CBD vs. Kratom - for pain, sleep and energy
While there are many similarities between the two plant extracts, kratom and CBD are very different from each other. In this article, we'll compare CBD and kratom in terms of benefits, safety, cost, legality, and other characteristics.
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mytragyna speciosa) is a type of shrub related to the coffee tree. It is found throughout Southeast Asia, including Bali, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Traditionally, kratomia leaves were chewed or made into tea. The stimulating effect is similar to that of coffee, which is why this plant has been used to increase energy levels and increase productivity at work. However, there is something unique about kratom that makes it give you a whole new set of benefits.
In high doses (more than 7 grams of leaves), kratom has a completely different effect. The alkaloids contained in the leaves act on opioid pain receptors, thanks to which they have a strong analgesic effect. Higher doses may also produce sedative effects that outweigh the initial stimulant effects. People take kratom in smaller doses mainly as an alternative to coffee, and in higher doses as an alternative to alcohol or prescription drugs.
CBD and Kratom Comparison: What's the Difference Between the Two?
Both CBD and kratom are useful for treating pain, anxiety, and insomnia - but that's where the similarities end. The active substances in CBD products are completely different from those of kratom and work on completely different mechanisms.
CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system, and kratom acts on the adrenergic and opioid systems.
They also differ in their safety profile, legality, and origin. In general, CBD is better for inflammation, chronic (long-term) pain, and anxiety. Kratom is better in low doses because it is a nootropic or stimulant and in higher doses for acute (short-term) pain.
CBD is much safer than kratom and can be taken for a longer period of time without the risk of addiction or long-term side effects. Long-term use of kratom should be avoided as it can become addictive over time.
Summary: Comparison of similarities and differences between CBD and kratom
|
Metric |
CBD( |
Kratom |
|
Effects of low doses |
Mild nootropic Mild analgesic effect Mild anxiolytic effect |
Increased energy Slight excitement |
|
Effects of high doses |
Pain reduction Reducing stress and anxiety Sedation and sleep Anti-inflammatory |
Pain reduction Euphoria Stress reduction Sedation and sleep |
|
Safety |
Very safe even at high Low risk of |
Safe in low doses, but may cause side effects High doses can lead to "kratom instability". Long-term use can lead to |
|
Side effects |
Seat Nausea Low blood pressure and dizziness |
Nausea and vomiting Vertigo Blurred vision Loss of muscle coordination Seat |
|
Legality |
Legal throughout Europe Legal in all 50 Legal in Canada, Mexico, and |
Legal in some European countries, legal as a collector's item in the Czech Republic Legal at the federal level in the US, but banned in several states. Illegal in Canada Legal in most South American countries |
|
Origin |
Cannabis is native to Asia and |
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Borneo, Indonesia, etc.) |
|
Active ingredients |
CBD THC CBG CBC CBN THCV |
Mitragynina 7-Hydroxymitragynine Paynanthein Speciogynine |
|
Pharmacology |
CB1 and CB2 receptor modulator |
Opioid agonist Dopaminergic |
|
Preparation |
CBD oils and capsules CBD edibles Raw hemp flower Concentrates |
Chewing raw leaves Dried leaves powder mixed with water Capsules Tincture |
1. Benefits of CBD and kratom
CBD and kratom have many of the same uses, but they achieve them through completely different mechanisms. In short, kratom is superior to CBD for short-term pain relief, opiate withdrawal symptoms, and improved concentration and focus (in small doses).
CBD is much better in cases where long-term use is necessary. This can include battling pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It also offers a number of benefits that kratom does not have - such as anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti-skin disease, neurodegenerative and many other effects.
CBD vs. kratom for pain
Winner: Kratom for acute pain, CBD for chronic pain.
The main similarity between CBD and kratom is their effect on pain.
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, which is made up of a series of receptors involved in regulating homeostasis (the word basically means balance). By modulating these receptors, CBD can effectively regulate the amount of pain signals reaching the brain. CBD does not block pain completely, but it does a very good job of reducing it.
Kratom works very differently. It contains several alkaloids that activate opioid receptors located in the spinal cord and brain. These receptors act as gateways for pain transmission. By activating opioid receptors, the gates close, blocking the pain signal from reaching the brain. This is the same mechanism of action that prescription painkillers such as morphine or oxycodone use.
Which one is better?
CBD is much better for pain that is based on inflammation. In the short term, it works to reduce the transmission of the pain signal, but it also addresses the underlying cause. It can take days, weeks, or even months to get all the benefits.
Kratom is better for short-term treatment of almost any type of pain, but it should not be taken long-term due to fears of developing tolerance and addiction. By directly blocking opioid receptors, kratom can provide quick and effective relief from pain of virtually any type and severity.
CBD and kratom for sleep
Winner: CBD
There are many different causes of insomnia, including sleep-wake cycle disorders, anxiety, impaired blood sugar regulation, and chronic pain. CBD is the clear winner in this area because it eliminates all these potential causes.
In higher doses, CBD has a calming effect - it helps with sleep. However, even in smaller doses, CBD can help us achieve a more restful sleep by calming the central nervous system and helping to suppress symptoms of anxiety or a restless mind.
It is also useful in reducing muscle and joint pain that may prevent you from sleeping at night, and it also directly reduces cortisol levels that can prevent you from achieving deeper sleep states.
Although kratom is a sedative, it can also be a stimulant. The wrong dosage or incorrect use of varieties can lead to even worse insomnia than it was originally. Finding a balance can be difficult with kratom. Higher doses of this plant are a powerful sedative, but overuse can cause unpleasant side effects, commonly referred to as "kratom-induced dizziness," which include blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting.
In addition, kratom is not a good long-term solution for improving sleep. Occasional doses are fine if you know what dosage works best for your body, but long-term use can cause addiction, which means that if you stop using the herb, your insomnia will worsen.
