There is an existing confusion about the difference between kratom and opiates and whether kratom is an opiate. The truth, however, is that kratom is very different from opiates. To better understand their differences, let first establish what they individually are and what they are not.
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a South-East Asian plant from the Rubiaceae family. Kratom leaves contain two major alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These two alkaloids give a stimulating and opioid-like effect besides having medicinal and therapeutic value.
Opiates, on the other hand, are alkaloid substances that either contain or are derived from the opium or poppy plant. Opiates may also come about through laboratory manufacture as synthetic or semisynthetic drugs. Some of these opiates have worked in therapeutic interventions as pain killers.
From the description of kratom and opiates alone, the first difference that comes out clearly, and that is going to make the first point in this article, is ;
Genetic Nature
As already mentioned, slo kratom products come from a naturally occurring plant that contains mitragynine as the prominent psychoactive agent. Both mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are natural alkaloids used for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant abilities besides other medicinal and therapeutic benefits.
Opiates, on the other hand, could be extracts of plants or synthetic or semisynthetic products of laboratory manufacture. Although some opiates are in use for psychological tolerance in pain relief, there have been concerns about physical dependence and addiction in cases of long-term use.
Classification and Regulation
In terms of classification, Kratom is a legal substance in most parts of the US and other regions of the world. DEA’s attempt to classify kratom as a schedule one substance failed due to public demonstrations and outcry. Reconsideration essentially put kratom as a legal substance under federal laws, although some states have regulated kratom’s use, sale, and possession. Moreover, there are various online stores selling a variety of kratom products. Visiting https://mykratomclub.com would be a great help if you are in search of the best kratom products online.
This declassification, in essence, gives kratom recognition as a substance with medical significance and use and low potential for abuse or addiction.
The most common opiate, Heroine, is a schedule 1, categorizing it as a drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Abuse Liability and Dependency Risk
Kratom products’ use has grown significantly because of their medicinal and therapeutic abilities. A factor contributing to kratom’s popularity is the low potential for abuse, addiction, and dependency. Mitragynine, kratom’s primary alkaloid, does not have the potential for abuse and reduces the intake of opioid painkillers for patients with long-term illnesses. The discovery set mitragynine as a good candidate for opiate addiction and withdrawal therapy.
Opiates have a higher risk for drug dependence and compulsive use of a psychoactive drug. Opiate disorder syndrome or opiate use disorder affects over 16 million people globally, with the US accounting for 2.1 million. Additionally, there are 120,000 deaths annually attributed to opiates.
Chemical and Biological Interactions
When users take large doses, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in kratom bind with the opioid receptors in the brain to produce sedation, pain relief, and pleasure to the user.
Kratom also shows an affinity for opioid receptors and serotonin and dopamine receptors. This affinity to these receptors makes kratom efficient in treating and managing psychosis, depression, and anxiety.
Opiates, on the other hand, mimic the actions of opioid peptides by interacting with mu, kappa, and delta receptors to facilitate the inhibition of prostaglandin. The prohibition of prostaglandin necessitates the pain-relief feeling. This approach variation is significantly different in how opiates initiate pain relief and how kratom manifests its analgesic properties.
Medicinal Application
Kratom products are essential to treating several ailments due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and anti-microbial abilities. The alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine have medicinal value in treating fibromyalgia and managing chronic pain like arthritis.
Kratom leaves also contain a microbial activity that enhances the body’s immune system and fights against common bacteria and viruses. Kratom provides an alternative to conventional medicine that deals with the pain associated with bacterial and viral infections by providing antioxidants that fight disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
Kratom contains Rhynchophylline, which helps suppress and correct convulsions, lightheadedness, and numbness. Kratom gives an alternative to conventional pain medicine that ordinarily stops the pain related to epileptic seizures by making these therapeutic interventions.
Opiates, on the other hand, are efficient in pain relief and management of chronic pain conditions.
Summary
The kratom and opiates debate is heated in the medical circles due to intrigues surrounding their use and status in society. The regulators will have to accept the benefits of kratom as a medicinal aid and ratify their laws to make it accessible.
Opiates are instrumental in managing pain, but they also come with the challenge of abuse potential and dependence risk. It will be tough balancing its continued usage’s pros and cons, but it will be a lot easier to accept kratom as a better alternative given its low-risk status and many health benefits.
