Is it the first time you hear the word Kratom? Then we both were so late to discover this Southeast Asia au-natural herb. Are you familiar with CBD vs Kratom? Unlike cannabis, this is not in demand, and it is strange because it’s already there for a long time. 

In the last few years, Kratom’s popularity has increased, especially among opioid junkies. It is indispensable for some to shut off harmful drugs such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, prescription painkillers, and more. 

But how is CBD vs Kratom? We know the medical benefits of CBD, especially in pain management. However, some users claim that Kratom is much better.

So, in this guide, we’re going to undertake the healthy debate of CBD vs Kratom. We will discuss each herb and function and the benefits of each. Both affect the nervous system and pain sensitivity, so let’s further investigate.

Different Forms of Pain

It is essential to know that there are different kinds of pain. This is very important in knowing how Kratom outperforms CBD (vice-versa) for pain management.

Mainly, the pain has two major types: neuropathic and nociceptive. Neuropathic pain is severe as compared to acute. It originates from the deterioration, dysfunction, or damage of neurons. For example, if the brain acquires pain messages despite there is personal injury to a particular part. This kind of pain is common in severe conditions like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy. 

The nociceptive pain, on the other hand, ensues from physical injury to the tissue system. It’s what we assume when think something being “painful” (such as a burn, cut, or broken bone).

Both herbs have unique active molecular components. They differ in how they treat pain and what kinds of pain they relieve. Some users claim that Kratom is more effective at relieving nociceptive pain, while others say that CBD is better.

In general, relieving neurodegenerative and neuropathic problems is complicated, and it’s not often 100% efficient with no undesirable effects. 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or more commonly known as CBD, is an active component in cannabis Sativa L. It includes two main types: marijuana and hemp. Marijuana is the cannabis strain associated with getting high, and it’s because it contains high THC levels.

In contrast to hemp, it has high CBD levels and slight THC levels. To be considered hemp, a plant should contain 0.3% or below of THC. Numerous CBD derivatives such as topicals, oils, edibles, etc. are derived from industrial hemp plants. These products are U.S. Farm Bill approved.

CBD operates by working together with ECS or endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a simple, internal system of cannabinoid and cannabinoids receptors in the body. ECS receptors are present in all cell forms, which defines CBD’s wide range of applications. People use CBD to treat everything from depression and anxiety to chronic arthritis and seizures.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom, with the scientific name of Mitragyna Speciosa, is a natural and native hers in the Southeast Asia region. It is widespread in Malaysia and Thailand.

The 7-HMG (7-hydroxy mitragynine) and mitragynine are the active components in Kratom. They are alkaloids components identical to ones existing in opium poppy (codeine, thebaine, and morphine). But Kratom doesn’t belong to the opiate category since its effects are gentler than the natural poppy plant.

When it comes to marijuana strains, most people agree that it exists in three kinds: white vein, green vein, and red vein. The strongest in the group is the red vein kratom. The white vein or Maeng Da is more active and stimulating and works well for creativity and awareness. As perhaps you think, the Green vein is an average among the two.

Practically, the active ingredients in Kratom function as opioid boosters. They work together in the human body system of innate opioid receptors. But mitragynine (a useful alkaloid), is more gentle than the alkaloids in opium poppy. Since they are similar in chemical structure, mitragyna produces effects identical to codeine and morphine.

CBD vs Kratom: Pros and Cons

As Kratom interacts on the human body’s opioid receptors, chances of addiction and withdrawal are high. This is very true is someone uses it consistently and suddenly stops. When compared to CBD, the Kratom addiction risk is a detriment. As you know, CBD only poses little threat of undesirable effects.

With that being said, there is less danger in the Kratom addiction than other opioid supporters (like morphine) as morphine is the active component of heroin.

Also, the Kratom addiction withdrawal symptoms (such as appetite loss, sweating, constipation, nausea, and fatigue/tranquilizer) are less severe than full-scale opiate withdrawal. Many consider opiate addiction as deadly, and it is a U.S pandemic.

