What is Kratom?

Mitragyna speciosa is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. While it does not naturally grow in certain countries, you can find some places (such as in America) growing their own. I’m excited to see what the future brings of kratom being grown in the USA. Typically, you’ll see it imported from Indonesia and sold by a vendor here in the states where they will (and should) sterilize and test it.

Kratom is very similar to the coffee bean plant (differences and similarities pictured below), and it is so interesting to learn about the various alkaloids present in kratom. The more research that we do, the more that we find the therapeutic benefits of each alkaloid. Understand that there are SO MANY alkaloids in kratom, most places only lab test for 2 of them, and so I look forward to more research and testing being done so that we can know what alkaloids do what in the body.

I’m sure you’re wondering, “Okay, so what does it feel like?” The way I’ve always described it to friends as it’s like drinking a cup of coffee and taking 3 ibuprofen without the jitters or anxiety and a slight mood boost (for whites, yellows, greens, and some reds), meanwhile, dark fermented reds are like having a cup of chamomile tea and <insert your pain relieving pill of choice here> lol.

In short, this natural plant has helped me never touch an alcoholic beverage or pain pill ever again. I have also significantly cut down on my caffeine intake.