alkaloids

What Affects Kratom Alkaloid Content?

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As Kratom enthusiasts, we know that understanding the composition and chemistry of Kratom is essential for studying this incredible plant. But have you ever wondered why the alkaloid content of Kratom varies from batch to batch? In this blog post, we’ll explore the factors that influence the alkaloid content of Kratom in order to help you better understand this mysterious plant.

First things first, what are alkaloids? Read on to find out.

Quick Refresher — What Are Alkaloids?

First things first — alkaloid isn’t exactly a household term. What exactly is an alkaloid?

An alkaloid is an organic molecule found in plants, usually containing a ring of nitrogen atoms. About 20% of all plant species contain alkaloids.

What do plants use these compounds for? Scientists believe they may serve as a storage of reserve nitrogen (a crucial nutrient for plants). Alkaloids may also serve as a defense mechanism to help plants survive microbial diseases and attacks from predators, since they are generally toxic and repulsive. 

If they are toxic and repulsive, does that mean they are bad for humans? Some of them definitely are, but many alkaloids are popular for human consumption — both for medicinal and recreational purposes. Caffeine is an alkaloid. So is the quinine found in tonic water.

What Are the Alkaloids Found in Kratom?

Most of the alkaloids in Kratom are found in trace amounts and vary widely. However, two alkaloids may play the most significant role in the reported bio-effects of Kratom:

Mitragynine

Mitragynine is the alkaloid found in Kratom in the highest concentration. For example, dried Kratom leaves can contain up to 2% mitragynine. However, healthy Kratom plants can have significantly less mitragynine.

From a biological perspective, mitragynine is known for its ability to act as a partial agonist of the µ-opioid receptor.

7-hydroxymitragynine

7-hydroxymitragynine (or 7-OH for short) is a variant of mitragynine. It is found in Kratom in much smaller concentrations, but it is also far more potent than mitragynine. As such, the 7-OH content of Kratom may significantly contribute to the reported effects. 

There are many other alkaloids found in Kratom in less concentrated amounts. To learn about all of the other alkaloids found in Kratom, see our blog post ‘Understanding Kratom: Alkaloids Explained‘.

How Are Alkaloids Formed in Kratom?

Plants naturally produce alkaloids according to specific genetic processes. These gene pathways are subject to external influences, so the environment and conditions under which the plant develops can significantly affect the alkaloid content. Alkaloids tend to be created in the highest quantities when the plant is in its youth and undergoing active growth.

What Causes Kratom Plans to Have Different Alkaloids in Different Quantities?

Many factors play a role in how much of which alkaloid a particular Kratom plant will produce. Alkaloid production in plants is not well understood. Even though scientists have studied the process, the studies have not necessarily focused on mitragyna speciosa. 

We can speculate on some of the effects of different conditions on the alkaloid content of Kratom from studies of different plants, but each alkaloid-producing plant is different. What causes one species to produce more alkaloids might actually inhibit alkaloid production in another species.

Here are some of the known or inferred factors that impact the alkaloid content of your Kratom:

Age of the Plant

Alkaloid production is most active in younger plants. If Kratom was harvested from a young and actively growing plant, experts believe that the alkaloid content is likely to be higher.

Moisture in the Growing Environment

The natural habitat of mitragyna speciosa is humid and rainy. A particularly dry year or a particularly wet year can significantly impact the alkaloid content of the Kratom harvested from those trees.

Generally speaking, the trees grow better in a wetter environment. However, particularly dry seasons are speculated to produce more potent Kratom with higher alkaloid concentration, the alkaloids having formed as a coping mechanism for the stress of the dry environment. 

Temperature of the Growing Environment

Higher and lower growing temperatures definitely have an impact on the alkaloid content of the plant, but the effect varies from species to species. Some plants produce more alkaloids in response to heat, others produce less.

So which way does Kratom swing? It’s not well-understood. Experts have also speculated about the effect of exposure to carbon dioxide on the production of alkaloids, but this might have more to do with the fact that carbon dioxide affects the temperature of its environment than any direct impact of the CO2 on the plant.

Exposure to Sunlight

Exposure to sunlight also impacts the production of alkaloids in plants, but again some plants produce more alkaloids with lots of sun exposure, others less. 

The best studies of the effect of sunlight exposure on alkaloid production showed that plants produced the most alkaloids when exposed to 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness, but those tests were not performed on mitragyna speciosa, so the effect of sunlight on the alkaloid content of Kratom is still unknown.  

Bacterial Microbiome of the Soil

Plants are highly responsive to the presence of certain bacteria in the soil. This bacteria causes the plants to grow larger, with more extensive root structures. Robust presence of this bacterial microbiome has also been observed to produce Kratom with higher concentrations of alkaloids.

Nitrogen Content of the Soil

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all plants. Experts believe that a plant exposed to more nitrogen in the soil and the atmosphere will produce more alkaloids. This makes sense, since alkaloids are at least partially defined by the nitrogen in their chemical composition.

