CBD vs. Kratom - pain, sleep & energy
While there are many similarities between the two plant extracts, kratom and CBD are very different. In this article, we will compare CBD and kratom in terms of their benefits, safety, cost, legality, and other characteristics.
What is Kratom?
Kratom (Mytragyna speciosa) is a type of shrub related to the coffee tree. It is found throughout Southeast Asia - including Bali, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Traditionally, kratom leaves were chewed or made into tea. The effects are stimulating like coffee, so the plant has been used to increase energy levels and boost productivity at work. But there's something unique about kratom that gives it a whole new set of benefits.
In high doses (over 7 grams of leaf), kratom has a completely different set of effects. The alkaloids in the leaves target opioid pain receptors, giving it powerful analgesic benefits. Higher doses can also produce sedative effects that outweigh the initial stimulant effect. People take kratom in lower doses primarily as an alternative to coffee and as an alternative to alcohol or prescription drugs in higher doses.
Comparing CBD to Kratom: What's the difference between the two?
Both CBD and kratom are useful for pain management, anxiety, and insomnia - but that's where the similarities end. The active ingredients in CBD products are completely different from kratom and work through completely different mechanisms.
CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system - kratom targets the adrenergic and opioid systems.
They also differ in their safety profile, legality and origin. In general, CBD is better for inflammation or chronic (long-term) pain and anxiety. Kratom is better in low doses as a nootropic or stimulant and in higher doses for acute (short-term) pain.
CBD is much safer than kratom and can be taken long-term without the risk of addiction or long-term side effects. Long-term use of kratom should be avoided as it can become addictive over time.
Summary: Comparison of similarities and differences between CBD and kratom
|
Metrics |
CBD |
Kratom |
|
Effects of low dose |
Mild nootropic Mild analgesic effect Mild anxiolytic |
Increased energy Slight excitement |
|
Effects of high dose |
Pain reduction Reduction of stress and anxiety Sedation and sleep Anti-inflammatory |
Pain reduction Euphoria Stress reduction Sedation and sleep |
|
Security |
Very safe even at high Low risk of adverse |
Safe in low doses but may cause side effects High doses can lead to Long-term use can lead |
|
Side effects |
Seating Nausea Low blood pressure and dizziness |
Nausea and vomiting Vertigo Blurred vision Loss of muscle coordination Seating |
|
Legality |
Legal throughout Europe Legal in all 50 Legal in Canada, Mexico and |
Legal in some European countries, legal as a collector's item in the Czech Republic Legal at the federal level in the US, but banned in several US states Illegal in Canada Legal in most of South America |
|
Origin |
Cannabis is native to Asia and the |
Southeast Asia (Thailand, Borneo, Indonesia, etc.) |
|
Active ingredients |
Paynanthein Speciogynine |
|
|
Pharmacology |
Opioid agonist Dopaminergic |
|
|
Preparation |
Raw hemp flower |
Chewing raw leaves Dried leaf powdermixed |
1. Benefits of CBD & kratom
CBD and kratom share many of the same uses - but they do so through very different mechanisms. In short, kratom is superior to CBD for short-term pain relief, opiate withdrawal symptoms, and improving focus and concentration (low doses).
CBD is much better in cases where long-term use is needed. This could include fighting pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression. It also offers several benefits that kratom doesn't have - such as anti-inflammatory effects, epilepsy, skin diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and much more.
CBD vs. kratom for pain
Winner: Kratom for acute pain, CBD for chronic pain.
The main similarity between CBD and kratom is their effect on pain.
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, which consists of a series of receptors involved in regulating homeostasis (a word that basically means balance). By modulating these receptors, CBD can effectively regulate the volume of pain signals going to the brain. CBD doesn't block pain completely, but it does a great job of reducing the severity of pain.
Kratom works quite differently. It contains several alkaloids that activate opioid receptors located in the spinal cord and brain. These receptors act as gateways for pain transmission. By activating the opioid receptors, the gates close - blocking the pain signal from reaching the brain. This is the same mechanism of action used by prescription painkillers such as morphine or oxycodone.
CBD will be much better for any pain whose underlying cause is inflammation. It works to reduce the transmission of the pain signal in the short term, but it also addresses the underlying cause. It can take days, weeks or even months to get all the benefits.
Kratom is better in the short term for almost any type of pain - but should not be taken long term due to fears of developing tolerance and dependence. By directly blocking opioid receptors, kratom can offer fast and effective pain relief for virtually any type or severity of pain.
CBD vs. kratom for sleep
Winner: CBD
There are many different causes of insomnia, including dysregulation in the sleep-wake cycle, anxiety, blood sugar dysregulation, and chronic pain. CBD is the clear winner here because it addresses all of these potential underlying causes.
In higher doses, CBD is a sedative - it helps induce sleep. But even in smaller doses, CBD can help us achieve a more restful sleep by calming the central nervous system and helping to suppress symptoms of anxiety or an agitated mind.
It's also useful for reducing muscle or joint pain that can keep you awake at night, and directly reduces cortisol levels that can prevent you from achieving deeper sleep states.
While kratom is a sedative, it can also be a stimulant. The wrong dose or improper use of varieties can lead to even worse insomnia than what the original condition was. Finding a balance can be difficult with kratom. Higher doses of this plant are a powerful sedative, but overuse can cause unpleasant side effects commonly referred to as "kratom vertigo," which includes blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting.
In addition, kratom is not a good long-term solution for improving sleep. Occasional doses are fine if you know what dose best suits your body, but long-term use can cause dependence, meaning that if you stop using the herb, your insomnia will get worse.
CBD vs. kratom for anxiety and depression
CBD is the winner.
