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

Kratom has become quite a big deal over the last few years, offering a natural solution to many of our daily needs and goals. This plant-based substance has been a staple of traditional medicine in Southeast Asia for ages, and only now is it making a splash on Western markets.

Because kratom is a natural substance with both intoxicating potential and possible benefits, we want to compare it to a similar market: that of psychoactive cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant, which have also seen a surprising amount of demand in the last several years. We will see how these two types of products can achieve similar potential benefits, but also explore their very significant differences.

Contender # 1: Kratom

Kratom is the dried, ground up leaves of the evergreen Mitragyna speciosa 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 consume kratom, these alkaloids interact with opioid receptors, which are responsible for things like pain, mood, and more.

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 can produce intoxicating effects, depending on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain, but overall, all kratom has the potential to be intoxicating if you consume enough of it. Again, it works on opioid receptors, and one thing we know is that these receptors can initiate a mind-altering response, as we’ve seen with certain opiates.

Is Kratom Legal?

Kratom is legal under federal law, as 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

In addition to that, kratom is banned in certain municipalities across the United States, despite being legal in the actual state. So, our recommendation is that you 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?

Because kratom is so new to the Western market, the medical community hasn’t had much time to research and study its effects, let alone publish any papers. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to conclude that kratom 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?

Kratom, like just about any natural substance, can produce side effects if it’s not taken as intended (in other words, if you don’t follow the directions on the label), if you take too much of it, or if your unique physiology simply doesn’t agree with it. Possible 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 purchase 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: Psychoactive Cannabinoids

Then, we have psychoactive cannabinoids, which’re cannabinoids that cause, well… psychoactive effects. These cannabinoids include:

• Delta 9 THC
• Delta 8 THC
• Delta 10 THC
• HHC
• THC-P
• THC-H
• THCV
• THC-B
• 11 HXY THC
• Delta 9o
• HHC-P

All cannabinoids, including these and ones that do intoxicate, attach themselves to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, but are found in other bodily systems as well. 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 each cannabinoid can offer so many properties that can benefit us at once.

The reason why certain cannabinoids can cause intoxication is that they specifically interact with CB1 receptors in the brain, which trigger mind-altering effects such as euphoria, relaxation, changes in perspective, and more.

Can I Get High Off of Psychoactive Cannabinoids?

Yes, the nature of psychoactive cannabinoids is that they will get you high. Each cannabinoid that’s psychoactive produces its own distinctive high, in terms of potency and dominant effects (some are more energizing, some more sedating, etc.) Overall, we suggest you do some research on different cannabinoids to get an idea of which one is right for you in terms of its psychoactive properties.

Are Psychoactive Cannabinoids Legal?

When the 2018 Farm Bill was passed in the United States, it legalized the hemp plant. Under this new legislation, all hemp derivatives can be sold legally, assuming 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 again, products made with delta 9 must abide by the 0.3% rule.

Still, states have the right to ban certain cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all intoxicating cannabinoids, so make sure you check your state’s regulations regarding any type of psychoactive cannabinoid and products it can be sold in.

Do Psychoactive Cannabinoids Have Benefits?

Cannabinoids have been studied for decades for their potential therapeutic uses – some longer than others, based on when they were discovered – and one thing we know is that these cannabinoids can offer notable potential benefits, which again come through their interaction with the cannabinoid receptors in the body which regulate important physiological processes. With that being said, most psychoactive cannabinoids have been found to potentially:

• 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

Remember though, each cannabinoid has unique affinities for specific cannabinoid receptors, and so each individual cannabinoid has its own dominant effects. For instance, delta 8 THC is commonly associated with stress and sleep, while THCV may offer a positive effect on blood sugar.

Do Psychoactive Cannabinoids Have Side Effects?

Cannabinoids are strictly nontoxic to the human body, so overall, cannabis is not associated with any life-threatening risks. Still, taking too much of a cannabinoid, or taking a regular dose of a very potent cannabinoid when you have a low tolerance, can cause certain side effects. Side effects are generally mild, and include:

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

What Kinds of Psychoactive Cannabinoid-Based Product Types are There?

Psychoactive cannabinoids can be found in all kinds of product types, including:

• Flower: Raw hemp flower is naturally high in CBD, and it can be infused with cannabinoid distillates to yield potent amounts of cannabinoids like delta 8, THC-P, HHC, etc.
• Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping cannabinoids offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in that serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet. Note: Delta 8 THC can be found in bottled e-liquids as well.
• Edibles: Edibles like gummies, candies, baked goods, etc., produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
• Capsules: Capsules infused with cannabinoids are great for those who already take supplements in capsule form, and simply want to add cannabinoids to their regimen.
• Topicals: Topicals are applied to the skin, allowing cannabinoids to infuse directly into the deep tissue of the body.
• 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.
• Beverages: Cannabinoid-infused beverages offer a faster absorption than edible products, and possibly more potency due to the fact that beverages are water-soluble.
• Tinctures: Cannabinoid tinctures offer a sublingual solution that’s easy to administer, with an onset time, duration of effects, and potency that’s between edible products and inhalable products.

Kratom and Psychoactive Cannabinoids: Which Choice is Right For You?

There are all kinds of ways to use what mother nature has given us to get desired effects, whether those effects revolve around our mood, our physical state, or what have you. And, kratom as well as cannabinoids are two of the most exceptional options you can choose from. Fortunately, you can experiment with both kratom and all kinds of psychoactive, hemp-derived cannabinoids by checking out The Calm Leaf’s selection of outstanding products.