[CALL TO ACTION] What is Kratom? and Why does it need your help?

Rachel Irwing
Aug 4, 2021
6 min read

https://www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

Hey Everyone,

This week we are bringing a bonus post to you, as a CALL TO ACTION! This post will be slightly different than our normal post as we are aiming for this one to be informative. Please stick with us as we explain to you what Kratom is, why it's important, what the FDA/WHO is trying to do and why the American Kratom Association needs your help!

For ease of access, we are going to be posting a link to the American Kratom Association's website, throughout this post - where you can fill out a survey and add your input as to why Kratom should not be banned. We will also be posting all of our source material at the end of this post so you can explore and learn more about Kratom, if you so choose. Lastly, we will be hyperlinking to our local Kava Bars/Brewery to share our personal experiences with you. We are NOT receiving any commission from any of the links you click on in this post. These links are here for you to learn and understand what kratom is and why we need your help to save it!

https://www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

So, what is Kratom?

Kratom (taxonomic name: Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree grown in Southeast Asia and other tropical countries and is a relative of coffee [1]. Kratom is known for its mood enhancing qualities, which some compare to the effects of opioids, as a matter of fact, in some medical practices kratom is used as a substitute for opium, as it can be a safer alternative. Generally, kratom is used recreationally as an alternative to alcohol, or as an herbal supplement taken at home. Depending on the strain of kratom consumed, different mood enhancing qualities can be noticed, most strains improve work productivity. Some consumers supplement with kratom as it can be an effective way to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms while recovering. Currently, there is no FDA approval for the usage of kratom. The main reason for concern is that there is not a ton of research done on Kratom, but what makes some people leery is that kratom's psychoactive compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are similar to those stimulant-like effects of other controlled substances [2]. In sum, the fear is that kratom could have addictive properties, although nothing has been concluded in any testing completed, thus far. According to the American Kratom Association, the FDA has unfairly demonized kratom since 2009, spreading “inaccurate, distorted, and, in some cases, completely false information.”

OK, so is Kratom an opioid?

No! Absolutely not. Kratom is cultivated and brewed similar to tea, and consumed primarily as a drink - although some people choose to use the powder in a capsule (just like your vitamins at home), historically, people have also chewed the leaves raw. Kratom does not currently have any drug classification in the U.S. Even though the effects of consuming kratom are similar to effects experienced when consuming other controlled substance, kratom itself is not one! Most reports to the DEA/FDA about issues that arise from kratom are reports that a person has consumed kratom AND illicit drugs or other pharmaceuticals simultaneously (this can be a problem for legal products .. think alcohol and pharmaceuticals). This leaf allows its consumers, to increase work productivity, alertness, all while reducing anxiety and curbing the uncomfortableness of social gatherings. Kratom actually has IMMENSE medicinal properties and those are being threatened by a current determination by the FDA/WHO to enact a kratom import ban.

Hm, this sounds familiar ....

So far, you might be like WHAT? You want me to sign a petition on an herbal supplement that has negative press and isn't currently regulated by the FDA? Simply put, yes. This herb actually has a ton of medicinal properties. A lot of consumers are speculating that the FDA is trying to put a ban on kratom in efforts to eventually regulate and profit from it. Does this sound familiar? While still massively controversial, marijuana has undergone the same scrutiny, but as society becomes more progressive and medical professionals have begun speaking out on the medicinal properties of mary-jane, the acceptance and medicinal/recreational use of it has begun to be more standardized and legal. But, as this happens the government is able to make a profit, mostly from sales tax. Most think that kratom is on the same journey, except that the properties of kratom are different and not nearly as controversial.

Health Benefits!

Kratom is used to manage a variety of ailments. Historically, kratom leaves were even chewed raw to help with things like chronic pain relief. Although there hasn't been a lot of studies completed, Kratom is known to help with things like depression, anxiety, stress, enhanced immunity, managing opioid withdrawn symptoms and replacing alcohol for people in recovery or for those that simply don't like to drink.

