Mitragyna Speciosa, better known as Kratom or Ketum, is a plant-based substance. It is a powdered form of leaves of the Kratom plant growing in the fertile lands of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The farmers and locals of these countries have been using the substance for a long time because of its associated benefits.
However, with the introduction of the substance into the U.S., it piqued the interest of several people from all the states of the U.S.
I had my interest piqued by Mitragyna too. The substance took the herbal and botanical world by a storm and garnered praise and criticism alike. So I tried the plant substance and used it for a long time to form an unbiased view of its benefits and usage.
If you are doubtful about using Kratom and are looking for the firsthand account of an experienced user, everything regarding my Kratom use is mentioned in this article.
Why Did I Use Kratom?
There were several reasons as to why I started using Mitragyna. I have severe back pains for quite a long time, and no medication was solving my problem. I had heard from several users and the internet that Kratom has pain-relieving and analgesic properties.
Furthermore, I suffered from mild depression, sleeping problems, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There were several users on the internet that swore by the benefits of Kratom in these regards as well as many others.
Kratom’s other associated benefits included mood elevation, euphoria (sense of happiness), mellowness, relaxed and elated, increased focus, better sleep, etc. Furthermore, several people I knew had tried out Kratom, and a significant majority of them were happy with the results. So I went ahead and decided to buy myself some as well.
How Did I Pick My Leaf Color?
Kratom naturally grows in three-leaf veins, i.e., Green, Red, and White veins. However, another vein known as the yellow vein is also sold by various vendors, a blended form of different natural strains of Mitragyna.
All of these strains have their own benefits. The Red strains are the best in terms of analgesic properties. These strains have alkaloids that act on the opiate receptors of the brain and nervous system. This results in a feeling which is similar to that of modern painkilling medication and opiates.
The White veined strains, on the other hand, are more focused on the stimulation part of the Kratom benefits. These strains increase focus and therefore help in overcoming problems related to focus.
Furthermore, the Green strain is a balanced strain between the Red and the White strains. These strains have both stimulating as well as analgesic effects.
The yellow strain is more or less an augmented form of Red-veined Kratom. These strains have a strong analgesic effect along with the focusing benefit that you attain from White veins. At the same time, the euphoric feeling derived from Green-veined Kratom is also present in the Yellow veins.
While deciding which vein I wanted to go for, I decided to the strain that would best suit my problems. My primary concern was my backache, as well as my ADHD. So I decided to opt for both a Red-veined strain (for its analgesia) and a Yellow veined strain (for the focus improvement along with analgesia). The next step was to figure out which strain I wanted to go for.
How Did I Figure Out My Strains?
Mitragyna exists in several strains that differ based on the alkaloids present in the leaves. Therefore several strains are being sold by different vendors. These include user-favorite strains such as Maeng Da, Sumatra, and Borneo, etc. as well as novel strains, including Sunda Island Kratom, Hulu Kratom, etc.
When I started my Mitragyna journey, I went with a strain that gave me the necessary benefits I needed while being a well-rounded strain. Following several customer reviews, I made my way to Red Maeng Da. This strain is attributed to being one of the best strains from the moment it was sold to date.
The Red Maeng Da I bought had a perfect balance between the analgesic properties of Red-veined strains and focus on improving and stimulating benefits. The strain did not take long to kick in and had a well-balanced effect that lasted long after the dose had been taken. Maeng Da is one of the best strains for beginners and amateurs in the Mitragyna world.
As I have been using Kratom for a long time, I alternate between my favorite Red Maeng Da and other strains that give me my desired effects. It is essential to properly research a particular strain before you decide to make a purchase.
How Did I Pick My Kratom Vendor?
There are a vast number of considerations that need to be made before you select a vendor. I had to learn this through trial and error. I have had several nights where I have been bent over my toilet seat, throwing up the last meal I ate because I bought my Kratom from a lousy quality seller. Some of the significant factors that need to be considered when deciding upon a Kratom seller include:
- Ensure that the Mitragyna you are buying is lab tested by an independent lab, and the test results are present on the website.
- Read customer reviews present on Reddit and various other forums to ensure that you are not making a faulty purchase.
- Ensure that the product being sold has been imported from cultivators in the Southeast Asian region of the world and is not synthetic.
- Search for sellers offering free samples to test the quality of a specific vendor without having to buy any product.
- Always look for brands with a return guarantee, because it shows the trust of a vendor in the products it is selling.
Moreover, reasonable pricing, fast delivery, approach-ability, various payment methods are all plus points that show the positives of a vendor.
How Did I Figure Out My Dosage?
Did It Work for Me?
When people ask me this, I tell them that every person’s body reacts differently to a particular substance. If a specific strain worked for me, it is not definite that it will work for you as well.
However, the quality of my life certainly improved after I started taking Mitragyna regularly. I have lesser bouts of extreme anxiety, my back pain has almost disappeared, and I am more active and happy going about my day.
Were There Adverse Effects?
For every beginner, it is imperative to take certain precautions. I skipped a few and had to see the harmful effects of Kratom. Some of these precautions include:
- Taking care of your dosage: In case of a lower than needed dosage, you will feel no effects at all. Similarly, if your dosage is high – nausea, stomach aches, cognition loss, wobbles, etc. are common. Using beam balances and measuring spoons to strictly monitor your dosage is recommended.
- Do an allergy test by taking a minute quantity of a strain to see if there are any allergic reactions or adverse effects.
- Keep alternating between some of your favorite strains to prevent the development of tolerance.
- Get creative with your Kratom and brew it into teas. It can be added into soups, gravies, and beverages as well to mask the bitter taste of the substance.
FAQs Regarding The Use Of Mitragyna
There are several frequently asked questions regarding Mitragyna use. Some of these questions include:
This query is a major question asked by new users of Mitragyna. I had similar questions when I started using Kratom. Chemically, the substance is not psychoactive like cannabis or marijuana and, therefore, does not cause the typical “high.” However, depending upon the tolerance of the user – Kratom can induce a feeling that can be considered a high because of its euphoria induction and relaxation.
Kratom is a natural substance and does not have the same withdrawal effects as other drugs and opiates when discontinued. However, users have told that they have gotten extremely reliant on Mitragyna and have had bouts of depression and low moods when the use of it is discontinued.
Mitragyna – like every other herbal or botanical substance – requires careful use and care. A specific dose of the substance should be taken, and overdosing should be avoided. A few negative effects of allergic reactions or careless use of Mitragyna include diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, weight loss, fevers, seizures, etc.
Extreme care and caution need to be practiced to ensure that you do not have to face Kratom’s negative effects. These include doing an allergy test and buying proper measuring equipment that lets you calculate your dosage appropriately and accurately.
Kratom is a natural substance and a plant product. Hence it is liable to spoilage. To avoid wasting money, time as well as effort – make sure you place your Kratom in a cool, dry place and airtight jars and containers.
Final Thoughts
My experience with Mitragyna has been great so far. It has improved my living habits and quality and made me become a more active and productive person. However, your experience might be different from mine based on your body chemistry. Place an order of your favorite strain today and see how it goes for you.