Kratom and Ashwagandha: Two giants of alternative medicine

Nowadays, more and more people are trying to return to natural methods of treatment and are looking for alternatives to various commercially sold medications. But how do kratom and ashwagandha work together, and what place do they occupy in the world of alternative medicine?  

Many of you have already heard about the effects of kratom on many problems in everyday life. Ashwagandha has only begun to fully enter the subconscious of the general population in recent years. It is therefore appropriate to inform you about the trends in the use of these substances. 

Let's zoom in on everything!

What is kratom?

This is a topic that is still debated, but it is very important to know at least the basic information before you decide to use kratom. Mitragyna speciosa, as its Latin name sounds, is a tree that comes from the countries of Southeast Asia, namely mainly Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia or Myanmar. In its birthplace, it has been used for centuries for its stimulating and sedative effects. However, it only came into the global subconscious in recent years, when users from Europe and the USA liked it, where it is currently the most popular. 

The leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree are used by the natives in the form of smoking or chewing, in most cases the leaves have reached our regions as crushed powder or capsules. The alkaloids in kratom are specific to this substance and it is they that create the entire range of effects that kratom offers. Biak leaves, as kratom is also referred to, have a typical bitter and earthy smell and taste, which is also very distinct and perhaps every user will remember it. 

It is a highly sought-after article mainly due to its effects, which range from stimulation to sedation, improvement of psychological well-being, reduction of pain or help with sleep. Thanks to this diverse palette of effects, this substance has become popular with a really significant part of Southeast Asia and nowadays also in western countries, despite the fact that it is even banned in several European countries. 

The effects of kratom

As we have already mentioned, the effects of kratom are many and since each person is an individual, we cannot expect the same effects even with the same dose. However, there are some main signs you should know before you start exploring biak:

Low doses

In the case of green and white kratom, at low doses we can experience effects very similar to, for example, coffee, but without the famous "scattering" that caffeine can cause in larger quantities. Stimulation, focus and mood improvement are some of the main effects of this dosage method. With the red color of the veins, we can expect the already mentioned mood improvement and mild muscle relaxation in low doses. 

Higher doses

At higher doses, soothing and euphoric feelings are most often reported, which directly encourage relaxation. Higher doses of kratom are also used for acute pain or at bedtime, as they have been shown to improve the sleep cycle. 

What does the science say about kratom?

There is still a lot of research going on on this topic and we are constantly learning new and new information. Much of the knowledge gained also comes from cross-sectional studies among users of this article. Let's list some of the main supporting information:

Reducing stress

Animal research confirmed that the mice studied showed lower stress hormone levels after consuming mitragynine (the main alkaloid in the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa). 

Pain relief

According to findings so far, Kratom can reduce the value of perceived pain in users, it is often reported that this state can last for several hours. Many users and researchers compare the effects of kratom in this regard to prescription opioid drugs, which have far more severe and dangerous side effects. 

Help with withdrawal symptoms

A 2008 study showed that kratom can reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms even more than the prescription drugs tested. 

We look forward to further studies. However, we must already state that the use of kratom in these areas of human problems could be one of the main possibilities of alternative methods in the future. 

Using kratom

Many users choose kratom precisely for its very diverse effects. People can feel its effects within 2-6 hours, which also means a great possibility of use. 

Stimulant doses are used, for example, before training or during weekend evenings, as they can energize us and induce a pleasant state of mind. However, under no circumstances should you mix kratom with alcohol, as this combination hides many side effects that have still not been fully tested and slept through. Another use of these substances can be, for example, a microdose before work or study, as kratom can increase your productivity. 

On the other hand, using higher doses is ideal for relaxing after work or on a free weekend afternoon. Mild euphoric states will support the overall impression of relaxation and push it even further. 

In the case of higher doses, we often encounter users who use kratom as an alternative method to suppress pain or improve sleep. Studies on this topic are still in their infancy, but user experience speaks clearly.

In terms of safety, the biggest "scarecrow" is the fact that, according to experts, kratom can become addictive very quickly and the fight against it is very difficult. It is therefore important that you always keep your kratom dosage under control and use the smallest effective dose. Additionally, kratom can interact with some medications, so always check with your doctor to make sure it's safe for you to use. 

Other side effects usually appear only after taking an excessive dose of kratom and disappear within a few hours. 

As far as use is concerned, on our market you will most often come across powder, tablets or drops, therefore its use is also very diverse and each user can decide according to his preference. 

What is Ashwagandha?

It is an evergreen shrub that comes from India, the Middle East or some parts of Africa. In Latin, we come across the name Withania somnifera, which can also be translated as "Indian ginseng" or "winter cherry". It is also nicknamed "horse scent" in several publications, referring to its effects and its specific smell. 

The fruits of this shrub are edible orange-red berries. The roots of this shrub are bitter and, like kratom, are rich in alkaloids. The use of this shrub dates back several centuries, when the natives began to use it for its medicinal effects. 

Ashwagandha was one of the main herbs of Ayurveda, which is a traditional natural medicine from India. Among the described effects, we can mention, for example, an increase in concentration, energy and the release of psychological tension. In addition, they used it to maintain long-term physical and psychological youth. 

Contemporary medicine would classify this plant as an adaptogen, as it increases the body's resistance and helps maintain the homeostasis of our body. 

In indigenous countries, tea was usually made from the roots of this bush. It came to our market in the form of tablets or powder. As for the time of use, most users use it in the morning or in the evening. But why is that so?

