Kratom

All about kratom

Born in Amsterdam in March 1807. The Dutch botanist Pieter Willem Korthals was 32 years old when he was first in 1839 formal de Mitragyna speciosa described.

In 1895 EM Holmes also referred to the use of kratom as an alternative to opium. He identified it as Mitragyna speciosa.

Two years later, H. Ridley documented that kratom was used to get people off opium.

In 1907 L. Wray sent samples of both Mitragyna speciosa and Mitragyna parvifolia to the University of Edinburgh.

In 1921, Fray isolated the Mitragynine alkaloid from Mitragyna speciosa and named it “Mitragynine”.

In 1859 George Darby Haviland came up with the last and official classification. He called the species “Mitragyna speciosa”. This is what we have all come to know as kratom, ketum, kedomba, puri, biak or mambog.

The natural environment of Mitragyna Speciosa are the flooded wetlands found by the major rivers that flow through this region and flood the area.

The leaves of the kratom tree are considered sacred by some, while they are used as medicine by others. Kratom is used around the world as a natural remedy for pain relief, to treat opioid addiction, to combat anxiety and anxiety, and to boost the immune system. Kratom has also been shown to be very effective as an antibacterial medication against infections such as aspergillosis (fungal infection).

In addition to the medicinal properties described above, there are many other conditions that can be treated with this herb and its many complex alkaloids and other components.

Where does kratom grow?

The map above shows the three main countries in Southeast Asia where kratom trees grow wild. These are Thailand (although more cultivated than wild), Malaysia and Indonesia. Apart from these three countries, there are six more countries where kratom also grows in the wild: Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and since about 100 years a small amount can also be found in the south of China , which was planted there for medicinal purposes at the time.

The island of Borneo, or Kalimantan, appears to be the epicenter of the species Mitragyna speciosa. There are more trees per square hectare here than anywhere else in the world, followed by Sumatra and Papua. Not surprising considering how many natural rivers Borneo has.

The species that can be found in Papua need to be studied even more closely, as the trees there are much larger and also have much larger leaves. They also have a different alkaloid profile.

The differences between the trees on Borneo and those in the south of Thailand, for example, are much less evident. All trees also have the same characteristics of three different veins (veins): Red, Green & White.

Maeng Da is a strong strain that grows in a small area in the south of Thailand. What's important with this tribe is the way the trees are planted and harvested. This additional technique provides (an increase of) certain alkaloid fingerprints, which provide the specific characteristics of the tree.

Scientific research has shown that there are certain changes between types of kratom depending on the geographic situation, but the main differences are seasonal and have to do with the color of the grain. Drying techniques can also have a significant impact on the color and aroma of the final product and most of the strains offered by the sellers are almost all the same with little difference between them.

Benefits of kratom

Kratom is best known as a very effective analgesic or painkiller. This is mainly due to the alkaloid mitragynine, although other alkaloids also play a role. mitragynine is a partially opioid agonist very different from morphine. Patents have been pending and several scientific journals show enormous medical promise.

Pain relief

The pain-fighting properties of kratom are not only effective for general conditions, but also for conditions where the pain is much more intense or for chronic pain. Many people have completely changed course and no longer take painkillers, but use the naturally rich herbal treatment of kratom!

Kratom can be very effective in reducing pain caused by the following conditions:

-Severe headache or migraine
-Backache
-Minor injuries (including broken bones, abrasions and burns)
-Multiple sclerosis
-Arthritis
-Damaged muscles
-Sore or tense neck
-Scoliosis
-Chest pain
-Sensitive abdomen

This is a fairly general list of conditions where kratom can be effective. There are also many other ailments that kratom can help against and there are also several ongoing studies looking at how kratom can serve as a medicinal application.

