When an herbal supplement becomes popular, people start comparing it to other drugs which may or may not have similar properties.
Initially, we observed that people compared Kratom and Opiates on various drug forums etc and now the question that circulates is ‘Is CBD similar to Kratom and Opiates?’
The purpose of the comparison is to understand which supplement has more beneficial effects and which supplement can cause fewer adverse effects.
At the same time, the cost of herbal supplements is also compared. So this article will focus on the comparison between CBD, Kratom, and Opiates.
What is CBD?
CBD or Cannabidiol is a cannabis compound that has proven to show a number of medicinal benefits and is known to counteract the psychoactivity produced by THC.
As compared to THC it is a less psychoactive drug and thus this is the drug of choice for many patients suffering from inflammation, anxiety, pain, psychosis, dysphoria, spasms and lethargy.
According to many US government-funded studies, it can be used in the treatment regimen of diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, alcoholism, depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, antibiotic-resistant infections and some other neurological disorders.
It has also demonstrated some neuroprotective and neurogenic properties as well as some anti-cancer properties.
CBD is one of the compounds present in cannabis and it belongs to the class of cannabinoids.
It has less affinity to CB1 receptors present in the brain; therefore CBD isn’t a psychoactive drug. CBD has no risk of lethal overdose.
What are the medical properties of CBD?
The various medicinal effects CBD has are mentioned below;
- Antiemetic effect
- Anticonvulsant effect
- Antipsychotic effect
- Anti-inflammatory effect
- Anti-oxidant effect
- Anti-cancer effect
- Anti-depressant effect
- Antibacterial
- Anxiolytic effect
- Neuroprotective
- Neurogenic
- Anti-thrombolytic
- Relieves pain
- Controls spasms and seizures
- Anti-epileptic
- Vasorelaxant
- Treats psoriasis
- Promotes bone growth
- Reduces blood sugar level
How CBD works?
CBD works by attaching to certain receptors in the brain. The human body endogenously produces certain cannabinoids thus it has two receptors for them; CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Most of the CB1 receptors are present in the brain but they are also found in the rest of the body. CB2 receptors are present in the immune system of the body.
CB1 receptors present within the brain are responsible for coordination and movement, emotions, mood, cognition, thinking, memories, pain, appetite etc.
THC binds to CB1 receptors. CBD combines with this receptor to a lesser extent.
CB2 receptors mediate the effects of reducing inflammation and pain.
Initially, it was considered that CBD acts on CB2 receptors but now it has been discovered that CBD doesn’t act on any of these receptors directly.
It does so by promoting the body to use more of its endogenously produced cannabinoids.
CBD has the ability to target some specific serotonin receptors. Serotonin 1A receptor has some important medicinal effects.
Activation of this receptor can ameliorate disorders like neuropathic pain, opioid dependence, anxiety, and depression.
CBD also acts on vanilloid receptors that are responsible for pain modulation and adenosine receptors that regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
What are the potential health risks due to the use of CBD?
Though CBD is well tolerated by the human body yet it is noted that it causes a significant amount of tiredness.
Also, it causes diarrhea and results in changes in weight as well as appetite.
It has no side effects related to the central nervous system, vital signs or mood until unless it is consumed in high quantities.
Is CBD legal?
Just like Kratom, different countries have different laws for cannabis.
In some countries it is illegal but in countries like the United Kingdom, it has recently been declared as a medicine by the National Health Service (NHS).
However, in many parts of the world, the DEA has labeled CBD as illegal.
CBD vs. Kratom
CBD has active constituents that do not directly influence the body while the alkaloids in Kratom directly influence the Opiate receptors.
CBD and Kratom work in a similar fashion i.e. Kratom also reduces anxiety, depression and other stress disorders the way CBD does.
Kratom is psychoactive but CBD is not.
CBD acts on the serotonin receptors to reduce anxiety while Kratom acts on the Opiate receptors to act as an anxiolytic.
Though there’s a difference in the mechanism of action yet the end effect is the same which is of major concern to us.
CBD is required in a much lesser dosage as compare to Kratom when treating anxiety.
A dose of 3-4 grams Kratom is required for treating anxiety while only 40 milligrams CBD is required to bring about the same effects.
CBD has a side effect of producing diarrhea while Kratom is known to treat diarrhea.
Kratom and CBD both treat pain and act as anti-inflammatory agents. Both supplements are useful in reducing convulsions and seizures. Both supplements are anti-diabetogenic as well as anti-epileptic.
For relieving the pain a dose of 5-15 grams of Kratom is required while a dose of only 5-7 drops of CBD are required to act as an analgesic.
Ingestion method of Kratom comprise of; chewing dried leaves, taking in the form of powder, tea, with shakes, taking extracts and tinctures and taking in the form of capsules.
CBD, on the other hand, is smoked, vaporized or taken in the form paste or tablets.
CBD vs. Opiates
CBD is known to deactivate Opiate receptors to reduce Opiate withdrawal symptoms. Cannabinoids reduce the addictive behavior of Opiate dependent persons.
CBD isn’t addictive so in this regard, it differs from Opiates and since it reduces Opiate withdrawal it is more similar to Kratom.
CBD has some effects that are similar to Opiates like painkilling effect but it is brought about by a different mechanism of action.
Conclusion
To conclude one can say that CBD is similar to Kratom in regard to the effects produced by both supplements.
It differs from Opiates though but it can replace the use of Opiates to produce analgesia.
Though the route of administration and mechanism of action of Kratom and CBD differs yet both Kratom and CBD act to produce analgesia, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-epileptic effects, anti-oxidant effects, anti-seizure and anticonvulsant effects.
Thus those who are taking Kratom can also take CBD to experience the same effects and since it is not psychoactive it can be beneficial for those who require it for medicinal purposes.
However, it must be noted that CBD doesn’t produce the high produced by Kratom.
It doesn’t have a stimulant effect either does it cause euphoria though it does act on the serotonin receptors.
Both Kratom and CBD are similar in a number of regards but then there are notable differences.
