My Experience with Kratom

The Kratom tree, or Mitragyna speciosa, is native to Southeast Asia. I happened across this plant while searching for natural pain remedies. I have read kratom is used for many other medical purposes as well such as depression, diabetes, IBS, opioid withdrawals  and sexual arousal, but I am going to focus on the effects it has on my chronic pain. If you happen to suffer from any of these ailments I recommend reading more into the subject.

I am not going to discuss dosage or strength, because you can read what you want about that and make that decision for yourself. Even though there has never been a reported overdose, it is best to be on the safe side and educate yourself. Since I am on the topic of safety, I should mention kratom can be a controversial topic. It is not entirely clear whether the plant has addictive properties or not, but if it does, they are mild. Personally, this is not my biggest concern considering it does not have any negative side-effects or withdrawal symptoms.

Before I begin describing the effects of kratom I want to make this clear - I am not recommending you go out and try and get high on this stuff. If you do, you will most likely be mildly disappointed. You will find it advertised as a "legal high", but in my opinion the effects are pretty subtle. It is this kind of talk of "legal highs" that make legislators freak out and make plants they know nothing about illegal. Kratom is not on the federal drug schedule yet, but it is on the DEA's list of "drugs of concern". Though, some states have passed laws banning kratom on a state level. I am in Oregon and here it is legal. If you aren't - I don't recommend you break the law, but instead consider writing your legislator.

So, I have purchased kratom in Eugene and online. You can find it in powder, capsules, or as crushed leaves. I have even seen some extracts for sale, but I am not interested in extractions so I have no comment there. I purchase powder because it is the cheapest and I mix it in drinks. It takes about 10-20 minutes for the effects to start kicking in and they seem to last about four hours.

In smaller doses you get a sort of stimulant effect, like coffee. As you raise the dose the pain relieving compounds are felt more. It is very similar to the feeling of an opioid but also different. My joints feel warm and fluid, I can't stop smiling, and I feel like I could do anything. My range of movement is also immediately improved.

Compared to prescription pain killers there isn't a bigger contrast. When I used to take pain killers I lost most of the use of my mind, felt sick to my stomach, was constipated, and they pretty much just made me not care that I was in pain. Plus they are extremely addictive. If anyone reading this has chronic pain, and especially if you are on narcotic drugs or don't have insurance, I cannot stress enough how much I recommend trying kratom.

Don't just take my word for it, read and learn more here. After the first time I tried kratom I knew it would change my life. I was literally in tears because it was the first time in years I was pain free.

I have continued my research into natural remedies and have ordered some new herbs, all legal of course. If any of these turn out to be nearly as helpful I will write to share them with you as well.

Marci
~With love