Kratom is a supplement that is derived from a naturally occurring tree that grows throughout Southeast Asia. Although this substance is legally sold in 46 U.S. states and in numerous other countries throughout the world, there has been some news stories published that erroneously connect Kratom with a so-called legal high. The reality is that people would have to take a very high quantity of Kratom to get anywhere near the type of buzz that experimental teens are looking for, but there are some useful properties within the normal dosage amount.
How Does Kratom Work?
When taken as recommended, Kratom has been reported to offer a pleasant feeling of stimulation that is similar to ingesting caffeine. In other words, this supplement does have the potential to make you feel more alert, and it may also reduce anxiety. Kratom dates back to the 19th century, and it is estimated that users would need to take at least 10 times the recommended amount to deal with the type of negative side effects that have become the focus of many one-sided media reports.
Kratom has been used throughout history as a pain reliever due to its analgesic properties. Farmers in Thailand have reportedly been chewing the leaves for centuries, and the results seem to be akin to taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol. In higher quantities, the leaves can also be used to help combat the withdrawal symptoms that are associated with opium.
Looking Past the Sensationalistic Headlines
According to Fox News, Kratom “enjoys a long history of safe use.” Fox reporter Chris Kilham also pointed out that the pleasant feeling caused by Kratom typically “lasts longer than a cup of coffee” and is accompanied by “mild stimulation and alertness.” In other words, no matter what sensationalistic headline is plastered onto a news article about Kratom, users are basically getting the type of benefits that would usually be received from drinking a couple of cups of coffee.
Kratom Medical Studies
Edward Boyer, who is the University of Massachusetts’ director of medical toxicology, has spent an extensive amount of time studying Kratom. Boyer acknowledges that taking extremely high doses of this supplement could potentially lead to some issues, but he also believes that Kratom could eventually become the main component in a new pain medication that would not cause respiratory depression. Boyer also indicated that the compounds in Kratom might make it a viable option for treating sleepiness, opioid pain and depression.
In Thailand, Kratom is commonly used as a way to treat a diverse list of issues, including diarrhea, coughing and pain. At the current time, this supplement has not been approved for medical usage in other countries. However, there are some people in the medical world such as Boyer who have suggested that it might be wise for more studies to be conducted into Kratom’s potential usage for depression, pain relief and drug withdrawal symptoms.
How Are Teenagers Using Kratom?
It is always possible that some teens are abusing Kratom by taking extraordinarily large quantities in the hope of getting high, but the cost involved in taking this approach would be prohibitive for most people. Additionally, there are numerous other legal and illegal products available that would produce better intoxicant results. Therefore, the majority of teenagers who are using Kratom have most likely added it to their regular routine in order to mimic the boost they get from caffeine.
Kratom’s popularity is continuing to increase, and it does not appear to have negative caffeine related side effects such as jitteriness. Due to this, it is not surprising that people around the world who want a quick boost of mental energy turn to Kratom.
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