Kratom

All About GMP (And How It Protects Kratom Consumers Like You)

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Every industry has manufacturing practices that companies in the industry are expected to follow. These practices are in place not only to keep the workers in each company safe but also to ensure that consumers are always receiving a safe and reliable product.

Without standards, there would be no way for consumers to feel confident that they are buying a safe, well-tested product.

Before the GMP program was established by the American Kratom Association, these standards were practically nonexistent across the industry. While individual vendors like us here at Phytoextractum had their own rules about testing and standards, they were not consistent between vendors.

Let’s find out what the GMP program consists of, why it is so important, and how we can continue to ensure that these practices continue to protect consumers and companies in the Kratom industry for decades to come.

What Is The GMP Program?

Good Manufacturing Practices

The GMP Program is a Kratom-specific program that was established by the American Kratom Association as an attempt to coordinate and normalize safe manufacturing practices among various Kratom vendors.

GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, is a program that sets up a certain standard, and Kratom vendors have to prove that they are meeting these standards in order to be certified. Then, they must continue to prove that they follow the program’s guidelines each year if they want to continue to be certified by the GMP program for safety compliance.

GMP Program Requirements

The complete guidelines of the program can be found on the American Kratom Association’s website, but these are some of the most important general requirements:

  • ➡ Specific labeling guidelines which may not include certain claims
  • ➡ Safe operating procedures in regards to sick workers
  • ➡ Written procedures in place for all shipping reception and processing
  • ➡ Batch testing and record-keeping
  • ➡ Complete supply chain record-keeping
  • ➡ Restrictions on marketing practices

With guidelines like these, the program helps to support vendors to be as safe as possible when working with Kratom processing, sales, and marketing. It’s part of the responsibility of vendors to upkeep a level of safety for consumers, and this program helps do just that.

Why Is The GMP Program Necessary?

As you may or may not know, Kratom has a somewhat confusing legal status in America. Like most substances, the final call about the legality of Kratom exists at the state-by-state level. While this type of decision making is common, the differences between regulations in each state mean that negligent vendors can sell untested Kratom.

Untested Kratom could be very dangerous for consumers, and consumers getting sick from their Kratom is not OK! Additionally, cases of bad Kratom batches making it to the market weaken the case for Kratom as a safe substance to use. Some in the federal government have already made their skepticism of Kratom known, and problematic cases due to messy testing will only make that worse.

The GMP program accomplishes a few major fixes within the industry:

  • ➡ Sets up testing protocol
  • ➡ Sets up guidelines that are specific to the Kratom industry
  • ➡ Sets up a standard that can be checked and improved as needed
  • ➡ Gives consumers peace of mind when choosing their vendor
  • ➡ Protects consumers from untested product
  • ➡ Educates manufacturers, vendors, and consumers about safe Kratom

All successful industries have a type of manufacturing standards that are expected to be followed, and the GMP program creates those standards for the Kratom industry. Vendors that choose to participate are helping to improve the overall industry.

How GMP Protects Consumers

Before the GMP program existed, some vendors were doing their best to make sure that Kratom was tested properly. Limited knowledge and the lack of a clear procedure path, however, led even well-meaning Kratom vendors to sell questionable products.

Consumers, however, had no way of knowing if the Kratom that they were purchasing could be trusted or not. There was no impartial way to judge the different vendors when shopping around, and that led to stress and safety issues.

With the GMP program in place, it is possible for consumers to look at the list of GMP participants and then decide where they would like to shop.

Additionally, the GMP program helps all Kratom vendors become educated about the best practices for Kratom. Even if consumers know nothing about the program, they are still being protected as vendors work to make sure their products are as safe as possible.

Phytoextractum’s Commitment To GMP

Here at Phytoextractum, we are very committed to the GMP program!

Without it, we feel that the overall Kratom industry would not be nearly as safe as it is today. The structure, direction, and guidelines that it provides to vendors of all sizes make it possible to identify risk factors and eliminate them.

We know that there are dangers associated with untested and low-quality Kratom, and we can see how the GMP program reduces the risks those have for all Kratom consumers. 

That is why we are proud to be compliant, certified members of the GMP program and plan to continue endorsing this program for the foreseeable future.

How To Shop For GMP Compliant Kratom

Are you interested in making sure that you shop for GMP-compliant Kratom in the future? That’s great; we’re glad that you see the importance of putting quality before price.

