Many all-natural supplements are formulated to support a healthy lifestyle, and some of them may contribute to peace of mind and a restful night’s sleep. These products can be found online or at your nearest nutritional supplement or health food store. One of them is all-natural kratom. This article takes a closer look at kratom, why people are choosing it, and the health benefits it may provide.

Why Kratom Is Popular

Being organic is one reason that kratom is popular since it can support the goals of an all-natural lifestyle. Another reason is availability—you don’t have to look far to find good products and reliable sources for kratom online. But the main reason why so many people choose kratom may be to get relief from a variety of complaints without resorting to pharmaceutical products. This ability comes from the unique blend of alkaloids in kratom’s leaves, which may offer wellness benefits.

Since kratom is a plant-based wellness product still under research, there might be some restrictions on accessing it in your area. Currently, kratom is legal on the federal level, but certain states like Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have active bans on the product.

Kratom Alkaloids

Kratom contains dozens of alkaloids, which are organic compounds containing nitrogen. More than 50 alkaloids have been found in kratom, with mitragynine being the most common, making up over 60% of the total alkaloid content in a typical kratom leaf. Mitragynine is thought to be responsible for the bulk of kratom’s effects.

Other alkaloids in kratom are found in far lesser concentrations, but they are all important. Speciogynine, for instance, may be found in concentrations of up to 8%. 7-hydroxymitragynine  is typically found in concentrations around 2% or less. These two alkaloids may enhance or balance the effects of mitragynine, so small differences in these alkaloids may mean a big change in how kratom works for some individuals.

Other alkaloids include corynoxeine and mitraphylline, found in concentrations of up to 1%, which contribute to potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Speciophylline, found in similar concentrations, may have antiparasitic and nootropic properties, and rhynchophylline, found in lesser concentrations, may perform as a neuroprotectant and aid with sleep. 

Research And Effects

We know more about some alkaloids in kratom than others. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, for example, have been research targets for years. Although much remains to be learned about these powerful compounds, they have been shown to bind to neuroreceptors in the brain, which may affect the balance of neurotransmitters that control various systems and processes. This may provide the following health benefits: 

• Improved mood

• Reduced soreness and faster healing

• Easier sleep and relaxation

• Increased energy

• Better concentration and focus

• Weight and impulse control

• Improved sociability

Improved Mood

Due to the effect of mitragynine on neuroreceptors, kratom may improve mood by increasing the effectiveness of dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of arousal, pleasure, and satisfaction. It may lower cortisol levels, a hormone we produce when under stress. 

The alkaloids in white kratom may be particularly effective in giving some users euphoria or easing intense uncomfortable feelings, tension, and worry. 

Reduced Soreness And Faster Healing

The alkaloids in kratom that provide a temporary boost to the mood may also bind to mu-opioid receptors in the brain that affect how we experience pain. This quality of kratom has been the subject of various clinical studies and may result in a temporary lessening of minor discomforts like sore joints and aching muscles. This property may be especially noticeable in red-vein kratom strains.

Reducing soreness and lowering inflammation may allow your body to redirect its energy elsewhere which may help damage heal faster. 

https://pixabay.com/photos/jungle-forest-trees-green-nature-601542/

Easier Sleep And Relaxation

Some people are attracted to kratom because they are having a hard time falling asleep. They may find it difficult to relax, and use the mood-boosting qualities of kratom to improve their state of mind, making it easier to temporarily set worries aside. 

Some strains of kratom, such as classic red vein kratom strains, may have the right combination of alkaloids to ease you into a state of relaxation that leads to restful sleep. By reducing soreness and discomfort, kratom may help you sleep longer and find a more restful sleep state, giving you better rest. 

Increased Energy

Kratom may be packed with energy and give users a second wind. These energetic effects may be due to high levels of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in some strains. White kratom, for example, has a reputation for providing energy and so does red. But other alkaloids make a difference too, and that may be why white and red kratom perform a little differently. 

While white and red kratom may both provide energy when used in smaller quantities, larger quantities may work in reverse. Larger quantities of red kratom, in particular, may be especially relaxing. This difference may be why white kratom is popular in dynamic environments where performance depends on constant vigilance.

Better Concentration And Focus

Concentration and focus are cognitive functions that depend on good brain health. These qualities are important for survival, success, and quality of life. Some alkaloids and organic compounds in kratom, including mitragynine, may have nootropic properties that support the brain. 

Nootropics are substances that support cognitive processes and mental functions. They may encourage or aid neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to change and adapt, a quality that is important for memory and learning. If you’re a creative in the throes of writer’s block, or a student facing long hours of study, the unique qualities of the alkaloid blend in white or green kratom may be helpful. 

Weight And Impulse Control

Some people use kratom to help manage weight. It contains organic compounds, flavonoids, and trace minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. These minerals, among others, are needed to maintain good health. 

Alkaloids in kratom may increase feelings of satisfaction and tranquility to make it easier for users to control impulses. This in turn may make it easier to break bad habits like procrastination, over-eating, or even smoking. Kratom may make it easier for some people to maintain a strict or special diet that limits or eliminates access to their favorite foods. These benefits plus the energizing qualities of kratom may result in users exercising more and maintaining healthy eating habits, resulting in natural weight management. 

Improved Sociability

Being around other people and taking part in society is important to your health. People are social creatures, and those who lack a social life are at risk of developing a variety of afflictions, both mental and physical. 

Kratom may help some people socialize due to how its alkaloids affect their mood when faced with things like social pressure or self-consciousness in public settings. Kratom users may find it easier to take part in conversations, meet with strangers, or venture into unfamiliar surroundings. This may be a significant benefit to some individuals who live alone.

There’s More Than Seven Benefits

Of course, users can get more from kratom than the seven health benefits we’ve described. Each user tends to have a unique experience, due to age, weight, and metabolism, and some users may need to try different strains to find the right level of benefits. The different strains of kratom give users a chance to explore this ethnobotanical fully and tailor it to their lifestyle. This flexibility is another reason why kratom is popular as an all-natural supplement. 

Like many supplements and ethnobotanical substances, much depends on the user and how the supplement is used. It’s always recommended to discuss adding any supplements to your routine with your healthcare provider. Make sure to follow all instructions on the label for any kratom products you use, and buy your kratom from reliable sources. If you start slowly and try different strains of kratom, and different products, you may find that kratom can improve your quality of life.