Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation about kratom. In some cases, this misinformation portrays kratom as almost evil, with no real benefit and excessive harm. In others, it’s promoted as a cure-all or miracle plant. In reality, the truth lies somewhere in between.
To ensure you make the best decision for your health goals, whether you want more energy, increased comfort, amplified relaxation, or enhanced mood, we wanted to dispel some of the most common negative myths behind kratom (without displaying the plant as a 100% effective, 100% harm-free option).
Myth 1: Kratom Can Kill You
A ton of misinformation about kratom claims that kratom can kill you. In fact, according to some seemingly reputable sources, kratom has contributed to over 40 deaths. The caveat? Kratom alone has never killed anyone!
In fact, studies have attempted to overdose lab animals with extreme dosages of kratom and still could not induce death. Furthermore, one study discovered that the lethal dose of mitragynine, the primary alkaloid responsible for the beneficial results of kratom, was over 547 mg/kg.
What does that mean? It means that you’d have to consume around 55 grams of kratom per kg of body weight, which for the average person is around 4000 grams! Good luck consuming 4000 grams and keeping it down…
This brings us to something we should mention. Kratom can’t kill you by itself, but you should be careful mixing it with certain medications, especially those that offer similar effects. Not only that, but taking too much kratom can still cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and other uncomfortable side effects.
While these side effects are only short-term, it’s important to find the perfect dose if you want positive effects without these negative reactions.
Truth: Kratom cannot kill by itself, but can cause uncomfortable short-term side effects or potentially react with certain medications.
Myth 2: Kratom is Extremely Addicting
Some people would have you believe that using kratom one time will lead to a lifetime of crippling addiction, but that’s certainly not the case. Millions of kratom users take the herb responsibly, occasionally, or regularly without any trouble.
According to a survey by Johns Hopkins Medicine, less than 10% of kratom users experienced mild kratom substance use disorder, and less than 3% experienced moderate or severe kratom substance use disorder.
However, just because kratom isn’t extremely addictive doesn’t mean it isn’t addictive at all. Many users agree that kratom has about the same addictive potential as caffeine in your morning cup of coffee. While others experience worse withdrawal symptoms or cravings, these symptoms are typically easy to ease and never debilitating.
Plus, if you follow tips and tapering advice, you can make kratom withdrawal relatively painless. Finally, there are no long-term symptoms or harmful long-term effects of daily kratom use like there are with some alternatives like prescription anti-anxiety medications.
Truth: While kratom is mildly addicting, most people have no issue quitting or taking the beneficial plant occasionally
Myth 3: Kratom Has No Real Benefits
Certainly, nobody argues that kratom offers no real benefits, right? Well, unfortunately, lots of anti-kratom proponents claim that kratom doesn’t offer any helpful attributes, but only causes harm. That’s simply not true.
Research indicates that kratom offers several benefits including reducing tension, relieving poor mood, and mitigating harms associated with substance dependence. Furthermore, the studies also show that there is no significant public health problem associated with kratom.
Some of the benefits of kratom include:
- Reduced discomfort
- Relaxation
- Energy
- Productivity
- Focus
- Exercise recovery
- And more!
Truth: Kratom offers a wide range of benefits for many users
Myth 4: Different Kratom Strains Come From Different Trees
This is a subject of debate among kratom aficionados and self-proclaimed experts. So, what’s the truth? Well….all kratom strains certainly come from the same species of tree, Mitragyna speciosa. That part is undebatable. What people don’t agree on is where different kratom strains actually come from.
Unlike cannabis, which produces different strains modified for specific effects containing Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC, kratom does not actually offer specific strains. The strain names, like Malay or Bali, intend to indicate where the kratom originates, but almost all kratom in the United States comes from Indonesia.
So what’s the deal? Well, different batches, different individual plants, and different vendors will certainly have different effects. Therefore, if you stick with a single vendor, the strain name could have profound implications as far as the range of effects and potency is concerned, regardless of whether the strains are actually “strains” or not.
Furthermore, the colors of kratom DO mean something….in fact, they mean a lot when it comes to choosing the best kratom for you! Drying, leaf maturity, and processing techniques determine the color. That’s why white strains produce stimulating results while red strains are more calming and green and yellow strains lie somewhere between.
Truth: Kratom all comes from the same plant, but different batches and colors and have distinguishable effects
Myth 5: Kratom Products Have No Quality Control
You might believe that your kratom product could contain anything from synthetic substances to heavy metals and e. Coli. Well, it’s true that some kratom products and companies may not offer quality control and testing to prevent these types of harmful substances from making their way into your kratom supply, but reputable and credible kratom vendors will always test their kratom products.
To ensure you feel safe with our products, Ketum Superior Kratom even publishes third-party lab test results right on our website. Organizations like the American Kratom Association are also doing everything possible to ensure safe kratom use and legal rights for kratom users across the nation.
Truth: The best kratom vendors will have quality control methods in a place like third-party lab testing
Conclusion
There’s a lot of misinformation about kratom, but if you do your research into credible studies, neutral publications, and user experiences, you will find the truth about kratom and the benefits it can have for your well-being. Just be sure to remember that nothing is all good or bad and select a reputable vendor to try your favorite strains!