We’re happy to offer a great variety of well-priced (and well-tested) Kratom here in our shop, but we also know that we might not have everything that you are looking for.

Here is what we recommend doing to ensure that you are shopping from GMP-compliant vendors:

  • ➡ Bookmark this list on the AKA website of GMP certified vendors
  • ➡ Shop around to find a few vendors that you are interested in buying from
  • ➡ Check to see if the vendor is on the list
  • ➡ If they are, shop away!

If you plan to shop locally, you can save this list to your phone and then check the products that are available in-store to choose your next batch of Kratom. Chances are pretty good that your local vendor already vets what they stock, but you can never be too careful.

By taking this simple extra step, you can protect yourself and the Kratom industry. And for that, we thank you!

AKA and Compliance: Our Approach To Kratom’s Future

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With the FDA’s recent backdoor attempt to internationally ban Kratom, we thought this was a great time to talk about Kratom regulation and the future of our industry. (Click here to learn more about the FDAs recent request to the W.H.O. and U.N.)

In the past, we’ve talked about the American Kratom Association, the work that they are doing towards Kratom’s future, and the Good Manufacturing Practices Program that guides the leading vendors in this industry.

In many ways, these organizations and their actions can seem like they are outside of our day-to-day work. AKA’s daily functions aren’t always directly affected by us… or are they?

Today we’re going to talk about the ways that we here at Phytoextractum are putting our time, money, and energy into supporting the future of Kratom. While we are, of course, running a business in hopes of making a profit, we are also personally invested in ensuring that Kratom has a future in America.

And we do that by supporting the American Kratom Association and following all compliance possible. Let’s talk about how we do that and why it matters!

We Support The American Kratom Association

The American Kratom Association is a nonprofit organization that is working to protect the safety and future of Kratom consumers in America as well as the vendors working in the industry.

Their goals cover many facets of the industry, but they primarily focus on the following:

  • ➡ Ensure Kratom sold in America is safe
  • ➡ Ensure Kratom remains legal in America
  • ➡ Set up legal regulations as well as protections for Kratom
  • ➡ Educate the necessary government organizations about Kratom
  • ➡ Support additional Kratom research
  • ➡ Communicate Kratom research with the public

The Trouble With Kratom

For many years, there has been a major problem with Kratom in America. Due to the low-quality batches being sold by some vendors, Kratom was earning a bad reputation. These vendors and the overall lack of testing in the industry made it possible for regulatory bodies to point to rare problem cases that could have been avoided.

How AKA Addresses The Problem

The American Kratom Association recognized this problem and immediately set to work to rectify it. While they started by approaching state lawmakers about creating more clear regulations, they knew that legislation takes time. Working to set up laws could not be their only approach.

So, the AKA started promoting safe Kratom in America using a double-pronged approach:

  • 1.) Set up a manufacturing standards program for all vendors to follow, known as the GMP program.
  • 2.) Got to work trying to get Kratom Consumer Protection Laws passed in each state to ensure the safety and legality of Kratom use in America.

Both of these efforts have shown amazing success stories already, and we’re happy to have been able to support AKA in these efforts.

We Believe In The GMP Program

We are proud to be members of the GMP program run by the American Kratom Association. Not all Kratom vendors have put the time and money into meeting the necessary standards. Still, we felt that this is an important priority for our business.

GMP Compliance

In order to become a verified member of the GMP program, we had to send in an application and make sure that all of our business practices aligned with the guidelines set up in the program. Generally speaking, this meant that we had to ensure our testing, shipping, storage, handling, and documentation were all done correctly.

The guidelines for the program are quite detailed, but they are also not restrictive. We have been able to continue doing business in a profitable way while also prioritizing our product safety. The guidelines help us to manage the safety side of our practice so that we can focus on finding the best Kratom and connecting with our customers.

What We’re Doing Right

When a vendor first signs up to join the GMP program, a third-party auditor comes in and assesses whether or not the guidelines are being met.

The following areas are the most important to us to continually improve, and we have been able to continue our membership in the program by staying on top of them:

  • ➡ Test for pathogens in the facility regularly
  • ➡ Ensure sanitation protocols are complete
  • ➡ Screen and document our supply chain
  • ➡ Ensure accurate testing procedures
  • ➡ Use more than one lab when testing batches
  • ➡ Document all milling and blending processes
  • ➡ … and much more!

