What's the Difference Between CBD and Kratom?

The wellness industry is booming and there’s one question that’s on everybody’s mind- “What’s the difference between CBD and Kratom?”

We’re all familiar with the immense popularity of CBD. It probably wouldn't shock you to hear that ⅓ of Americans have tried CBD, but you might be surprised to hear that an estimated 15,000,000 Americans use Kratom.

CBD wins the popularity contest by a long-shot, but there are still an impressive number of people that use Kratom. These two are praised for their soothing effects and used for a variety of purposes.

Though there are some similarities between CBD and Kratom, they’re actually quite different.

What is Kratom?

Mitragyna Speciosa (Kratom) is indigeounous to Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia. A Tropical Evergreen from the coffee family, this plant has been used in traditional medicines and rituals for centuries.

Kratom has become popular in the U.S and U.K due to its calming effects. The leaves of the Kratom plant contain mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine.

These compounds interact with the opioid receptor in the brain and elicit psychotropic effects. Many people find that kratom produces a pleasurable, sedated feeling.

Like CBD, Kratom is often used as a way to relieve daily stress. These calming effects are one of the reasons Kratom and CBD are often compared. But calming as they may be, they are different compounds, with different effects, and come from very different plants.

Where Does CBD Come From?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound that exists in Cannabis and is famous for its wealth of benefits.

Both cannabis-sativa (hemp) and cannabis-indica (marijuana) contain CBD. Marijuana has low concentrations of CBD and high concentrations of THC which makes it undesirable for hemp extracts.

The FDA requires that all CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC, so most manufacturers extract their CBD from industrial hemp.

There are a number of ways to extract cannabinoids. Some manufacturers use chemicals such as butane or ethanol as solvents, but CO2 extractions are generally regarded as the cleanest and most effective.

CBD is available in a variety of formulations. Customers can enjoy anything from tasty CBD gummies to soothing topicals. The wellness industry has been booming in the U.S and a lot of that can be credited to CBD.

The Effects of Kratom vs CBD

The differences between Kratom and CBD outweigh their similarities. The way they interact with the body differs and so do their effects.

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This is a system of neurotransmitters that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. CBD indirectly interfaces with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system and is believed to provide a wealth of benefits.

While scientists still have difficulty quantifying the effects of CBD, the amount of praise it receives from the public is proof enough for many.

Kratom contains two psychotropic compounds; mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine. These compounds interact with the body’s opioid receptors and produce effects that are distinctly different from those of CBD.

Many people feel that Kratom has a relaxing effect. This is the primary reason that CBD and Kratom are often compared.

Addiction Therapy

Both Kratom and CBD show great promise as natural addiction therapies. Their calming effects are an obvious plus, but the real benefits stem from the unique ways in which Kratom and CBD interact with the body

Because Kratom interacts with the body's opioid receptors, scientists believe that it shows potential as a treatment for opioid addiction.

In 2018, roughly 43,800 Americans died from opioid overdoses. There is a lack of viable treatment for opioid addiction and scientists are eager for natural solutions like Kratom.

CBD also shows merit as an addiction treatment. There are 480,000 cigarette related deaths per year in the U.S. and many believe that CBD can help. A 2019 study from Massachusetts General Hospital shows that vaping increases the likelihood of successfully quitting cigarettes.

Many people find that utilizing CBD additives in their vape device is beneficial for smoking cessation. As they decrease the nicotine ratio they increase the amount of CBD. This allows them to slowly taper-off nicotine and regards them with the calming power of CBD.

Legality of Kratom and CBD

Even though these two compounds are wildly popular, a lot of people remain confused about their legality.

The laws surrounding Kratom are still a bit hazy. It's illegal on a federal level, but certain states have legalized it. Some states aren't even able to decide amongst themselves. Kratom is legal in all of California with the exception of San Diego, where it has been banned.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized all hemp products containing less than 0.3% THC. While THC is legal in some states such as Colorado and California, CBD is legal in all 50 states. As long as the product contains less than 0.3% THC and it has been inspected at third-party laboratories, it's completely legal.

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