Kratom vs. HXY-11 THC: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Here at The Calm Leaf, we’ve been adding to our inventory to offer our customers all kinds of natural plant substances renowned for their potential benefits and/or satisfying psychoactive effects. And, we know that it can be hard to keep up with all of the products hitting the market right now, as we’re seeing a boom in the industry. Today, we want to compare two products in particular that are getting a lot of hype at the moment: kratom and HXY-11 THC, with the latter being a unique cannabis derivative fairly new to the market.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is the dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia, and a close relative of coffee. The tree’s leaves are unique in their composition of alkaloids, and these alkaloids are rich in properties capable of improving how we feel mentally and physically. When kratom is absorbed into the body, these alkaloids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, which regulate functions like pain tolerance, emotional state, and more.

Kratom can be found in a variety of strains, which refers 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. As the leaves mature, their veins change in color, and the color therefore reflects developed specific alkaloids are. This means that color of the vein can tell us how potent the kratom is, and which effects are the strongest according to which alkaloids are most abundant at any given time during the process of the leaves maturing.

Can I Get High off of Kratom?

Kratom is ultimately an intoxicating substance, 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 these receptors are activated, intoxication can occur, as we’ve seen with opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is protected under federal law, and it has never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have gone ahead and outlawed it:

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

Also, please be aware that a handful of municipalities across the United States, even in states where it’s otherwise legal, have banned kratom. Because of that, we suggest that you check your state laws and local laws from time to time, to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as local laws can change suddenly without any real warning.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Kratom is kinda new to the U.S. market, which means that medical researchers haven’t had time to research it as thoroughly as we’d like. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us know that it has the potential ability 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 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 reacts to it poorly due to your unique chemistry. The most frequently reported 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 a variety of product types, 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: HXY-11 THC

HXY-11 THC (11-hydroxy THC) is a byproduct of consuming THC edibles. It’s actually a metabolite of THC, meaning that when we ingest THC, the cannabinoid converts into a metabolite via the liver. This is why HXY-11 THC products can offer long-lasting effects when taken in any product form.

However, please keep in mind that no scientific research has been published regarding HXY-11 THC in a medical context. But, we know that it’s ultimately a cannabinoid in terms of how it behaves in the body, and all cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are known to attach 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 that maintains homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

Can I Get High off of HXY-11 THC?

We actually don’t know much about HXY-11 THC in terms of its psychoactive properties, again due to a lack of research. Anecdotally, data shows us that 11-HXY THC can offer a delta 9-like high that’s long-lasting and feels just like the high we get from edibles. Meaning, a particularly drowsy, euphoric high complete with very relaxing body effects.

Is HXY-11 THC Legal?

The United States 2018 Farm Bill made the hemp plant legal at last. Under this bill, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally as long as they contain a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without any real restrictions, and that includes HXY-11 THC.

Still, states have the right to outlaw specific 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 HXY-11 THC Have Benefits?

Again, 11-HXY THC has not been properly evaluated by scientific researchers, because it’s such a new cannabinoid that researchers haven’t had time to really analyze it. But again, being just a metabolite of THC, it’s safe to guess that it shares a lot in common with the effects of delta 9 THC. Because we know so much about the potential benefits of delta 9 THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis, we can guess that HXY-11 THC 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 HXY-11 THC Have Side Effects?

We know 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, simply getting more high than you planned for can be unpleasant. Luckily, these side effects are known to be mild and short-lived. The side effects most frequently reported are:

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

What Kinds of HXY-11 THC Product Types are There?

For now, HXY-11 THC comes in very few options on the market, so this is what you’re likely to find for the time-being:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping HXY-11 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.

Kratom or HXY-11 THC: Why Not Explore Both?

Clearly, both kratom and 11-HXY THC have the potential to satisfy your needs, both recreationally and therapeutically, thanks to a list of potential benefits along with blissful psychoactive potential. And, both kratom and HXY-11 THC products are available at The Calm Leaf, so that you can compare their effects for yourself, and see how your body and mind respond to each one. We offer a fantastic selection of both 11-HXY THC and kratom products, offering a host of formulas, strengths, strains, and more. This way, you can really customize your experience to suit your needs, and of course, get the most out of each product.