There are a lot of different environmental and product controls that we have to take into consideration when managing our warehouses. Thankfully, the guidelines from the GMP have helped to set up a general outline that we have expanded to include all of the important documentation, testing, sanitation, and other required processes.

As part of the GMP program, we can more effectively buy, process, and sell high-quality supplies of Kratom.

We Follow Consumer Protection Laws

Finally, we’ve found the work that the American Kratom Association has done in terms of Kratom Consumer Protection laws in America to be very impressive, and we continue to support their efforts in expanding the reach of these laws.

What Are Kratom Consumer Protection Laws?

Kratom consumer protection laws are laws that are set up on the state level to ensure that Kratom is sold safely and legally. Generally known as the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, the AKA has taken their template idea to various states to show how and why these protections matter.

Each state that agrees to adopt measures writes up their own version of the consumer protection laws, so they differ a little bit by each state.

Generally speaking, however, they contain some or all of the following information:

  • ➡ Official definition of Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about how to label Kratom
  • ➡ Guidelines about required disclaimers when selling or advertising Kratom
  • ➡ Requirements for Kratom testing
  • ➡ Penalty system for anyone selling untested/low-quality Kratom
  • ➡ Registration process with the state
  • ➡ Ensures that Kratom sales in the state are legal

Essentially, the act would set up a way for the state to be able to monitor Kratom sales and ensure that everything is being done in a safe way. Additionally, this type of legislation ensures that Kratom is made officially legal to take, so that adds another layer of protection for consumers.

We’re working hard in Oregon again this session to pass our version of the KCPA, and we’re hopeful that we will be successful. KCPA laws are decided and passed on a state-by-state basis; click here to find out what the AKA is doing in your state now!

P.S. Don’t forget to leave your public comment with the W.H.O. and U.N. on their proposed international Kratom ban.

What Is Maeng Da Kratom? Get To Know This Strain In Detail

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If you’ve ever heard Kratom fanatics talking about their favorite strains before, there’s a good chance that at least one person shared how much they love Maeng Da Kratom varieties. What is Maeng Da Kratom, and why do so many people love it?

Learning about specific strains can help you become more aware of what you like and don’t like. This will allow you to create a better blend schedule so that you are always happy with your strains. Start learning more about common varieties today, beginning with one of the world’s most popular categories: Maeng Da Kratom strains.

What Is Maeng Da Kratom?

Maeng Da Kratom is a title commonly given to Kratom, but what is it that this title signifies?

At the most basic level, calling a strain of Kratom Maeng Da means that it is of the highest quality. Roughly translated in Thai, Maeng Da means that the Kratom is “pimp’s quality.” In more common words, it’s the best of the best option.

Maeng Da Kratom is any premium strain of Thai Kratom. There are many different kinds of Maeng Da Kratom options because different vendors, growers, and processors will make their own choices. Maeng Da Kratom trees are grown in highly fertilized regions that are rich in necessary nutrients.

Harvested with great care, this type of Kratom is treated the best of all Kratom grown, dried, and sold. Through this careful practice, Maeng Da Kratom is the best quality strains that come out of some areas of the world.

Is Maeng Da Kratom The Strongest Kratom Strain?

Some people believe that because Maeng Da Kratom strains are considered premium strains of Kratom, they must also be the most potent strains. However, that is not necessarily true.

As mentioned above, the title Maeng Da is given based on where it was grown, the quality, and what the alkaloid content is like. The name is usually only given to strains grown in Thailand, but they are sometimes given to other high-quality regional strains as well.

Quality is not always determined only based on alkaloid concentration. Extracts, for example, are always going to be more concentrated (contain more alkaloids) than regular Kratom powders, but that doesn’t necessarily make them the best choice.

Instead of considering whether or not a specific strain of Maeng Da Kratom is the strongest, think about if it is the highest quality. From experiencing the proper drying process to retain potency to getting the best balance of alkaloids, there are other aspects to consider when looking at different strains of Kratom.

If anything, it would be appropriate to call some Maeng Da Kratom strains the most complex strains on the market. The way that the leaves are cared for ensures a complex, unique blend of alkaloids, and that is what helps Maeng Da varieties stand out.

How Is Maeng Da Kratom Harvested?

