Kratom vs. Delta 10 THC: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

More people are looking to natural solutions to their daily wellness needs, and the market has recently started offering a massive selection of products to accommodate growing interest in plant-based solutions. Two of the most popular choices by far are kratom and delta 10 THC, with the latter coming from the recently legalized hemp plant. Because both products are relatively new to most of us, we want to compare them to give you an idea of what they each can offer.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is the dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia. The leaves of the tree are rich in alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. When we take kratom, its alkaloids affect our opioid receptors, which regulate things like pain tolerance, emotional state, and more.

Kratom naturally exists in numerous strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. While the leaves mature, the veins change color, 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 off of kratom, as ultimately, it’s an intoxicant. and how high you get will depend on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain. As we said, it works on opioid receptors, and one thing we know is that these receptors can initiate a mind-altering response, as we’ve seen with certain opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is a federally legal substance, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have prohibited it, and they are:

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

In addition to that, kratom is banned in a handful of municipalities across the United States, even in states where it’s otherwise legal. Because of that, we urge you to 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?

Because kratom hasn’t been available on the Western market for long, the medical community hasn’t published a ton of papers about its potential benefits as research has been limited. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to conclude that kratom has the potential to:

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

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Like most substances, kratom use can lead to some side effects, especially when not taken as it’s supposed to (in other words, if you don’t follow the directions on the label), if you take too much of it, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of your unique physiology. 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 various product forms, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any formula. Now, let’s cover the most popular types of kratom products on the market:

• 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: Delta 10 THC

Delta 10 THC is still considered by many as a newly discovered cannabinoid – one that we haven’t known about until the last few years, when it was discovered by accident via a liquid chromatography process. We recognize that delta 10 exists in just trace levels in cannabis, and other than that, there’s little known about its chemical properties or structure.

We’ve observed cannabis for long enough to know that all of the cannabinoids in the plant attach to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors), mainly found within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors require cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a system that maintains homeostasis within the body. Hence, why delta 10 and other cannabinoids can offer up an array of possible benefits at once.

Can I Get High off of Delta 10 THC?

Delta 10 THC is known to be a psychoactive cannabinoid, and its recreational value is a big part of its appeal. A lot of people take delta 10 strictly to get high, and we totally support that It’s 30% less intoxicating than delta 9 THC, give or take, which means that the high is actually fairly mild, and you’ll likely feel alert and clear-headed throughout.

People who take delta 10 THC describe the ‘high’ as “sativa-like”, meaning, it can be uplifting, focus-enhancing, and even creativity-boosting.

Is Delta 10 THC Legal?

With the passing of the United States 2018 Farm Bill, it allowed for all hemp derivatives to be sold legally, assuming they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without restrictions, and that includes delta 10 THC.

Still, states are permitted to prohibit certain cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all intoxicating cannabinoids. These states are:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Does Delta 10 THC Have Benefits?

Here’s the thing: delta 10 THC has never actually been studied in any clinical context. This means that as of now, there are zero published scientific papers describing its potential benefits. Still, because we know that cannabinoids in general can offer notable potential benefits, we can guess that delta 10 offers at least some ability to:

• Reduce stress levels
• Improve mood
• Offer analgesic properties
• Offer anti-inflammatory properties
• Reduce nausea
• Increase appetite
• Aid in sleep
• Support digestive and immune function
• Offer neuroprotective properties

Does Delta 10 THC Have Side Effects?

Cannabinoids are strictly nontoxic to the human body, and cannabis has never been shown to cause major adverse events or life-threatening effects. However, if your tolerance is low or you take too high of a dose, you can end up with certain side effects. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high. Thankfully, these side effects are generally mild, and include:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Reduction in blood pressure
• Fatigue/drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia/anxiety
• General impairment
• Forgetfulness/fogginess

What Kinds of Delta 10 Product Types are There?

Delta 10 THC comes in a variety of product types, including:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping delta 10 THC offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
• Flower: Delta 10 flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with delta 10 distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain choices, and it’s sold in the forms of loose buds as well as pre-rolls.
• Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. They’re easy to take, and even come in a variety of milligram strengths.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with the cannabinoid are great for those who already take supplements in capsule form, and simply want to add cannabinoids to their regimen.

Kratom or Delta 10 THC? It’s Totally Up to You!

Basically, kratom and delta 10 THC both have serious potential in terms of relief and other positive effects, but they interact with the body in entirely different ways. Both offer psychoactive effects that can be super enjoyable on their own, while at the same time bringing potential benefits related to things like mood, physical discomfort, and more.

All of this means is, you don’t know how each one will affect you until you try it. Fortunately, you can really explore both thanks to our generous array of both kratom and delta 10 products, available here at The Calm Leaf.