One of Kratom most popular uses is replacing prescription opioids and coping with opioid withdrawal. Since Kratom has similar effects to opioids, many have been using Kratom instead.
Studies indicate that Kratom reacts to the brain the way opioids do, but there are still a few differences between the two substances.
Keep reading if you want to learn more and compare Kratom to opioid medications with us.
What is Kratom?
The common nickname for the tropical Mitragyna speciosa tree is Kratom. The plant belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which further comprises more well-known species of plants like noni, medlar, and a favorite of many, coffee.
Swallowing kratom tablets, capsules, or extracts, is how people take Kratom. Consumers report feeling energized and alert all day, and it also has soothing and pain-relieving effects similar to opioids.
In the United States, Kratom has gained popularity as a means of both avoiding and managing the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and as a natural substitute for traditional opioid drugs.
Why Do People Take Kratom?
The most common reason why people take Kratom is to treat pain. The topmost answer was for pain relief in an online survey to find out why people use Kratom.
The second is for mental health, such as easing anxiety and depression. Then comes used for opioid substitution or withdrawals. Studies also say that people take Kratom to treat multiple things.
Legal Status
Many factors determine the legality of Kratom in the US. Although kratom use is permitted on a federal level, several states have made it illegal.
Be responsible when you buy Kratom here. Check whether or not Kratom is legal where you reside and under what parameters it is legal to have Kratom.
What Are Opioid Medications?
Opioids, sometimes known as narcotics, are a group of medications that doctors give to treat moderate to severe pain. Opioids are occasionally prescribed for persistent diarrhea and coughing.
Opioids lessen pain perception by preventing the transmission of pain signals from the body to the brain. In some cases, opioids are Opioids that may occasionally be used from being procured illegally for non-prescription purposes.
Prescription Opioids
These are opioids that a doctor prescribes for medical use. Doctors recommend these medications as they deem fit in various concentrations and given in different ways.
Here is a list of the types of opioids that the doctor may prescribe: Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Codeine, Fentanyl, and Morphine
Illegal Opioids
Illegal opioids are drugs designed to mimic opioid medications. These are illegal drugs that are consumed recreationally. These medicines have various street names, which may change regularly. Heroin is an example of an illicit opioid.
What To Expect From Kratom
Similar to how morphine affects the brain, Kratom also interacts with opiate receptors located in the brain. That’s why it’s often used as a substitute for pharmaceutical opioids, among other benefits.
In smaller doses, Kratom produces stimulating effects such as enhancing energy, alertness, and sociability. People use this to boost productivity or just for a general mood lift.
In higher doses, Kratom can offer analgesic and sedative effects. People take higher doses to manage pain and induce a feeling of euphoria.
Kratom Side Effects
Kratom seems to affect various people depending on the kind of Kratom. Different kratom products have varying chemical compositions.
In most cases, Kratom’s adverse effects resemble those such as opioids and, to a minor degree, those of mild stimulants.
Possible adverse reactions include Weight loss, constipation, nausea, hyperpigmentation, headaches, dry mouth, agitation, and irritability.
Addiction and Dependence
Addiction and dependence may occur through prolonged and frequent use of Kratom. Long-term kratom use has been linked to physiologic dependence in Southeast Asian and Western persons.
Kratom users could well have built a tolerance to the drug, necessitating progressively higher dosages of the substance to produce the desired effects.
Kratom has no lethal dosage. However, it shouldn’t be used with anything that might cause a bad reaction.
Withdrawals
A sudden stop of kratom use can allow withdrawals to take place. A study observed persons using Kratom for opioid addiction over six months.
The withdrawal symptoms after the trial were substantially identical to those related to opioid addiction, and many participants needed extra treatment to ease their symptoms.
The kratom withdrawal syndrome is milder and easier to manage than withdrawal symptoms from opioids.
These symptoms include aggressiveness, excessive tearing, sweating, bone and muscle pain, jerky muscle activity, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.
What To Expect From Opioids
Opioids are used to relieve severe pain. They are excellent at doing so and getting the job done. Because opioids interfere with the transmission of pain signals between both the brain and body, it dulls the feeling of pain.
After taking an opioid, a person may feel tired and calm, and their breathing may slow. Irresistible happiness and joy as well. This happens while using opioids.
Opioid Side Effects
Some unwanted short-term side effects of opioids are constipation, sleepiness or sedation, nausea, and slowed breathing.
Addiction and Dependence
This medicine has a genuine danger of becoming physically and psychologically dependent. The euphoria brought on by opioid medication is a significant factor in its abuse.
Additionally, dependence may occur with increased tolerance to the drug, thus needing higher doses. Psychological support is when those who use opioids crave it to the point that it is central in their thoughts.
Physical dependence can happen when the body adapts to the drug, and thus withdrawal symptoms occur at the ease of use.
Drug overdose is possible with opioid drugs and is a severe epidemic in the United States.
Withdrawals
Even when used as directed, extended opioid use can cause dependence, which can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped.
The severity of the withdrawal dictates the symptoms that one may have. Several factors also determine the length of time that someone will suffer withdrawal symptoms.
These signs include eye tearing, excessive sweating, muscle aches, abdominal cramping, restlessness, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty falling asleep, and frequent yawning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kratom reacts with the brain and causes similar effects to opioids, such as euphoria and pain relief. However, the dosage of Kratom affects what kind of effects you will feel. Also, Kratom in lower doses can act as a stimulant.
Addiction, dependence, and withdrawals are risks of taking opioids and Kratom. Withdrawal symptoms for both are similar as well. However, Kratom’s symptoms are milder than opioids and easier to manage.
People can overdose on opioids but not on Kratom. But, people must be careful not to mix Kratom with other vital substances that may react with it.
