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

We’re seeing a lot of interest in natural products loaded with potential benefits and mood-lifting effects – like kratom, blue lotus, cannabis, amanita mushrooms – the list goes on. More people are taking wellness into their own hands by seeking out solutions to their problems that rely on mother nature. And, that’s why we want to focus on two in particular: kratom and HHC-O, with the latter being a relatively new addition to the family of hemp-derived cannabinoids that have taken the world by storm.

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 contain a unique variety of alkaloids known for their 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?

Kratom is inherently intoxicating, and so you can get high off of it. 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 occasionally to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change suddenly and without any real warning.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Because kratom hasn’t been around for very long in the US market, medical researchers are in the early stages of exploring its potential benefits as research has been limited. Some scientific papers have been published for us know that it can potentially:

• 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 can cause some side effects to occur, particularly if it’s not taken as directed on the label, if you take too much of it, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of your unique physiology. Those side effects that 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. Now, 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-O

HHC-O (HHC-O-Acetate) is a cannabinoid that was only invented in the last couple of years. It’s an acetated form of HHC, aka hexahydrocannabinol, which 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. By adding an acetate to HHC, its potency is increased by roughly 2 times, allowing it to attach more easily to cannabinoid receptors.

But, like all cannabinoidsthat exist in cannabis, HHC-O attaches to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, found mostly 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 (ECS), a system in every mammal that is tasked with keeping the body in homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids can offer so many benefits at once.

Can I Get High off of HHC-O?

HHC-O is intoxicating, and it’s probably a bit more potent than delta 9 THC, as we’ve heard from many of its users. The high is said to feel a lot like delta 9 THC otherwise, in that it’s balanced between euphoria and tranquility, with a body high that can be very soothing.

Is HHC-O Legal?

With the passing of the U.S. 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp derivatives were permitted to 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 any real restrictions, and that includes HHC-O.

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-O Have Benefits?

HHC-O has yet to be studied in any capacity my researchers for its potential benefits. And, it may take a while for published studies to be released as so many cannabinoids are fighting for attention by the medical community at the moment. Still, because we know that cannabinoids in general can offer notable potential benefits, we can guess that HHC-O offers properties such as the 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-O Have Side Effects?

We understand that cannabis is nontoxic and has never produced life-threatening effects, and the same goes for individual cannabinoids. Still, some side effects are possible if your tolerance is low, or you take too high of a dose. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high. The good news is, side effects that’re 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-O Product Types are There?

HHC-O can be purchased in several different product types, each worth trying, including:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping HHC-O 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-O flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with HHC-O distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain options and is 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 several milligram strengths.

Kratom or HHC-O: Which Option is Right For You?

Pertaining to kratom and HHC-O, you can see that both substances can offer similar benefits potentially, and both have some recreational value as well. The thing is that these two products work in the body via different mechanisms entirely, and because of that, you’ll never know which you prefer until you try them both.

So, if you decide to give both a try, you’ll have no trouble finding what you’re looking here at The Calm Leaf. We have plenty of delivery methods, strengths, strains, etc., so you can experience the full extent of what both kratom and HHC-O have to offer.