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

Nowadays, you’ll have an easier time than ever finding natural products that come with lots of potential benefits, along with some level of psychoactive activity. And, two products of particular interest are kratom and hemp, both of which have had a major boost in popularity over the last few years. We want to compare kratom to one hemp derivative in particular: HHC – a psychoactive cannabinoid with loads of promise, and little research behind it.

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 color of the vein can tell us how potent the product is, and which effects are the most prominent depending on which alkaloids are most abundant at any given time during the maturation process.

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. Like we said, it works on opioid receptors, and when affected, these receptors can induce intoxication, as we know from opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is protected 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

Another thing to be mindful of is 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 around for very long in the U.S. market, medical researchers are in the early stages of exploring its potential benefits as research has been limited. However, a few scientific papers have been published for us to know that it 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. Side effects for which you may experience 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. Let’s go over the products you’re most likely to encounter:

• 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 511-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: HHC

HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid that was discovered only in the last decade. HHC is a hydrogenated analog of delta 9 THC – in other words, it’s chemically identical to delta 9 THC, except it has an extra hydrogen atom which enhances its chemical stability. HHC is also unique in that it’s not in the flowers of the cannabis plant, but rather the seeds and pollen.

As we know with all of the cannabinoids that exist in cannabis, HHC binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist 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), a system in every mammal that is tasked with keeping the body in homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

Can I Get High off of HHC?

HHC is intoxicating, and people say that its high feels just like that of delta 9 THC. Some say the high is slightly milder than delta 9’s, while others say it’s more potent, thus proving to us that its interaction with CB1 receptors in the brain will differ from one person to the next. The high is euphoric yet tranquil, and it can offer relaxation in the body.

Is HHC Legal?

Once the 2018 Farm Bill passed in the United States to legalize hemp, all hemp derivatives were able 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 HHC.

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 HHC Have Benefits?

One thing to note is that HHC has not been explored by the medical community yet, so we have no verifiable proof of any benefits. Still, because we know that cannabinoids in general can offer notable potential benefits, we can guess that HHC 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 HHC Have Side Effects?

Cannabis is completely nontoxic to the human body, along with individual cannabinoids, 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. The good news is that side effects reported are mild and short-lived, and include:

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

What Kinds of HHC Product Types are There?

HHC comes in a multitude of product types that are all worth exploring including:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping HHC 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: HHC flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with HHC distillate – an isolated extract of this cannabinoid. Flower comes in numerous 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.
• Beverages: HHC-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• 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 HHC: Now That’s an Interesting Choice!

Kratom and HHC both have a ton to offer both in recreational and therapeutic value. And, rather than choosing just one, we invite you to give both a try, since they’re readily available on the market. The Calm Leaf allows you to easily explore what both have to offer in terms of strengths, product types, formulations, strains, and more, so that you can really finetune your experience with both substances in order to experience the full extent of what each one can offer. Check out our catalog today!