Kratom vs Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?

Kratom has become a big trend in the last several years, offering various positive effects through its unique composition of alkaloids. Today, we wanna compare kratom to another popular substance on the natural market: cannabis, but more specifically, “non-psychoactive cannabinoids” that have dominated the hemp market in recent years, as back in March, we discussed “Kratom vs. Psychoactive Cannabinoids: How Do They Measure Up Against One Another?”

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom is the dried, ground up leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, and a relative of the coffee family. The leaves are rich in alkaloids associated with our physical and mental wellbeing. Kratom is generally associated with analgesic, anxiolytic, and stimulating effects, and it’s commonly compared to an opioid due to the receptors that it interacts with in the brain. The exact effects for which you get from a kratom product depend on the product type, the dosage, the strain, and the vein (the color of the leaf vein, which determines how mature the leaf is).

Kratom is naturally found in an array of strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree, which can vary from one region of Southeast Asia to the next. It also comes in three veins, referencing 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 is, in fact, said to be intoxicating, if consumed in a high enough dose. People compare the high to that of morphine, and again, depending on the type of kratom product you take and the dosage you consume, the high can be more stimulating or more sedating.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is federally legal, as it turns out, but some states have banned it:

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

At the same time, certain counties and municipalities have outlawed kratom even in states where it’s otherwise legal, so please check to see if it is legal where you live.

Does Kratom Have Benefits?

Kratom is not regulated in the USA yet, and more studies are needed before we can verify any potential benefits. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to conclude that kratom has the potential to::

• Improve mood
• Improve focus, energy, and motivation
• Offer anxiolytic properties
• Act as an analgesic
• Potentially aid in sleep
• Suppress appetite

Does Kratom Have Side Effects?

Kratom is used widely around the world, and it’s not known to be a dangerous substance. However, it can cause side effects, which can potentially be more severe than those associated with cannabinoids, such as:

• Rapid heartrate
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Agitation
• Drowsiness
• Potential for overdose (more studies are needed)

What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?

You can buy kratom in various product forms, as it is quite 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: Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are compounds in the cannabis plant that are mainly responsible for the plant’s effects. Non-psychoactive cannabinoids include CBD (cannabidiol), CBN (cannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) (before it gets decarb or heated to become delta 9 THC) all of which interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body – mainly the nervous system – to regulate processes we rely on for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Cannabinoids are used by the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of cannabinoid receptors that take cannabinoids like the ones above, through a binding process. This enables processes of the body to become regulated, which is why cannabinoids play a role in homeostasis, and are associated with so many potential positive benefits. There are, in fact, over 100 individual cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

Are Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids Intoxicating?

Naturally, non-psychoactive cannabinoids are not intoxicating, which makes them different from kratom. However, some of them can cause positive changes in mood while causing drowsiness, and this, while not technically intoxication, can be considered mind-altering in the mildest of ways.

Are Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids Legal?

Non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and CBN are totally legal in the US. They comply with federal law, which states that all hemp products must contain a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC to be sold legally. All 50 states permit sales of these cannabinoids, without any kinds of restrictions whatsoever.

Do Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids Have Benefits?

Non-psychoactive cannabinoids have undergone more studies than kratom in the United States, so we have a better grasp of what they’re capable of. Because of the nature of cannabinoids, these compounds can:

• Regulate mood and stress levels
• Improve cognitive functions like focus, alertness, and memory
• Regulate inflammation
• Offer analgesic effects
• Promote sleep
• Act as neuroprotectants
• Promote immunity
• Improve appetite
• Help with nausea

Do Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids Have Side Effects?

The side effects associated with cannabis are mild and non-life-threatening, as cannabis is a nontoxic plant to the human body. In particular, non-psychoactive cannabinoids are really not associated with many side effects at all. The side effects that do get reported are:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Lowered blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• Increase in appetite

Again, none of these side effects are severe, or require medical attention.

What are the Most Common Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoid Product Types?

Cannabinoids in general come in the same variety of product types, which include:

• Vapes (disposables and cartridges)
• Flower
• Concentrates (dabs)
• Tinctures
• Gummies/other edibles
• Topicals
• Capsules
• Beverages

Which One Will You Choose?

Overall, kratom and nonintoxicating cannabinoids share a lot in common with one another. But, as you can see, those differences really do matter, especially when it comes to things like side effects and product types. And the good news is, you can try them both kratom and cannabinoids here at The Calm Leaf, although we don’t recommend taking them at the same time, since more research is needed to determine whether or not they can interact with one another.