Kratom farmers will try to nourish their plants with nitrogen-rich soil and fertilizer. This has the added benefit of making the plant grow more quickly and to grow larger.

Salt Content of the Soil

Significant salt content of the soil has been shown to shock plants into creating more alkaloids. However, this stress also puts negative pressure on the growth of the plant. As a result, with salty soil you may get potent Kratom, but in smaller quantities.

As a plant-based product, Kratom is understandably susceptible to the environmental conditions in which it was grown. The alkaloid content is no exception. Research on exactly how this works with Kratom is ongoing. Suffice it to say — grow your Kratom under conditions that stimulate more alkaloid production, and the result is more potent Kratom.

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Liquid Kratom Shots: Are They Worth The Hype?

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Liquid kratom shots are not a new phenomenon. You’ve probably come across these tiny shots of liquid at gas stations or local smoke shops. The packaging often resembles energy drink shots, and there are many similarities in their ingredients list.

As kratom is rising in popularity, these types of liquid kratom shots are increasing in popularity as well. More brands are producing them, so you have many options when you come across them at your local retailer or while shopping online.

Despite how many of these liquid shots exist, does that mean they are a good choice for you? Not necessarily. Today, learn more about liquid kratom shots, what exactly they are, and who might want to give them a try.

What are Liquid Kratom Shots?

Kratom shots look a lot like other “shot” sized drinks, such as energy drinks. You’ll find them at smoke shops and sometimes at gas stations or convenience stores. What are these small liquid shots?

Liquid kratom shots are typically a combination of an energy drink and kratom extract. Unlike standard energy shots, liquid kratom shots claim to boost their energy-enhancing effects naturally with kratom. 

The exact makeup of these liquid kratom shots can vary widely depending on the manufacturer, the flavor, and the quality of kratom extract used to make the drink. Sometimes, multiple types of kratom’s key chemical components are used to make the shots. Some vendors even include synthetic enhancements.

The critical point to remember is that there is no set makeup of liquid kratom shot, and you should review the label carefully to determine what is in the drink before using it. Additionally, it can be helpful to think of these kratom shots as a subcategory of kratom extracts. Let’s learn more about this category and other liquid extracts.

Understanding Liquid Extracts

Kratom powder is the substance made when kratom leaves are ground into a fine, powdery state. This powder or kratom leaves themselves can be turned into a more concentrated version by steeping in certain liquids and then reducing the liquid until the alkaloid content is very concentrated.

That’s how we get kratom extracts. The extracts can be wholly dehydrated into a powder form, or they can be kept in liquid form. There are different types of liquid forms depending on the method of extraction and what is left in the substance after filtration.

Liquid kratom is often made from multiple types of kratom or other additives to affect the final product and potency. For example, we stock different liquid extracts. Some are full-spectrum options, while others are made from isolated kratom alkaloids.

Liquid kratom shots can be considered a type of liquid extract. Liquid extracts come in many different forms; some contain additives just as liquid kratom shots do. However, most kratom users would not consider kratom shots a straight kratom extract due to the vast differences in composition.

What’s The Difference Between Extracts and Shots

#1: Added Ingredients

Liquid kratom extracts may include a full range of kratom alkaloids extracted from the plant or specific alkaloids (usually mitragynine) in isolation. Some extracts contain ethanol as a solvent, and some use water or glycerin as a suspension liquid. However, there aren’t usually any other ingredients added. Liquid kratom extracts are a more pure delivery method than liquid kratom shots.

On the other hand, liquid kratom shots often contain additional ingredients to change the overall purpose of kratom in the shot. Energy drink additives are used in these shots, and they often include the following:

  • • Caffeine
  • • L-Theanine
  • • Passionflower extract
  • • Artificial stabilizers
  • • Other herbal extracts

How all of these ingredients work together has not been studied to any extent, and it’s currently impossible to say if there are benefits or risks when combining them. Kratom on its own is still being studied, and these combinations are largely guesswork.

#2: Different Alkaloids

The effects of kratom on the human body are thought to be caused by various alkaloids found in kratom leaves. Specific alkaloids are found in kratom strains in varying amounts. While mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the two alkaloids studied and mentioned most, many other alkaloids are present in kratom plants in small quantities as well.

Kratom extract often contains highly concentrated amounts of mitragynine and smaller amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Many kratom extracts are also full-spectrum products that have some other alkaloids as well.

Liquid kratom shots, however, may contain unknown concentrations and combinations of alkaloids. Some liquid kratom shots contain higher percentages of 7-hydroxymitragynine than are typically found in the natural plant.

#3: Strain Consistency

When buying a high-quality liquid extract from a reliable vendor, you should know which strain is being used to make that product. Most vendors include the name of the primary strain product in the name, and you can expect consistency from batch to batch.

Liquid kratom shots are made from different strains each time. Vendors may use whichever they have on hand, which can alter the drink’s effect. Reliable vendors will have a more consistent process, and this will be reflected in their labels and ingredients.

