Kratom vs CBD: Comparison, Effects & Where to Buy From
Posted by felipe@cbdvapejuice.net on 12th Dec 2022
The different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant have gained popularity throughout the years, not only for their potential as medicinal substances but also as lifestyle aids. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is just one of the numerous chemical compounds in the plant.
While CBD is becoming more accepted thanks to its medical potential, consumers are looking for similar effects to THC, which remains to have limited accessibility. This is why plants like kratom are becoming popular.
Kratom is another plant that not only has the potential to address some of your concerns, but also offers psychoactivity similar to THC. Here’s a comprehensive discussion of kratom vs CBD.
Difference Between CBD vs Kratom
When talking about kratom vs CBD, the first thing we need to tackle is their nature, starting with CBD. As mentioned, this is a substance found in cannabis.
Keep in mind that the plant contains hundreds of chemical compounds including cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, to name a few. CBD belongs to the cannabinoid group along with THC, cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and more.
CBD is extracted from plants in the cannabis genus, the most common of which are Cannabis sativa, sativa L., and indica.
These plants typically come in strains, which have different combinations and levels of cannabinoids. They also have a distinct blend of flavonoids and terpenes that influence their aroma and flavor.
If you are wondering whether cannabis is the same as marijuana, you should know that marijuana is a type of cannabis plant, along with hemp.
According to the Agriculture Improvement Act, cannabis plants are considered hemp if they are rich in CBD and contain only 0.3% THC, while those that have more than this are marijuana.
Usually, when people talk about THC, they talk about the most abundant isomer which is delta-9. However, you will find other novel cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-10 in the market.
Having said this, you might be wondering: What is CBD vs kratom? With kratom, the first thing you should know is that it is a plant under the Rubiaceae family, the same one to which coffee belongs!
Mitragyna speciosa or kratom is a tree-type plant that offers similar effects to THC thanks to its uplifting, energizing, pain-relieving, and relaxing effects, depending on the strain. It is a plant native to Southeast Asia.
While cannabis has cannabinoids, particularly CBD and THC, as active components, the primary chemical compounds in kratom are alkaloids, particularly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine,
Just like cannabis, different kratom strains have varying levels of alkaloids. What sets Mitragyna speciosa apart are the sources of each strain. Examples of strains include Green Thai, White Indo, and Red Vietnam.
What you need to know about kratom strains is that people consume the leaves of the tree. These leaves have white veins and high mitragynine levels when young, and then develop green-colored veins with more 7-hydroxymitragynine as it matures.
When it reaches full maturity, the veins gain a red color and create the highest amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Aside from the color, strains are usually named after the place where they were harvested. Different jungles in Southeast Asia have varying soil fertility, get different levels of rain, and other similar environmental factors that can affect the development of alkaloids.
Is Kratom More Potent than CBD?
When talking about kratom vs CBD potency, it is important to tackle the impact of each chemical compound involved.
With cannabis, CBD and THC are the dominant substances. CBD is known as a medicinal cannabinoid thanks to its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, relaxing, and mood-enhancing effects.
Meanwhile, THC is associated with the classic marijuana impact which is euphoria, couch lock, cottonmouth, munchies, hyperawareness, and lack of coordination.
Now, going to kratom with its primary alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. What you need to know about mitragynine is that it is an energizing substance that can also help improve your mood and gain a more positive mindset.
Meanwhile, 7-hydroxymitragynine is responsible for relieving stress, alleviating physical discomforts, and relaxation.
You will notice that kratom offers a more psychoactive experience. Some users reported feeling euphoric, relaxed, and energetic. They also felt some sensory enhancements.
So, to answer the question about which is the more potent between kratom and CBD, the answer is that kratom can be more potent than CBD, but only because it is psychoactive. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive.
Is CBD or Kratom Better for Anxiety?
If you are weighing your choices between kratom vs CBD for your anxiety, you will be glad to know that both of them offer some relief for this mental health issue.
CBD has shown potential in addressing anxious feelings for patients suffering from various mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Kratom, on the other hand, can also be used to feel better if you are not in a great mood. It can make you feel more lively and happy and paves the way toward gaining a more positive state of mind.
Those who have been feeling stressed can also rely on Mitragyna speciosa to relieve their tension.
Both options have the potential in addressing anxiety. The question is, who wins between products like CBD oil vs kratom?
If you were to choose between the two, you might want to go for CBD because of its accessibility, regulatory standards, and better safety profile compared to kratom.
What Do Kratom And CBD Do To The Body?
Aside from the mind, you should also compare kratom vs CBD when it comes to bodily impacts. The first thing you should know is that both of these choices can affect your body.