Growers and processors take great care to ensure that their premium Kratom can be turned into Maeng Da Kratom. During the harvesting and drying process, this involves putting a lot of extra time into developing the alkaloids in the leaves.

As mentioned, Maeng Da is known for having a complex blend of Kratom alkaloids. This is due to the way that some trees are grafted as well as the drying process.

First, some Kratom growers have grafted together different varieties of their best trees. This enables them to harvest leaves with more varied and complex amounts of alkaloids, and these leaves often become Maeng Da strains.

Second, Kratom processors allow the leaves intended for Maeng Da strains to dry for much longer than other strains. While this costs them more money to monitor and maintain, it will enable the alkaloids in the leaves to develop more than other strains. 

By making these types of simple changes to the production process, growers can ensure that they make the most premium version of Kratom that they can, and these are the strains that become Maeng Da varieties.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Choosing Maeng Da Kratom Products At Phytoextractum

Our catalog here at Phytoextractum includes a variety of different Maeng Da Thai Kratom options. We offer reds, whites, and extracts, among other items. Take a look at what we have for you right now.

Superior Extracts

Some of the most exciting offerings that we have right now are various Maeng Da Thai Kratom extracts. Extracts are highly concentrated versions of Kratom powder, and this means that they deliver more alkaloids per gram than regular varieties. When made from a high-quality Kratom strain like Maeng Da Thai Kratom, these extracts really pack a punch.

Various Color Options

Beyond our extracts, we also have a number of color strains of Maeng Da Thai Kratom. No matter which color strains you prefer, you can find one with our line of Kratom options. Many types that we have on offer are available in a variety of delivery methods to simplify your life as well.

Reds

Whites

Yellows

Keep Shopping For Quality Kratom

With all of this information about high-quality Maeng Da Kratom strains, it will be easier to understand what types of strains you’re choosing from on the market. Keep an eye out for unique blends of Maeng Da Kratom that you haven’t tried before, but remember to only shop from reliable vendors.

The best vendors will give you clear information about each strain that they offer, and they will also show you information about their testing and safety procedures. Vendors that prioritize your safety are your best option when shopping for any type of Kratom.

At Phytoextractum, we’ve been sourcing high quality Maeng Da Kratom for over 15 years. We know Kratom better than most and this is reflected in the quality of our product.

Order Maeng Da Thai Kratom Today & See The Phyto Difference For Yourself!

Beyond An Extract: What Exactly Is Kratom Resin?

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Is Kratom resin simply a powerful Kratom extract, or does this substance have a lot more mystery to it? Many people are curious when they hear about Kratom resin because it is not a commonly known or marketed variation of Kratom.

Most Kratom products differ in the strain or concentration, but this substance is unlike powders, crushed leaves, and liquid extracts. In fact, it looks more like tar than it looks like a plant!

What exactly is Kratom resin, and how is it used? Learn more about this unique substance today.

Kratom And Its Many Types

Kratom comes in many different forms, and each of those forms is used differently. From the whole plant to dried leaves to ground-up powders, there are a lot of delivery methods for this unique plant substance.

The most commonly seen types of Kratom on the market are Kratom powders and whole Kratom leaves. These are frequently used to make teas or taken via capsules in order to get a daily amount of Kratom.

Extracts are typically Kratom powders with a higher-concentration alkaloid content than regular Kratom. This allows a higher dose while taking smaller amounts of the substance. While extracts are usually powdered, they also come in liquid, pill, and now, resin form.

What exactly is Kratom resin, and where does it come from?

Where Does Kratom Resin Come From?

Kratom resin is a solid Kratom extract that is made by concentrating Kratom powder into a liquid-based substance and then allowing the liquid to evaporate fully. The hard, sticky solid left behind is sometimes called candy. Kratom resin is typically dark brown or black because of how heavily concentrated it is.

Kratom resin has a high concentration of alkaloids when compared to raw Kratom powders. This high concentration is due to the boiling of Kratom and removing everything that isn’t a highly potent alkaloid concentrate. Kratom resin can be as much as 15 times stronger than other Kratom products and extracts.

Making Your Own Resin

If you’re curious about how to make Kratom resin on your own, keep in mind that these instructions are not specific. They are a general process to give you an idea of what type of work would be involved. Making your own Kratom resin can be risky because the final alkaloid content is difficult to test, so make sure that you proceed with caution.