Safety at Phytoextractum

As with all kratom products, liquid kratom shots and similar extracts are not regulated by the FDA. Most kratom suppliers and manufacturers have their standards, but most states do not require them to meet compliance regulations. While the movement to introduce consumer protections and Good Manufacturing Practices across the country is underway, it will take time for these protections to be in place nationwide.

Until then, we know how important it is for us to take safety into our own hands as one of your favorite kratom providers. We take safety seriously and follow the latest guidelines when producing our kratom extracts.

Through the AKA’s compliance program, we can ensure that our products are being tested, packaged, and sold in the safest way possible. We will continue to hold ourselves to this standard for as long as we provide kratom to our consumers.

No matter where you do your kratom shopping, please take time to vet your vendors thoroughly. Verify that they follow the latest industry safety procedures and provide testing information on their website. If this information is lacking, you may want to choose another supplier for your kratom needs.

What Is Delta-8 & How Does It Compare To Kratom?

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There are millions of plant species and varieties in the world, and there is so much still to be learned about these plants and what’s inside them. That’s why so many “new” plant substances are discovered, identified, and shared each year. Often, these substances were already being utilized in society, but they hadn’t yet been separated to be studied independently.

Recently, Delta-8 has become more popular and known in the United States. This cannabinoid found in cannabis plants is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the plant. The amount produced in plants is relatively small, yet Delta-8 is getting very popular.

How is this possible, and is Delta-8 comparable to Kratom in any way? Today, we’ll tell you all we know about this unique substance so that you can get a better idea of what it is and how it may or may not be useful. For more information about the differences between CBD and Kratom, check out this blog post: Comparing Natural Products: Kratom & CBD Explained.

Delta-8: What Is It?

Delta-8’s full name is delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s sometimes abbreviated as delta-8 THC, just as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (more commonly known as simply “THC” when talking about cannabinoids) is also abbreviated to delta-9 THC. 

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid found in multiple types of cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana. Cannabis plants do not produce large amounts of delta-8, however, so a large portion if not all of the delta-8 products on the market are synthesized from hemp-derived CBD.

By many consumer accounts, delta-8 is not as psychoactive as delta-9, but there’s not a lot of scientific research to support or disprove these anecdotes yet. Delta-8 THC’s structure is relatively similar to delta-9, so there may be an overlap between their effects and side effects.

Kratom and Delta-8: Two Very Different Products

Delta-8 and Kratom are both derived from plants, which means that some people are likely to compare them. Still, being plant-derived doesn’t make Kratom and delta-8 truly similar. In fact, the two are very different.

Kratom powder and products originate from trees in Southeast Asia, where the leaves are harvested and dried to create powders. The natural effects of this powder have been used as traditional medicine in those areas for centuries.

Delta-8 THC is a variant of a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that must be further processed to be synthesized and held stable. Different cannabinoids, including delta-8’s cousin delta-9 THC, have been used throughout history, but the effects, uses, and history of the substance are very different from those of Kratom.

Something similar about Kratom and delta-8 is that they both have confusing legal statuses. Kratom is legal in some states, regulated in some states, and illegal in others. Similarly, delta-8’s legality varies depending on the exact rules about hemp and hemp-derived substances in that region.

Beyond that similarity, however, there is no solid reason to compare the substances or their uses.

Derived From Hemp: CBD and Delta-8

If you want to talk about a substance that is similar to delta-8, it’s best to talk about delta-8 as a sibling of CBD. Both CBD and delta-8 THC are cannabinoids found in hemp plants.

Hemp plants contain over 100 different cannabinoids, and various cannabinoids are extracted to create functional, sometimes therapeutic, substances. CBD is one of those substances, and it is arguably the most popular worldwide because it is not intoxicating and has been scientifically shown to have many positive benefits.

Delta-8 THC, on the other hand, is only produced in minimal quantities by hemp plants. Hemp-derived CBD and other cannabinoids must be further processed to create shelf-stable delta-8, drawing some questions about legality and safety.

Is Delta-8 Legal?

As mentioned above, the legality of delta-8 THC isn’t always straightforward.

Hemp-derived products have some amount of legality in the United States on a federal level, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill legalized the production and sale of hemp products that contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. There are no specific rules about delta-8 THC as long as the levels of delta-9 THC are followed.

However, plants don’t usually contain substantial amounts of delta-8 naturally. It simply doesn’t show up in large concentrations in hemp plants. For that reason, delta-8 is generally created through manufacturing by synthetically converting CBD or delta-9 THC. This process is likely illegal. Only the tiny amounts of delta-8 THC which occurs naturally may be legal. 

The best way to be sure about legality in your area is to check state and local laws. Some states have specific protections and guidelines in place about delta-8, including delta-8 bans, so you can be sure that you are not breaking any rules by checking the laws in the area where you live or may be visiting. 

However, it is best to be cautious when pursuing or using synthetically produced products. There aren’t enough regulations in place at this time to be confident in their safety, so you may want to avoid them when possible.

Buy Kratom online at Phytoextractum

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.

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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.

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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.