Posted by Kratom is one of the safe, natural botanicals that you can use to boost your health and wellness, but like conventional medications and supplements, it’s not for everyone. It can help improve your lifestyle, but it can also be risky in certain situations.
Based on my experience using kratom and kava and interacting with thousands of people who love it, the difference in how kratom responds usually comes down to health, history, self-control, and intent.
My friend Jason, a 42-year-old electrician, did not envision himself using kratom. He suffers from sore knees and has a stiff lower back. Pain pills only offer short-term relief, and his fear of getting hooked on them grows every day. Fast forward a decade, of using painkillers every day had resulted in severe sleep disorders and headaches that never seemed to go away.
Recently, a coworker suggested he ditch the painkillers for red vein kratom. As most of us would do, he went home and researched it. Reddit kratom threads were split, with some people swearing by its potent ability to alleviate pain, while others warned it ruined their lives. Today, Jason is one of the biggest proponents of kratom in my circle.
The lesson here is that don’t let the naysayers and side effects reported online after excessive use discourage you from using kratom.
Let’s dive look at who should take kratom and who shouldn’t.
How Does Regular Kratom Work?
For starters, kratom comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. The leaves contain more than 40 alkaloids, but the most studied ones that are responsible for the positive effects are 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine.
These alkaloids are extracted from the leaves using new technologies, such as Chromapure, and packaged in capsule, tablet, and shot forms. They interact with the opioid receptors in the brain to reduce pain, uplift moods, and calm the nervous system.
The secret to getting the best experience from a new supplement is to start small and increase the dose based on how your body responds. Low kratom doses often feel stimulating, and most users report feeling calm, more focused and composed, and energized. High kratom doses lean towards pain relief and sedation.
The regular premium kratom products with high mitragynine content tend to feel stronger and last longer.
Should I Use Kratom Products?
As mentioned earlier, the answer to this question depends on several factors.
Adults with Chronic Pain Who Avoid Prescription Opioids
Many kratom users fall into this group. Like Jason, they deal with chronic pain that prescription opioids are unable to treat. Back pain, joint pain, and old injuries can significantly impact your life and productivity.
Premium kratom products can help reduce pain while keeping your mind clearer. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on strong opioids, which can eventually lead to a high risk of addiction.
If you’re in this group, here are some tips on how to get the best results from red vein kratom strain.
- Keep doses low
- Avoid daily increases
- Take days off
- Treat kratom as support for the pain, not a cure
Pain relief without mental numbness and brain fog associated with common prescription opioids gives kratom an upper hand.
People Tapering Off Opioids
Kratom is often used by people dealing with opioid withdrawal symptoms. Research shows it can reduce withdrawal symptoms like muscle aches, restlessness, and insomnia. Concisely, it makes the process of tapering off opioids manageable.
However, this path demands discipline as excessive use of kratom can result in cross-addiction and harsh side effects like sedation. We recommend short-term use of kratom to deal with the opioid withdrawal symptoms, but have a taper plan to lower that risk. Set a clear goal and timeline before you start to get the best results.
People in Physically Demanding Jobs
Traditionally, farm workers in Southeast Asia would chew kratom leaves to boost their energy levels and reduce muscle and joint pain after work. Today, construction workers, warehouse staff, landscapers, and nurses often seek pain relief products that don’t compromise their focus and productivity.
At low doses, kratom supports long work shifts without heavy sedation. Frequent use can result in tolerance buildup, so be careful not you overdo it.
Adults Looking for Alcohol Alternatives
The World Health Organization estimates that over 400 million people aged 15 years and above deal with one or more alcohol disorders. Kratom products like the mild kratom kava shot from Real Botanicals are an ideal alternative to alcohol.
It doesn’t cause a hangover, which explains the surge in kava bars in major cities like Miami, Florida.
Who Should Not Take Kratom
Please avoid using kratom if;
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the kratom compounds may cross into the placenta and breast milk.
- If you’re chasing a quick fix to depression, lack of motivation, and burnout. Kratom is a support supplement, not a treatment option.
- You have a history of addiction to opioids
- You have liver or kidney problems
- You are on daily prescription drugs, like blood pressure drugs and anxiety medications
You’re probably wondering, Is kratom even legal? Here is a guide on whether kratom is regulated by the FDA or the DEA.
Warning Signs that Kratom is Not A Good Fit for You
Some of these signs will appear early and should not be ignored. They include;
- Needing higher doses to feel normal
- Feeling irritable between doses
- Trouble sleeping without kratom
- Using kratom to avoid stress and emotions
- Planning daily life around dosing
These signs point to loss of control. At that stage, stopping to use kratom is the healthier and wiser decision, instead of trying to ignore the signs.
A Straight Reality Check
Kratom is neither harmless nor evil. It is an active plant with real effects on the brain and body. For some adults, it fills a gap left by riskier substances. For others, it creates new problems that are harder to escape.
The deciding factors are not the different kratom strain types or online hype. They are health status, personal history, and self-awareness.
Update: My friend Jason used kratom for about six months. It helped him work without using the prescription opioids daily. When he noticed his dose creeping up, he stepped back and stopped taking it for a while before resuming and reducing his dose. That choice mattered more than the natural botanical itself, as it cushioned him from getting hooked.
In a nutshell, Kratom rewards restraint and moderate use. Get in touch with the best kratom vendor, Real Botanicals, for more details on the right kratom dose and products for you.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of Kratom Alternatives.