CBD vs Kratom: Comparing Two Popular Natural Remedies
In recent years, people have not only cut-short their medicine intake but have also taken an all-natural step in the shape of other supplements in place of prescribed medication. Two of these natural substitutes are CBD or cannabidiol and kratom.
CBD has already made it to the western markets and made a significant rise; kratom is starting to gain the much-needed traction as well. People consume CBD for many reasons like treating muscle aches, joint pains, reducing stress, anxiety, and fighting sleeplessness. Even though there can be many more benefits of using CBD, research shows that CBD breaks down the anandamide that is known as the body’s antidepressant. In parallel to CBD, kratom gained recognition because of its energizing and analgesic properties.
A lot of people have compared CBD with kratom for their therapeutic properties, but they are different in nature. Traditionally, kratom was brought into use by the natives of South Asian countries to manage pain, provide relaxation, and push the immune system to function in the right way.
While you can track several similarities in the benefits of both the compounds, let’s shed some light on what they stand for and how they help us.
What is CBD?
Earlier, many people confused hemp-derived CBD for marijuana because of the similarities. Still, due to the legal state of a high percentage of THC, CBD made its way into the market. Since the CBD originates from industrial hemp, it happens to be safe and is a non-psychoactive supplement with several known benefits. Hemp-derived CBD has a THC percentage of less than or equal to 0.3%, which the FDA also approves. It not only works to enhance the mood and provide pain relief but also does it without making you experience the ‘high’ feeling or mind-altering effects.
Due to its medicinal nature, a lot of hotels, certified vendors, and online stores have hopped onto the bandwagon to sell and offer CBD-centric services and products. You can find CBD in traditional forms like tinctures, mimosa strain capsules, powder, edibles, and creative shapes like CBD coffee, tea, cocktails, and CBD-infused food.
What is Kratom?
Kratom or Mitragyna Speciosa emerges from South Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Due to the plant’s opioid-like properties, natives from these regions used to chew the raw kratom leaves to draw its effects in the form of benefits. Several working compounds of the plant, Mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the two active ingredients that bind together with the opioid receptors of the brain to provide therapeutic effects.
These days people usually consume kratom in the form of capsules. That’s because capsules help in tracking the correct dosage. Apart from these, kratom can also be ingested in the form of raw leaves, by adding them to hot water to make kratom tea. Kratom leaves, however, have an increased shelf life than dried kratom.
The legality of kratom and CBD
After the introduction of Farm Bill in 2018, hemp-derived CBD became legal in the United States. Vendors could now sell, and users could consume and travel with CBD-derived products across the states. Many states, however, have their own set of laws for CBD. Even though the products having a THC percentage of less than 0.3% is legal, but you should consider going through each state’s law if you want to travel without any hassles.
Kratom is legal in some parts of the United States but still falls in the grey area. For several years this recreational substance has been used as a substitute to opium, but with opiate-like effects, kratom cannot be consumed, purchased in the states even though it is legal in most parts of the globe. But, if you are thinking of where to buy kratom, try searching for certified online vendors and go through their legal status.
Benefits of CBD and kratom
1. Both can help in reducing stress and anxiety.
In the modern age, keeping healthy mental wellbeing is more than a necessity. Stress, anxiety, and depression are some of the factors that leave a significant impact on the way we carry out ourselves. CBD, however, gives the much-required push to the emotions of joy and energy by stimulating the nerves. On the other hand, kratom acts as an all-natural cure, which in turn enhances the mood. The therapeutic properties of both substances are known to make a user feel energetic and revitalized.
2. Help in managing pain
Even though both CBD and kratom can manage pain efficiently, their molecular effects are different from each other. While kratom’s active alkaloids make the receptors of the brain numb, it results in making you feel less pain. CBD affects endocannabinoid receptors, reducing inflammation, which in turn helps in reducing pain and discomfort. These popular natural remedies, however, have the potency to manage pain.
3. Can help with opiate withdrawal
Several forms of prescribed medication result in addiction and harmful side-effects. Such a habit leads to symptoms of withdrawal in most of the cases. Natural remedies like CBD and kratom show a significant promise and are potent agents to fight opiate withdrawal. People can use both these products for long-term, with their right amount of dosage and without the usual side-effects of prescribed medication.
The bottom line
While people draw many comparisons between the hemp-derived CBD and kratom, it is vital to know that both of the natural supplements have their history and a set of regulations. Kratom has a rich history of consumption, whereas CBD has a strengthened base of testimonials and studies. Go through the mentioned information and factors to understand the comparison between these two excellent natural remedies.