For CBD, its main effects are delivered through the endocannabinoid system. The substance interacts with the body's built-in cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2 to help relieve pain and inflammation.
This cannabinoid can also help your body feel more relaxed, so you can sleep better at night. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, then CBD can help.
The best part about CBD is that experts suggest the occurrence of reverse tolerance when regularly consuming this substance. This means that you may need to consume less over time to get to the same level of effects.
Meanwhile, alkaloids in kratom interact with opioid receptors, which is how they can deliver similar impacts. When you use a strain high in mitragynine, you can expect an additional burst of energy.
Using a strain with more 7-hydroxymitragynine can make your body feel more relaxed, which means it can also be used as a sleep aid. Moreover, it can help you alleviate any bodily discomforts you are experiencing.
The downside of kratom is that regularly using it can result in tolerance buildup, which means that you need to use more over time to get to the same level of impact.
Again, if you were to choose, CBD is a great choice as it is more accessible even without a prescription in some states, regulated, and generally safer to consume.
Are CBD & Kratom Legal and Safe For Me?
Now that you know more about kratom and CBD effects, you should learn about how legal and safe they are.
The first thing you should know about CBD is that it has been legalized on the federal level through the Agriculture Improvement Act also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed it from the controlled substances list.
Because of the most recent Farm Bill, the United States now has legal standards for CBD products. To be considered acceptable, CBD products should only contain 0.3% THC. Of course, this is a more general threshold and states can have their own standards.
Meanwhile, kratom is also technically legal on the federal level for the mere fact that no law explicitly makes it illegal. The thing is, some states have made it illegal, while only a handful has passed laws that regulate and legalize kratom through the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
If you are interested in accessing kratom, keep in mind the states that have versions of the KCPA namely Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Utah. Meanwhile, states that absolutely ban the plant are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
As for CBD, the only state that prohibits any form of this cannabinoid is South Dakota, so do not even attempt to bring in your items inside this state.
In terms of safety, you know about kratom and CBD benefits, but they also have side effects. What are the side effects of kratom vs CBD?
Kratom users experienced dehydration, frequent urination, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea as secondary impacts of this plant. Meanwhile, consumption of CBD can result in diarrhea, fatigue, appetite change, and weight change.
When taken in large amounts and for extended periods, both of these can have an impact on the liver.
The Best Place To Buy CBD And Kratom Near Me
Now that you know more about kratom vs CBD, you might feel ready to get any one of these products. With kratom, make sure to find a reputable source of high-quality products. You can turn to CBD Genesis for top-shelf cannabidiol items.
Our shop carries a wide variety of CBD items that can satisfy your needs. You can choose your preferred application method and type of CBD. Get to know more about our goods here.
Our online shop is composed of high-quality CBD goods in different forms. You can get your hands on various items such as tinctures, oil, types of gummies, vape pens, capsules, topicals, and more.
Do not be overwhelmed by the variety of products to choose from. Just think of the mode of consumption you prefer and look for items that suit your needs. For example, if you want something you can take discreetly, you should go for gummies.
Nevertheless, you should see to it that you check the description to know whether you are getting a CBD isolate, full-spectrum hemp, THC, or any other cannabinoid. This influences how the product affects you and your body.
Many people think that cannabis flowers automatically contain high levels of THC, but the fact is that there are buds that are rich in CBD with low THC. These buds are from hemp plants.
If you want to get the classic experience of smoking cannabis without getting high, CBD flowers are your best bet. Our shop carries CBD-rich nugs from different brands in different strains.
The great thing is that if you are in the mood to grind buds and roll your own joints, you can get whole nugs. However, if you want to get straight to the partaking, then you can get pre-rolled products made from CBD flowers.
Another great choice for beginners and experienced consumers alike is tinctures. These are some of the most versatile options out there because they can be used in different ways with minimal effort thanks to their packaging.
These products come with their own eye-droppers so you do not have to worry about measurements because you can simply count the drops. You can place a few drops into your mouth or under your tongue.
The best part is it can serve as an additive to food and drinks, whether you get oil-based or alcohol-based goods.
If you are looking for something that you can take inconspicuously, you should go for capsules. These look just like any normal caps, so you would not be attracting attention for taking them.
Make sure to get products that are CBD isolates if you are planning to do anything after taking them. However, if you want to stay in and enjoy the full impact of hemp, you should go for full-spectrum products.
Aside from capsules, you can also get CBD in pills of soft gel forms, both of which are discreet and have the same appearance as other pills.
Final Thoughts
The debate about kratom vs CBD may seem like a complex one, but knowing more about each of them can help you decide what you try. If you want to check out high-quality CBD items, make sure to browse the CBD Genesis shop.