The opioid crisis claims more than 33,000 lives in America every year. There are studies & anecdotes of the ability of Kratom to serve as a practical solution to this crisis. It has become more popular as a potential substitute for opioids these past few years.
Kratom, a natural supplement widely used in Southeast Asia to boost energy and alleviate pains, may be something you’ve heard of. Many attest to the capabilities of Kratom to provide pain relief and curb opioid addiction.
This article will discuss Kratom and its use for pain management and opioid withdrawal.
A Quick Background On Opioids
Opioids are a large category of painkillers that interact with opioid receptors in your cells to relieve pain. Opioids can be either prescription drugs frequently referred to as painkillers like morphine or illegally obtained substances like heroin.
Why Do People Use Opioids?
People with moderate to severe pain can significantly improve thanks to opioids. These substances or medications are used to feel pleasure or euphoria if not for relieving pain.
The endorphins in opioids produce a fleeting but potent sense of well-being by decreasing pain perception and increasing pleasure.
Opioid Dependence & Withdrawal
Tolerance and reliance on these drugs may increase with regular usage, necessitating higher and more frequent doses that can result in dependence and addiction. Opioid withdrawal syndrome is a potentially lethal condition brought on by opioid use.
Opioid withdrawal occurs when an opioid-dependent person immediately cuts back or stops using opioids. A list of symptoms accompanies withdrawal. Not all signs must be present for someone to be going through withdrawal.
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the average duration of opioid withdrawal symptoms is three to five days, although they can continue up to ten days.
Listed are the following symptoms: drug cravings, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, trembling, coldness, muscle aches, increased tearing, runny nose, sweating, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, goosebumps, and nausea.
These symptoms may appear 12 hours after the last dose and be present from a few days to over two weeks. The severe symptoms often subside after a few days for most people.
Kratom Basics
Kratom is a herbal treatment widely used in Southeast Asia derived from the evergreen tree Mitragyna speciosa. The leaves are used as recreational medicine.
Kratom is sold in various forms, including chewable or tea-made leaves, a powder that can be dissolved in liquids, tablets, and patch resins. Many strains are available with different effects and potencies.
As a medication, Kratom is used to ease withdrawal symptoms and treat conditions like anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, coughing, diabetes, diarrhea, and pain.
Chewing or brewing the leaves into tea is used for recreational reasons to boost mood and stamina.
Kratom As An Alternative
Kratom is essentially a type of natural opiate. When used in high dosages, Kratom can provide a feeling resembling that of an opiate; however, it serves as a mild stimulant when used in moderate doses.
The most typical reason people use Kratom leaves is to treat bodily pain. People with chronic pain know how challenging it can be to carry out regular tasks while experiencing significant physical agony.
While over-the-counter painkillers can provide some relief, they typically have several side effects. A frequent negative impact of opioid medicines is respiratory problems.
Methadone and buprenorphine are two common treatments for opioid withdrawal syndrome. However, there are evident limitations and side effects. With Kratom, there are no apparent opioid-like comedowns, and it does not cause long-term dependence.
Kratom As An Alternative Painkiller
Many use Kratom as a replacement for over-the-counter or prescribed painkillers due to the adverse side effects these have on their body. Often people search for a natural remedy that can get the job done more healthily.
More and more individuals are turning to Kratom as an alternative to opioid pain management, a reliable method of pain relief, and a treatment option for sore muscles after exercise without worrying about developing an addiction.
Kratom comes in a variety of forms to suit a variety of uses. Kratom strains, particularly red ones, are extensively used for their pure analgesic benefits and well-balanced, well-rounded effects.
Kratom As An Opioid Alternative
Does kratom work for opioid withdrawal? A question frequently arises in people’s heads when they hear of Kratom as an alternative.
As we know, opioid addiction may be treated by cutting off the use of opioids. This triggers withdrawal symptoms in the consumer.
Here’s the reason why you can treat opioid withdrawal using Kratom. The same mood-lifting and pain-relieving effects are stimulated as it attaches to the opioid receptors in the brain. You are making it an ideal alternative for opioids.
Some testimonies may be found on the internet regarding the effectiveness of Kratom for these purposes. Consider that each body is different; therefore, each body’s reaction to Kratom will vary, similar to medicines on the market.
Kratom Safety
However, Kratom’s use has not been approved by the FDA yet. According to the FDA, Kratom is neither a medicine nor a dietary supplement, although it is marketed lawfully in many American states and localities.
Further studies are to be conducted, but some studies & research have shown promising results. But is Kratom a safe substitute for opioids?
Researchers believe Kratom is more than 1,000 times less likely to kill than usual prescription opioids, given the high number of people who consistently use it and the low number of fatalities.
Furthermore, it is unclear if Kratom played a significant or even any part in the overdose deaths linked to the substance because it was almost always combined with other narcotics that kill more frequently.
Conclusion
Painkiller dependence hasn’t benefited you in any way, so maybe you’re tempted to quit because of your frustration. The anxiety and sadness you’ve experienced from your opiate addiction are natural, but there is hope for you.
You’ll soon be able to quit taking your regular doses of pharmaceuticals. Your pain and mood will improve, but Kratom will also boost your energy and stamina.
Additionally, Kratom may help you raise your metabolism, increase your sexual vitality, strengthen your immune system, and avoid diabetes. Stress reduction, anxiety reduction, and better sleep are all benefits of using Kratom.
