Did you know that the death toll from 1999 to 2017, in the United States, from drug overdose was above 700,000?
Every year the US economy is hit by over $600 billion due to alcohol and drug addiction.
Just by looking at these numbers, you can get an idea that how drugs can be harmful.
The herbal drug industry on the other hand is expanding, and gaining legal statuses in many States. The number of new herbs used in drug experiments is also increasing.
In this article, I will talk about a new drug called, Kratom; and 5 best places to buy it.
So, let’s start.
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree found in Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and other South Asian countries. It is used as herbal supplement and used as a stimulant and sedative. The main active ingredients of Kratom are the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which can have pain relieving effects. It is being used to treat chronic pain, digestive ailments, anxiety, depression, fatigue, helps to enhance mood, suppress appetite and increase energy. Kratom is also used to help people leave opium addiction.
Kratom is also known by names like ithang, thang, kakuam, thom, ketom, biak, kratho, or ketum.
Why and how people use it?
When Kratom is taken in low dose, it works as stimulant and gives the user more energy, alertness, and makes them feel more sociable. The effect of Kratom starts within 10 minutes of consumption and lasts for 1.5 hours. But if taken in higher dose i.e. 10-25 grams, Kratom works as sedative and produces euphoric effects, decrease pain, dulling emotions and sensations. The effect lasts for up to six hours.
Kratom leaves are mostly dried and converted into powder. It is also available in paste, pill or extract form. Some people even chew Kratom leaves or brew them as tea.
Is Kratom addictive?
Kratom has opioid like effects and it might cause dependence and addiction. A person will have withdrawal symptoms when s/he stops taking Kratom. Some withdrawal symptoms include:
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Hostility
- Aggression
- Emotional changes
- Runny nose
- Jerky movements
Side effects of Kratom
Like every other drug, Kratom also has side effects that may include:
- Constipation
- Muscle tremors
- Tongue numbness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Itching
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Hallucination
When Kratom is taken with other drugs it may result in brain swelling, liver damage, seizures, cardiac arrest, trouble breathing, and even death.
Is it legal?
Kratom though mainly found in Thailand and Malaysia, does not have a legal status there. It is illegal in Australia and several European Union countries. However, it is legal in the United States except six states; Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Denver, Colorado, Jerseyville, Indiana, and Sarasota County, Florida have active bans. In the United States, Kratom is usually sold as an alternative medicine. They are sold in stores which has supplements and alternative medicines.
Why is it controversial?
Kratom is relatively a new drug and has not been studied in-depth yet therefore, it is still not officially recommended for medical use. Clinical studies identify the harmful effects and harmful interactions with other drugs. With such studies, the effective dosage is gauged without making it dangerous. The correct amount of dosage and best practices for Kratom intake are being studied.
Kratom contains alkaloids that have strong physical effect on humans, and it has as many alkaloids as opium and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Alkaloids have significant adverse effects and therefore safety has to be established.
Moreover, the production of Kratom hasn’t been yet regulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t monitor the safety or purity of herbs and there are no established standards for safely producing this drug.
The Future of Kratom: Bans, Regulations & Legality
In 2016, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) pressurized to add Kratom to the list of Schedule 1 drugs. Schedule 1 drugs include all the drugs that have no valid medical use and there is a high potential for abuse. The ban was never implemented because doctors and patients raised voice that Kratom helped them deal with opioid withdrawal and chronic pain.
Though there were number of deaths associated with Kratom use but it was mostly because it was used with some other substance. Therefore, the ban was not enforced properly. The States in US are banning as they see fit.
So, if you are in a State in which buying, selling and possession of Kratom is legal then let me tell you the 5 best places to buy Kratom online.
- Kraken Kratom
Being an American Kratom Association (AKA) qualified Kratom vendor, they follow industry best practices and the best thing about them is that their capsules are vegan – no preservatives, gelatin, wheat, starch, or animal by-products.
- Left Coast Kratom
Left Coast Kratom is also an American Kratom Association qualified and they sell superior quality products. They are famous for their customer-friendly policies. They send free gifts, weekly discounts and have a great referral program too.
- Phytoextractum
Phytoextractum is also an American Kratom Association qualified seller, but not solely Kratom seller. Their Kratom products are from authentic Kratom suppliers in Southeast Asia. Also have good promotions on their website.
- Kratom Crazy
Kratom Crazy gets their supplies from an exclusive group of suppliers in Indonesia or from wholesale distributors in the US. They offer 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee on their opened and un-opened products to give guarantee of their authentic product. Other than that, they also guarantee a minimum of 1.4% Mitragynine content in all of their Kratom products.
- Mitragaia
Mitragaia is all about offering choices to its customers – choice in terms of products, quantities, and payments. They are transparent about their business practices and readily share all the lab test results of their products on the website.
If you are interested in Kratom, you can buy it online from any of the aforementioned sellers. Always remember: Use drugs safely.