Kratom and Coffee - we all know those delightful beans that we can't imagine our lives (and especially mornings) without! Coffee has been popular for years, but so has kratom! With more and more people switching their daily dose of caffeine - for a daily dose of kratom, it might be a good idea to learn a bit more about each of these products. What many people might not know is that coffee and kratom belong to the same group of plants, the Rubiaceae family - which means that, in theory, these two stimulants are very alike in their properties, but in practice, they are worlds apart when it comes to the effects they cause.
In this article, we're going to take a look at kratom and coffee as a whole, but we're also going to contrast them and see what they can offer.
Kratom
Kratom is a natural plant that grows in Southeast Asia, which is where most companies that sell kratom source theirs from. Kratom leaves are the part of the plant that's sold.
Kratom is popular because its leaves are rich in alkaloids, the two predominant ones found in the kratom leaf are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These alkaloids are responsible for the sedating or stimulating properties of kratom that vary from vein to vein (and also strain to strain!).
Since we started talking about alkaloids and veins, you might ask yourself - what on earth are kratom veins? Well, essentially, kratom is divided into four categories based on the color of the vein found on the leaf - so, we have red, green, white, and yellow vein kratom. Each of these veins produces different effects when consumed due to the different alkaloid content in each of them - particular veins have a higher alkaloid content, and others a lower.
Let's take a brief look at the main kratom veins:
-
Red vein kratom is the strongest vein. It is known for being highly potent and inducing sedating and relaxing sensations.
-
Green vein kratom's effects vary from energizing to sedating - it depends on the dosage you prefer. Many people use it in their fitness regimen to give themselves a natural kick before working out.
-
White vein kratom is highly energizing - think keenness, friendliness, and sociability!
-
Yellow vein kratom falls right in the middle - it produces effects that are neither too strong nor too weak. It's a great option for those who don't like their kratom too strong, especially at the beginning of their journey with this plant.
Kratom is generally used for relieving discomfort or tension and relaxing the body, but it is also quite beneficial for boosting energy levels and enhancing overall mood and positivity depending on the kind used. It is for this reason that many people have substituted coffee with kratom, as the alkaloids present in kratom have an effect that's a bit stronger than the ones found in coffee.
Coffee
Surprise, surprise - coffee also contains alkaloids, just like kratom! Blame it on them belonging to the same family.
Coffee has one alkaloid that beats all the others in its composure - you've already guessed it, it's caffeine! Caffeine is, to put it simply, a psychoactive substance that has highly stimulative properties. This is exactly where coffee differs from kratom - kratom offers a whole wide range of effects that, as we mentioned, vary from sedating to invigorating, while coffee is strictly used for providing us with that lovely kick of energy that doesn't really last too long.
Caffeine usually:
-
Reduces sleepiness and/or drowsiness; is great for headaches
-
Improves motor coordination
-
Enhances focus and concentration
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that while kratom can be used to relax the body and prepare it for sleeping, coffee does the complete opposite, so you might want to skip that cup of coffee before bed and try a relaxing cup of kratom tea.
A Contrast Between Kratom and Coffee
When it comes to the similarities kratom has with coffee, there are plenty. Firstly, all the effects that coffee causes can be applied to kratom as well, given that you pay attention to the vein you're using and the dosage you're taking. For example, in smaller doses, kratom stimulates the body and boosts energy just like coffee, but it doesn't cause a crash (which is something that coffee does often). Kratom's effects are also a lot longer-lasting than the ones of coffee, so if you're looking for a way to stay dynamic and focused for a longer period, kratom is the way to go.
Another point worth mentioning is that kratom is available in a lot more forms than coffee. While coffee comes in pre-ground beans or whole beans that you can powder yourself, kratom is usually sold in powder or capsule form, and there are many options and combinations to make taking kratom a breeze! For example, if you enjoy the unique and strong taste kratom has, you can take it straight as a powder, but if you're not a big fan of its flavor, you can certainly try using capsules and see how you react to them! Kratom powder can also be mixed into your favorite juice or other beverage, and also easily brewed into tea!
You can also certainly attempt making your kratom blends, but it's so much easier when someone has already done that for you! You can try using pre-made kratom blends that are made with the best strains - like the GRH Kratom BOOST blend that contains a mixture of different white vein kratom strains to help you start your day right and get your body moving!
Some people have even tried mixing kratom and coffee, but as this combination is a bit on the heavier side, you may want to avoid doing it if your body is sensitive to stimulants such as coffee. Mixing any products should only be done if you have consulted a medical professional beforehand, as you cannot know how you will react to them.
Final thoughts
Since kratom remains unregulated by the FDA, the authors of this text would like to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of kratom and coffee, they should only serve as a piece of information, not medical advice.
Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions before using kratom and coffee., and remember there are a few minor side effects that could occur when taking doses that are too large.
Reviewed by
)