Generally speaking, these are the steps that must be followed to make Kratom resin:

  1. 1.) Boil Kratom leaves or Kratom powder in water and allow it to steep for a long time.
  2. 2.) Filter out any plant matter or whole leaves.
  3. 3.) Boil until the tea is very thick and has little liquid left.
  4. 4.) Spread the substance out and let it dry for a few days until it hardens completely.

The resin can then be broken up into smaller pieces, and this is how most Kratom resin is processed and consumed.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

How Kratom Resin Is Used

Kratom resin is a high concentration substance, so only a very small amount needs to be used for the same effects as other delivery methods. Resin is often faster to consume than other types since there is less legwork when using it.

Resin is broken into smaller pieces or crushed into a finer powder. This can then be dissolved into hot drinks, added to your normal Kratom powder, or even put into capsules for easy consumption. 

When adding Kratom resin to hot drinks, many people find that adding some type of sweetener to the beverage can help. The taste is slightly different from that of standard Kratom powder, but it is still strong and bitter for most people.

Limit The Amount

Remember, it is important to always start with less Kratom than you think that you will need to ensure that you do not take too big of a serving. This is especially true with Kratom resin because the concentration can be much higher than other products.

Choosing a resin serving size for the first time is difficult and should be handled with great caution. For this reason, we typically recommend that Kratom users stick to Kratom extracts over Kratom resin.

Warning: Kratom Resin Safety

Most experts recommend that Kratom resin be used sparsely, if at all. Why is this if it’s such a highly concentrated source of alkaloids?

That is exactly why it is also not the best type of Kratom to use regularly. Super concentrated resin is not for those that are new to Kratom, and even those experienced with Kratom varieties should explore resin with caution due to its intensity.

Kratom resin causes very strong effects because the alkaloid concentration will be higher. The concentration is high but not always exact, so it can be hard to know what is inside Kratom resin. This is a big part of why you don’t see a lot of reliable, vetted Kratom vendors selling resin: it’s too risky. The Kratom extracts at Phytoextractum are lab-crafted and standardized, which means we have a much more accurate idea of their alkaloid content.

If you are going to explore resin, make sure that you do so with as much caution as possible. Remember that resin should not be a daily Kratom substitution, and it’s best used sparingly to lower risk and prevent tolerance buildup from the high concentration.

Seeking Unique Experiences

Are you an experienced Kratom user that is ready to find something unique to try? While Kratom resin is certainly one-of-a-kind, there are a lot of potential risks and difficulties that put some people off of it.

Phytoextractum carries two products that might fit the bill for your needs. First, our recently released Ultra Enhanced Indo Kratom Softgels make it easy, effective, and convenient to enjoy Kratom. Another option to consider is a super-enhanced powder extract that you can enjoy any way that you normally prepare Kratom.

Looking for new and exciting Kratom products to try is fun for experienced Kratom lovers, but you should always be mindful to be informed about what you are trying. Sourcing your products from a reliable vendor is a great place to start.

Comparing Natural Products: Kratom & CBD Explained

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Natural substances derived from plant materials are all the rage these days, and that’s for a good reason. Many chemical compounds found in plants have potent effects on the body, and those effects can be safe and easy to bring about this way.

Two of the most commonly seen plant-derived products are Kratom and CBD products. Each of these offers an impressive array of potential effects, and there is a lot of research being done to see what people might use them for.

Are you curious about these natural remedies and how they might benefit you? Learn more about each of them today!

Understanding CBD: An In-Depth Look

Let’s start by talking about CBD.

CBD quickly became a mainstream substance over the last few years. As medical marijuana and CBD products became legalized in many areas of the country, seeing CBD products became more normal for people everywhere. But what exactly is CBD, and why is it so widely accepted?

What Is CBD Derived From?

Cannabis is a plant more commonly known as marijuana and hemp (both types of cannabis plants, distinguished primarily by the percentage of THC – hemp contains trace amounts, while marijuana can contain high percentages). The most commonly known properties of cannabis are the results of the cannabinoids, like THC, found in the plant matter.

CBD is another one of those cannabinoids. Extracted from the plant itself, CBD is a cannabinoid that has been extensively researched for its positive effects on the human body’s physical and mental conditions.

Studies show that CBD oil and other CBD products may have many benefits. Cannabinoids can be very powerful, and CBD is a great example of that. These uses are well-supported by science, but there’s still a lot to learn about CBD and how it can benefit us.