The two most powerful alkaloids in kratom for pain relief are mitragynine & 7-0H mitragynine, respectively. These two alkaloids have active opioid delta receptors that reduce the body's sensitivity to pain. Mitragynine is a partial opioid agonist that is very unique and different from morphine. It does not cause respiratory failure like other opioids - including morphine - do. The abuse potential is also much smaller than with “traditional” opioids. In contrast, 7-hydroxymitrgynin (7-OH) is only found in very small amounts in the leaf, usually only 0,04%. 7-OH is about 100 times stronger than mitragynine and 13 times more powerful than morphine. But it is not present in the leaf at a concentration high enough to have any real effect, and it is also very difficult to extract from the leaf because it would have to be specially isolated and the quantity is only so small. Because it is only present in the leaf in such a small amount, there is no real bio-data on how it reacts in higher quantities in humans. Mitragynine, on the other hand, has been intensively studied and is the most important and common alkaloid in the kratom leaf. It is responsible for the most effects of it. In Asia it has been used for centuries without harm to the body or social problems.

In short, in the case of pain relief or withdrawal symptoms, it is generally better to use leaves with the highest concentration of mitragynine. This is usually found in the Maeng Da or White Vein varieties.

Even more effective than regular leaves, however, are the enriched leaves & extracts. With targeted amounts of mitragynine, concentrated extracts such as a Full-Spectrum Total Alkaloid Extract with a concentration of 40% to 45% mitragynine provide by far the best results. Easy and precise to dose. Controlled quantities and fast results.

Depression, anxiety and motivation

Many people fight mild anxiety, especially social anxiety, with kratom. Kratom can noticeably lift your mood. It can also make everyday tasks more fun and provide extra motivation. This is possible when you smaller amounts used and only as needed. It is not a good idea to use kratom in this way out of habit. This way there is no build-up of tolerance and you can expect the same results over and over from the same dosage at different times. Monitor your kratom use closely.

As for the specific strain or strain that is best to use, this can vary considerably, but in general there is a preference for the Green and White Vein. A small amount of 75 mg of Full-Spectrum Total Alkaloid Extract with a concentration of 40% to 45% mitragynine should be sufficient for approximately 6 hours of relief for those suffering from social anxiety.

Kratom and relief from withdrawal problems / transitional maintenance

Kratom has great pain-fighting and mood-enhancing properties, as described above. It is also ideal for people who are going through a period of opioid withdrawal.

One thing is for sure, kratom is very effective at dampening and relieving typical withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Recommended strains used in the reduction of withdrawal symptoms of opiate addiction:

-Any leaf with a high concentration of mitragynine is good. It does not really matter what the color is, as long as there is sufficient mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine in the raw leaf.

-Maeng Da, White Vein & Horned Kratom generally contain slightly higher amounts of mitragynine.

-For best results it is better to use an Alkaloid Extract with a concentration of 40% to 45% mitragynine or an even purer mitragynine enriched extract such as Mitra-6, which contains approximately 60% Mitragynine.

Kratom has a great stimulating effect on the immune system. That's because kratom leaves also contain alkaloids known as immunostimulants. These immunostimulants strengthen the body's defense system.

The four main immunostimulant alkaloids commonly found in kratom leaves:

Isorhynchophylline
Isopteropodine
• Mitraphylline
Isomitraphylline

Kratom dosage for energy and focus

25mg to 50mg of Mitragynine is generally a good amount for most people for a noticeable increase in energy and focus. The results may vary from person to person. For energy and focus, it is not recommended to use it on a daily basis, but only when necessary. Try to limit it to twice a day and no more than two or three times a week. Kratom or mitragynine do not cause chemical dependence at such a low dose.

Kratom dosage for anxiety and pain

50mg to 100mg of Mitragynine has been shown to be a very effective amount to combat anxiety and pain depending on the severity of the case. It is wise to start with less than the lowest dose and then increase the dose until you find the most suitable dose. For chronic pain, kratom should be used as needed, similar to the prescription medication. Concentrated mitragynine extracts work best for chronic pain and are much easier to dose and use in much smaller amounts.

