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Kratom (scientifically as Mitragyna speciosa), is a tropical evergreen tree native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. It was given its name and was formally described for the first time by the Dutch colonial botanist, Pieter Korthals, in 1839. The tree, which is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea has been used traditionally in medicine as well as an energizer by farmers since the 19^th century.  The use of Kratom in the ancient ritual worship of ancestors and gods, and as a special snack to receive guests has been interesting enough to attract people to it. Kratom has, however, only recently gained popularity in the field of modern medicine, due to which its effects and pharmacology are still the topics of debate. The tree leaves, which are famous for their therapeutic and medicinal properties, are now growing in demand worldwide despite all the controversies trying to defame the highly beneficial plant.

The effects of Kratom are known to be strain dependent, with some strains delivering sedating effects while others are presenting a more stimulating profile. Note that there are some Kratom strains which give stronger and more distinguished properties. Below is a list of the strongest Kratom strains;

• Ultra-Enhanced Maeng Da

Deriving it from the ancient process of grafting, Maeng Da strains are relatively more potent and offer stronger effects. Ultra-enhanced Maeng da has more alkaloids and flavonoids compared to the gentle strains, and provide a strong, ‘clean’ stimulating experience.

• Red Bali Kratom

Red Bali strain has about 20-30 known alkaloids, along with high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, due to which it is considered the most powerful and most potent strain for pain relief and opioid recovery.

• White Bali Kratom

This strain resembles the Red Bali strain in its opioid-like effects. It has a high content of 7-hydroxy mitragynine which acts on pain receptors and helps relieve pain. This Kratom strain also increases the production of enkephalins and endorphins, therefore, accentuating the effects of analgesia.

• Super Green Malay Kratom

This strain is by far, the strongest Kratom strain that provides a range of effects. Ingestion of the Kratom strains for both, it’s strong stimulating as well as sedating properties, help patients who have insomnia, depression, and pain.

Kratom, used for centuries as a treatment for malaria, intestinal worms and infections, diarrhea, coughs, body aches, and mood disorders has come again into the limelight. The herb has a unique blend of alkaloids that can benefit the body in the following ways;

• Kratom as an Analgesic/sedative

Kratom leaves are known for their pain-relieving and sedative effects. The primary alkaloids found in the leaves are believed to interfere with receptors in the brain, thus helping reduce muscle aches, chronic pains, abdominal pains as well as pains induced because of an injury or damage to the tissues.

• Kratom as an Anxiolytic

Anxiety, being the greatest issue faced by our generation, can negatively affect the lives of thousands. New research into the possible treatments for the disease has claimed that Kratom can act as a very beneficial anti-anxiety medicine. This property of the plant can help patients suffering from mood disorders such as chronic stress, depression, and mood swings.

• Kratom as an Aphrodisiac

Kratom’s use as an aphrodisiac, since the traditional times, where people used the plant to benefit sexual health by improving sexual function and increasing sperm count in men. The plant was also used to increase fertilization potential and the rates of conception in women.

• Kratom as a mood stabilizer

Kratom is famous for its mood-lifting and stabilizing properties. The plant is used to build confidence, achieve motivation and help people overcome their social fears.

• Kratom as a stimulant/Energizer

Kratom’s use as a stimulant is, perhaps, one of the earliest uses of the plant. A belief says, that in the old days farmers would chew on Kratom’s leaves to get an energy boost so that they could perform the hard-monotonous chores of the day.

• Kratom for opiate withdrawals recovery

Kratom helps relieve addicts that are recovering from opioid withdrawal symptoms and dependency on FDA classified schedule 1 drugs like heroin. The plant is known to interfere with the normal functioning of the body in a way that resembles that of the opioids, thus helping addicts to achieve a quicker recovery.

As the popularity of Kratom in the World has grown in the last few years, there are increasing efforts to identify the most active pharmacologic agents that can alter the Kratom effects within our body.

Kratom has over 20 plus alkaloids that help deliver the different effects of the plant. There are, however, only two main active alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have undergone extensive studies, and which are responsible for the primary effects of the plant. The mitragynine analogs contain an indole rings which are structurally similar to opiates such as morphine.

The two main constituents of Kratom, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine interfere with the normal functioning of the body by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, in a way similar to endogenous endorphins.

These are naturally occurring neurotransmitters found within the body that work on the opioid receptor system to help relieve pain and fight stress. The alkaloids in Kratom affects these receptors causing sedating, euphoric, pain-relieving and anxiolytic effects.

In addition to this, the compound, mitragynine also binds to norepinephrine and serotonin receptor systems, thus acting as a stimulant. The other major component of the plant, 7-hydroxymitragynine, is known to have higher potency than morphine and mitragynine, respectively, and is believed to induce clinically significant anti-nociceptive responses in a dose-dependent manner.

With the growing international concern about the possible threats from Kratom use, the legality status of Kratom remains pending in many states. Although the FDA hasn’t yet termed the plant as illegal, it did ban imports and the manufacturing of Kratom as a dietary supplement in 2014, for fears that the plant may lead to drug abuse, addiction, and dependence.

Moreover, many countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Finland and Denmark have declared the plant illegal and have set strict penalties for individuals who are caught possessing or selling the plant in any form.