Kratom vs. HXY-8 THC: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

We love seeing so many people checking out the new wave of natural relief products hitting the market, showing that more and more individuals are taking their wellness into their own hands. One of the biggest draws over the last couple of years is kratom, a plant-derived, alkaloid-rich substance that has major potential. Today, we want to compare it to a complete newcomer to the market: HXY-8 THC, which many of you probably haven’t even heard of until now.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is a substance made up solely of dried and ground leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is closely related to coffee. 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 attach to opioid receptors, known to 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. 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 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 affected, these receptors can induce intoxication, as we know from opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is a federally legal substance, and it has never been illegal in the United States. However, a small number of states have banned 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 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 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 haven’t explored it for long, which means that published works are limited. Still, enough 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 reacts to it poorly due to your unique chemistry. Side effects that get reported are:

• 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: HXY-8 THC

HXY-8 THC (8-hydroxy THC) is a byproduct of consuming cannabis. It’s actually a metabolite of THC, as consuming THC means that the cannabinoid gets converted into various metabolites, including HXY-8 THC. Because it’s a metabolite, it absorbs more easily and more quickly than THC in its pure form.

While there isn’t really much info out there about HXY-8 THC, we do know that all cannabinoids that exist in cannabis have the distinctive ability 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 has the job of 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 HXY-8 THC?

We don’t really know any details about HXY-8 THC – it’s just so new that there isn’t a lot of info on its effects, or what makes it distinctive. What we do know is that it has psychoactive potential, being a byproduct of THC. How high you can get from it, or what the high feels like, is unknown.

Is HXY-8 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 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-8 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-8 THC Have Benefits?

HXY-8 THC has not undergone any kind of studies that would demonstrate specific benefits, because it’s such a new cannabinoid to our awareness. Still, it’s ultimately a partially metabolized form of THC, and so we can guess that it shares many of the same potential benefits as delta 9. Because we know so much about the potential benefits of delta 9 THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis, we can guess that HXY-8 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-8 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. 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 HXY-8 THC Product Types are There?

HXY-8 THC is pretty limited in terms of product types, so this is what you’re likely to find on the market right now:

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping HXY-8 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 vs. HXY-8 THC: Which Natural Derivative is for You?

What’s clear is that there’s a whole world of natural solutions to our daily needs that we’re only starting to discover now, like kratom, HXY-8 THC, and more, offering up all kinds of ways to benefit from mother nature. And, another thing that’s clear is that kratom has way more research behind it, while HXY-8 THC is something we’re still learning about as we go. Ultimately, we suggest that you explore both, to see how they each work with your body. In fact, you can easily find both kratom and HXY-8 THC products here at The Calm Leaf. We offer a number of carefully formulated, lab-tested kratom and hemp formulas that can bring you the effects you’re looking for, with a large enough selection to ensure that we can accommodate your unique needs and goals. Look through our catalog today!