People have become utterly fascinated with kratom, and despite its arrival on the Western market only within the last decade or so, it’s been a mainstay in other parts of the world for thousands of years. Kratom is a plant-derived substance that may enhance focus, mood, and feelings of bliss and tranquility, while a number of people notice substantial relief when taking it on a regular basis.
Now, there’s a lot of false info out there regarding what kratom can and cannot do, so we want to clear things up with a comprehensive guide that covers all that you need to know about it.
What in the World is Kratom?
Kratom is the leaf of the Mitragyna speciosa plant – an evergreen plant related to coffee, which grows throughout Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves contain active compounds called alkaloids, with Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine being the most abundant and pharmacologically significant. The leaf is harvested, dried, and either turned into a tea, or crushed into a powder that can be used to make all kinds of kratom formulas.
Kratom has been used medicinally in its native part of the world for longer than history could record. Many people say that kratom provides them with both physical and mental relief, with the more specific aspect of the effects depending on the dosage amount, product type, strain of kratom, and vein – something we’ll talk about more in the next few sections.
Overall, kratom does have mild psychoactive properties, and people usually describe them as blissful, euphoric, and tranquil. Like with all products that have psychoactive properties, YMMV, so if you’re curious about how kratom will feel when you take it, make sure to follow the dosing directions on the label.
A Quick History of Kratom
For centuries, the leaves of this tree have been used for their medicinal properties and psychoactive effects. This timeline highlights the complex history of kratom, from its traditional use to its current status as a controversial substance with both advocates and detractors.
Ancient and Traditional Use:
- Early History: Indigenous peoples of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian countries have used kratom for centuries. It was traditionally used in folk medicine to treat various ailments such as pain, fatigue, and diarrhea. Laborers would chew the leaves to alleviate pain and boost energy.
19th Century
- 1836: Kratom was first documented in Western literature by Pieter Willem Korthals, a Dutch botanist who named it Mitragyna speciosa.
- Late 1800s: British colonial botanists further documented kratom’s use in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia.
20th Century:
- 1907: E. M. Holmes, a British pharmacologist, published a comprehensive study on kratom in the “Pharmaceutical Journal”, highlighting its various medicinal uses.
- 1943: Thailand passed the Kratom Act 2486, which made planting the tree illegal due to concerns about its use as a substitute for opium.
- 1960s-1970s: Researchers began isolating and identifying active compounds in kratom, such as Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Late 20th Century:
- 1975: The Thai government classified kratom as a Schedule 5 narcotic.
- 1993: Research on kratom continued, focusing on its alkaloid profile and potential effects on the central nervous system.
21st Century:
- Early 2000s: Kratom began gaining popularity in the United States and other Western countries as an alternative medicine for pain management and opioid withdrawal.
- 2012: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) listed kratom as a “drug of concern” due to rising usage and reports of adverse effects.
- 2013: The first state-level ban in the U.S. was enacted in Indiana, classifying kratom as a synthetic drug.
- 2014: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an import alert on kratom, detaining shipments of kratom-containing products.
- 2016: The DEA announced its intent to temporarily classify kratom’s primary alkaloids, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I substances but withdrew the notice after public outcry and a push for more scientific research.
Recent Developments:
- 2017: The FDA issued a public health advisory about the potential risks associated with kratom use.
- 2018: The FDA reinforced its stance on kratom, warning against its use and highlighting concerns over contamination in kratom products.
- 2021: Several countries, including the U.S., continued to debate kratom’s legal status. Meanwhile, Thailand legalized kratom for medicinal and recreational use, acknowledging its traditional significance and potential benefits.
- 2022: The World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed kratom but did not recommend a global ban, suggesting further research and national regulations.
- 2023: Continued research into kratom’s pharmacology, safety profile, and potential therapeutic uses. Legal status remained varied globally, with some countries adopting regulatory frameworks while others maintained strict bans.
Present Day:
- 2024: Kratom remains a subject of scientific and regulatory scrutiny. Advocacy groups push for balanced regulation that ensures safety while allowing access for therapeutic purposes. Research continues to explore its potential benefits and risks, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of its role in medicine and public health.
Kratom Veins and Strains: Why Do They Even Matter?
There are different variations of kratom that are going to affect you differently, and it’s pretty important to know the distinctions. One thing to notice is the vein. The vein of the kratom is the color of the vein that runs vertically along the center of the leaf. The color is going to be different depending on how much it has matured while on the tree. And, its maturity stage is going to reflect the development of its alkaloids, which means that each vein can feel different in the body.
Kratom also comes in different strains, and that’s really determined by the location of the tree. Just like we see with cannabis, different climate and environmental conditions affect the genetics of a plant, and so kratom that comes from, say, Thailand, will develop a different chemical composition compared to kratom that comes from, say, Vietnam, because factors like sunlight, temperature, humidity, and soil composition all determine how each compound develops in the leaves. There are lots and we mean, lots of kratom strains out there.
Based on Vein Color:
- Red Vein Kratom:
- Effects: Known for its calming and sedative effects, often used for pain relief, relaxation, and alleviating insomnia.