CBD's anti-anxiety effects come out of the battle as the clear winner, as it acts on several separate mechanisms related to anxiety - including GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate closely linked to the symptoms we experience as anxiety.
There have been many large-scale clinical studies that have confirmed the effectiveness of CBD in managing anxiety as well. In fact, there are very few other natural supplements that even come close to the reliability of CBD for combating anxiety. The only exception may be the kava plant, which is one of the best natural herbson earth used for anxiety.
When it comes to depression, CBD is less effective than kratom in the short term, but offers significantly more improvement in the long term. This is because CBD is not directly euphoric or uplifting like kratom. Instead, CBD works to regulate neurological function to restore homeostasis of neurotransmitters and electrical transmission in the brain.
CBD also works to eliminate neuroinflammation, which is considered one of the main underlying causes of depression.
Kratom offers only moderate benefits in combating anxiety and only in higher doses. Lower doses are much more stimulating and can actually cause anxiety in many individuals.
Kratom is a great antidepressant in higher doses due to its ability to activate opioid receptors and trigger dopamine release in the brain. This gives kratom a powerful euphoric effect that has a dramatic impact on mood. However, these effects are short-lived and over time can lead to worsening symptoms of low mood as the body becomes dependent on the effects of kratom.
CBD vs. kratom for focus and concentration
Winner: Kratom
Kratom is much better at improving productivity and also a nootropic due to its ability to directly stimulate adrenergic receptors. Taking this herb (in lower doses) stimulates brain activity and makes us feel more alert. The benefits on concentration are noticeable within 30 minutes after taking kratom and last for 2 to 3 hours.
CBD is sometimes used to promote concentration, but these effects have indirect benefits. The idea is that by reducing anxiety and stress, CBD is able to promote greater peace of mind and concentration. These effects are subtle and really only apply to people who are already stressed or experiencing anxiety. CBD is not as stimulating as kratom or other nootropics like caffeine.
CBD vs. kratom for immunity support
Winner: CBD
Both CBD and kratom are thought to have broad benefits for boosting immunity.
CBD works by regulating the endocannabinoid system, which is partially responsible for regulating immune function. This encompasses all aspects of the immune system - including white blood cell production, T-cell activation and infiltration, allergic reactions and adaptive immunity. CBD has even been shown to offset the ability of certain bacteria to resist antibiotics.
Kratom is also thought to boost immunity, and there are several compounds in the plant that have been shown in animal testing to offer direct immune-stimulating effects, such as the alkaloid isopteropodine and a saponin called daucosterol. However, none of these effects have been demonstrated in humans.
2. Safety of kratom & CBD
There is a big difference in safety profiles between kratom and CBD.
CBD is very safe. There has never been a documented case of CBD overdose, and animal studies have shown that the lethal dose of this compound is several thousand milligrams - much higher than the recommended dose range of 5 - 80 milligrams. Even long-term use has been shown to have no lasting health effects and does not lead to addiction. CBD may become addictive over time as a result of relief from discomfort, but there is no indication that CBD creates physical dependence.
Kratom, on the other hand, has been known to cause deaths in the past, although this is extremely rare. Furthermore, long-term use of kratom is not considered safe - daily use can lead to dependence over time. The chances of developing an addiction to kratom are much lower than for prescription painkillers or illicit drugs such as heroin (which work by the same mechanism), but the potential for addiction is real.
In terms of side effects, the most common side effect of CBD is fatigue. Some users experience a drop in blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness. Kratom has a long list of side effects stemming from its adrenergic effects (dizziness, headaches, insomnia, anxiety) and opioid effects (fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, loss of muscle coordination). "Kratom writhing" is a common set of symptoms originating from higher doses that includes blurred vision, loss of muscle coordination, and nausea and vomiting.
3. Cost of CBD and kratom
In terms of cost, kratom and CBD are quite comparable. The cost of CBD is best measured in crowns per milligram of CBD. This metric makes it easy to compare different types of CBD products.
Can I mix CBD with kratom?
With so many similarities in the effects of kratom and CBD, some people choose to mix the two plants together for even greater benefits.
While there are some good reasons to mix kratom and CBD, caution is advised. Overlapping effects can increase the likelihood of side effects - especially at higher doses.
The best way to combine kratom and CBD is to use a low dose of kratom for its energizing effects and use a low to medium dose of CBD to offset the anxiety-inducing side effects. It's very similar to the synergy created by mixing CBD and coffee.
This is what a combination of CBD and kratom can look like:
- 4 grams of kratom powder in water-
20 milligrams of CBD oil
Take both substances at the same time and wait at least 60 minutes before taking other supplements. Do not take any other supplements or coffee besides this combination. Mixing high doses of CBD or kratom is not recommended and may not be safe.
Summary: CBD vs. Kratom
CBD and kratom share many similarities when it comes to their benefits. Both substances offer powerful pain relief and sedative effects at higher doses. However, both supplements achieve these effects through completely different means.
CBD works through the endocannabinoid system, which is a neuroregulatory system. This gives CBD very broad and varied benefits, and its effects are much more subtle compared to kratom. CBD is the best choice for long-term support to combat pain, anxiety and insomnia - but it is not as potent as kratom.
Kratom is much better for short-term pain relief, but its long-term use is not advisable as it has the potential to become addictive. Kratom also has benefits quite different from CBD. In lower doses (less than 8 grams), kratom is a central nervous system stimulant similar to caffeine.
Mixing CBD and kratom should be done very carefully and only after experience with both herbs separately. CBD is great in combination with low doses of kratom to offset some of the side effects of its stimulant nature. However, no supplement should be combined in higher doses. Thus, the combination can lead to side effects.