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

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about new and legal plant derivatives that are rich in benefits and psychoactive properties, like various cannabinoids, along with kratom, mushrooms, blue lotus flower, and so on. We’re all about helping our customers take their wellness needs into their own hands, but a big part of that is knowing how each of these unique products work, and what kinds of effects they can provide. So, we are gonna compare two types in particular: kratom and PHC.

Contender #1: Kratom

Kratom refers to the dried, ground up leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree which grows in Southeast Asia, and is related to coffee. 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 color changes, and this indicates the maturity level and prominence of individual alkaloids in the leaf. 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 it does attach to opioid receptors which can cause intoxication, similarly to opiates. How high you can get from kratom, and what kinds of psychoactive effects for which you experience, will depend on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is protected under federal law, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, the small number of states which have prohibited it 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?

Kratom hasn’t been on the U.S, market for long, which means that medical researchers are still in the early stages of understanding its distinctive benefits. But, some scientific papers have been published for us 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?

As we see with lots of natural products, kratom use can cause certain 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. The side effects 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: PHC

PHC (hydrox4phc) is a unique, semi-synthesized cannabinoid derived from cannabis. It’s essentially the result of taking delta 9 THC and adding an acetate to it, changing its chemical structure enough so that it’s no longer classified as delta 9 THC (for legal purposes, which we’ll offer more context on in just a moment). PHC absorbs into the body quickly and loses its acetate molecule, thus, absorbing as 99% delta 9 THC. Basically, it’s a legal way to get delta 9 into the system.

Like we’ve seen with every cannabinoidin the cannabis plant, PHC 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 maintaining homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.

Can I Get High off of PHC?

PHC 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 PHC Legal?

In 2018, the federal government passed the Farm Bill in the United States, to finally legalize the hemp plant. Under this bill, all hemp derivatives can 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 restrictions, and that includes PHC.

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 PHC Have Benefits?

PHC has not undergone any medical studies to explore its benefits, but once again, hydrox4phc is simply a unique delivery for delta 9 THC into the body. And, as we know of many potential benefits associated with delta 9 THC, not to mention the fact that cannabinoids in general can offer numerous potential benefits, we can guess that PHC 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 PHC Have Side Effects?

Cannabis is deemed nontoxic to the body, and that applies to individual cannabinoids as well. 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 PHC Product Types are There?

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

• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping PHC 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: PHC flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with PHC distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain choices, and it’s is sold in the forms of loose buds and 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: PHC-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.

Is PHC or Kratom the Choice for You?

Both kratom and PHC bring significant potential in terms of both psychoactive effects and therapeutic uses, and as you can see they share a lot of properties in common, despite the fact that their effects are achieved through different bodily mechanisms. Because of that, we really suggest giving both of them a try at The Calm Leaf.