Because of its ability to address some health issues, Kratom has become very popular. But one of the main reasons why people are using Kratom is to treat anxiety and depression. Supplements that were made from Kratom have been shown to help people deal with feelings of anxiety and make them feel more relaxed.
Although there are several other medications out there that can help treat anxiety and depression, people choose to go with Kratom simply because it’s all natural and inexpensive. The supplements have no chemicals and other toxic ingredients in them, so using Kratom for anxiety won’t lead to any adverse reactions or harmful side effects. They are also much safer than over-the-counter medications that are usually chemical-based.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is your body’s response to stress. It’s that feeling of fear, doubt, discomfort, uneasiness, apprehension, or disappointment about certain things.
Perhaps, you’re feeling anxious about meeting someone for the first time, or you fear about your future. Maybe you’re afraid that you’ll fail your exam or an upcoming job interview.
Just like stress, anxiety in itself is a normal part of our daily lives. Depending on how you deal with anxiety, it may motivate you to work even harder. But for some people, anxiety could make them less motivated.
Depending on your life situation, anxiety may come and go. Sure, it can make you feel uncomfortable, but this will soon come to pass.
What Are the Dangers of Anxiety?
Some people, however, have a different response to anxiety. There are some who suffer from anxiety for a much longer time and sometimes for no reason at all! This could interfere with one’s daily life and could potentially decrease your quality of life.
Aside from being unable to enjoy the things you usually should, anxiety may also make you feel bad about everything. It could potentially affect the relationship you have with your loved ones! This is why learning how to use Kratom for anxiety is essential.
Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety comes in different forms, and its symptoms and intensity vary from one person to another. There are those who suffer from mild anxiety, but others may be entirely out of control. Some people could end up suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, painful thoughts, and panic attacks.
Some of the most frequent symptoms of anxiety are the following:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Faster heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
Regardless of the intensity of your anxiety, it can make your life less enjoyable. Free yourself from this difficult situation by uncovering the benefits of using Kratom for anxiety.
Types of Anxiety
Anxiety affects people differently. In some cases, it could be due to a certain disorder.
Below are some of the most common types of anxiety:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This is a permanent feeling of anxiousness even though there’s nothing to feel anxious about.
Illness Anxiety Disorder
This is a constant feeling about having a certain illness even when there’s none.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
This is when the person experiences flashbacks and negative thoughts repeatedly and suddenly experiences a short relief from anxiety because of a specific ritual.
Panic Disorder
This anxiety disorder happens when a person experiences periods of extreme fear. During this time, they will have difficulty breathing, the heart rate will increase, and dizziness and chest pain will be felt.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This is the anxiety that a person suffers from after going through a traumatic event like a natural disaster, assault, abuse, or trauma.
Social Anxiety Disorder
This is an extreme feeling of anxiousness when performing in front of other people.
Using Kratom for Anxiety and Depression
Although Kratom has effects similar to opioid, it’s not technically an opioid. Kratom has an active ingredient known as mitragynine, which binds to the brain’s opioid receptors, thereby relieving you of pain and the feeling of anxiousness. This ability could be the reason behind Kratom’s anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. But it should be noted that there’s not enough research about using Kratom for anxiety.
In a 2017 research study, it was found that some users experienced enhanced mood and were relieved of their anxiety after using Kratom. The researchers behind the study also confirmed that the Kratom might have sedative effects, but they are yet to find out if side effects like sedation could affect its ability to treat anxiety.
Top Kratom Strains to Treat Anxiety
Bali Kratom
One of the most sought after strains for anxiety is Bali Kratom simply because it’s an all-rounder type strain. This means that it doesn’t excel in only one attribute. Instead, it’s capable of providing benefit in almost every area. For instance, this strain is capable of providing anxiety and pain relief in moderation. What’s more, this strain is more affordable compared to other potent strains in the market.
Borneo
Even as little as two grams of this strain is enough to produce useful results in terms of treating chronic pain and anxiety. These strains have less reported cases of side effects so you can be flexible with the dosage. It’s an excellent choice for those who need it for anxiety treatment. Opting for higher doses may lead to a more sedative effect, and this can be effective for those who have a hard time sleeping. Furthermore, this Kratom strain has minimal side effects.
Indo Kratom
This is a traditional Indonesian Kratom strain that’s known for its unique effects, making it one of the most sought after strains in the market. Although the results could vary depending on the colors of the vein, the plant, and the season, this strain comes with many benefits that can help to treat anxiety. Among these are mood elevation, sedation, pain relief, and relaxation. This strain is pretty much similar to the Borneo strain in terms of potency; however, it’s slightly less sedating.
Those who use Indo Kratom for the treatment of anxiety have reported that this strain has a long-lasting effect. Just like the Bali and Borneo strains, the Indo strains are highly effective in the treatment of anxiety because of their ability to give you an energy boost.
