Kratom is a Southeast Asian plant that has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in the last decade or two. Once obscure and practically unheard of, kratom is now so popular that you can even buy it at gas stations around the country.
If you’re considering buying kratom, though, you might want to look further than your local corner store. Because there isn’t any regulation over kratom products, the quality can vary drastically.
Doing your due diligence is important whether you’re buying kratom from a physical store or online.
What should you look for in a kratom source and what should you avoid? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
Benefits and Risks of Kratom
In the regions where kratom grows natively, people have been taking kratom for hundreds of years if not longer. There are a number of potential benefits of kratom, including:
- Reducing fatigue
- Relieving pain
- Reducing muscle cramps
- Treating diarrhea
- Increasing libido
- Boosting mood
- Aiding with opioid withdrawal and addiction
There are, however, also some side effects associated with taking kratom. These include:
- Itching
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Liver damage
Some users have also reported long-term effects of using kratom. These include:
- Weight loss
- Darkened facial skin
- Frequent urination
- Dry mouth
- Frequent constipation
- Anorexia
There have also been user reports of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when an individual stops taking the supplement after prolonged use. Some of the withdrawal symptoms include:
- Aggression
- Hostility
- Jerky movements of the limbs
- Inability to work
- Muscle and bone pain
As you can see, there are both benefits of kratom as well as some potential side effects and risks. It’s up to each user to decide whether or not the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. It can be a good idea to talk to your doctor about whether or not taking kratom is a safe idea for you.
What to Look For in a Kratom Source
Not all kratom is created equal. Rather than googling “kratom” and buying from the first place that pops up, doing some additional research and comparison shopping can both ensure you’re getting a higher quality product as well as ensure you aren’t spending more than you need to.
Price
When you’re shopping for anything, there’s always a balance point between price and quality. You certainly don’t want to spend more than you need to, but choosing the cheapest version of anything might mean sacrificing quality or safety.
Be considerate of pricing, but don’t let it be the only factor on the table.
Quality
When it comes to something like kratom, it’s worth digging around to find high-quality products. You want to make sure that you are buying pure, unadulterated kratom.
The reason you need to be more concerned when you buy something like kratom on the internet versus buying something like, say, oatmeal from the store is that there is a bit of a “wild west” in the kratom market. There isn’t quality control and standardization like there is with other food and drug products, so it’s good to stay on your toes.
You’ll want to be mindful of the potential presence of contaminants that could have entered the product during the growing or processing of kratom.
One of the most important things you’ll want to do is to buy your kratom powder or leaf from a reputable seller. Research the practices and standards of the distributor before buying.
Keep an eye out for information about quality control methodology and lab testing. If you don’t see this type of info, it might mean that they have substandard practices. It never hurts to reach out to the distributor and ask, but make sure they can back up any of their claims with proof.
When you purchase kratom, you’ll also want to look for a batch or lot number. This is indicative of some kind of quality control process.
Customer Support
Whenever you buy anything, it’s good to know that there’s a team of people there to help if you have questions, concerns, or complaints. Check into the customer support system of any place you are considering buying kratom from.
Strain and Product Options
Another thing you’ll want to look out for is the variety of strains and products available. If you choose to get into the world of this fascinating plant, chances are you’ll want to try a few different types of kratom. It can be nice to be able to find one source where you can find everything you need rather than piecing things together from several different vendors.
Kratom is available in a wide variety of strains which are typically named after their country of origin. There are also different vein colors, which refer to both the age of the plant when the leaves were harvested but also the effects that the leaves produce. Red, white, and green vein kratom are the most common, but you can also find yellow vein kratom.
Are You Thinking About Trying Kratom Powder?
As you can see, there are a lot of things you’ll want to take into consideration when you’re choosing a kratom source. Finding a reputable company is probably the number one most important thing so that you can have certainty regarding their quality control and lab testing methodology.
If using kratom powder or leaves is in your future, consider consulting with your doctor. They will be able to inform you about any potential side effects or drug interactions.
Did you find this article on finding a kratom source interesting? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more fascinating and informative content!