CBD and Kratom are both very similar, yet very different at the same time. While legalization of CBD is rising dramatically around the world, people are also starting to look towards kratom as a natural therapeutic product. Kratom is a botanical that has been used for centuries, and while its history is well noted, it never achieved the same level of notoriety as cannabis. Until recently.
Kratom has received a lot less attention and funding than CBD, meaning that there are far more studies on CBD than there are for Kratom. But, this is changing quickly – with more and more academic institutions beginning to study the efficacy of Kratom.
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Kratom Uses
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that points to the effectiveness of using Kratom for a variety of conditions. This includes everything from analgesic effects to stimulative properties.
One review from 2017 is especially important because it validates the claims of Kratom users. This review analyzed multiple studies on kratom and found that it offers different benefits dependent on dose. Those benefits include the following:
- Analgesic Properties
- Sedative Effects
- Stimulative Effects
Recent surveys have shown that over 90% of Kratom users claim to use it for pain relief. There’s also some evidence that kratom can help with one of the biggest epidemics of our time: opioid addiction. Mitragynine, the primary alkaloid found in kratom binds to the same receptors in your brain as opioids. This means that it could potentially reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. As more research and studies are done, we may find even more potential benefits from this unique botanical product.
Related reading: Caffeine and Kratom – 4 Important Similarities
CBD Uses
CBD is highly researched, compared to its kratom counterpart, so there are a wide range of benefits provided by the substance:
- Pain relief
- Anxiety relief
- Tension relief
- Reduce inflammation
- Joint relief
- Sleep aid
- Help combat sleep disorders
- So much more.
CBD does not have the psychoactive ingredients that THC has, so it will not cause you to hallucinate or put you in a “couch potato” state.
There are also studies relating to CBD for helping with specific health issues, such as arthritis, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Kratom may also offer a lot of these significant health benefits, but there is simply not enough interest or funding in the scientific community to know for sure just yet.
CBD can be vaped, ingested or applied topically. Kratom can be ingested, chewed, or brewed into tea. Many people add Kratom to their food as well.
Related reading: CBD Detox Tea Benefits You Must Know
Kratom vs CBD: Know the Differences
CBD and kratom are different. There are many scientifically proven benefits to CBD while Kratom has not seen the same level of academic interest.
Legality
CBD’s legality is starting to go mainstream, as the world is accepting that CBD has important therapeutic purposes. Now, you can find CBD in everything from topicals to gummies and creams. Hemp-derived CBD is most common and contains less than .3% THC, so there are no concerns of getting “high” or failing a drug test.
Kratom is a bit different. The Kratom industry is maturing rapidly with organizations like the American Kratom Association leading the way. That being said, Kratom is still illegal in some states. Those are below:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Some local municipalities have banned kratom even though it’s not banned on the state level. San Diego, for example, banned kratom, although it remains legal in all other areas of California. So, you can buy kratom online, but you’ll want to make sure it is legal where you live.
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine two of the main active compounds in kratom are what work on opioid receptors, but with much fewer side effects. In terms of pain relief, 7-hydroxymitragynine is over 13 times more powerful than morphine.
CBD is known to help with pain, but the severity of the pain comes into question. Mild to moderate pain may be treated with CBD.
Conclusion: Kratom vs CBD
Kratom and CBD offer many of the same benefits, although CBD is more well-accepted in the medical community. The lack of addictive properties in CBD makes it a good choice for minor pains, anxiety, arthritis and numerous other conditions.
Some users also report that kratom has been extremely beneficial when trying to treat conditions, such as PTSD, social anxiety and bone-related pain. Both of these natural remedies can be beneficial when used properly.
Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference. If you’re trying to decide on one, you may be better off just buying both and deciding for yourself. No matter what, be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below!