Kratom dosage for opiate withdrawal

It is stated that with a metered dose that is tapered down, you can get rid of opiates with kratom. To begin with, take 2mg -4mg mitragynine from kratom at least 70-100 times a day for three days. On the fourth day, the dosage should be reduced to 50mg -70mg. On the fifth day, the dosage will go back to 30mg -50mg at a time until you are only using 20mg on the sixth day. On the seventh day you then stop using the kratom completely. Concentrated mitragynine extracts work best for chronic pain and are much easier to dose. It is used in much smaller amounts.

Kratom side effects

There are people who have reported side effects when using kratom. This is quite possible. People can be allergic to certain medications such as aspirin, paracetamol and penicillin. The same goes for kratom.

If the dose is incorrect or if a person has never used kratom before, the following side effects are known:

- Itching
- To blush
- Excessive sweating
- Stomach problems
- Nausea, dizziness
- Constricted pupils
- Trembling or shivering / tingling

It is important to note that these side effects are not serious, are manageable and pass after a few hours.

Long-term effects of kratom

No available report describes adverse effects from the use of kratom. Therefore, both the short-term and long-term effects come exclusively from first-hand testimonials and comments from users and individuals with a fair amount of experience using kratom. In addition, there is no record of deaths related to the use of kratom alone (responsibly or not); this in contrast to reports in the media.

Kratom has been used as a stimulant in Thailand & Malaysia for hundreds of years without any adverse social effects. Like any other stimulant, and often drugs, kratom is misused by some people in these countries, but in general, abuse of alcohol, for example, is much more harmful.

Effects of different strains

Since 2012, the amount of different “strains” that have entered the market has increased enormously. It is therefore not surprising that the number of farmers and sellers has also increased enormously and the competition is huge! New tricks are learned, the color is changed a bit and boom, we have a new trunk! So that's not surprising VERY MUCH come VERY similar to each other. Kratom is NOT cannabis with all of its genetically grown cultivars. No. Kratom is a TREE that grows in the wild and is only partially cultivated. Of course there are differences in tribes, but probably not as much as many of the commercial sellers suggest.

Stimulating strains of kratom, when taken in the correct dosage, are the varieties White Vein and Maeng Da Kratom.

Kratom vein / vein color types: research and analysis

Kratom comes in three different color types. These are Red Vein, Green Vein & White Vein. On the outside we see the color difference, but inside the sheet we see differences in alkaloid profiles or fingerprints. Roughly, you could say that the different effects experienced with the different types of kratom are largely influenced by three main alkaloids: mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine and speciociliatine. It is the ratio combination of the mix (if used) of these three alkaloids that produces the effects we are all familiar with. To a lesser extent, there are some differences between trees of different geographic locations with additional amounts of alkaloids that may differ slightly causing different effects due to the entourage effect. This is also seen with Full spectrum kratom extracts.

In general, each kratom tree produces all three colors, but in seasonal variations. It is not uncommon for there to be trees that have both Red Vein and White Vein leaves that grow at the same time, but change during the year. Most trees are predominantly one color or the other, but will still show signs of all colors.

Red Vein Kratom

Red Vein is known for having a strong anesthetic effect. In general, Red Vein leaves contain a slightly lower concentration of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and a higher concentration of speciociliatine, which, along with some other traces of alkaloids, is likely responsible for the Red Veins having a more have an anesthetic effect.

White Vein Kratom

White Vein variants generally contain a higher concentration of mitragynine and 7-hydroynmitragynine alkaloids. White Vein Kratom is known in a low dose to help with alertness and motivation and against stress and depression.

This is a great strain to use in the morning.

Green Vein Kratom

Green Vein is known for being the most moderate shade of the kratom leaf. Green Vein generally provides multiple effects of medium strength.

For that reason, Green Vein is ideal for those who do not want to focus entirely on the specific effects that the White Vein or Red Vein offer (the effects of stimulation and anesthetic, respectively).

Overall, the Green Vein provides moderate and neutral effects in users.

The Green Vein variety also provides stable nootropic promotion effects and it has a higher degree of compatibility in most individuals, more often than the White Vein.

Green Vein Kratom is often used for social anxiety and also for recreational purposes, such as before a night out. Using Green Kratom can make you more sociable. You will feel more relaxed and feel more comfortable where you are. It also makes you more talkative.

