In today’s era, the number of psychoactive drugs and drug alcohol depend on cases is constantly increasing due to individuals turning to replacements for organic recreational products.
Typically individuals also consume other synthetic drugs believing they may help with chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, illicit synthetic-based products, opioid consumption, and poor mental health have become significant issues in the US.
But it is not the case recently. Hence, people are looking for organic alternatives to harmful opioid use and opioid medications and found Kratom. But, due to Kratom’s legal status in several places in the US, people find it challenging to find Kratom vendors.
For this reason, they look for the best alternatives to kratom that will offer the same kind of effects to the users. Regular Kratom users often get excited to try the other alternatives for a change.
Though there is no point-to-point alternative to Kratom on the market, some alternatives come close to mimicking the effects of Kratom pretty well. So, here, we will discuss the best five Kratom alternatives you must try once!
An Introduction To Kratom
Before discussing the alternatives, you must know about the herbal supplement Kratom. Kratom is mainly a herbal alternative derived from the Southeast Asian tree Mitragyna Speciosa. It is less harmful than other drugs. You will find the tree in different countries in Southeast Asia, like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.
The different and unique drying and fermenting processes give the Kratom leaves their color. The deeper the color of the leaves gets, the more potent the strain will be. It may offer a relaxing effect and boost your energy. Earlier, native people chewed the raw Kratom leaves to consume them.
It is available in different strains and forms, including Kratom powder, capsules, gummies, extracts, etc. Kratom’s primary three vein colors are Red, Green, and White. All of these offer different effects to the users.
As the alkaloids of Kratom react with the opioid receptors, it may offer potent effects, but it is not dangerous like prescription opioids. It has a bitter taste and grassy texture. But fret not. You can mix it with other edibles to make it tasty. But, consume Kratom in the correct dosage to avoid adverse effects or bad adverse reactions.
Top 5 Best Kratom Alternatives With Similarities And Differences
An anonymous online survey conducted by American Kratom Association and Associated Social Media Sites reported that native people used to believe that recreational products may treat opioid addiction or opioid use disorder and relieve pain. They also think it might be a great solution to reduce drug-alcohol dependence.
But, it is worth mentioning that Kratom products do not have scientific evidence to support them. As Kratom is different from other drugs, we have seen an upsurge in Kratom users worldwide.
While searching for Kratom alternatives, you will find several anecdotes offering the same results as Kratom. But, before you start your journey with any of the alternatives, you must contact a healthcare professional. It is crucial because not everything suits your body and offers the desired result.
Also, they better understand all the other organic supplements and natural herbs. So, the healthcare expert will help you decide which alternative is perfect for you. But first, you must tell them what you require after consumption. Besides, it would help if you also remembered that no alternatives come closer to the versatile nature of Kratom, but it may help fulfill specific requirements.
So, this article will highlight the key similarities and differences between Kratom and its other alternatives to help you select any of them as per your choice.
Kava
Kava is a popular herbal plant found in the pacific islands. It mainly belongs to the Pepper family, and the botanical name of Kava is Piper Mehystricum. The roots of this shrub are usually prepared into a paste.
Like Kratom, consumers can mix it with coconut milk or water. It is a plant that is valued for cultural and religious purposes. The convenient way to consume Kava is by brewing tea. It has a similar taste to Kratom. So, when you mix it with other drinks or edibles, it tastes nicer.
Similarities With the Kratom
Kratom and Kava are not closely related botanically but share several things. First, the preparation of both Kratom and Kava is almost the same because they both have a strong bitter taste.
Both are mostly grounded into a fine powder and mixed with any drink or plain water to reduce the bitterness. The effects of Kava are similar to the White Vein Kratom as it may offer sedative or relaxing effects after consumption.
Differences From the Kratom
Even though Kava is an excellent alternative to Kratom, it has some differences from Kratom. First, the pharmacology between Kava and Kratom is distinct. The main substances between the two differ as Kratom contains alkaloids, while Kava has Kavalactones as its primary ingredient.
The Kratom alkaloids work on the brain receptors, while Kava may stimulate the limbic system. Therefore, they both work differently on the human body. However, the legal status of both these herbs is different as well.
There is no restriction whatsoever in selling and consuming Kava in many countries. But, Kratom’s legality is complex and varies in several states in the US due to the strict regulations by the Food and Drug Administration and Drug Enforcement Administration on Kratom use.
