The Mitragyna speciosa plant, more commonly known as Kratom, is a tropical evergreen tree found in the Southeast Asian region. Over the past few years, the plant has grown in popularity in the United States. You can find and purchase it in convenience stores, smoke shops, or even through an online Kratom manufacturer.
However, there are lots of different companies and Kratom products on the market. So for most first-time Kratom users, there are lots of unanswered questions about the botanical. The number one query they have remains to this day, “is Kratom safe to use?” So we’ll go over a few topics to help break that question down for those seeking the truth.
What Are the Different Types of Kratom?
A variety of Kratom strains exist on the market and it can become stressful navigating through all of the Kratom products each company offers. A simple strategy for choosing the right Kratom strain was created by Happy Hippo Herbals, which includes breaking the Kratom choices into three distinct classes that revolve around the delivered results. The classification of Kratom falls under strains that either produce Fast, Moderate, or Slow effects.
To read about the strain names derived from origin and color, check out the other blog post relating to this.
The first selection of Kratom falls under the fast kratom strains. These varieties are the best for boosting your energy and improving mental efficiency for those seeking more awareness of their surroundings.
Another option is the moderate kratom strains available on the market. These products also provide a slight boost of energy, but they’re not as overpowering as the faster options.
Other Kratom products fall under the slow kratom strains. People take these varieties late at night when they’re unwinding for the day. This type of Kratom relaxes the body and alleviates physical discomfort.
Why Is It Important to Use High-Quality Kratom?
Nobody wants to ingest an unsafe product. Luckily, you don’t have to play Russian roulette when purchasing your supply. There are Kratom companies that perform their due diligence and buy bulk from reputable dealers. Once they import the Kratom, they send it off to get tested for microbes and contaminants.
These companies also sterilize the product to kill off any potential bacteria that lingers around; a common occurrence in vegetative food products. The extra effort by these companies ensures that you’re getting a safe and regulated Kratom supply. However, not all Kratom vendors take those additional steps, so it’s important to purchase high-quality Kratom from GMP-certified vendors such as Happy Hippo!
Good Manufacturing Practices: What Is GMP?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implements and enforces a set of regulations for the industries under its jurisdiction. Those regulatory applications are known as Good Manufacturing Practices—or GMP for short.
The whole purpose of these regulations is to ensure consumers have safe, pure, and effective products to purchase. Because Kratom is not regulated by the FDA, Kratom companies have taken it upon themselves to make their Kratom products remain GMP compliant. You can find a list of these companies on the American Kratom Association’s website.
What Are the Effects of Kratom?
The Kratom plant boasts a wide array of benefits after taking the herb. Over in Thailand, Kratom gets taken for the energy it provides for those working outside on the farms. After all, Kratom tea is related to coffee. Still, there are other reasons one might take Kratom; some other effects the plant provides are listed below.
- Some strains of Kratom may help with general discomfort.
- Small amounts of Kratom may provide you with energy.
- Larger serving sizes can relax and help you unwind.
- Some people take Kratom for a sense of well-being.
- For some, Kratom produces an uplifting sensation.
How Long Does Kratom Stay In Your System?
Like anything that affects the body, the duration of Kratom is serving size-dependent. Still, numerous studies have tried to pinpoint the effects of Kratom in the body. The scientific community still has a long way to go to understand the pharmacokinetics of Kratom. Scientists have performed some studies to figure out how long Kratom stays in the body. However, the results depict different suggestions for that duration.
According to the various studies on the issue, the answer fluctuates. In one experiment, the half-life is suggested as high as 24 hours for a typical Kratom serving. On the opposite end of the spectrum, research indicates that the half-life of Kratom could be as low as two hours.
With the varying amounts of the Kratom alkaloids in different products, that shouldn’t come as any surprise.
Does Kratom Have Any Long-term Effects?
The scientific studies surrounding the long-term effects of Kratom are limited. It was only recently that our government started issuing grants for Kratom research, so researchers need more time to understand the prolonged effects of Kratom on the body.
