways, including:
1. Chewing the Leaves:
Locally in its native lands, Kratom leaves are usually eaten fresh for a slow release of active compounds. This offers a gentle, prolonged relieve from pain.
2. Kratom Powder:
Kratom leaves which have dried up are crushed into the finest possible powder that one can eat by mixing it with water or other liquids. This remains one of the most common ways of consuming Kratom.
3. Kratom Capsules:
Capsules are an easy substitute for people who do not like Kratom flavour. They have prepacked Kratom powder that measures dosages ahead of time.
4. Kratom Extracts:
Usually, these powerful kratom extracts are meant for people with higher tolerance and those looking for more efficient pain reduction.
5. Kratom Tea:
Tea can be brewed by using its leaves or powder. The technique is known for its softening nature that eases and helps relieve.
Safety and Side Effects
However, Kratom appears promising as a natural alternative to traditional pain killers, but should be used cautiously. Kratom has been associated with some potential side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Increased tolerance with prolonged use
- Withdrawal and dependency symptom with overuse.
In addition, there are also incidents that pertain to bad experiences connected with Kratom and it includes the use of adulterated or contaminated products.
Sourcing Kratom in a way that will reduce the hazards must be from reliable vendors using good standards of quality in compliance with safe practices.
Controversy and Legal Status
This has raised questions on Kratom’s legality and safety issues in some states. Concerns about abuse, and possible negative side effects of kratom use, led to it being outlawed in certain areas and countries.
However, some assert that Kratom provides an opioid analogue with relatively fewer hazards compared with other synthetic opioids used for the management of chronic pains.
As seen in the case of Kratom , thorough research, appropriate regulation, and responsible use is fundamental.
With time as the research community continue studying kratom, one will understand the possible benefits and hazards associated with its use.
Conclusion
The analgesic action of kratom – a natural plant from South East Asia that has recently gained popularity.
Its active constituents namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitranynge bind and interact with the opioid receptors within the brain and help in perception of pain adjustment.
The strength of pain relief among different strains in Kratom is a major consideration for users.
However, Kratom has potential in natural pain relief, but it should be taken with caution due to possible side effects.
Controversy about it and about legality of that highlights necessity to have more research and regulating. With time, if our knowledge on kratom grows, it could be useful as another method of pain relief.
The people willing to explore non-pharmacological treatments for their pains will appreciate that.
Nevertheless, people intending to use Kratom for pain management should seek advice from health experts and handle it appropriately to minimize risks of complications.
