CBD oil and Kratom have become popular and are usually seen on the news these days. They are used by people of all ages because of the natural healing effects offered by these herbal remedies and most of the people would be knowing about them.
However, there exists some confusion as people conceive both of them to have similar effects. This is not true, they are different things, having different origins, been used to treat medical conditions and as a natural alternative to medicine.
About CBD Oil
CBD oil or Cannabidiol is derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. Hemp and marijuana, two very popular substances, are the strains of the plant.
Marijuana contains a greater amount of THC than hemp and is therefore responsible for the “high” feeling when you consume it.
Hemp contains only 0.3% or less amount of THC. This is the reason why it is legal in many places. CBD oil is taken by people to cure many medical conditions.
About Kratom
Kratom is a herb that comes from an evergreen tree known as Mitragyna Speciosa. It is native to Southeast Asia.
Kratom leaves have been used since ancient days as botanical medicine in Thai culture. Known as Ketum, Korth, Mitragyna speciosa and many other names, this plant contains more than 40 compounds.
Mitragynine and 7‐hydroxy mitragynine are two important alkaloids that are responsible for the action of Ketum. All the energy and stimulation effects that you experience after the consumption of Kratom are because of these two ingredients.
This was a brief overview of the two magical herbs. Knowing the origin and active components is important as this knowledge helps us to make many decisions regarding the use of these substances.
Using anything without knowledge can result in severe consequences. I believe sharing the important facts related to these two herbs is a requirement in this era.
We will look in detail and discuss the key factors, which set them apart. So that we can understand, which one is better to use.
1) Both Act Differently
Kratom works with the natural opioid receptors that are present in our body and results in the magical effects that are a reason for its growing use among people.
While CBD oil acts on the endocannabinoid system in our body. It acts on the nerves and helps to maintain a high level of body’s cannabinoids, which reduces the pain and inflammation in the body.
This is the major difference as both substances are acting on different parts of the body. This point clarifies that they are unique in function and working.
2) Treats Different Types Of Pain
Both of these are used to treat pain. What kind of pain, this is the question. There are two types of pains. They are Nociceptive and Neuropathic pain.
Nociceptive pain occurs because of some injury. Whether you just fell, or it is a prick of some needle, the pain you feel falls in this category. Kratom offers relief from this kind of pain and assures your body that there is no pain to be felt.
The other type, Neuropathic pain is felt when the body degrades due to some illness and pain is triggered from deep inside the body, in conditions like peripheral neuropathy and Multiple Sclerosis. CBD oil is taken to treat this type of pain.
3) Opiate Addiction And These Herbal Remedies
Kratom has a different mechanism as compared to CBD. If you are addicted to opioids, Kratom can help get rid of this addiction. This is because Ketum interacts with opioids receptors; hence, you can enjoy this benefit.
CBD has no such response. It does not react directly with CB1 and CB2 receptors. Therefore, it is not effective for treating opioid addiction. However, it is used as an anti-depressant and to relieve pain as discussed in the previous point.
4) Interactions With Medicines
Herbs are known to react with medications. The severity and extent of the reaction differ from one herb to another. However, it is important to know about them. Therefore, we can take them with caution and stay safe from any serious medical condition.
CBD oil does not have those severe reactions with used with pharmaceutical medication. It has minimum effects; on the other hand, Korth results in some strong reactions when taken with some medicines.
5) Appetite And Sleep Disturbances
We need a normal eating and sleep pattern for our bodies to function normally. If any of these get disturbed, we would face mood swings, anxiety and other problems that depend on an individual’s tolerance level. When taking any natural remedies, one concern is if it would have any effect on our routine.
Thankfully, CBD oil is a safer remedy; it has no effects on sleep and appetite patterns. However, Kratom has been reported to reduce appetite and disturb the normal sleep pattern.
Again, when you get used to Kratom, your body develops a resistance to these side effects and you don’t feel any of these challenges in your life.
6) Consumption Method
How to consume any herb, is a matter of great interest. CBD is extracted first as an oil and then it is converted into various forms like tinctures, capsules, or edibles.
CBD oil itself can be taken in different ways, you can smoke it, use it in a vaporizer, apply it as a balm on the skin, take it by putting it under the skin or having gummy bears or popsicles.
The choice is yours as each person has his own preferences and would like one method compared to the other.
There are three strains of Kratom based on the color of the vein of the plant. They are red, green and white colors. Each strain has different effects and should be used accordingly.
Ketum is available in different forms, like powders, capsules, and extracts. The toss and wash method is very common for taking the powder form. Using capsules, taking the powder mixed in teas and your favorite recipes are other ways to consume Ketum.
7) Psychotropic Effects
Knowing all the side effects of drugs is important, as you are the one who is going to be affected.
Therefore, it is better if you are already aware of the consequences so that you do not feel shocked if you experience any of these symptoms.
Addiction to herbs and drugs is a common thing and many people consider it normal. CBD oil is non-psychotropic; it does not cause you to feel “high”.
Whereas, Korth is a psychotropic substance and using it results in an addiction that is hard to overcome. Kratom users also experience hallucinations, which might be disturbing.
8) Treatment For Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, which results in abnormal brain activity. Some electrical imbalances in the brain result in this condition. The person may suffer from seizures, unusual behaviors and sometimes loss of awareness.
CBD oil is said to play a role in the treatment of epilepsy. It is scientifically proven and therefore, CBD lovers often try this remedy to stop the progression of epilepsy and to treat the symptoms that they are facing.
This is one of the most amazing uses of CBD as it offers this treatment with a bunch of other advantages. How cool is that!
About Ketum, it is found that taking this herb has no effect on epilepsy and the patients may not benefit in any way when compared with CBD oil.
9) Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Many people who experience inflammation anywhere in the body can use any of these herbal remedies.
If you are not someone who is a fan of medicines, thee two substances are a natural approach and may relieve your symptoms. Both CBD oil and Ketum are packed with anti-inflammatory properties.
The difference is that CBD aids the immune system to reduce inflammation and offers relief. It is also added to skin creams and cosmetics because of its anti-inflammatory action.
Whereas, Kratom fights inflammation of any sort and strengthens the immune system so it can tackle any future episodes of inflammation.
10) Legality
CBD oil, if it has THC levels below 0.3% is legal in the USA and all 50 states. So, taking CBD for whatsoever reason is not an issue if you live here.
It is also allowed in many countries in Europe where consumption of medical cannabis is allowed. Therefore, you need to check the regulations of the country before getting your hands on CBD oil.
The legality of Korth is an issue. Several states in the U.S have banned the consumption of Ketum. Many other countries have banned its use too. Therefore, you need to check the laws of the country before you buy Kratom for any reason.
The Bottom Line
The war between Kratom and CBD oil is a never-ending one. It is difficult to say which one is better. However, with all these facts discussed previously, I hope it is easier to determine which one is more suitable.
If I had to choose, I would go for CBD oil as it has far more benefits than side effects. I think it is intelligent to choose something that is not harmful to your health, so do not take any decision that requires compromising on your health.
To sum up, CBD oil is a safer alternative as compared to Kratom. People might have a different opinion and they might feel Ketum be more effective than CBD oil.
This is all because everyone has a different body and metabolism. Therefore, do what is best for you, however, stay cautious and stop its use whenever you feel something is wrong.