However, scientists are utilizing studies on subjects that confessed to long-term Kratom usage to determine if any detrimental effects are present in them. For example, some doctors researched the long-term effects of Kratom on the brain on a group of subjects that drink kratom regularly. They wanted to determine whether Kratom impairs the cognitive functions of regular Kratom users after taking it for many years. The results showed, overall, kratom did not appear to impair motor, memory, attention, or executive function of regular kratom users.
So, until scientists can track prolonged Kratom usage in real-time, the scientific community has to rely on experiments like the previous study. But with each passing year, we get closer to more recorded data.
Can You Build Up a Kratom Tolerance?
With any substance that is taken frequently, a tolerance can definitely be developed. We can look at coffee to see this possible action take place. Like coffee (the plant Kratom is related to), the alkaloids in the plant interact with the neurotransmitters in our central nervous system. Those prolonged activities will create tolerance in the user, and the more you consume, the more you’ll need to take to get the same effects in the long run.
If you think you have a tolerance, check out the other blog post on How to Manage your Kratom Tolerance.
Is Kratom Tea Safe While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
Pregnant women should avoid taking Kratom or any herbal product while pregnant or breastfeeding. These women should always consult a physician before attempting such action.
Plus, women should be aware of legal ramifications. In some states, kratom is illegal, so for pregnant women in those jurisdictions, the presence of Kratom in their system would be identical to testing positive for an illicit drug.
Is Kratom Safe for the Elderly?
When people age, their bodies change, and sometimes for the worse. If that sounds like yourself, then you should talk with a medical practitioner about the usage of different botanical herbs. If you’re relatively healthy, Kratom shouldn’t be an issue, but a discussion with your doctor would ensure the right decision. There are plenty of elderly individuals over in Thailand that continue to use Kratom for the multitude of benefits.
Now, for people with ongoing health complications, that’s a different story entirely. People with health issues should consult with their doctor before using any kind of herb. Only a licensed physician is capable of giving out health advice to their patient.
Does Kratom Show Up on a Drug Test?
Nowadays, people take drug tests for various reasons. Some need them for employment purposes, others might take mandatory screenings for parole or probation requirements. Kratom users get worried that consuming the herb will make them fail a test.
Unfortunately, there’s not a single answer for whether you will pass or fail a test with Kratom in your system. You see, whenever an employer or state employee conducts a urinary test on a subject, there are different types of drug screenings available. Some only test for a handful of drugs, and some places test for more. Now, there are drug test kits that test specifically for kratom. This specific test can detect Kratom alkaloids months after taking the substance.
Where Can I Buy Quality GMP Kratom Near Me?
Every Kratom consumer desires a reliable Kratom vendor located nearby. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to live close to a Kratom manufacturer. Most residents in the US only have access to Kratom sold from head shops, vape, or tobacco businesses. Sadly, the Kratom sold from such companies is usually subpar.
However, there’s still hope. Quality GMP Kratom is available to everyone with the push of a button on the internet. Happy Hippo Herbals carries premium GMP-qualified Kratom and was one of the first GMP Kratom vendors in the industry.
Once the Kratom industry started adapting the Good Manufacturing Practices for mass-producing Kratom packages, Happy Hippo Herbals became a pioneer in the field. The company spent roughly around $100,000 to develop a packaging laboratory for all the Kratom they sell. This means Happy Hippo Herbals is a GMP-compliant Kratom company certified through the American Kratom Association (AKA).
The AKA even lists Happy Hippo Herbals on its website, proving it’s an AKA GMP Qualified Kratom Vendor.
In conclusion, Kratom is generally safe for use for most people. If you have any questions or concerns regarding if Kratom is safe for you, you should speak with your medical professional first.
*Disclaimer: Because Kratom remains unregulated by the FDA, the authors of this text would like to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of Kratom, they should only serve as a piece of information, not medical advice.
Kratom is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions before using Kratom.
SOURCES
American Kratom Association, AKA-GMP Qualified Vendors. 2021
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