Erin Porteous
Pain management often includes analgesics, OTC NSAIDs, or opioids. Painkillers are the most sought-after medications, but these pharmaceutical drugs’ prolonged use can lead to many adverse effects. For years, users have been using many alternative medicines to alleviate their pain. The most popular among them is CBD. This herb has attracted researchers for its immense potential to treat various illnesses. However, another natural remedy to pain is following the bandwagon – Kratom.
While comparing these two supplements, a question often arises, which is best for chronic pain? Here is a brief overview of the same.
Brief Description of CBD and Kratom
Cannabidiol or CBD is a non-psychotropic active ingredient of cannabis. It is available as isolates, shatter, edibles, gummies, oils, vapes, and others. Many studies reveal that cannabidiol effectively reduces the symptoms of many psychological and physical health problems. CBD has therapeutic benefits in all these and many more, from reducing inflammation to pain, anxiety, stress, skin problems, and heart diseases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the CBD-based drug Epidiolex to treat seizures associated with some childhood epilepsy.
The scientific name of kratom is Mitrgya Speciosa. This tropical plant belongs to the coffee family and is native to Southeast Asia. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the two alkaloids present in this herb, contributing to its stimulating and therapeutic benefits. Kratoms are available in three different strains, namely Red, White, and Green, with each color having its advantages. While red can produce a calming effect on the brain, you can buy white horn kratom to enhance mood and boost the energy level.
The green-strain comes in between the two and helps improve focus and brightens up your day. Apart from psychological benefits, this supplement is a potent painkiller that can improve appetite, aid in addiction withdrawal and recovery, lessen digestive problems, and heal other ailments. Kratoms are consumed in the form of powder, extracts, and pills. People often eat the raw leaves, brew them in teas, smoke, and infuse them in foods.
Chronic Pain – CBD vs Kratom
Chronic pain can be categorized, broadly, as nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain arises from injury and physical damage to the body, including cuts, knicks, and bones’ breakage. Neuropathic pain is a result of nerve damage that interferes with the nerve functioning. The damage can occur because of certain diseases, deterioration, or dysfunction of the nerve cells’ neurons. CBD and Kratoms both can influence pain perception but in its ways.
As far as chronic neuropathic pain is concerned, CBD oil is the viable option as a therapeutic remedy. For other acute pain, one can use kratom as an option. Yet, both have a lot of similar health benefits. They both achieve almost the same results reducing the pain, promoting relaxation, and improving the quality of life.
Cannabidiol And Pain
CBD can interact with the cannabinoids receptors in the body to ease neuropathic pain. Many studies reveal that CBD can reduce physical and nerve-related pain related to neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, this ingredient also shows promising anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Fibromyalgia is another condition that is prevalent in rheumatic diseases causing pain, fatigue, and insomnia. Cannabidiol is well-known for its analgesic properties that ease pain in fibromyalgia and other related symptoms. All research associated with CBD’s pain-relieving qualities summarizes that it acts as an antagonist to neurogenic inflammation. This magic ingredient produces anti-epileptic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects with almost little or no side-effects.
Kratom And Pain
The alkaloids present in kratom act as opioid agonists. The natural active ingredients interact with the opioid receptors in the brain and act similarly to other painkillers. Many experts believe that kratoms can serve as options for pain relief and overcome substance addiction simultaneously.
A recent study on kratoms was conducted in Malaysia with a limited sample size of male participants. The result shows that this plant-based medicine can increase pain tolerance in the users without any side-effect, even 10-20 hours after the discontinuation of the same. Kratom develops a slow analgesic tolerance that results in less physical dependence, limited respiratory depression, and reduced side-effects compared to other drugs like morphine.
Although the published research on this herb’s benefits is scarce, anecdotal references claim it to be a reliable alternative medicine. Active users of kratom have found it useful, affordable, readily available, and safe despite prolonged use. The above facts make kratoms the best available choice as a painkiller with nociceptive pain, like when you break a bone.
Conclusion
Kratom and CBD are two different plant-based supplements that act differently. The essential point to consider while using any of these drugs is getting a quality product. Besides, you should consult your medical practitioner before administering them. Remember, both compounds can show a distinct effect on different bodies. One may find kratom to be more useful, and others may support the use of CBD. However, both can work as complementary painkiller options, which you may give a try.
