Pain-Free Perspectives: Understanding How Herbs Addresses Discomfort 

Pain can be severely debilitating. The condition is a leading cause of physical disability, especially if it results from tragic accidents or musculoskeletal complications. While mostly considered a physical problem, pain may have far-reaching consequences.  

Dealing with persistent aches can impair your productivity by shifting your attention to the aching muscles and joints. There are also direct economic implications due to frequent hospitalization.  

Fortunately, most types of pain are manageable. Some are also curable and even preventable. All it takes is the right intervention.  

In this article, we’ll introduce the role of kratom in pain management. Read on to learn more about the herb’s potential analgesic properties.  

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What Is Kratom? 

Mitragyna speciosa, commonly known as kratom, is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, usually administered for pain relief. The herb boasts immense therapeutic properties and may remedy several other ailments. That explains its growing popularity among wellness fanatics worldwide.  

North America has recently emerged as the world’s biggest consumer of kratom products.  

Besides kratom’s well-documented medicinal properties, its popularity has been further bolstered by the growing opioid epidemic in Canada and the United States. This was after evidence emerged that the herb might address various opioid withdrawal symptoms.  

We’ve also witnessed a general tendency towards kratom’s legalization in North America, even as countries elsewhere continue to restrict the herb. Canada especially stands out for its permissive kratom laws.  

You can access kratom Canada legal provided that the herb isn’t sold as a consumable or marketed as a curative drug. However, traders have devised ingenious ways to bypass these restrictions without necessarily breaking the law. So, kratom is available throughout the country in all its formulations. 

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How To Treat Pain? 

Numerous studies have investigated kratom’s efficacy as a pain reliever, and the findings are quite inspiring.  

Available evidence suggests the herb may relieve acute and chronic pain by binding to opioid receptors, namely the mu-, kappa-, and delta-receptors. Opioid receptors are the primary receptors impacted by regular opioid drugs, such as morphine and codeine.  

Kratom contains over 40 powerful alkaloids. The two most abundant ones are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.  

Both mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine enter the bloodstream when you consume a kratom-infused product. However, mitragynine converts into 7-hydroxy mitragynine, the more bioactive alkaloid.  

Some findings have shown that 7-hydroxy mitragynine is up to 13 times more potent than morphine and over 46 times more effective than mitragynine. That only lends credence to its efficacy as a pain reliever.  

Now, conventional opioid drugs are notorious for their addictiveness. Morphine and codeine are so addictive that they’re almost synonymous with the opioid epidemic in North America. The fact that kratom is way more potent than morphine should theoretically make it more addictive.  

However, the reality is starkly different.  

Most opioid drugs are full opioid agonists, attaching fully to the opioid receptors. That’s in contrast to kratom, which is a partial opioid agonist.  

Kratom’s partial effects on opioid receptors explain why it presents lower risks of addiction and dependency. It’s also the reason many recovering opioid addicts use the herb to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms, particularly headaches and muscle aches.  

Since kratom and opioid drugs produce similar effects, an opioid addict can easily replace their opioid dosages with this herb. Eventually, they’ll be able to wean off opioids from their bloodstream without suffering severe adverse reactions.  

What Other Ways Might Treat Pain? 

1. Kratom May Alleviate Inflammation 

Pain and inflammation are conjoined twins. The two conditions typically result from the same triggers. In some cases, they may have a cause-effect relationship.  

Kratom has proven just as effective against inflammation. Two relatively unknown compounds in the herb – rhynchophylline and epicatechin – treat inflammation by reducing cytokine production.  

Studies have also established that kratom directly targets cyclooxygenase-2, the enzyme that activates pain and inflammatory responses. Researchers postulate that those effects may further reduce inflammatory flare-ups.  

Kratom’s anti-inflammatory properties may help in managing conditions that manifest in pain and inflammation, such as osteoarthritis and diabetes. 

2. Kratom May Relieve Anxiety 

Many people struggle to associate anxiety with pain. While both may result from neurological disorders, the former is a mental condition, while the latter is a physical one.  

However, multiple studies have established striking correlations between anxiety and pain.  

High-stress levels increase pain sensitivity. This can interfere with the brain’s ability to accurately judge pain severity, impeding recovery.  

Fortunately, you can address dramatic reactions to pain signals by taking kratom for anxiety. The herb relieves stress and anxiety by improving serotonin signaling.  

Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter responsible for several biological functions. It’s especially involved in stress relief, pain signaling, and regulating circadian rhythms.  

How to Use Kratom for Pain 

1. Choose the Right Strain 

Kratom comes in multiple strains, each delivering distinct effects.  

If you’re using the herb exclusively for pain relief, you’d do well to pick the soothing red-vein strains. These include Red Bali, Red Maeng Da, Red Malay, etc.  

Red-vein kratom is also effective against inflammation and anxiety, the two major conditions associated with pain.  

White-vein kratom strains are more stimulating. Such strains are suitable for treating fatigue and mental fog.  

2. Determine the Type of Pain 

Pain falls into two major categories – acute and chronic.  

Acute pain typically results from physical accidents or surgical operations. It tends to be short-lasting but can cause excruciating discomfort while it lasts.  

On the other hand, chronic pain is usually caused by underlying medical conditions, particularly neurological disorders. The pain can persist for months or years, gradually increasing in severity.  

Kratom dosages tend to be higher for acute than chronic pain. You may require up to 10 times more kratom to manage surgical pain than, say, cancer pain.  

3. Pick a Suitable Delivery Method 

There are numerous ways to consume kratom. Examples include; 

• Ingesting kratom edibles, such as capsules, tablets, gummies, and herbal teas 

• Inhaling kratom vapor through smoking, vaping, or aromatherapy 

• Applying kratom topically 

Each delivery method is ideal for different types of pain.  

For instance, edibles would work best for generalized body aches, while inhalables would be most effective for treating respiratory discomfort.  

Lastly, administering kratom topically is ideal for localized pain.

Wrap Up 

There’s an abundance of scientific evidence citing kratom for its powerful analgesic effects. The herb fights pain directly by attaching to opioid receptors and indirectly by treating various pain comorbidities. Kratom also excels in conventional pain medications because of its high safety profile. You can experiment with different dosages depending on your tolerance levels without experiencing severe adverse effects.  

However, always consult your physician before taking kratom for pain. Your doctor will advise on dosage recommendations and whether you can administer kratom alongside your current pain medications.