Posted by Kratom products usually come as dried and ground leaves as powder or capsules. There are also extracts available as shots, so it’s super concentrated. Some kratom products are enhanced to be even more potent for mood, energy, focus, or relaxation.
Then there are 7-OH tablets and shots, which are made from another extract of kratom. 7-OH is far more potent than kratom and although it has many similar uses, it’s often for pain relief.
Far less attention goes to full-spectrum kratom, which gives users the full alkaloid profile from kratom leaves. It’s the holistic way to go that mirrors the plant’s natural chemistry and works with your mind and body better.
Here’s information on what exactly full-spectrum kratom extract is, what it does, and why it’s better than standard kratom extract products available on the market.
The Main Alkaloid: Mitragynine
Mitragynine is the main active ingredient in kratom, but it’s not the only one. It is just one of many alkaloids, or nitrogenous compounds of plant origin that have physiological effects on humans.
When kratom products are enhanced, they have extra mitragynine extract added in. But even standard kratom extract focuses on mitragynine.
Effects of Mitragynine
Mitragynine binds to the brain’s opioid receptors, located in the central nervous system. It targets serotonin and dopamine pathways.
- Serotonin (serotonin 5-HT or 5-hydroxytryptamine) comes from the brain but also the gut. Hence, the gut-brain relationship that influences mental and emotional wellness as well as physical wellness of the immune system. This neurotransmitter is responsible for feelings of happiness and regulating sleep and appetite.
- Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that influences motor function, motivation, and reward. It originates in the midbrain and projects into the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for higher cognitive thinking and decision-making. It also projects into the forebrain (cognition, senses, emotions) and the sensory processing center.
7-Hydroxymitragynine: A Secondary Alkaloid
7-OH is extracted from 7-hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid that is present in tiny amounts in kratom leaves. Standard kratom extract has mitragynine as well as 7-hydroxymitragynine. Hence, standard kratom extract focuses on those two alkaloids, and is not the same as full-spectrum.
7-OH often comes as chewable tablets, but also as shots. In these forms, it’s super-concentrated because it’s the main active ingredient.
Effects of 7-OH
In comparison to mitragynine, 7-OH binds much more strongly to the brain’s opioid receptors. It has analgesic effects and can be up to 13 times more potent than morphine.
Like kratom, 7-OH targets the serotonin and dopamine pathways. But it also targets the norepinephrine (noradrenaline) pathway for the neurotransmitter and hormone to influence the body’s stress response, alertness, and arousal.
Norepinephrine releases from an area in the pons, the part of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. Then, it projects into three areas of the brain:
- The cortex (thinking, language, memory, and emotion);
- The hippocampus (memory formation and retrieval, emotional responses linked to memories, and spatial navigation of the environment),;
- And the amygdala (detection of danger, processing of pain, stimulation of fear, and regulation of emotional processing – the “fight or flight” response)
Standard Kratom Extract: Effects
To be fair, standard kratom extract is hard-hitting. It delivers a powerful kick. Also, it’s easier to measure and mix than full-spectrum extract, and tends to be more consistent.
On the other hand, standard kratom extract wears off faster. It also raises one’s tolerance level faster and does not have the same depth of effects that full-spectrum kratom has.
Beyond Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine: Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum kratom offers benefits beyond the relief of pain, the enhancement of pleasure and good mood, and emotional regulation for calm balance. Because while standard kratom extract focuses on only two alkaloids, full-spectrum has over 40 alkaloids that are present in the leaves.
The process of extracting a full-spectrum kratom alkaloid profile is more complicated, but worth it. Many kratom vendors have a hard time making each batch consistent, especially if they process large instead of small batches.
Full-spectrum kratom has a smoother onset and a longer duration, but for new users, it can feel more intense because it doesn’t wear off as quickly as standard kratom extract. It is steadier and stronger. But it is a more natural and holistic approach, and you can get around the intensity by starting with low doses. You also have the same common option of kratom capsules or kratom shots.
Full-Spectrum Kratom from Real Botanicals
There are some important differences between standard and full-spectrum kratom. Most kratom products are standard extract since they’re easier to produce, and this is the type most kratom users are familiar with. Full-spectrum kratom is most like the total alkaloid profile of the kratom plant to include over 40 alkaloids for the most natural, in-depth effects.
If you’re looking for a more complete way to take kratom and get the benefits of all its alkaloids, consider Real Botanicals kratom. Their kratom is full-spectrum with ChromaPure technology that removes contaminants, and then it is small-batch tested. Choose from smooth, all-day capsules or faster shots for your preference and convenience. We think you’ll find it very different from standard kratom, and dare we say, better.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of Kratom Alternatives.