How Does CBD Work?

CBD has specific reactions in the body because of the way that it is shaped.

Like all cannabinoids, CBD is a specific chemical compound with a particular shape. When it enters the body, CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system. CBD binds with specific receptors and sets into motion a chain reaction within the body. That reaction eventually causes the effects that CBD is known to have. 

While other cannabinoids found in cannabis can make you high, CBD does not have any intoxicating effects. The primary cannabinoid found in marijuana is THC; THC binds with CB1 receptors to cause intoxicating effects. CBD actually prevents THC from binding with CB1 as effectively and can taper off the effects of THC in some strains of cannabis.

Is CBD Legal?

Safety rules and regulations about CBD vary from state to state, but most states have made it legal and protected to use CBD products. This is thanks to the impressive amount of research showing the CBD is a non-psychoactive botanical that has proven positive effects.

As with any product, however, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor if you have any health concerns about using it. Additionally, be sure to source your CBD products from a reliable and reputable vendor to reduce any potential risk.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Understanding Kratom: Beyond The Basics

Kratom’s popularity snowballed in the last five years as well, but that popularity is nothing in comparison to CBD’s growing mainstream appeal. Still, there are many exciting things about Kratom getting noticed. We can expect Kratom to continue becoming a more common feature in botanical products.

What Is Kratom?

Mitragyna speciosa, also known as Kratom, is a tropical tree that grows in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Asian or South Pacific areas. Kratom trees grow in large forests in regions where the tropical climate combines with fertile soil for the perfect growing environment. There, these trees soar to great heights, and their leaves are harvested to create great Kratom products.

Kratom leaves are harvested and processed into Kratom products such as Kratom powder and Kratom. A wide variety of strains can be created by altering the harvesting, drying, or processing method. Enthusiasts worldwide have found Kratom to be a hugely beneficial substance that improves their lifestyle.

How Does Kratom Work?

Many plants in the world contain chemical compounds known as alkaloids. Alkaloids have varying effects on the body. It just so happens that the effects caused by mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, both found in Kratom leaves, may have great benefits. 

When these compounds enter the body, they bind and react with various receptors in the body. There is no specific set of receptors that they work with; each alkaloid has its own priority system. Caffeine, for example, is an alkaloid that stimulates the body.

Kratom’s alkaloids need to be studied in more detail to understand better what effects they have. Still, early studies suggest very promising results.

Is Kratom Legal?

At this time, Kratom is neither fully legal nor illegal. In fact, Kratom’ status is dependent on what state and locale you are in. 

While the FDA continues to ignore studies that suggest Kratom could be beneficial, states around the country have taken a different approach.

Many states have passed the Kratom Consumer Protection Act at the urging of the American Kratom Association and other advocates. These laws set up standards that vendors must follow and ensure consumers can legally buy and consume Kratom. We are working hard to help get this bill passed in our home state of Oregon.

Find It All At Phytoextractum

Whether you’ve found that CBD suits your needs or you are curious about Kratom powders, we carry it all here at Phytoextractum!

From CBD oils and blends to Kratom powders and capsules, you can check out a variety of safe, tested products. We pride ourselves on having a wide array of options for the enthusiast while ensuring that our customers can be safe.

It’s essential to ensure that the vendors you support are doing their part to ensure their products are safe. By having regular third-party testing and putting energy into advocacy as well, we do what we can to create a safe environment for everyone involved.

Understanding Kratom: Kratom Alkaloids Explained

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Natural substances like Kratom have an effect on the body because of their chemical composition. Kratom itself is made up of many chemical components. When those components are released in the body, they bind and interact with human physiology in different ways.

While only a few Kratom alkaloids are well known even among veteran consumers, Kratom is actually made up of more than 40 alkaloids – and counting! What are these Kratom alkaloids, and what types of effects are they being studied for?

Before you buy Kratom, it’s important to understand as much as you can about the plant. Learning more about these alkaloids can help you better understand the myriad of ways Kratom may be further developed and used. Let’s take a closer look!

What Are Kratom Alkaloids?

Alkaloids are a type of naturally-occurring compounds found in many plants. These compounds contain at least one nitrogen atom. These compounds bind readily with receptors in the human body; they cause physiological effects because of this binding. Common alkaloids include caffeine and morphine. The impacts of alkaloids vary widely.