Kratom extracts

Traditionally, kratom has been consumed by chewing a fresh leaf or by brewing tea from dried leaves. The kratom leaves are generally very effective on their own, but often it is more beneficial to turn them into a more concentrated extract. Kratom extracts are more powerful and therefore better suited for more severe conditions such as 'chronic pain' or withdrawal symptoms and make it even more effective!

Kratom extracts are available in many types and types. Each type of kratom extract has a specific amount of potency. Many of the extracts on the market are sold as 15X or 25X, or sometimes even more. In most cases it is not clear what this refers to. It could be that this indicates that the extract is 15X or 25X stronger than the same leaf weight. They could also be saying that it takes 15kg or 25kg of leaves to make 1kg of the extract. Anyway, it's very confusing and completely unclear. In recent years we have been looking at inconsistencies within the kratom industry. There are no real guidelines or units of measurement that determine exactly what kind of kratom you buy. By measuring the amount of mitragynine in kratom, we can determine a measurement system for strength & quality. Because mitragynine is the most abundant alkaloid found in all types of kratom, it is responsible for most of the effects.

Ethanol based kratom extracts

One of the most common kratom extracts available today is ethanol-based extracts. Ethanol-based extracts are usually obtained according to the following procedure:

-Ground kratom leaves are soaked in ethanol for hours.
-The liquid is then strained.
-The ethanol evaporates completely.
-The brown-colored material (richer and more concentrated in active alkaloids than just the leaf) remains as residue.

The potency of the ethanol-based extract is determined as 'X' (i.e. 5X, 20X)

In most cases it is not clear what this refers to. They may be trying to make it clear that the extract is 15X or 25X stronger than the same leaf weight. Or they might try to say that it takes 15kg or 25kg of pure leaf to make 1kg of the extract. Regardless, it is very confusing and unclear. You will usually find concentrations of no more than 3% to 6% mitragynine in these extracts when tested for it.

Kratom resin

Kratom resin is made by boiling fresh leaves in large quantities of water for hours until it all evaporates and only a thick resinous tar substance remains.

Interestingly here is that the main active alkaloid mitragynine is not soluble in water and so this means that there is not much Mitragynine in the extract. Thus, the weight percent resin is not even very strong compared to ordinary dry powder extracts. The effects are due to increased amounts used because it is easily dissolved in hot water thus releasing mitragynine, plus the additional effects from the combination of other alkaloids.

Kratom tincture

Kratom tincture is made by diluting a mitragynine-based extract in ethanol or alcohol. It is used for various things (eg tropical use).

Provided it is manufactured qualitatively, kratom tincture can lead to extremely effective and soothing effects.

Enriched kratom

Enriched kratom is made by taking a predetermined amount of extract and dissolving it in ethanol until completely absorbed. The predetermined amount of powdered leaf is added to the solution with the extract until completely mixed and saturated with the solution. Once this is done the product will slowly evaporate and dry until there is no ethanol left and the extract is completely mixed with the leaf mixture. The result is an extraordinarily rich and powerful kratom extract.

Benefits:

Its greatest advantage is that it is comparable to a Full-Spectrum extract. This is usually a simple amount to consume and can be dosed very accurately.

Kratom dosage

It is often difficult to obtain the correct dosage. And because there are no regulatory requirements, this means that the quality and strength of many kratom products on the market are largely unknown and undocumented. Not good news for those eager to reap the health benefits and looking for the right dosage for a particular kratom product.

Tables on the Internet show how much the average quality (how many percent mitragynine by volume) of ordinary leaf is generally used by people for the various reasons described. It also explains how much this is approximately in mg of pure mitragynine. You can see the benefits of using a Full-Spectrum Alkaloid extract like Mitra-4 or something even more pure like Mitra-7. It is part of a dosage accuracy and a pure composition and is biologically much better absorbed and provides much longer and cleaner effects.

More Info

Do you have any questions about using kratom? Please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you.