The primary benefit of Kratom is it’s an opiate alternative. Codeine, heroin, and prescription pain reliever junkies can use Kratom to avoid severe addictions. It saves thousands of junkies from using potent narcotics and only gives milder components like CBD and THC. This is very true, although cannabis is an excellent substitute for opioids as well. Like for example, if a person breaks his bone, he would have better pain management with Kratom than with CBD.

Is It Similar for Most Pain?

However, CBD is more efficient for neurogenic pain. Health cannabis can function effectively for severe neurodegenerative problems such as fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis. Also, it works well for epilepsy/ seizures and severe pain coming from conditions like arthritis.

It is also crucial to note that users must not take Kratom daily. It inclines to trigger addiction and tolerance. A standard/healthy dosage of Kratom is about 2 to 6grams. However, this is every three days. 

Moreover, the body’s resistance to active alkaloid components is unlikely to increase, which results in improving the dosage and wanting to be managed to give any of the cannabis’s health effects (hence significantly increasing the addiction and withdrawal threat).

On the other hand, CBD is less risk to resistance, and very safe to take on day-to-day.

How to Consume

The widely used method of using Kratom is stirring the powder in a cup of hot water and drink it.

In contrast to cannabis, the mitragynine, an active ingredient, doesn’t need to be heated (decarboxylated). You could measure about 4g powder and consume it, but it would hardly be possible to ingest. So, users always blend it with water.

Making Kratom tea from powdered leaves is another way of consuming, mixing it in a small yogurt amount, or stuffing the powder in a capsule. They are handy in the practical intake. However, they take plenty of time to make and are extremely dangerous, even if you are only taking 1g at once, and the capsules are big and hard to swallow.

When it comes to CBD, the most recommended method of absorption in a few years is managing oil drops below the tongue for 1 minute or more before consuming. Like regular marijuana, CBD is smoke. To get the health/ medical benefits of the component without getting stoned, it could be a CBD-rich variety like Charlotte’s Web, which has little THC amount.

CBD topicals and edibles such as ointments and creams are also practical and very famous for other kinds of joints, muscle pain, and arthritis.

Undesirable Effects 

Aside from its many health advantages, CBD has limited adverse reactions. The multipurpose cannabinoid is confirmed to be harmless and is safe to take even in large amounts. To date, there are no CBD related casualties. Some minor side effects that may be encountered by users are drowsiness, nausea, and cottonmouth.

Kratom, on the other hand, starts to look less impressive when reviewing the undesirable effects. Although it is an excellent opiate alternative, there is also a danger of getting hooked to Kratom. It is not advisable for frequent use, because it heightens the possibility of addiction and exposes users to other possible dangers.

The Final Word

When we review all the mentioned comparisons above, we are better able to assess herbal remedies.

While quite a few users may associate CBD and Kratom as excellent herbal supplements, each of the herbs is entirely different. CBD is more famous, with scientific research and trustworthy user reviews and testimonies.

Therefore, Kratom is the most favorite her choice for acute pain alleviation from serious tissue injury (such as severe damage). The most unscientific evidence also claims it to be a very effective opiate alternative, with the capability of pain reliever addicts to turn off potent drugs such as heroin and morphine carefully.

Unlike CBD/cannabis, however, Kratom poses a dire threat of addiction and successive withdrawal, albeit the effects are much gentler than other opiate-receptor boosters.

About severe neuropathic pain (the one that comes from nerve degeneration/ dysfunction), CBD is the ideal treatment. This includes problems/adverse reactions coming from fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, seizures, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Since it poses no adverse reactions or threat to addiction, the CBD is considered a much safer treatment in the CBD vs Kratom discussion.

That said, it is crucial to learn that either of these treatments, clinical tests are still mainly lacking; it is significant to perform your thorough research and know that all chemical structure is different. At the same time, a user might like the beneficial effects of Kratom and consider it incredible. Some may find it non-existent.