In addition to these benefits, multiple others have been reported. Here is an excerpt from a study published in 2017 [3]:

... [Kratom] has been used as a stimulant by indigenous in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia as a substitute for opiate users to combat withdrawal symptoms, to treat muscle ache, fatigue (8), and other conditions (9) in addition to be an analgesic, an opiate substitute, an antihypertensive (10), an antidiabetic and anti diarrheal (9), anti-leukemic (5), anorectic (11), and an immunostimulant (12). It is said that at low doses, kratom produces a stimulant effect (13) while at higher doses, it exhibits opioid-like effect (14). The immunostimulant effect reported by Shaik Mossadeq et al. (12) suggested that the extract of kratom inhibits pro-inflammatory mediator release and vascular permeability in combination with immunity enhancement, stimulation of tissue repair, and healing processes by “release and action of a number of hyperalgesic mediators.”

A summation of the above statement is that kratom has the potential to be extremely beneficial medically, the only thing is there hasn't been enough studies completed to ensure. If the FDA/WHO ban kratom, this feat will be nearly impossible as the ban would make the importation, consumption and possession of kratom illegal in all 50 U.S. states, (it's important to note that kratom is in the pre-review period, this means that there will not be a determination on it's listed status at this meeting, but will help determine if the process should continue.

https://www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

The Eco Green Co. supports the American Kratom Association!

The Eco Green Co.'s founders are in strong opposition to the proposed enactment of a kratom ban. We need your help! Below are our testimonial's about kratom.

Ironically, I am writing this post from my local Kava Bar called Botanical Brewing Taproom, in Cape Coral, Florida. I'm sipping on a large Pineapple Express with green kratom. Why? Because I have the privilege to work remotely today (love it) and kratom makes me more productive and less stressed and anxious. Shall I get

a bit more personal? I suffer from high-functioning general anxiety, depression and in the past have had my bout with eating disorders and depersonalization and derealization disorder (#NormalizeMentalHealth). Kratom allows me to go into a social setting and feel comfortable and confident - similar how to the effects of alcohol are, but without the slurring, vomiting, headaches, and impaired function. This comes in handy for networking this blog, my art business and building connections in my field (all of which I can find at the Kava Bar, because people are so nice, laid back and sincere). Kratom makes me more talkative and the green strain relieves a lot of my anxiety allowing me to feel relief and happiness, which can sometimes feel rare. My fiancée Rob drinks kratom (and also CBD) in order to get pain relief from back problems, which worsen at work as he's an electrician.

Natalie and I frequent our FAVORITE kava bar every Friday, this location is called Kava Culture Fort Myers Beach (don't worry we will have plenty of posts featuring them) the atmosphere is perfect for laid back conversation, or working on a project. We've become regulars and enjoy visiting our favorite Kavatenders. Here, I get the same thing, green kratom - this allows me to unwind after a long stressful week at work. Natalie alternates between a variety of different drinks, but she mainly drinks CBD and kratom. She prefers the red kratom and generally drinks it for relaxation and to help fall asleep, which I'm sure a lot of people can relate to.

We've met a lot of different people at this location and have learned many different reasons for drinking kratom. There are a lot of people who used to struggle with addiction, and during recovery drink kratom as an alternative. They use this as an outlet for socialization without the temptation, availability and atmosphere that alcohol has. We've met people from young adults to seniors - kratom's mood enhancing properties are beneficial for people of all walks of life.

Act Now!

Kratom needs your help! This leaf helps so many people and is an outlet for many. Please head to

https://www.protectkratom.org/whocomments

to submit your comments on why you don't think the kratom ban should be enacted. The American Kratom Association is asking all comments be in by August 9th, ahead of the WHO meeting in October All of our source material is at the bottom of this post and we encourage you to complete your own research at home, as well. Remember, there is a lot opinionated information out there, ensure you are getting your information from reputable sources and give kratom a try! (Remember kratom is not legal in every state in the U.S. - it can even vary from county to county and country to country, check your local laws before trying kratom at home!