Kratom is a natural plant, and Kratom leaves have a variety of alkaloids in them. In fact, more than forty different alkaloids have been found in Kratom. Many of these alkaloids have specific physiological effects on the body. Those alkaloids are being studied in more detail to find out what types of benefits might be found.

The specific alkaloid concentration in Kratom leaves can vary from tree to tree, strain to strain.  For that reason, additional research of the individual components is even more critical. Once the individual alkaloids are better understood, the potential effects of various alkaloid combinations can be studied in more detail as well.

Kratom Alkaloids Explained

Now that you know what alkaloids are, let’s cover Kratom’s alkaloids and alkaloid composition of this plant in more detail.

What We Know

The alkaloid content of Kratom leaves varies from plant to plant, tree to tree, and location to location. There is no guarantee of the exact breakdown of alkaloids in any Kratom leaf because many things affect the alkaloid composition:

  • Harvesting time and frequency
  • Weather patterns
  • Soil composition
  • When leaves are harvested
  • Dry season length
  • Strain
  • Geographic location
  • Age of leaves

As teams studied Kratom leaves in the 1970s and 1980s, they found that the alkaloid concentration varied in many ways. They began to compare samples and found that the above factors, as well as many others, changed what alkaloids were most prevalent in the leaves.

Despite the fact that more than 40 alkaloids have been identified in Kratom leaves, only two of those alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) are given credit for the effects of Kratom. That’s because they occur in the greatest concentrations. Mitragynine usually makes up around 60% of the alkaloid content of Kratom leaves on average.

As Kratom is studied in more detail in upcoming years, we can expect to find out more about the variances in alkaloids in terms of effects and growth patterns for the Kratom plants.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

Meet The Alkaloids

Though more research still needs to be done about these substances, there are some alkaloids that have been studied after being found in Kratom.

Mitragynine

The most prevalent alkaloid in most Kratom leaves, mitragynine, is partially responsible for many of Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for many common uses, which can be fairly easily researched. As the primary Kratom alkaloid, it is one of the two alkaloids that has its content percentage detailed on Kratom packaging. 

7-hydroxymitragynine

The other Kratom alkaloid that is typically acknowledged by Kratom vendors is 7-hydroxymitragynine. While the amount of this alkaloid is substantially smaller than that of mitragynine, it is also a significant player in Kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for its unique effects and receptor binding in particular.

The Phyllines

The naming of alkaloids is typically based on the original plant family that those alkaloids come from. A number of alkaloids found in Kratom are named with the -phylline base. Mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, speciophylline, rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and ciliaphylline are all found in Kratom.

These alkaloids are likely to be studied for their potential beneficial actions, and we hope to learn more soon about how they interact with functions of the human body.

Paynantheine and Speciogynine

After mitragynine, paynantheine and speciogynine make up for the largest percentage of alkaloids in Kratom leaves. These two alkaloids have been compared to similar alkaloids with and it may be assumed that their qualities are similar. It is possible that these alkaloids contribute to some benefits of Kratom, but more research is needed.

Corynoxine A and B

Found in other natural plant products as well, these alkaloids interact with important receptors in the human body. This means that they may affect the binding of body chemicals in some way. These alkaloids, like many others, are found in concentrations of far less than 1% in most leaves.

Why Is It Important To Know About These Alkaloids?

Simply put: we need to put more resources into studying them!

Kratom research has been progressing at a very slow pace for the last few years. Among other reasons, that is because of the complicated laws surrounding the possession, use, and classification of Kratom. Funding Kratom research is difficult whenever there are no laws clearly protecting its status.

As laws become clearer and Kratom earns a more protected status in the US, we can expect to see more research about Kratom and how it can affect the body. In particular, a lot of that research is likely to focus on the individual alkaloids found in Kratom and their effects.

Scientists, in particular, are very interested in Kratom’s potential effects. However, more research needs to be done on Kratom’s alkaloids.

The Future Of Kratom

Kratom as a whole plant and food product will continue to be studied, but we can also expect to see more and more branch-off studies of individual components. Often, it is easier to understand the effects of the broad plant if we studied individual chemical components first.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are being studied more than other alkaloids at this time, but that is going to change as Kratom becomes more heavily researched. We’re excited to find out what is discovered about this amazing plant.