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CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the best Kratom substitutes available. It is mainly an organic compound derived from Hemp or cannabis plants. It does not contain the psychoactive properties that THC does. So, it does not have potent effects on the consumer.
CBD may offer you calming effects like many strains of Kratom. It is available in different forms, such as pure oil, capsules, gummies, etc. So, consumers can opt for any of the forms that they find convenient.
Similarities With the Kratom
CBD and Kratom’s main similarity is that they are extracted from the plant. So, they both can be a great organic addition to your lifestyle. Also, they both come in different forms to ensure convenient consumption.
Differences From the Kratom
There are a few differences between CBD and Kratom that you must know. First, they both differ in how they usually bind with the receptors in the human body. It is so because the main active ingredients of these supplements differ. Hemp is the crucial ingredient in CBD, while Kratom contains alkaloids.
Mitragyna Javanica
Mitragyna Javanica is mainly derived from a tree named Kra Thum Na, native to Southeast Asia. It is not as potent and effective as Kratom, but it can be a great pick as an alternative to Kratom.
It does not contain the same alkaloids as Kratom but a similar compound named Mitrahavine. Hence, Mitragyna Javanica offers the same kind of effects on the same receptors as Kratom but at a milder level. It has unique properties and the potential to offer you an exceptional Kratom-like experience.
Similarities With the Kratom
The significant similarity between Kratom and Mitragyna Javanica is that they both come from the Mitragyna family. So, both have larger leaves and grow tall in several places in the Southeastern region.
Mitragyna Javanica has almost all the Kratom-associated alkaloids. Hence, you may experience a relaxing effect after consuming this Kratom alternative.
Differences From the Kratom
The primary difference between these two is the taste, as Mitragyna Javanica has a lesser bitter taste than Kratom. Another difference is the potency because Kratom is more potent than the Mitragyna javanica. Also, while Kratom’s legal status is complex, Mitragyna Javanica has become a viable option because it is legal in more than 50 countries.
Phenibut
Phenibut is one of the most controversial drugs on the list of Kratom alternatives. It is mainly a synthetic supplement that people use for different purposes. Phenibut has the same structure as GABA, and it activates its receptors. As a result, people can experience potent effects.
Similarities With the Kratom
The primary similarity between these two is that they offer the same effects. Additionally, they both have an earthy and bitter taste.
Differences From the Kratom
Phenibut is a well-known Kratom alternative that has become many people’s favorite worldwide. It is derived from GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) with the same effect as Kratom. It is organic and less potent than Kratom due to the active alkaloids in the Kratom strain.
Kanna
Kanna is a well-known Kratom alternative that has become many people’s favorite worldwide. The botanical name of Kanna is Sceletium Tortuosum. It is derived from a flowering plant with the same effect as Kratom.
Similarities With the Kratom
To offer convenient consumption, Kratom and Kanna come in different forms, like extracts, powder, etc. Another similarity is that the FDA has imposed strict restrictions on consuming Kanna and Kratom products.
Differences From the Kratom
The origin of both plants is different as Kanna is native to South Africa while Kratom is a herbal plant of Southeast Asia. In addition, the primary alkaloids of these two supplements differ as Kanna contains Mesembrenone and Mesembrine while Kratom has Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy Mitragynine.
Does Kratom Treat Opioid Addiction?
There is no scientific proof that kratom helps with opioid addiction and its symptoms. FDA and DEA are still probing the subject, and studies are still being conducted. So, associating kratom with any medical benefit is not advised yet.
Conclusion
Using synthetic products may cause several problems, so people lean towards organic products. However, it is worth mentioning that herbal products are a safer alternative to avoid substance abuse, opioid withdrawal symptoms, and drug and alcohol dependence. Also, the chances of getting any side effects are lesser when you consume herbal alternatives.
Apart from these five great Kratom alternatives, some others also offer the same effects as Kratom strains like red maeng da kratom, green kratom etc. But, these five alternatives are the best as they can effectively mimic its effects.
However, you must remember that before starting your journey with any new supplement, you must contact a healthcare expert who can advise and recommend the product that will fulfill all your requirements.
Also, further study and multi-center clinical trials from medical institutions like johns hopkins university school can suggest steps to overcome the chances of substance use and drug abuse.
Author’s Bio
Alexander Reid
Alexander Reid is a kratom expert and journalist who discovered Kratom about a decade ago. He is a kratom strain enthusiast who has profound knowledge of Kratom and its variety of products that are available in the market. He immensely enjoys delving deep into research and studying Kratom and its various strains.