- Popular Strains: Red Bali, Red Thai, Red Maeng Da, Red Borneo.
- Green Vein Kratom:
- Effects: Provides a balance between energy and relaxation, often used for mild pain relief, mood enhancement, and increased focus.
- Popular Strains: Green Malay, Green Maeng Da, Green Borneo, Green Indo.
- White Vein Kratom:
- Effects: Known for its stimulating and energizing effects, often used for boosting energy, focus, and mood.
- Popular Strains: White Maeng Da, White Thai, White Borneo, White Indo.
- Yellow Vein Kratom:
- Effects: Believed to be a blend of different kratom strains or a unique drying process, offering a mild, balanced effect that includes both stimulation and relaxation.
- Popular Strains: Yellow Vietnam, Yellow Bali, Yellow Maeng Da.
Based on Geographic Origin:
- Bali Kratom:
- Characteristics: Typically has a red vein and is known for its potent analgesic properties and sedative effects.
- Popular Varieties: Red Bali, Green Bali.
- Thai Kratom:
- Characteristics: Often more stimulating and energizing, can have varying vein colors.
- Popular Varieties: Red Thai, Green Thai, White Thai.
- Malay Kratom:
- Characteristics: Known for its balanced effects and long-lasting properties.
- Popular Varieties: Green Malay, Red Malay.
- Borneo Kratom:
- Characteristics: Known for its strong sedative and pain-relieving effects.
- Popular Varieties: Red Borneo, Green Borneo, White Borneo.
- Indo Kratom:
- Characteristics: Often has a more subtle effect compared to other strains, can be both stimulating and relaxing.
- Popular Varieties: Red Indo, Green Indo, White Indo.
- Maeng Da Kratom:
- Characteristics: Often regarded as a premium strain, known for its potency and balanced effects.
- Popular Varieties: Red Maeng Da, Green Maeng Da, White Maeng Da.
What About Kratom’s Legality Factor?
Kratom is federally legal, and it’s never been prohibited under federal law. With that being said, know that kratom is not approved by the FDA, so kratom companies don’t have to follow a strict set of regulations when making kratom. Because of that, stick to a reputable company, look at lab reports from a third-party lab, and read reviews to be on the safe side. Also, know that although kratom is federally legal, it’s banned in certain states.
Could Kratom Cause a Failed Drug Test Result?
Yes, kratom can potentially cause a failed drug test result. While standard drug tests typically screen for substances like opioids, THC (from cannabis), cocaine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines, they generally do not specifically test for kratom. However, depending on the type of drug test and the substances it screens for, there can be cross-reactivity or false positives with kratom due to its alkaloids.
Some urine drug tests, especially those that use immunoassay techniques, might cross-react with kratom alkaloids, leading to a false positive result for opioids. If a more specific confirmation test (like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) is used, it can differentiate kratom from opioids and confirm whether it caused the positive result.
If you’re concerned about kratom showing up on a drug test, it’s essential to inform the testing facility or employer beforehand if you have used kratom recently, especially if it could potentially interfere with the interpretation of the results.
Must-Try Kratom Product Types/Delivery Methods
Kratom comes in all kinds of product types/delivery methods, so let’s take a look at the most popular ones, and what you can expect when taking them:
- Kratom Powder: The OG of all kratom products that’s versatile, as you can add it to all kinds of things, from smoothies to recipes, to empty gel caps.
- Kratom Tea:Kratom leaves that come in tea bags, and you can steep them in hot water to drink the alkaloids so that they absorb quickly into the body through the water-solubility of the product.
- Kratom Capsules: Let you swallow a dose of kratom whole, and they’re really convenient in that you can take them along with your daily supplements if you want.
- Kratom Gummies:Pretty new to the market, and they taste delicious, while they’re super easy to dose out since each piece contains the same number of grams.
- Kratom Shots:Meant to be “thrown back” like a regular shot, and contain a potent serving of liquid kratom extract, plus flavoring. These are considered the strongest and fastest-acting out of any product.
- Kratom Drinks: Bottled/canned drinks, like kratom-infused sparkling water, are really popular, since they’re refreshing, and give you a pretty fast-acting response since the product is water-soluble.
- Kratom Vapes: A relatively new form of consuming kratom that gets vaporized and then inhaled. You can find it in one of three ways: bottled e-liquid form that would get poured into a compatible open device system, pre-filled vape cartridges, or AIO (All-In-One) disposable vape pens.
Kratom is the Real Deal!
Kratom’s story is far from over. It continues to be a subject of fascination and debate, symbolizing the broader challenges and opportunities in the field of herbal medicine. Whether kratom will ultimately be embraced as a valuable therapeutic tool or remain a controversial substance will depend on the ongoing efforts of researchers, policymakers, and the kratom community to navigate the intricate landscape of health, science, and society.
Still, kratom is undoubtedly capable of giving us all kinds of blissful effects, and maybe surprisingly, it’s legal in almost every state in the country. So, if you’re looking to try kratom for yourself, check out Goo’d Extracts kratom products, and just know you’re getting a product that’s lab-tested and legit, with the ability supply complete potential of what this incredible plant is capable of.
