Kratom vs. Delta 6 THC: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Are you the type of person who prefers a plant-based approach to their daily wellness needs? Great, then you might have given some thought to either kratom or one of the many cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant. And, with so many cannabinoids hitting the market every month, it can be hard to keep up with what each one can offer to what daily need. Delta 6 THC is one of the newest and least understood cannabinoids out there, and we want to compare it to kratom today, to help you figure out which one might be more closely related to your needs and goals.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom, for those who don’t know, refers to the dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is related to coffee. The leaves of the tree are rich in alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. When we consume kratom, these alkaloids interact with opioid receptors, which regulate things like pain response, mood, 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. At different periods of maturation, 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?

Kratom can produce intoxicating effects, depending on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain, but overall, all kratom has the potential to be intoxicating if you consume enough of it. Again, 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 legal under federal law, 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, 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?

Because kratom is so new to the Western market, the medical community hasn’t had much time to fully explore its effects, let alone publish any papers. 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?

Kratom, like just about any natural substance, can cause some side effect, 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 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 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 6 THC

Then, we have delta 6 THC (delta 6-tetrahydrocannabinol), a cannabinoid that’s relatively new to the market, and has next to no published research behind it. We are aware that delta 6 THC was discovered by scientists several years ago, but as for its chemical structure or potential properties, we know next to nothing.

Still, like all cannabinoids, delta 6 attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, and other systems to a smaller extent. Cannabinoid receptors use cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body as part of the endocannabinoid system, a system in every mammal that is tasked with keeping the body in homeostasis. This is why each cannabinoid can offer so many properties that can benefit us at once, and why it’s highly unlikely that delta 6 THC brings with it zero benefits.

Can I Get High off of Delta 6 THC?

That’s a great question. There is no evidence for now that delta 6 THC is intoxicating. And, while basically all “THC” cannabinoids do get you high, what we have heard anecdotally is that delta 6 THC is very mild – probably even milder than delta 8 THC – with some people saying that they didn’t get high off of it at all.

Is Delta 6 THC Legal?

In 2018, the Farm Bill passed in the United States, to finally legalize the hemp plant. Under this piece of legislation, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as 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 6 THC.

Still, states have the right to ban 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 6 THC Have Benefits?

Cannabinoids have been studied for decades for their potential therapeutic uses – some longer than others, based on when they were discovered – and one thing we know is that these cannabinoids can offer notable potential benefits, which again come through their interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the body which regulate important physiological processes.

With that being said, delta 6 hasn’t been studied for any benefits just yet, expect for this one published paper about delta 6 THC. There isn’t even a viable source for info regarding the nature of its chemical structure.

Still, based on what we understand about other forms of THC that likely share a lot of structural similarities with delta 6 (again, from what’s available to us at the moment), it’s likely that it could offer at least some of the potential benefits below:

• 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 6 THC Have Side Effects?

Cannabinoids are strictly nontoxic to the human body, so overall, cannabis is not associated with any life-threatening risks. Still, taking too much of a cannabinoid, or taking a regular dose of a very potent cannabinoid when you have a low tolerance, can cause 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 6 Product Types are There?

Delta 6 THC comes in a few product types at the moment, including:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping delta 6 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.

Delta 6 THC vs. Kratom: Which is the Winner?

Delta 6 THC and kratom both have a lot of promise, and both are natural substances that can offer potential benefits, through totally unique mechanisms (delta 6 via the endocannabinoid system, and kratom via opioid receptors). Ultimately, we suggest that you give both a try, to decide for yourself which one feels the best for you. Luckily, you can experiment with both kratom and all kinds of psychoactive, hemp-derived cannabinoids by checking out the awesome selection of products here at The Calm Leaf today.