Kratom is rising in popularity throughout the country, Kratom is surrounded by strong opinions and misinformation that can lead to controversy. Your neighbors, coworkers, and family may all have their opinions about kratom based on sensationalized articles they found online. But not every headline you read about kratom is founded in fact, and many of the scare tactics used by naysayers are just that. The truth is that kratom has been used in various cultures for centuries, and many scientists advocate for it to remain legal. In today’s blog, let’s dispel some of the most common myths about kratom.

“Kratom is a Synthetic Drug”

Kratom began to gain momentum in modern times around the same time that “zombie bath salts” and “incense” that served as synthetic marijuana became a concern. The truth is, some of the elements of kratom can be made synthetic, but there’s a distinct difference. Many of the benefits, such as the pain relief and heightened focus, are lost with synthesized kratom. Real kratom comes from the leaves of the kratom tree, which grows naturally in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

“Kratom Leads to Harmful Addiction”

Kratom is not an opiate and can sometimes be used to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal in those recovering from opiate addiction. Kratom can also be habit forming if taken in more than moderation, leading some to speculate or fear that kratom can be addictive. The habit forming nature of kratom is more similar to caffeine or sugar. You can become accustomed to kratom in the same way and it can have a reaction to suddenly being without it. Moderation is good in all things, but the “addictive” nature of kratom is a far cry from the addictive nature of opiates, alcohol, or nicotine.

“Kratom Causes Deaths”

When you search the internet for information about kratom, some of the first headlines that come up warn about fatalities caused by kratom. However, this, too, is not quite the truth. There have been cases of fatalities linked to kratom, but in each of these cases, the death was caused not by kratom itself but by combining kratom with pharmaceutical drugs. Some attempt to take kratom along with their prescribed pain relief opiates as a way to get the most pain relief possible, but this can have disastrous results. Study how kratom interacts with other drugs before trying it, but kratom on its own does not cause fatalities.

Most of the scariest statements out there about kratom come down to misinformation. Like anything else, you should do your research before you try it and should know how it interacts with other elements in your life. However, when used responsibly, kratom is not only safe but enjoyable and potentially very beneficial. Interested in trying kratom for yourself? Contact 30A Kratom today or come by our store to see our selection of strains. Our employees can help answer any questions you might have about kratom and put your mind at ease, away from harmful misinformation.