Competition, misunderstanding, tight schedules, and dealing with unexpected and unfamiliar situations can cause stress and anxiety. Some stress can be good if it provides a stimulus for positive change. But most stress is negative, and most people seek to avoid it.
Anxiety is a common companion of stress. It appears when we worry about a stressful situation we experienced in the past or one we anticipate in the future. It doesn't help that some stress can't be avoided, like dealing with rush-hour traffic or being forced to work on your weekend.
Stress Reactions & Damage
Experiencing stress does certain things to your mind and body. Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration all increase during times of stress. Our pupils may dilate and we may experience muscle tension as our bodies subconsciously prepare to execute a fight, flight, or freeze response. Glucose and stress hormones flood the bloodstream. This can all be useful if we are facing a situation that threatens our lives because it provides energy for activity, but most of the time that is not the case.
Traffic jams, bad bosses, and other factors that cause stress can be inescapable and consistent. Our bodies are not intended to experience this type of stress, and it may cause damage to the immune system, the digestive system, and affect our appetite and emotions. It can affect cognition and make unhealthy reactions seem reasonable, and this might make you accident-prone. This may have serious health consequences.
Anxiety – Worrying About Stress
Anxiety originates in the mind and we have few natural defenses. It may be beneficial by helping us to stay alert or to think ahead, but like stress, it can be harmful, and most of the time it is a negative influence. Anxiety can affect your ability to enjoy life.
Historical Use Of Kratom
People have been using botanicals like kratom for thousands of years to deal with stress and other problems, and kratom is mentioned in material dating back to ancient Egypt. Kratom is still used today in traditional medicine, in ceremonies and celebrations. Some use it as a quick source of energy in the morning or at work, or as a way to relax after a long day. It is popular in South Asia and some Pacific island regions where indigenous populations use kratom to lessen symptoms of stress and improve their quality of life.
Where Does Kratom Come From?
Kratom is a botanical created from the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree, Mitragyna Speciosa, which is native to jungle environments such as those found in South Asia and certain South Pacific islands. These areas include Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Malaysia, as well as Bali. It is a notoriously difficult tree to grow or transplant, but it can be cultivated in some microenvironments and under special conditions and with attention and care.
Most kratom is harvested sustainably by removing specific leaves when they become suitable for a product. This can be done in a way that does not harm the plant. Many native kratom groves are protected and cared for by professionals who are adept at harvesting and caring for their trees.
Three types of leaves are harvested for making kratom products. Young leaves, which make white-vein kratom, mature leaves in the middle of their life cycle, which makes green-vein kratom, and fully mature or senior leaves that are nearing the end of their life cycle, which make red-vein kratom. But more on these strains later. For now, let's discuss the general benefits of kratom when it comes to stress and anxiety.
General Benefits Of Kratom
Stress and anxiety can come from a wide range of sources and cause a variety of symptoms. With multifaceted benefits, kratom may be uniquely positioned to target these symptoms and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
The following kratom benefits are typical of kratom in general, but their duration and strength depend on the strain and the individual. Factors like age, general health, and the metabolism of the user can make a big difference in how a botanical behaves. Because of these factors, the exact benefits of kratom for any individual are difficult to predict.
Relaxation – Stress can make you tense, and this can make it hard to relax. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the primary alkaloids in kratom, may work to reduce tension by helping to relax your muscles.
Mood Enhancement – Mood can make a big difference in how you view yourself, your past, and your future. It can make a small problem seem like a major issue or a trivial inconvenience. The alkaloids mitragynine, mitraphylline, and 7-hydroxymitragynine may act in concert to boost your mood with euphoric effects. This can help you see things in a more positive light and lift the gloom of anxiety.
Enhanced Cognition – The inability to focus or concentrate is a typical symptom of stress. This can make you forget things and cause other problems that may worsen your condition. Various alkaloids and phytochemicals in kratom may contribute to clearer thinking, allowing you to engage more effectively with your environment and complex situations. Less confusion can help reduce stress.
Better Social Interaction – With a better mood, and the ability to think clearly, you are in a better position to interact with family, friends, and others. This may help reduce social nerves, for example, and make it easier for you to communicate.
Reduced Lethargy – Mitragyna Speciosa is related to the coffee plant. They are both members of the Rubiaceae family of plants, which includes more than 80 plant species. While kratom does not contain caffeine, alkaloids in kratom may boost your energy for a short time.
The Three Strains Of Kratom
As explained earlier, the main kratom strains are categorized by the color of the veins in the leaf. While many colors are possible, white, green, and red are the most common. Each strain exhibits a unique blend of properties that may help with symptoms of stress.
White-Vein Kratom
New leaves that are at the start of their life cycle typically show white veins. These leaves are fresh and full of plant hormones and chemicals designed to help the young leaf begin generating food and energy as soon as possible for the plant.
White-vein kratom is often referred to as a euphoric strain due to its ability to lift the spirit and improve the mood. It is also considered to be an energetic strain that can provide a boost of energy.
The mitragynine in white-vein kratom may influence parts of the brain that are involved with feelings of anxiety, like the GABAergic, opioidergic, and dopaminergic systems. Research indicates mitragynine may produce an anxiety-reducing effect.
Green-Vein Kratom
The veins of mature leaves are often tinted green. These leaves are in the middle of their life cycle and working at peak efficiency to benefit the tree with nutrients. They are ready to fight threats with different defense mechanisms, including alkaloids, which may make the leaves unpalatable to insects.
Green-vein or green kratom may produce the same effects as white kratom but in a milder way. We consider green kratom, in general, to be more soothing and relaxing than white kratom, with qualities that make it fall between red and white kratom in duration and strength.
Red-Vein Kratom
Being an evergreen tree, Mitragyna Speciosa does not drop its leaves every year, and some leaves naturally survive longer than others. Fully mature leaves may display a reddish-colored pattern of veins after a long life. These leaves are steeped in the environment and may reflect a more stable and balanced blend of organic chemicals.
The alkaloid balance in red kratom contains a high percentage of 7-hydroxymitragynine. This may contribute to red kratom's intense soothing properties, which make it a favorite among those who are looking for relaxation and relief from physical discomforts.
The next time you experience stress, kratom may help you find relief. Keep some in your pantry where you will have it when you need it. It may be able to boost your mood, decrease your stress, and improve your quality of life.
