Kratom

Kratom leaves have traditionally been chewed fresh or brewed as tea in Southeast Asia.
Today, people often use kratom as powders, capsules, or extracts.

Important notes:
• Effects vary widely depending on dose and strain.
• Higher doses can increase risks like nausea, dizziness, and dependency.
• Mixing kratom with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives can be dangerous.
• It is not medically approved in most countries, so anyone considering it should research risks carefully.

Kratom has a dual effect profile:
• Low doses may feel stimulating or energizing.
• Higher doses may feel sedating, numbing, or calming.

Reported short-term effects include:
• Increased alertness
• Mild euphoria
• Reduced perception of pain
• Relaxation or drowsiness

Risks and side effects may include:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Constipation
• Dependency and withdrawal
• Mood changes or irritability

Because of these risks, kratom should be used cautiously.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) contains more than 40 alkaloids.
The two most notable are:
• Mitragynine
• 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG)

These compounds interact with various receptors — including opioid receptors — which can produce stimulating or opioid-like effects.
This also explains why dependency and withdrawal can occur with frequent use.

Kratom has been used for centuries in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.
Traditionally, it was used by laborers to:
• Reduce fatigue
• Increase stamina
• Ease physical aches
• Promote social relaxation

It has also appeared in herbal and ritual contexts.
In modern times, kratom spread to Western markets as an unregulated supplement, raising medical and legal concerns due to potential risks.

Some people report temporary mood boosts due to kratom’s interaction with serotonin, dopamine, and opioid receptors.
However:
• Kratom is NOT an approved treatment for depression.
• Regular use can worsen mental health by causing dependency.
• Withdrawal may cause anxiety, low mood, and sleep issues.

Anyone experiencing depression should seek professional mental-health support — safer and clinically tested treatments exist.

While I cannot recommend specific kratom types for use, here are the common categories people compare:
• White vein – often described as stimulating
• Green vein – often described as balanced
• Red vein – often described as sedating

These effects are anecdotal and vary widely.
Before considering any product, research your local laws and understand potential health risks such as dependency, interactions, and withdrawal.