CBD and Kratom: Do You Know the Differences?

cbd and kratom

Both CBD and kratom have become buzzwords in the “alternative wellness” spheres online, and anyone who isn’t familiar with these products might not know what they’re for.

You shouldn’t lump them together. Most people who use one of them won’t use the other. They’re entirely different things that serve different purposes.

But what are they, and what are they for? We’re here to provide a brief explanation of both substances so you can stay informed and decide if one of them might make a good addition to your routine. Read on to learn more.

What Is CBD?

CBD is getting more and more popular. It was easier to research and manufacture after the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized the use of hemp (even if CBD is sometimes a gray area).

CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s a substance that comes from hemp, and when you use it, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system. While it comes from the same family as marijuana (in this case, THC), it doesn’t have any of the psychoactive effects.

This means that it isn’t a recreational product.

There are many ways to consume CBD. Most people use vaporizers or oils, though you can also smoke it, ingest it with edibles, or take it in capsule form. Each of these methods has its own pros and cons.

Potential Benefits

You might be wondering why people use CBD at all. While there’s still a lot of research to be done, many people have discovered that CBD has a lot of potential benefits. While some may be through the placebo effect, scientists have determined that others are legitimate.

One of the top benefits of CBD is anxiety relief. People often report that CBD gives them a feeling of “overall wellness and calm” without the drowsiness or heavy feeling from anxiety medication.

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CBD may also help with irregular sleep cycles and insomnia. The calm feeling can quiet racing thoughts and make it easier to settle in for the night.

Other people use CBD for nausea, though not everyone has the same reaction from it.

Finally, CBD has been popular for pain relief. It can be used topically with balms, creams, bath bombs, and other physical products, or you can consume it a more conventional way.

It’s effective for inflammation from skin abrasions, deep joint pain, and even muscle pain from exercising. Some people even use it for sunburn.

Side Effects

CBD doesn’t have many side effects. It’s considered a “safe” product (though every product has risks involved).

The side effects of consuming CBD come from consuming too much of it. This means that you’re going to experience the normal effects in a more intense way.

Instead of calm, you might feel drowsy. You may feel fatigued or hungry. This will pass and it lets you know that you should take less CBD in the future.

If you slowly increase the amount of CBD that you take, starting with less than you think that you need, you shouldn’t experience any side effects.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a tree from Southeast Asia. What we refer to as kratom, when it comes to the product, is a powder that’s made from that tree.

Unlike CBD, kratom interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain. It’s said to cause feelings of relaxation, pleasure, and pain relief, though experiences vary depending on the user.

People consume kratom in a variety of ways. Some people choose to chew the leaves or brew them into tea. It’s more common to use kratom powder, but you may also be able to get it in the form of gum or other types of edible products.

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When you look for kratom, you’ll find it in a variety of colors. Each “color” has different properties, though the differences are slim enough that you can try each out and see what works for you.

For example, you may discover that Red Kapuas Kratom powder works better for you than White Maeng Da Kratom powder.

Potential Benefits

Some people use kratom to push away urges to take opioid medications. Because it has pain relief properties, it may take the edge off of pain enough that opioids are no longer necessary.

Kratom may also be helpful for reducing withdrawal symptoms in people who were addicted to various substances.

Other people use kratom recreationally or for anxiety. While research is limited on kratom, many people have chosen to use it as an herbal alternative to many “traditional” healing methods. It’s not an illegal substance and you can buy it online and at many brick and mortar retailers.

Side Effects

Kratom has a few more side effects than CBD. Unlike CBD, kratom is addictive. It can also cause nausea, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, and if you’re very sensitive, seizures or hallucinations.

If you experience negative side effects of kratom, it’s a good idea to stop your use or reduce the amount that you’re taking.

Because kratom is addictive, you can also experience common symptoms of withdrawal if you choose to stop using it. These include mood disturbances, fatigue, aches, and insomnia.

CBD and Kratom: Is One Right for You?

CBD and kratom are different, but both have properties that may help your quality of life.

If you’re suffering from chronic pain, either may be the right choice for you. For anxiety or insomnia, CBD is the better choice. For withdrawal symptoms, kratom may work better.

Regardless of whether you choose CBD or kratom, make sure that you start slowly to avoid any potential negative side effects.

For more articles on CBD, kratom, and more, check out the rest of the site.