How Kratom is different from Normal coffee?
Introduction:
For many people, a hot cup of coffee is the starter of the day. It activates the mind and helps to meet the tight schedule. It is because coffee energizes the body and activates the brain cell. Similarly, some people consume Kratom in the morning as a replacement for coffee because it does the same job.
The question is how Kratom is related to coffee? What are the similarities between coffee and Kratom that make them alternatives to one another?
In this blog post, we will discuss the similarities as well as all other factors that lead to differences between them. We will discuss whether or not we can mix kratom in a coffee and in that case, what are the health benefits and what can be its side effects.
What is Kratom?
Starting with Kratom, it is a tree native to Thailand and Myanmar. Kratom leaves have been used as an herbal drug in Southeast Asia for centuries.
There are three main types of Kratom – Red vein, Green Vein, and White vein. The Red vein has the most medicinal value, but it is also the most potent and can result in side effects if not used responsibly.
Kratom is a natural plant that contains an opioid-like compound. It has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for opioid addiction and chronic pain.
It has been used for centuries as a natural treatment for various medical disorders in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, but its presence in the US has rapidly increased over the last decade. It has been the subject of controversy over its legal status and medical use.
In countries where Kratom is illegal, it has become popular among laborers and manual workers who use it as an alternative to painkillers.
Kratom can cause side effects at high doses such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal. Other side effects include agitation, aggression, sleeplessness, hallucinations, and delusions.
What is coffee or caffeine?
Caffeine is usually known as the most common alkaloid found in coffee. It’s also a stimulant, known to target your central nervous system. What many people are surprised about is that caffeine itself is classified as a purine alkaloid. It is treated as a psychoactive drug.
Unlike most psychoactive drugs, caffeine is completely legal and unregulated in practically every corner of the world. Caffeine is primarily found in Coffea Arabica (coffee plant) and it’s become a popular stimulant to help people keep their energy up.
One main effect is that it reduces drowsiness during the day. Caffeine is capable of reducing sleepiness by triggering the autonomic nervous system.
Similarities between Kratom and coffee:
Here are some of the well-known similarities between coffee and Kratom.
Plant Family:
Kratom and coffee both come from the Rubiaceae family. This family is a wide collection of trees and plants that come in all different sizes and shapes. Therefore, coffee and Kratom both look very different, though belonging to the same family.
Climate:
Kratom and coffee both thrive in a tropical climate because they are plants that need a warm and wet environment to grow. Kratom and coffee both come from an evergreen tree.
Common health benefits of Kratom and coffee:
Both Kratom and coffee are known for the following common health benefits. Therefore, they are often taken as a substitute.
Increasing energy level:
Kratom and coffee are both famous for increasing energy levels. It alerts the mind and keeps your body active for few hours. The long burst of energy keeps you focused and motivated for hours.
Increase concentration:
Coffee and Kratom both have stimulating effects. It keeps your mood enhanced for a longer time. Thus, it results in improved concentration and higher productivity. This is the reason people consume coffee or Kratom at the start of the day.
Relieve Anxiety and depression:
Kratom has high effects on people with anxiety and depression. It energizes and uplifts your mood thus relieving anxiety. Similarly, coffee also elevates your mood and helps in the calmness of mind and body.
The recommended dose of Kratom melts away all stresses and makes you feel like floating in the clouds. It is because of the relaxing compounds; the alkaloids 7-hydroxy mitragynine and speciogynine present in the plant.
Common side effects of Kratom and coffee:
- Constipation,
- Weight loss,
- Loss of appetite,
- Insomnia and Restlessness
- Headaches,
- Dry mouth and dehydration,
- Increased heart rate
Differences between Kratom and coffee:
Kratom and coffee are somehow different from each other. Let’s discuss the major differences.
Chemical composition:
Kratom is different from regular coffee in the sense that it contains energy-giving alkaloids that are found in caffeine, but with less risk of addiction and with more of a mental focus.
Caffeine is the main alkaloid in coffee. There are also two other less concentrated alkaloids in coffee, namely theophylline, and theobromine. These two substances, though not as potent as caffeine, also contribute to stimulation.
In contrast, Kratom has more than 25 alkaloids, in which mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the main alkaloids. It does not have caffeine but the alkaloids it does contain mimic some of caffeine’s effects.
Growth:
According to research, Kratom originates from Southeast Asia and is the main producer. Coffee, on the other hand, originates from Africa and can be grown there. It is distributed from Africa to all other countries such as South East Asia, Central, and South America, etc.
Extraction process:
Kratom, as a medicine, is extracted from its leaves while coffee is derived from its fruit although they have the same nature plants.
Can I Consume Kratom mix Caffeine?
Coffee and Kratom can be taken together with great care. Many Kratom users prefer to add some powdered Kratom to their cups of coffee to enhance the effects. This increases the long-term effects of coffee, which is helpful if you’re a heavy coffee drinker and want to cut down.
Both substances have the potential to increase energy levels, so combining both substances will offer a stronger effect. The higher dose will increase the stimulant effect. It will give you a double stream of energy, keeps you alter and activated.
Combining caffeine and Kratom is also ill-advised as the negative side effects of both will accumulate. Combining these two may cause Anxiety, Depression, Irritability, and Insomnia. Particularly dangerous for beginners, higher doses may be uncomfortable, so take care to slowly increase your intake.
It’s strongly recommended that people suffering from hypertension and anxiety avoid consuming Kratom and caffeine together. Combining these substances can worsen symptoms of these conditions.
Conclusion:
Kratom and caffeine are both stimulants, so having either one can give you the extra boost you need to get through the day. They have similarities; it’s possible to replace one with the other if necessary.
We recommend that moderate levels of Kratom and caffeine took together can amplify the effects and shouldn’t be tried by beginners. Proceed with caution as higher doses are not generally recommended.
For beginners who want to start taking Kratom, you should also be aware of the different “strains” of Kratom. Different strains will have different effects on your body and mind, so before trying it out for the first time; make sure to consult a doctor about it first.