CBD vs. Kratom: Which One Should I Use?

A lot of ink has been spilled on CBD and its spectacular range of remedial properties. That exposure has paved the way for other herbal remedies to come into the limelight. Kratom, an evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in the last few years, becoming a legit option for those seeking a traditional therapeutic approach. 

CBD and Kratom are now used by countless people worldwide to help them with a myriad of concerns, including stress, anxiety, lack of energy, and pain relief, just to name a few.

While the two share similarities in effects, they’re very different in how they interact with the body and mind. That said, before you rush off to your neighborhood dispensary or favorite online store to grab one of the two, you ought to understand what they are and how they differ.  

In this article, we’ll have a closer look at CBD and Kratom to help you determine which one is right for you. Let’s get into it!

What is Kratom? 

Kratom is an evergreen tree that grows in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Mitragyna speciosa, Kratom’s scientific name, belongs to the Rubiaceae family, making it a relative of the coffee tree. We aren’t sure when people started using the plant, but evidence indicates that Kratom has been used for centuries in Southeast Asian cultures for therapeutic purposes and religious ceremonies. It can act as an energy booster like caffeine when used in small doses or as a painkiller like codeine when used in high doses.

Kratom leaves contain more than 40 active compounds, but two alkaloids stand out: mitragynine (MG) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). The former appears to have therapeutic effects, and the latter is responsible for psychoactive effects. Kratom is traditionally chewed raw, but is more commonly consumed in powder form. It can be purchased online from stores like Kats Botanicals, one of the most trusted suppliers of Kratom specializing in high-quality Kratom powders and capsules.

What is CBD? 

Cannabis is a plant that has been used for traditional medicine for millennia. Much like Kratom, cannabis contains various active chemical compounds (we’ve identified 100+ cannabinoids to date), with two that stand out: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While both possess therapeutic properties, CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, unlike THC.

 CBD is one of many alkaloids found in both hemp and marijuana. Hemp is high in CBD and low in THC, making it the ideal plant to make non-psychoactive supplements that can benefit your body and mind. CBD products can be consumed in an incredible number of intake methods, including tinctures, capsules, topicals, edibles, vape oils, beauty products, and more.

There are three categories of CBD products: 

•     Full Spectrum – containing all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant (THC included)
•     Broad Spectrum – containing most cannabinoids and very little or no THC
•     Isolate – containing only cannabidiol

How Are Kratom and CBD similar?

Kratom and CBD are natural remedies that can be used for therapeutic means. Indeed, both have shown great potential in helping people with inflammation, stress, pain, lack of energy, and substance abuse. Similarly, Kratom and CBD are herbal supplements that have been stigmatized by government agencies and have been mistaken for dangerous narcotics for decades. 

What Sets Them Apart?

While Kratom and CBD share similar benefits, they are very different in how they interact with the human body. Kratom directly interacts with opioid receptors in the brain. It produces sedation, invokes pleasure, and blocks pain. In addition, Kratom can be used as a recreational drug due to its psychoactive properties and is understood to be addictive.

On the other hand, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (CB1 and CB2 receptors), influencing mood, appetite, pain, and the nervous system. CBD is considered to be safe, non-addictive, and produces no psychoactive effects. Due to the rise in interest in cannabis’ medicinal properties in the past decades, we have more data on CBD’s effects on the human body.

What are the Downsides of Kratom? 

One of Kratom’s major drawbacks is its psychoactive effects and addictive properties. While Kratom has been praised for its remedial benefits, it has been criticized for its recreational aspect. In addition, because it interacts with the opioid receptors, Kratom is possibly addictive. In extreme cases, individuals who build a tolerance for Kratom are likely to increase the dosage and potentially become dependent on the mighty leaves. 

Tip: Use Kratom in moderation, always controlling your daily intake. And only purchase your Kratom from a reliable source like Kats Botanicals.

What About CBD?

CBD’s shortcomings are linked to its popularity. The demand for CBD products is on the rise, inviting countless opportunists to enter the industry seeking to make a fortune selling hemp-derived products. This has allowed a significant number of companies to produce subpar and even fraudulent CBD products. Since regulations are still not enforced in the US, too many companies are getting away with selling products that do not work – CBD-infused pillows, mattresses, and toothpicks, to name a few. You can learn how to identify CBD scams to stay safe on our blog. 

Tip: Purchase your CBD from a dependable source. Aim for products with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) made from US-grown hemp. And to make your life easier, use our verified CBD coupon codes to find reliable products at a discounted rate.

The Legal Side of Things

In the US, CBD is legal in all 50 states – but there is a grey area. While there are no states that have banned CBD, each state has its way of dealing with it. For example, you can purchase CBD products at your local supermarket, supplement store, dispensary, or gas station in Colorado – yet you are limited to online purchase if you live in Michigan or Nebraska.

The legality of Kratom in the US hangs in the balance at the time of writing this article. Kratom advocates are pushing for legalization while the DEA and FDA are pulling in the opposite direction. At this time, it’s legal in 20 states, banned in 6, and pending in the remaining states. If made illegal, it will surely slow down Kratom’s research and take away a credible source of relief from thousands of Americans

Verdict: Which One Is Better?

CBD isn’t psychoactive, which makes it a much more convenient supplement. You can take it whenever and wherever you are without having to worry about any debilitating effects. From a legal standpoint, CBD’s status is clearly more defined at this time, while Kratom is shrouded in uncertainty. In addition, CBD is non-addictive, which makes it a safer, more manageable supplement. So, if you’re hesitating between Kratom and CBD, the latter may be a wiser choice, at least until we learn more about Kratom.

Conclusion

We’re just starting to understand how these herbal supplements can benefit our health. More is understood about CBD, yet Kratom shows promise in its ability to suppress pain and help people overcome substance abuse. There is no telling how far these two will go as long as we continue to support alternative medicine. Whether you choose to use Kratom or CBD, always get it from a reliable source and begin with micro doses to see how your body reacts.

Alex Rezgui

A freelance copywriter, Alex writes about cannabis, self-improvement, and coffee. Born in France, he grew up in Colorado, where he discovered the beauty of nature. He’s been on the road for decades, traveling the world looking for new challenges and adventures.