Answers To 5 Of The Most Commonly Asked Kratom Questions
- December 30, 2020
When people start to delve into the world of natural remedies and health food products, a lot of questions will pop in their initial research. The more products people try, the more they want to know.
When it comes to Kratom, a product that has remained somewhat mysterious over the past few decades, there’s certainly plenty to ask. While you can search through the internet for answers, sometimes the best way to get explanations is through independent research.
What Is Kratom?
The question that has been asked more times than any other is, “what is Kratom?” When answering this question, there are numerous directions one can take, but the best way to fully comprehend the substance is by looking at its roots.
Kratom is a substance that comes from Southeast Asia. It is processed from the leaves of the mitragyna speciosa tree, a tropical evergreen that grows in wet, warm jungles. During harvest, the leaves from the tree are selectively picked, dried, and ground into the raw Kratom powder you see available from distributors.
Kratom was initially used by the small village communities in Southeast Asia as natural medicine. Through more research, active alkaloids were found, which is why Western scientists have become interested in studying its effects. While many indigenous populations claim its pain-easing and focus-inducing properties, regulatory bodies like the FDA have failed to recognize or support these claims.
What Do The Different Forms Mean?
There are three common forms of Kratom you will see available for sale: capsules, extracts, and powders. If you notice other products, they most likely are a byproduct of one of these three types.
Kratom powder is the raw material left after the leaves of the mitragyna speciosa tree have been cured and ground. You can buy a bulk amount of Kratom powder and use it in various ways.
Kratom extract provides researchers with a much more potent amount of Kratom in terms of volume. Usually, you will see extract labeled with a 2:1 ratio or 2x denoting their strength compared to traditional powder.
Kratom capsules tend to favor Kratom researchers who are traveling and looking for a convenient way to study the substance. As each dose is pre-measured, researchers do not have to worry about having too little or too much.
What’s With The Color-Country Names?
The Kratom labeling convention can often leave researchers confused when searching for products. These names often will include a country and color: usually, white, green, or red.
The color in the name refers to the leaf’s veins. These veins will change throughout the tree’s growth period and can signify different concentrations of active alkaloids. As the leaves can be taken from different tree sections, either the top of the tree or the middle, the colors can further change.
Leaves with red veins tend to have more 7-hydroxymitragynine, while white-veined leaves have more mitragynine. These are the two most potent alkaloids present in Kratom. Another standard vein color you will see for sale is green. These tend to offer a balance between the two primary alkaloids.
The country where the Kratom is grown will often be included in the name. As the growing conditions significantly affect the alkaloid concentration, different regions will produce different variations of Kratom. Naming products based on these locations helps researchers to estimate potency levels before purchasing.
Why Can’t Suppliers Give Me The Information I Need?
The information that consumers want most tends to be the information that suppliers are unable to give out. The FDA in the United States has imposed harsh restrictions on what cannot and can be said regarding Kratom. As they have not classified it as safe for human consumption, vendors cannot speak about any potential effects of consuming Kratom. If they do, they could face serious legal action.
The best way to find out more about Kratom is by doing your research. Purchase Kratom in a state where it is legal and conduct some experiments. Document repeated results and report your findings online. You can also look for anecdotal testimonials.
How Can I Help Keep Kratom Legal?
If you are like most Kratom researchers, you are probably looking for more ways to keep Kratom legal and prevent further restrictions from being imposed. Even though it has not yet been classified as a controlled substance, it doesn’t mean it is in the clear.
The best way to promote Kratom is by working with advocacy organizations like the American Kratom Association. These groups are dedicated to the legalization of Kratom and have the most updated information. As they can operate freely without the same restrictions imposed on vendors, you can almost always trust them to answer any questions you may have.
There have been proven results when it comes to the public’s power to shift legislation. Recently in Thailand, there was a reversal of a Kratom ban thanks to public advocacy work. In time Kratom will become more widely accepted, and it all starts with you.
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