CBD and kratom for anxiety and depression
Winner: CBD
CBD's anxiolytic effects emerge from this battle as the clear winner, as it acts on several distinct mechanisms related to anxiety - including GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate, which are closely linked to the symptoms we experience as anxiety.
There have been many large-scale clinical trials that have confirmed the effectiveness of CBD in combating anxiety. In fact, there are very few other natural supplements that even come close to the reliability of CBD in combating anxiety. The only exception may be the kava plant, which is one of the best natural herbs on earth used to treat anxiety.
When it comes to depression, CBD is less effective than kratom in the short term, but provides much greater improvement in the long term. This is because CBD does not have a direct euphoric or uplifting effect like kratom. Instead, CBD regulates neurological function by restoring neurotransmitter homeostasis and electrical transmission in the brain.
CBD also works to eliminate neuroinflammation, which is considered one of the main causes of depression.
Kratom offers only moderate benefits for combating anxiety, and only in higher doses. Lower doses are much more stimulating and can cause anxiety in many people.
Kratom is an excellent antidepressant at higher doses due to its ability to activate opioid receptors and trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. Thanks to this, kratom has a strong euphoric effect that has a huge impact on mood. However, these effects are short-lived and can lead to worsening symptoms of low mood over time as the body becomes addicted to the effects of kratom.
CBD and kratom for focus and concentration
Winner: Kratom
Kratom is much better at enhancing performance and is also a nootropic due to its ability to directly stimulate adrenergic receptors. Taking this herb (in smaller doses) stimulates brain activity and makes us feel more alert. The concentration benefits are noticeable within 30 minutes after taking kratom and last for 2-3 hours.
CBD is sometimes used to increase concentration, but this has indirect benefits. In principle, CBD, by reducing anxiety and stress, can help to increase peace of mind and concentration. These effects are subtle and only affect people who are already stressed or anxious. CBD is not as stimulating as kratom or other nootropics such as caffeine.
CBD vs. kratom as an immune booster
Winner: CBD
Both CBD and kratom are believed to have a wide range of applications in boosting immunity.
CBD works by regulating the endocannabinoid system, which is partly responsible for regulating immune function. This includes all aspects of the immune system – including white blood cell production, T cell activation and infiltration, allergic reactions, and adaptive immunity. CBD has even been shown to reduce the ability of certain bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics.
In kratom There are several compounds in this plant whose direct immunostimulatory effects have been demonstrated in animal studies, such as the alkaloid isopteropodin and the saponin called daukosterol. However, none of these effects have been shown in humans.
2. Safety of kratom and CBD
There is a big difference in safety profiles between kratom and CBD.
CBD is very safe. There has never been a documented case of CBD overdose, and animal studies have shown that the lethal dose of this compound is several thousand milligrams - much higher than the recommended dose range of 5-80 milligrams. Even long-term use has been shown to have no lasting effects on health and does not lead to addiction. CBD can become addictive over time as a result of the alleviation of ailments, but there is no indication that CBD causes physical dependence.
About kratom On the other hand, there have been known cases of death in the past, although this has been extremely rare. Additionally, long-term use of kratom is not considered safe – daily use can lead to addiction over time. The chances of becoming addicted to kratom are much lower than with prescription pain medications or illicit drugs like heroin (which work on the same principle), but the potential for addiction is real.
When it comes to side effects, the most common side effect of CBD use is fatigue. Some users experience a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness. Kratom It has a long list of side effects due to its adrenergic ( dizziness, headaches, insomnia, anxiety) and opioid (fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, loss of muscle coordination). "Kratom spinning" is a common set of symptoms that occur at higher doses, including blurred vision, loss of muscle coordination, nausea and vomiting.
3. Cost of CBD and kratom
When it comes to cost, kratom and CBD are quite comparable. The cost of CBD is best measured in crowns per milligram of CBD. This metric makes it easy to compare different types of CBD products.
Can I mix CBD with kratom?
With so many similarities in the effects of kratom and CBD, some people choose to mix the two plants for even greater benefits.
While there are several reasons to combine kratom and CBD, caution is advised. Overlapping effects can increase the likelihood of side effects – especially at higher doses.
The best way to combine kratom and CBD is to use a low dose of kratom for energizing effects, and a low to medium dose of CBD to offset anxiety-inducing side effects. This is very similar to the synergy that is created when CBD and coffee are mixed.
This is what the combination of CBD and kratom can look like:
- 4 grams of kratom powder in water
- 20 milligrams of CBD oil
Take both substances at the same time and wait at least 60 minutes before taking any other supplements. Do not take any other supplements or coffee other than this combination. Mixing high doses of CBD and kratom is not recommended and may not be safe.
Summary: CBD vs. CBD Kratom
CBD and kratom share many similarities when it comes to the benefits they bring. Both substances have a strong analgesic and sedative effect in higher doses. However, both supplements achieve these effects through completely different means.
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, which is a neuroregulatory system. As a result, CBD gives very wide and varied benefits, and its effects are much more subtle compared to kratom. CBD is the best choice when it comes to long-term support against pain, anxiety and insomnia - but it's not as potent as kratom.
Kratom is much better for short-term pain relief, but its long-term use is not advisable as it can be addictive. Kratom also has benefits completely different from CBD. In smaller doses (less than 8 grams), kratom is a central nervous system stimulant, similar to caffeine.
Mixing CBD and CBD kratom should be used very carefully and only after gaining experience using both herbs separately. CBD works perfectly when combined with small doses of kratom to offset some of the side effects of its uplifting nature. However, no supplement should be combined in higher doses. Therefore, such a combination can lead to side effects.
Author: Canatura
PHOTO: Shutterstock
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