In this blog post, we will discuss the risks and health benefits of kratom, a controversial product that does have a number of health benefits. People in the United States may be familiar with kratom, which is beginning to appear in gas stations, tea shops, and other stores in the United States. Kratom is a type of psychoactive substance found in the leaves of kratom trees, which grow in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Kratom is legal at the federal level in the United States but is illegal in some states though. Kratom is also commonly found in Asia and was until recently banned in countries such as Thailand. Kratom is worth investigating for potential health benefits, although kratom consumption should be approached with caution.
The Health Benefits of Kratom
Hazy and Inconclusive
The health benefits of kratom are not very clear, although many people have claimed that kratom does or may possibly help with a variety of health issues. Some of the potential health benefits of kratom include the following:
- Kratom may be able to help with anxiety and depression. Kratom does have a sedating effect, but other types of products such as magnesium or lithium may be better natural alternatives.
- Kratom may also be helpful in supporting other health issues such as diarrhea and high blood pressure.
- People also take kratom because it is a stimulant that increases their sex drive.
- Kratom has also been used for pain relief and has even been said to help people deal with opioid withdrawal symptoms. While kratom may help ease withdrawal symptoms, kratom itself can also be addicting. Hence one should approach kratom with caution, regardless of the intent.
Anecdotes are Convincing
In our view, there has not been enough research conducted on the health benefits of kratom, even though kratom has been used by humans for a very long time. The clearest benefit of kratom includes its pain relief properties. There is no shortage of testimonials from people claiming that kratom has been crucial in their pain relief journey. A Forbes article we recently read covers the story of several people, including a veteran who was struggling with pain and was prescribed hydrocodone. All of these people mentioned how kratom was instrumental in helping them overcome addiction to other substances and to experience pain relief. Hopefully, there will be more research conducted in the future about the health benefits of kratom, so that consumers are able to make educated choices about how to relieve pain and overcome addiction.
Research from John Hopkins
John Hopkins recently surveyed 2,700 kratom users to learn more about the risks and health benefits of kratom. Based on the results from this study, John Hopkins determined that the risks of kratom were lower than that of opioids. Kratom was also shown to be useful in helping with symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and depression. Based on the findings, it was also recommended for the FDA and other organizations to further research the risks and health benefits of kratom, as there is currently not enough information for consumers to fully make an informed decision. More formal studies would shed light on this debated issue, and help consumers to enjoy the health benefits of kratom while avoiding unknown risks.
To ban or not to ban?
The future growth outlook of kratom is very hazy for two reasons: 1) There has not been enough research conducted regarding the health benefits and 2) It is hard to predict how countries will reach moving forward, especially with increased marijuana legalization in certain states in the United States. However, we do believe that consumers will push back and continue consuming kratom, despite warnings from the FDA and other organizations. In a surprise move, Thailand recently chooses to reverse its decision and legalize kratom. Kratom was already very popular in many countries in Asia, and consumers were choosing to illegally consume kratom. In the United States, kratom is widely available in many stores, including shops that sell kava or other products such as CBD. A ban does not seem likely, although it is certainly appropriate for consumers to be aware of the risks of kratom. The competitive landscape is also likely to very intense, as there are many popular alternatives like CBD and Kava that are currently legal, and marijuana, which is slowly becoming legal in certain states.
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