Indigenous to South East Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea etc), Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has been known for its stimulating, sedating, and euphoric effects for generations. As such, locals have used it as a medicine. The traditional use of the plant involves the chewing of dried Kratom leaves.
Kratom only made its way into Western psycho-botanical culture in the 2000s, so it is a relative newcomer to the game.
Other names under which the plant is known are: Ketum, Thom, Kakuam, and Mambog.
While the pharmacology of Kratom is very intricate, it exerts its main effects through the opioid receptors in the brain. As such, its effects are varied and mostly manifested in a dose-dependent manner.
Besides its “high”-related impact, it has also found some use as a weaning agent for serious drug addiction. Some have found it very useful during the early stages of withdrawal.
How do you dose Kratom? What counts as a small dose and a big one?
1-2 grams of the substance count as a threshold dose. A light dose is a 2-3 g one. 3-5 g is a common dose, while 5-8 counts as a strong one. Anything above 8 g is probably an overdose.
Remember that this data has been established solely in an anecdotal manner. There is literally no science behind it.
The onset of Kratom’s effects can be expected about 20-40 minutes after consumption. The psychoactive feast reaches its pinnacle about 1-2 hours in. About 3-6 hours following consumption, the effects wear off/are supplanted with new ones.
What effects does Kratom elicit in users?
The physical effects run a wide range, and – as it is often the case with psychoactive plants – may seem contradictory.
Kratom for instance is used as a stimulant, but it works as a sedative as well. According to anecdotal reports, this effect-differentiation is dose dependent. Sometimes however, the two seemingly opposite effects are manifested simultaneously.
One has to bear in mind that there are many different strains of Kratom and most of them are used as psychoactive substances. The actual effect depends on the strain as well. Individual tolerance may play a role in this regard too.
In higher doses, euphoria has been reported. Kratom-induced euphoria is a far cry from heroin or other opiates-generated euphoria.
In still higher doses, the substance works for pain relief. In this regard, its efficiency has been noted to be outstanding. In fact, it matches the effects of regulated painkillers such as Vicodin.
Not all of Kratom’s effects are enjoyable however. At even moderately high doses, nausea has been reported. The worst thing about this undesired side-effect is that it may last up to 2 days.
Kratom has been used for cough suppression, for the suppression of appetite, anxiety suppression, and even dream potentiation. Apparently, the effects the plant has on focus and thought acceleration result in more vivid dreams and better dream recall.
The plant may also cause body-odor alteration, itchiness, stomach cramps, and constipation, not to mention orgasm suppression, decreased sexual desire, and difficulty with urination.
Kratom’s active substances also cause internal hallucination as well as double vision.
