Source: Wikipedia | ThorPorre
Most everyone is familiar with the stress of daily life. From having to work to going to school to meeting deadlines, it just doesn’t stop. But stress is not the only thing that deteriorates our mental health; anxieties, insecurities and unexpected problems can also weigh us down.
Having an outlet or coping mechanism to help is crucial for our well-being. Recently, I was introduced to a plant-based powder called kratom that not only helps with stress but also anxiety. To find a variety of strains and the best kratom for anxiety that can provide you maximum benefits, visit Kratom Krush.
Before we get deep into what kratom is, I want to first mention a little background information about myself.
I am a full-time student working 30 hours a week, stress and tension are a normal part of my life. There are days when I am managing everything just finely and days where the world feels like it’s crumbling around me. It is safe to say that I live stressed, anxious, and tired.
The best way I manage all of the stress and anxiety? Exercising, baking, cooking, cleaning, yoga, and painting. Unfortunately, for a busy person like myself, finding the time to de-stress is rare. So finding a supplement that helped me get through my day was incredible.
Before I was introduced to kratom, I knew nothing about it. It wasn’t until after I had already tried it that I began to research into what I was putting in my body and how it was helping me.
What is kratom?
Kratom is a plant that is native to Southern Asian countries. It is a tropical tree that is closely related to the coffee and gardenia plant families and has been used for its medicinal properties. Many of the southeastern cultures that are familiar with it have been using it for many years to treat minor pains such as coughs, diarrhea, intestinal infections, and to heal wounds.
Kratom has become very popular throughout the years and today is used more commonly to help reduce stress, relieve chronic pain, increase energy and focus, and help with anxiety and depression. It is very beneficial when used correctly and with moderation.
Kratom is mainly composed of an alkaloid compound known as Mitragynine that is effective at producing feelings of sedation, pleasure and decreasing pain. It does so by triggering the nerves in our brain like an opioid. Kratom is not an opioid, but like any other drug, it can become addicting if misused or abused.
With that being said, it is crucial to find one’s personal correct dosage. We will discuss more on this topic later.
What does it feel like?
The first time I tried kratom, I was dealing with one of the most stressful days of my life. I woke up that morning feeling cloudy-headed and emotionally distant; to say the least, I was off-balance. I decided to cheer myself up by going to the local thrift, where right after, I got into a car accident.
My levels of stress and anxiety were through the roof.
A friend recommended kratom as a natural alternative to help with the stress I was going through and so I gave it a try. The strain I first used was green Maeng Da powder. We started with a low dose of half a gram mixed into a cup of water.
After about 10 minutes, I felt a tingling sensation near the base of my skull, as if I were getting an internal massage on my brain. Minutes later came the relief. It felt as if the stress was melting from my body. I was once again calm and composed, as if the events of the day had not happened.
I was told the effects would only last two to five hours, but in my case, the effects lasted weeks. The kratom gave me a sense of balance. Not only did it calm my nerves, but it made me feel emotionally stable.
For the weeks that the kratom was in my system, I felt focused and energized and with a better mood altogether. It improved my attention span when it came to completing homework assignments and helped me from stressing out.
There are many strains of kratom available. The green Maeng Da powder I first used is specifically meant to relieve stress and anxiety, improve sociability skills and give a boost of energy and focus. Other strains are meant to improve life in other ways. Researching all of the strains and what their best uses are for are an important part of kratom.
Is it legal?
In most states in the United States, kratom is legal to purchase and use. You can purchase kratom online or from a smoke shop that carries it. You should always check with your state before purchasing.
Even though it is legal, not enough research has been conducted to determine how safe and effective it is so if you do choose to use it, always start at a low dose until you find your correct amount.
Why is finding the correct dose important?
Kratom is like any other medicinal drug. There are benefits to using the right amount such as avoiding building up a tolerance too fast, which allows smaller doses to be more effective. Using the correct dosage will also limit the possibility of severe side effects related to the drug.
Although there have been few studies and research, it can be possible to become dependent or addicted to kratom. Like other drugs, kratom should be taken seriously.
The best way to determine how kratom affects you is by finding the correct dosage for your specific body. Everybody reacts differently to drugs. Some may have only the positive effects of kratom and others may have some less series side effects.
The best dose for your body depends entirely on several factors. Those factors include:
-age
-health
-weight
-gender
It is important to do so that you are aware of the effects on your body.
Kratom and Mental Health
Having a dependency on any drug is bad and we do not advocate using kratom as a replacement for a healthy way to manage anxieties and stress. Kratom should be considered a drug to be used when the regular stress of a certain day is overwhelming and should be limited by your appropriate dosage.
Kratom is used by most as a nutritional supplement. It is not recommended that you use kratom daily or in high doses as it can lead to addiction. Kratom should only be used as one would use a Tylenol to get rid of a headache or relieve an occasional ache.
When it comes to mental health, kratom is known for relieving stress, anxieties, and increasing sociability. Knowing how kratom can help manage these issues and which strains work best should be combined with ways to take care of your mental health.
Some ways to combine both are:
Drinking a smoothie made with kratom. Eating well is not always easy to do, but is crucial for maintaining a healthy life and mind.
And keeping active by using kratom before a workout to give you the extra boost of energy when you’re feeling tired.
