Kratom FAQ

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about the tremendous benefits of kratom. This Southeast Asian plant has made a big splash in supplement markets around the world. Whenever something catches on in the natural healthcare realm, however, there’s always a lot of confusing, conflicting information that starts to circulate. This kratom FAQ is designed to answer some common questions about kratom. It will also help clear up some myths and misconceptions about its use and advantages. In the end, you’ll be better informed to make your own decisions about kratom and if it’s right for you.

Kratom FAQ – What is Kratom?

Kratom is the dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. The leaves are harvested at different times, dried, cured, and powdered. Pure kratom has no additives; it’s simply leaves.

People in Southeast Asia have used Kratom for centuries, chewing on the fresh leaves or making tea. That’s because the plant grows wild there. Most of the kratom on the market today comes from this region.

Kratom FAQ – Why is Kratom so Popular?

As more and more news about the pharmaceutical industry comes out, people have begun to lean more toward natural remedies. The use of plants as medicine dates back thousands of years.

Users of kratom report that it makes them feel good. It can promote a sense of calm relaxation or alertness. There are different types of kratom that have different concentrations of alkaloids that affect our minds and bodies.

Kratom FAQ – What Do the Different Colors of Kratom Mean?

You’ve probably seen that kratom comes in white, red, and green varieties. There are also yellow kratom and kratom blends. Kratom powder is always a shade of green. You won’t find safe kratom with any dyes or added colors.

The red, white, and green names refer to the maturity of the leaves when they’re harvested. As the tree matures, the veins of its leaves change colors. They start as white, change to green, and eventually turn red.

The reason this matters is that the different vein colors can tell you a lot about the effects it will have. As the kratom tree ages, its balance of alkaloids shifts. These alkaloids are what we feel when we take kratom.

Yellow kratom, or gold kratom, is a bit of a controversial topic. Most people don’t seem to know where this strain comes from, though they sell it anyway. Reliable botanical sources confirm that yellow kratom comes from exposing young leaves to sunlight oxidation and fermentation.

Some kratom suppliers also offer kratom blends. Most of the time, these blends are mixtures of red, white, or green kratom. Beware of kratom powders mixed with other substances. If you do get a kratom mix, make sure you check into the supplier to make sure they’re following health and safety guidelines.

Kratom FAQ – What’s in Kratom?

As mentioned earlier, pure kratom is just the leaves of the tree. The reason we feel something when we use kratom is because of natural chemicals produced by the tree called alkaloids. There are a lot of different alkaloids in any plant, but the ones we care about most are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Young plants have a higher amount of mitragynine. As the tree ages, some of that alkaloid gets transformed into 7-hydroxymitragynine. That’s why different “colors” of kratom have different effects.

Kratom FAQ – What Do Kratom Names Mean?

It should be easy to see where the color part of the name comes from. The other part of the name is usually the location where the kratom grows. So, Green Malay Kratom is a green-veined variety grown in Malaysia. Bali White Vein comes from white-veined kratom leaves grown in Bali, Indonesia.

Maeng Da Kratom is one exception. Maeng Da isn’t a growing region. The name describes the quality of the Kratom. Maeng Da leaves are the highest quality leaves from one harvest.

Some suppliers like to give their products inventive names like “Red Dragon” and “Pure Zen.” These can mean they come from a certain farm or they’re a proprietary kratom blend. You should never be afraid to ask questions when it comes to buying kratom.

If you find a supplier that dodges your questions or doesn’t respond, find a different supplier. It’s okay for them to admit they don’t know the answer, but they should offer to dig deeper and find it for you.

Kratom FAQ – Can Kratom Help Me?

Kratom affects people differently. The various strains also have various properties. Anecdotal evidence suggests several benefits of kratom. Scientific research on kratom is still in its infancy.

Among the benefits of kratom, it can promote a relaxed lifestyle and feelings of relief from anxiety and depression. However, the plant shouldn’t be promoted as a cure for serious medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, or stroke. If you have a serious medical condition, seek the advice of a physician.

Kratom FAQ – Is Kratom Legal?

The answer to that question depends on where you live. In the United States, the FDA has not banned the use of kratom. Although it’s legal at the federal level, some states and cities have banned kratom.

Currently, six states don’t allow kratom. They are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. In some states, kratom is legal in some areas but not in others. San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; Jerseyville, IL; Sarasota County, FL; and Union County, MS; have all banned kratom.

Restricted use in some states makes kratom illegal if you’re under a certain age. The legal age for kratom in Illinois and New Hampshire is 18. In Tennessee, you have to be 21.

Kratom FAQ – Why Is Kratom Banned in Some Places?

The answer to that largely depends on the place. The public reasoning for kratom bans often cites fear of addiction, lack of regulation, or safety concerns. In many cases, the legality of kratom may be based on less-publicized reasoning. Ties to pharmaceutical companies, competing drugs like cannabis, and lack of information are some examples.

The truth is, advocates of kratom typically want regulation. They’re motivated by the safety of consumers, the integrity of the product, and industry standardization. The biggest national advocate of kratom is currently the American Kratom Association as well as politically active kratom vendors who donate time and money to keep kratom legal.