The chances are that recently you have heard of kratom, a miracle plant some might say, that has numerous benefits and many more are yet to be discovered. This plant is native to Southeast Asia and even though the stem is also used for medicinal purposes, the main alkaloids which have positive effects on our health can be found in its leaves.
Since there has been a lot of fuss lately about this plant, whether it is good for people, are there any side effects and so on, in the following article, we are going to focus on some positive aspects. We are going to provide you with a list of benefits and by the end of it, you are going to understand why kratom has taken the world by the storm. Also, you should learn more about different strains of it in order to find the best one for you.
It relieves the pain
The most important advantage of taking kratom and the reason why it has become so popular is the fact that can relieve any kind of chronic pain. We can all agree that there is nothing worse than living in constant pain. Suffering from migraines is tough enough, but just imagine experiencing pain in your lower back or joints at all times. Not only is it extremely uncomfortable but it can also be debilitating because depending on its severity, you might not be able to do certain things.
Clearly, there are many medications that a doctor can prescribe, but a downside of these is that one can get addicted to them overtime. That is not the case with kratom. The alkaloids from this plant affect the opiate receptors in your brain, numbing them thus decreasing the pain, but it hasn’t yet been proven to be addictive.
This means that it can help people who suffer from osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back and joint pain, and so on.
It helps with overcoming an addiction
Since, as already mentioned, this plant acts on the opiate receptors but it doesn’t cause long-term substance abuse, it has been actually used to ease the symptoms of withdrawal in people who are suffering from alcohol or heroin addiction.
It can treat symptoms such as nausea, pain, vomiting, cramps, anxiety, insomnia, and so on. Due to this, people who are trying to get clean, oftentimes turn to kratom leaves to ease this transition period and to ensure that they stay on the right track.
It manages stress and anxiety
There is no need to explain how often nowadays people battle with anxiety and depression, let alone stress which has become an almost completely normal condition. In some mild cases, people are able to help themselves by changing some of their habits, trying new things, going out, and so on.
However, on the other hand, there are those that need a little bit of help with soothing the nerves and they opt for kratom. This plant contains a substance that affects the hormones and increases the production of serotonin and endorphins which improve one’s mood.
It can also aid in common symptoms of anxiety, like hyperventilation, muscle cramps, insomnia, sweating, and so on, which is why it is beneficial for those for suffer from PTSD or panic attacks, or simply for people who have highly stressful jobs.
It increases cognitive performance
Another important benefit, especially for students, it is that these alkaloids can help you boost your productivity. Since these have an effect on receptors in your brain, but also hormones, you are going to be able to focus harder on your work and have more energy thus complete all the tasks faster and easier.
Besides students, people who work at positions that require them to be focused and on alert during the entire workday can largely benefit from these plant leaves. In addition, since you are going to finish all the tasks without any trouble, you are going to feel more motivated to push forward and thrive.
It strengthens the immune system
Even though there is still a lot to be learned about the effects of the kratom, some studies have shown that alkaloids from this plant can aid in improving our immune system. As you know, if we do not take care of ourselves i.e. we do not eat right, take enough vitamins, do not have any kind of physical activity, and so on, our immune system can weaken.
When this happens, we are more susceptible to different kinds of viruses and bacteria, everything from the common cold to more serious diseases such as cholera and malaria. The alkaloids called Isoptreropodine and Isorhynchopylline are known for stimulating and promoting the strength of the immune system which we all know important it is.
It improves the quality of sleep
We have already mentioned a couple of times that kratom can aid in treating insomnia which occurs as a side effect of numerous conditions. However, sometimes insomnia can happen on its own. High levels of stress are oftentimes enough to prevent you from having a good night’s sleep.
This substance can also act as a sedative and it can regulate your sleep cycle. This doesn’t only mean that you are not going to have any trouble falling asleep, but it also means you are going to sleep better, so you are going to wake up rested and ready to tackle all the daily chores.
It helps manage diabetes
Unfortunately, another common illness today is diabetes, and millions of people suffer from it. As you know, the severity of it depends on the type one’s diagnosed with, but if left untreated it can be extremely dangerous.
Even though there is still no concrete evidence of the beneficial effects when it comes to type 2 diabetes, patients in Southeast Asia that have used kratom have been able to control the blood sugar levels.
Due to the fact that pain and stress can affect the sugar levels in our blood, it is believed that this substance can help in controlling these since it acts as an analgesic and it can help in lowering stress levels.
Conclusion
As you can see, although there has been a lot of debate about the use of this plant, some of its benefits are known to us. Since scientists have just begun their research, we are certain the many positive effects of it are going to be discovered soon.