In August 2021, the Thai government announced the legalization of kratom cultivation and commercial sale of its leaves, which contain psychotropic alkaloids with stimulating properties. Consequently, kratom trees were removed from the category five controlled narcotics list in Thailand, resulting in the release of thousands of individuals previously detained on kratom-related charges. However, what exactly is kratom and how is it used? Here's all the essential information.
What is Kratom?
Kratom, scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical evergreen tree resembling those in the coffee family. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it grows in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. For centuries, its leaves have been utilized in herbal medicine due to their dual action as both stimulants and sedatives, depending on the dosage.
What Forms Does It Come In?
Kratom exists in various strains, from the popular white vein to the milder green vein. Typically, the leaves are dried, crushed, or powdered for consumption. Additionally, kratom is available in paste, capsule, and tablet forms, and its leaves can be smoked, chewed, or brewed into tea and other beverages.
What Effects Can I Expect?
Kratom leaves contain more than 40 active compounds, with the most notable being mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which interact with the body's opioid receptors. Many users report kratom producing effects akin to morphine, as 7-hydroxymitragynine is actually 13 times more potent than the widely used painkiller. In small doses, kratom acts as a stimulant, enhancing alertness and sociability for about an hour or two. Larger doses (10 grams or more) can induce sedative effects, accompanied by feelings of euphoria and calmness lasting several hours.
Comentarios