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da is known for its excellent ability to relieve pain and lift the mood at the same time. This strain won’t induce any analgesic effects and won’t put you to sleep.
On the other hand, this strain can make you feel euphoric and energetic. It could lift your mood and make you productive, which is great for relieving anxiety.
Malay Kratom
Green Malay Kratom is ideal for those who want to increase their productivity throughout the day and make them focus better on their tasks. It has the amazing ability to boost your mental and physical working abilities and can help you gain control over your emotions.
Red Veins
These strains are perfect for anxiety treatment because of their sedative and painkilling effects. But when it comes to using the Red Veins, it’s important to keep in mind that some of its varieties are stimulating. So do your research thoroughly before you purchase Red Veins.
How to Figure Out the Dosage
When using Kratom for anxiety, it’s essential to use it in a moderate dose. Some strains are more energetic when taken at low dosage. On the other hand, the high dosage could build-up your tolerance on certain strains and will eventually diminish its therapeutic effects.
There’s no rule to follow when it comes to the ideal dosage of the Kratom strain. The dosage will vary from one person to another although most experts would recommend taking around 1 to 4 grams, depending on where you’ll find your sweet spot after a trial and error.
To prevent tolerance and avoid dependency, it’s important to limit your use to 2-3 times per week.
You might experience some side effects such as nausea, itching, vomiting, sweating, drowsiness, fatigue, and constipation.
Things to Avoid When Taking Kratom for Anxiety
Most of the white strains must be avoided when using Kratom for anxiety due to their stimulating effects. Instead of treating your anxiety, it might worsen it! But it should be noted that Kratom reacts differently from one person to another. The results will also depend upon the type of anxiety disorder that you have.
Some users have reported that the yellow and green strains are the most effective strains for anxiety treatment. Others prefer white strains since it makes them feel more positive about life.
It’s highly advisable to start with the red veins and experiment with other strains depending on their effects on you.
What Happens After You Take It
Kratom can result in a variety of effects depending on the person, the dosage, and some other factors. There’s still on-going research about Kratom’s effects.
Below are some of the researches that are currently available.
Kratom’s Effects on the Brain
Kratom may lead to emotional, mental, and behavioral effects, such as:
- Better focus
- Enhanced mood
- Euphoria
- Increased talkativeness
- Reduced anxiety
Kratom’s Effects on the Body
Kratom could affect you physically and could result in:
- Decreased pain
- Increased energy
- Muscle relaxation
Kratom for Kids
Brain development is usually the main reason why some parents give Kratom to their kids. Since the child’s brain is still in the development stage, any medication that could affect the brain’s progression must be dealt with utmost care. When giving Kratom to your kids, ensure that any external interference will not hinder their development.
In some studies, a group of kids was asked to take Kratom to overcome their excessive cognitive disorders. Kratom has also been shown to treat chronic pain among kids. However, it must not be used vigorously since it may have different effects on kids.
Furthermore, Kratom must never be combined with other substances such as opioids. Kids taking high dosages of Kratom may suffer from psychological troubles such as hallucination, sleepwalking, mild seizures, etc.
Since the research studies on Kratom are not done efficiently, it’s not easy to come up with a conclusion as of yet. We can only rely on existing cases and pieces of evidence to show that Kratom is safe for everyone to use.
How to Get the Most Value for Your Money When Buying Kratom
Remember that your body can develop immunity to Kratom when you use it regularly. If you’re using a similar strain every single day, the receptors of your brain could adapt to it, and the effect will weaken. In this case, you may need to take higher doses so that you can achieve a similar result.
Thus, it may be necessary to alternate the Kratom strains that you use. In doing so, you’ll be able to keep the brain receptors fresh and maintain its effects. You may still develop some tolerance but at a much slower pace. This is important when taking Kratom for therapeutic purposes, such as pain relief.
One of the best ways to alternate the strains is by taking a predominantly sedating strain and on the following day, a stimulating one. Although there have been no reports about Kratom being addictive, some people tend to abuse it. Keep this in mind when starting to use Kratom for anxiety treatment.
Again, the effects of Kratom could vary greatly. It’s a good idea to experiment with different strains and take note of the results. If something doesn’t work right for you, then find one that will. In doing so, you’ll see which strains are the best for your needs.
Conclusion
If you’re considering using Kratom for anxiety or depression, it’s essential to learn the risks that may come with it. Kratom may be effective at relieving certain symptoms, but it may also come with negative side effects. The benefits might not outweigh the risks, so consider this.
If you have decided to use Kratom, do so with caution. Begin with a small dosage and monitor its effects on you. Let someone know about it so they can also help to monitor your behavior. It’s also important to note that Kratom may interact with other substances including alcohol and medication. For your safety, avoid driving when taking Kratom. If you suffer from severe side effects, stop your consumption and see your doctor.
