Kratom vs. Active Flowers: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Nowadays, you’re probably hearing a lot about natural substances derived from mother nature which are rich in all kinds of potential benefits, and even some with intoxicating qualities as well. Products like kratom, blue lotus, lion’s mane, and many others are taking over the market, offering holistic solutions to our daily needs regarding mood, our physical state, and more.

In fact, this market is becoming so popular so fast that we’re seeing loads of new hype-worthy products hit shelves at a dizzying pace – so fast that it would be a lot to ask the average person to keep up. That’s why we’re going to compare two of the more prominent ones today: kratom and active flowers, with the latter being a term that could very well be totally new to you.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom comes from the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is related to coffee, sold in the form of dried, ground up leaves. In fact, the leaves of the tree have high concentrations of alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. Consuming kratom causes the alkaloids in the leaves to interact with opioid receptors, which are responsible for things like mental state, pain levels, and more.

Kratom comes in different strains, based on the specific cultivar of the tree, which can vary from one region of Southeast Asia to the next. It also comes in three veins, referencing the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. At different points as the leaves mature, the vein changes color to reflect the leaf’s age, and this color tells us how developed specific alkaloids are. This means that the vein of the kratom (the color) informs us of how potent the kratom is, and how strong certain effects are going to be.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Yes, you can get high on kratom, but that’s depending on the dosage, as well as the strain and vein that you’re taking. Ultimately, any kratom product has the potential to be intoxicating if you take enough. Again, it works on opioid receptors, and one thing we know is that these receptors can produce mind-altering effects, as we’ve seen with certain opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is legal under federal law, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have banned it, and they are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Wisconsin

On top of that, kratom is prohibited in certain municipalities across the United States, despite being legal in the actual state. So, our recommendation is that you check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change at any time.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

It’s kinda hard to find extensive info about kratom’s benefits in the form of published research papers, due to kratom is being ‘new’ to the Western market. But there is enough research nonetheless that has been published to display what kratom might be able to do in terms of the following:

• Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
• Act as an anxiolytic
• Enhance mood
• Offers analgesic properties
• Improve sleep
• Decrease appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Kratom does have the ability to cause certain side effects if it’s not taken as directed (in other words, if you don’t follow the directions on the label), if you take too high of a dose, or if your unique physiology simply doesn’t agree with it. Possible side effects include:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Impaired coordination
• Increased heartrate
• Dry mouth/thirst
• Irritability/confusion
• Potential overdose

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in different product types, since the water-soluble kratom powder dissolves easily in various solution types, and because different delivery methods are effective. Now, let’s cover the most popular types of kratom products out there:

• Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
• Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
• Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
• Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
• Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
• Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
• Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 510-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
• Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.

Contender #2: Active Flowers

“Active flowers” refer to herbs, botanicals, and certain fungi that have unique potential benefits, and can be consumed in extract form to experience those potential benefits. They include:

• Lavender: A flowering herb known for its relaxing abilities.
• Blue Lotus: A flower that grows along the Nile River, and is known for its mild intoxicating effects, ability to enhance lucid dreaming, and potential cognitive benefits.
• Pink Lotus: Pink lotus is a mildly intoxicating flower that can offer sedating properties.
• Chamomile: A flowering herb that can offer relief from stress, and help the mind and body feel more tranquil.
• Passion Flower: A popular natural anxiolytic that’s been used for centuries to produce a sense of calm.
• Lion’s Mane: A medicinal mushroom that may improve cognitive function, cardiovascular function, and mood.
• Turkey Tail: A medicinal mushroom that may improve energy levels and focus, while potentially supporting the liver.

Can I Get High off of Active Flowers?

We’re talking about a broad and diverse array of species with potential benefits here, so we can’t say that all active flowers are intoxicating. However, two in particular have been shown to cause mild intoxication: pink lotus and blue lotus. Some can say that the high is somewhat similar to that of kratom in that it’s relatively mild and clear-minded, offering feelings of euphoria and relaxation.

Are Active Flowers Legal?

Yes, all of these active flowers are legal, otherwise they wouldn’t be sold on the market. To date, none of the species we listed earlier have been banned anywhere in the country.

Do Active Flowers Have Benefits?

We did already go over the potential benefits of active flowers, and those are based on evidence shown to us through research along with anecdotal evidence. Remember that these species aren’t new – they’ve been used in regions of the world for at least hundreds of years, as part of ancient medicinal practices, and are still used throughout the world today. While research on these species is still in its early stages, we hope that in the coming months and years, they’ll be taken more seriously by the medical community.

Do Active Flowers Have Side Effects?

Once again, each individual active flower species can have its own safety and side effect profile, along with its recommended dosage amount that tells you what threshold is generally safe. So, to list side effects associated with every species of mushroom out there would be unrealistic. However, we do suggest that you research the species you’re interested in consuming, to find out what side effects it can carry. One thing we’ll say is that none of these active flowers are considered unsafe, or else we would not carry them, as we never want to put our customers at risk.

What Kinds of Active Flowers Product Types are There?

The most common types of products for any given active flower product will vary, based on whether or not specific delivery methods are actually bioavailable, but in the broader sense, active flowers can be consumed in the following product types:

• Dried: You can buy most active flower species in dried form, which preserves them, and offers the species in its purest and most unadulterated form.
• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Certain herbs, botanicals, and fungi extracts can be vaped, like turkey tail and amanita, and vapes offer something that’s convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with active flower extracts are great for those who already take supplements in capsule form, and wish to add certain species to their regimen.
• Beverages: Active flower-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Tinctures: Active flower-infused tinctures offer a sublingual solution that’s easy to administer, with an onset time, duration of effects, and potency that’s between edible products and inhalable products.

Kratom or Active Flowers: And The Winner Is…

Clearly, active flowers and kratom have tons of unique qualities to offer when it comes to improving how we feel both physically and mentally, and some can even give us a nice buzz as a bonus. If you want to find out for yourself how they compare to one another, we recommend checking out the variety of both kratom and active flower products here at The Calm Leaf.