By Mitch Rice
Mitragyna speciosa, or to most people, kratom, is a coffee-family tree native to Southeast Asia regions of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Due to its alleged benefits, Kratom use has increased in Canada in the past few years.
Kratom has been used in these native regions for more than 150 years, mainly for pain relief, energy boosts, and alcohol and opioid withdrawal. Today, kratom has shot into the limelight as more people seek natural treatment alternatives for opioid disorders, mental illnesses, and pain.
Research on kratom’s effects is inconclusive; however, pre-clinical studies suggest that kratom can be beneficial, especially for managing chronic pain. While kratom is yet to be endorsed by food and drug agencies in Canada, is it legal to use it? And what are the effects of kratom? Read on to learn more about kratom in Canada.
What is Kratom
Kratom is an evergreen plant predominantly grown in Southeast Asia due to its perfect tropical climate. Once matured, its leaves are harvested, chewed, or dried and crushed into powder to be infused in drinks and food for stimulating, energy-boosting, and sedation effects. Additionally, kratom is known to relieve depression, ease anxiety and heal muscle spasms.
Due to its potential benefits and relaxed regulations, kratom is now more accessible, unlike a few years ago. High-quality kratom canada is available mainly in a powder that can be added to tea or other drinks. While the effects are unique to each user, they are largely determined by the potency and amount consumed.
That’s why users must use kratom responsibly to reduce the adverse side effects of overdose.
Kratom Benefits
Kratom is at the center of discussion due to its potential therapeutic properties. Despite the need for extensive research, various studies and anecdotal evidence seem to agree with its potential benefits.
Here are some of the benefits of using kratom:
1. Mental Clarity and Mood Elevation
If you’re struggling with focus due to mood issues, kratom might offer a solution. Research on kratom’s mood-enhancing and antidepressant effects is promising. A study using animal models shows how kratom lowers cortisol levels which is crucial in easing depression.
2. Energy and Alertness
One of the well-known benefits of kratom is its caffeine-like stimulating effects for energy boost. A cup of tea mixed with the Maeng Da Kratom strain will help enhance your energy and focus.
3. Pain Relief
Kratom has been used to treat pain by the natives for hundreds of years. For patients battling chronic pain, kratom might be a lifesaver. Kratom, through 7-hydroxy mitragynine, a compound 13x more potent than morphine, attaches to opioid receptors to relieve pain. According to a study, participants administered kratom displayed a statistically significant improvement in pain tolerance.
4. Opioid Withdrawal
Kratom is believed to help in mitigating the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms. It achieves this by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain. Mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, the active compounds in kratom, can mimic the opioids to activate the opioid receptors without subjecting users to the intense effects of opioids.
This makes fighting opioid addiction manageable.
5. Sedation
At high doses, kratom offers sedative effects inducing calm and relaxation in the user. This is contrary to the energizing of kratom at low doses. Apart from the dosage, the kratom strain also plays a role. Some strains like Red Borneo, Red Bali, Red Indo, Red Maeng Da, and Green Malay are known for their relaxation effects.
Kratom Dosage in Canada
One of the challenges that new kratom users have to face is establishing the right dosage. With no clear guidelines and lots of conflicting information online, anyone can get confused. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand kratom dosage for the best outcome.
When it comes to kratom usage, no two users experience the same effects. Apart from the dosage, the effects could vary from one user to another due to the type of strain consumed, method of administration, age, weight, and individual body tolerance.
Preliminary research shows that kratom is associated with stimulant effects at low doses, between 1 and 5 grams, while at higher doses, between 5 and 15 grams, it is likely to have sedative effects. However, there is a need for further research to establish the effects of various doses.
However, there are no standard guidelines on the right amount of kratom for a particular purpose. As such, it’s important to approach kratom with caution. Always read the product label to understand the recommended amounts to consume.
Kratom can be consumed either in raw form by chewing the leaves, as crushed powder, extracts, or capsules. Depending on the method of consumption, the effects could kick in as few as 10 minutes or take up to 30 minutes. Once the effects kick in, they could last up to hours. So, it’s important to give it time before taking an additional test.
The best approach with kratom is to start with a small dose and increase it gradually as you monitor the effects. Too much kratom could lead to unwanted side effects like dizziness, dry mouth, hallucination, and sweating.
Kratom Regulations in Canada
In Canada, kratom’s legality is limited to personal use and possession. Canadian federal law prohibits the sale or distribution of kratom due to its current status as an “unauthorized health product” by Health Canada.
Since kratom is not prohibited in Canada, you can buy it online from reputable vendors. Just be sure to buy the right strain, read the product label to check ingredients, and confirm that its third-party lab tested for purity.
Conclusion
While kratom has been used for many years by natives, various perspectives exist among politicians, researchers, and medical professionals on the legality of kratom. Looking into the future, kratom’s legality for various purposes could change. Therefore, it’s advisable to research local laws and regulations when traveling with kratom in Canada.
Besides taking your time to research and understand your products, consult a doctor or kratom expert before using them. Additionally, go slow on kratom as you get started to minimize the adverse side effects of high doses. If you notice any adverse reaction, talk to a medical professional.
