What is Kratom
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WHAT IS KRATOM
Kratom, it might not be a household name yet, but, it certainly is making its way around the herbalist and natural medicine circles as a highly-effective mood-enhancer and even a mild pain reducer. Kratom is actually the leaf of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree that is indigenous to the South-East Asian rainforests in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. Kratom is not a scheduled drug in the U.S., and is therefore, uncontrolled by the FDA and is legal to cultivate, buy, possess, and distribute (sell, trade or give) without a license or prescription, in all 50 states and other countries such as, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Italy, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Austria, Finland, New Zealand, and The Netherlands. Kratom was made illegal in Thailand, and is classified as a level 5 narcotic.
KRATOM EFFECTS AND DOSAGE
Kratom is unique in that, in small doses, it acts as a stimulant; and in large doses it acts as a sedative. The main alkaloid or active ingredient found to be the main contributor to Kratom’s euphoric effects is called mitragynine. The effects of Kratom are most like that of an opioid as the mitragynine bonds to both the mu and delta receptors in the brain. As such, it has also been used to treat severe opiate dependency, given in small doses, as needed for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms. When taken responsibly and used sporadically, Kratom is perfectly safe and can be highly beneficial. Of course, like every good thing, too much, too often, can have severely negative effects so, take it from an experienced Kratom user and treat this good herb with respect.
DOES KRATOM SHOW UP ON A DRUG TEST
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) generally does not show up on standard drug tests, such as those for employment (which typically screen for drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines). However, specialized tests can be designed to detect the active compounds in kratom, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
If you're concerned about kratom use being detected, here are some points to consider:
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Standard Tests: Most routine drug tests (e.g., urine, saliva, hair) don't look for kratom because it isn't classified as a controlled substance in many places. Does kratom show up on an opiod drug test, no because its not an opiod.
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Specialized Testing: If there is a reason to specifically test for kratom (e.g., in clinical settings or court-ordered drug tests), specialized tests can detect it.
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How Lon: Kratom's main alkaloids can stay in your system for 1 to 9 days, depending on usage, dosage, metabolism, and other factors.
Some employers or organizations may use advanced panels that include kratom, but these are less common.
KRATOM STRAINS
There are many varieties and species of Kratom, each yielding its own individual effect. Are you looking for a mild “pick-me-up”? If so, try the Premium Commercial (P.C.) powder or crushed leaf in a tea. Maybe you would rather relax and unwind from the stress of your daily duties. Perhaps a few capsules of the Ultra Enhanced Indonesian UEI will better suit you. These are only a couple of flavors that the Kratom plant has to offer. The list continues with: Kratom tinctures from Kratom Herbs (alcohol and water extracts), 15x powdered extract, Maeng Da Thai, Thai Red Vein, Malaysian, Indonesian, and there are new ones popping up daily, it seems.
Trainwreck Kratom is a new popular term that describes a blend of at 4 least four strains and in some cases as many as 8 from all the different regions of the south pacific. The Trainwreck Blend gives users the best of all worlds that the different kratom strains have to offer.
If you are a first-time Kratom user then, start by deciding what kind of mood or feeling you are looking to enhance. If you want a stimulant, go with the PC capsules or even the PC powder and make a tea. You should use about 1-2 heaping teaspoons full, put it in a good-sized coffee mug and pour boiling water over the Kratom. Mix the water and herb until the leaf is completely soaked and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Then, filter the water through a large coffee filter, give the filter a good squeeze then, add honey and lemon, if you want. The taste alone is not too bad. It’s similar to a strong, black tea so, honey and lemon are prefect to tame the mild bitterness. If you are looking for a nice sedative, try 3-5 capsules of the UEI Kratom or Ultra Enhanced Indonesian. Just take them with a full glass of water or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit juice is said to “prime” the liver and allow maximum absorption and release of the active ingredient, Mitragynine.
Whatever your choice or desire, remember to always take Kratom and other herbs responsibly. The effects of overindulgence are not worth the temporarily positive effects. Kratom, when taken rationally, is a great alternative to the hazardous and highly addictive prescription drugs that are widely available today, more than ever. So, be smart, be safe, and enjoy your journey!
For a more comprehensive guide on the different kratom strains checkout our kratom strains chart