Understanding The Differences Between Hemp and Kratom

By January 8, 2020Articles, marijuana

If you’re going through holistic ways to improve the quality of your life, you will very likely come across two herbs, cannabis, and kratom. One common mistake that a lot of people make is they conceive them both to be the same. However, the truth be told, these two herbs are significantly different from one another in taste, texture, shape, chemical composition, side effects, etc.  In this article, we will guide you through the differences between the two plants.

Before we move on to discuss the differences between the two plants, it is important to introduce them both.

What is hemp?

Also known as the cannabis plant, it is a popular herb native to Southeast Asia. This herb is used by more than 160 million people across the globe. Its global popularity is so much that it would take more than just a normal farm bill or a global campaign to wipe it out.

What is kratom?

Kratom is a tropical herb that grows in Southeast Asia. It gained popularity in the early 19th century when people started to use it for recreational purposes. Kratom is widely known as a notorious herb because of its toxic side effects. With more than 50 million fans across the globe, kratom too enjoys massive popularity.

What are the differences between hemp and kratom?

Following are the differences between the two plants:

  1. Origins

CBD has roots in Asian countries like China and Indonesia. Kratom, on the other hand, has roots in Southeast Asia and is a major part of the coffee family. It can be found in several countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

  1. Chemical Composition

Both hemp and kratom have a very different chemical composition. Hemp, which is mostly known as CBD has THC as an active ingredient that has anti-inflammatory properties. Contrary to this, kratom leaves have a special compound known as mitragyna, which has properties similar to opioid painkillers.

  1. Medical Research

CBD stands concrete with multiple proven health benefits for the body. On the other hand, kratom is far less researched and has no medical evidence in its support. The intriguing point is that CBD’S proven health benefits and kratom’s proven side effects are only known to people.

  1. Legal Status

CBD is legal in most parts of the world such as the USA, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Germany, Canada, Israel, Jamaica, and Cyprus. On the other hand, kratom is illegal in many countries of the world and has a very negative reputation in the herb industry. Few countries have legalized this plant such as Poland, Myanmar, Denmark, Israel, Finland, Lithuania, and Malaysia.

  1. Uses

Gone are the days when people would only smoke these two compounds. Today there are multiple ways to consume these two herbs. Since CBD is legal, people infuse it in food, desserts, beverages, snacks, dog food, etc. Contrary to this, kratom’s public consumption is only known as an herb that is smoked. People often buy it in powder form from online vendors such as kratom crazy, happy hippo herbals and others because of its controversial legal status.

  1. Side Effects

CBD stands concrete in this regard with fewer side effects such as low blood pressure, bloatedness, and addiction. However, kratom has multiple proven side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bloatedness, itching, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, kidney failure, weight loss, abdominal pain, etc.


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