Let's take a closer look at why people use Ashwagandha!

What is it used for?

Most users seek Ashwagandha products primarily to combat stress, fatigue, and sleep problems. According to some current findings, ashwagandha has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. In this way, it can help with a whole range of other problems, such as those caused by inflammation. 

Of the studies to date, only a small number are clinical and tested on humans, but this is what the research so far states:

Stress value

The results of a 2000 study indicated that ashwagandha exhibited similar properties to the drug Lorazepam, which is used to treat the effects of stress. People taking awagandha also showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. 

Sleep quality

Another research suggests that the effects of this plant can help with insomnia and general relaxation. These effects are probably related to stress relief. 

Pain reduction during arthritis

According to findings so far, Ashwagandha can probably prevent the transmission of the pain signal to the central nervous system. This fact, combined with anti-inflammatory effects, can make life much easier for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. 

Improving mental health

One study even reported that Ashwagandha was able to help with mental tension in people suffering from schizophrenia. Other findings also proved helpful in solving cognitive impairment problems that were caused by bipolar disorder. 

Improving heart health

In 2015, the results of one of the studies indicated an improvement in heart function due to improved respiratory endurance. Among other things, many other heart-related problems should be avoided after taking ashwagandha. For example, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol or chest pain. 

Reduction of disease progression 

Another study in 2015 also indicated some influence of ashwadanda on the development of Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Ashwagandha can protect the connecting pathways to the brain, so it can prevent these diseases from progressing more quickly due to slower weakening. 

Increase in testosterone and male fertility

In keeping with its anti-inflammatory abilities, older men taking ashwagandha showed reduced fertility for much longer than subjects not taking the supplement. There is also evidence of increased fertility in men with problems with low sperm concentration or motility. Furthermore, there is also talk in general about an increase in testosterone levels, but this claim has not yet been scientifically confirmed.

Improving cognitive functioning

People taking Ashwagandha have been observed to improve memory, information processing, and their attention and concentration on a given activity has also improved. 

This is only a short list of the most well-known and observed benefits, but if you were to study the effects of Ashwagandha, you would probably find much more information about all kinds of problems you could use it for. 

Benefits of Ashwagandha

Although the previous list may seem very comprehensive to you, if you were to look specifically at any other herb from Asian countries, you would probably come across a list of very similar effects for it as well. But what makes this herb different from all the others?

Information

It is a relatively well-researched plant that has been used for decades. Its effects are mild and it is a safe herb that shows almost no side effects. Users encountered only digestive problems, which disappeared after changing the dosage. 

Although Ashwadandha is perfectly safe for the general population, its use should be avoided by pregnant women and those taking prescription medications. It is also never out of the question to contact your attending physician in case of confusion. 

Availability

Dietary supplements with this herb are sold absolutely normally in pharmacies or health food stores. It can be taken up to several times a day, usually in the close interval of food consumption. In this regard, people will find the right dosage according to their preferences. 

Speed ​​of effects

Unlike, for example, kratom, the effects of this herb come with a considerable delay. Users begin to feel the effects of use only after the first full month of use. 

Similarities between Ashwagandha and Kratom

Centuries of use 

This is not the case worldwide, but in indigenous areas both of these plants have been used for traditional medicine for centuries. Since they have been used for such a long time, we can be sure that their original users must have had a reason for using them. 

Alkaloids

In both cases, we find a high content of alkaloids in the composition, which are proven to affect our physical and psychological well-being. Currently, scientists are trying to describe all these alkaloids in detail and find out exactly how they work on our body and how we could benefit from it. 

Stress relief

Nowadays, we perceive stress as one of the main factors affecting the quality of life of each of us. In the modern world, a large part of the population tries to fight stress and often seeks help in alternative natural methods. Both kratom and ashwagandha seem to be very effective in this area. 

Earthy and bitter flavors

The plants are also similar in their smell and taste.

Products

Kratom is most often found in powder or capsule form. Capsules predominate with ashwagandha, but powder can also be found on the market, so the products offered are completely identical. In addition, tablets make it easier to consume effective alkaloids, as their administration in this form is very easy and fast. 

Ashwagandha vs. kratom

We have noted the similarities, now we will instead focus on the absolute differences between these "plants":

Speed ​​of effect

Users of kratom experience the first effects approximately 30-45 minutes after administration, but this depends on many factors and the method of administration itself. However, with Ashwagandha it is completely different. Its effects are observed among users only after a few weeks from the first dose, so it is not a reliable solution to an acute problem. Ashwagandha is used more as a prevention or for longer-term problems. 

Dosage

The difference in dosage is not significant. Ashwagandha is dosed in the range of 0,5-5 g, in the case of kratom we also most often encounter the range of 0,5-5 grams, in exceptional cases even more. As far as the dosage is concerned, there is no significant difference. 

Effects by dose size 

Many of you already know that the effects of kratom vary depending on the size of the administered dose. At lower doses, users describe stimulating effects, at higher doses, on the contrary, sedative effects. We do not encounter anything similar with ashwagandha. If you take a higher dose, the effects will probably be a bit stronger, but don't really expect completely opposite poles of the effects as in the case of kratom.

Different tribes

If you've looked around our blog a bit, you'll know that we cover the differences between kratom strains in most of the Mitragyna speciosa leaf articles. In contrast, Ashwagandha has only one strain. However, the differences depend on the place of occurrence or maturity. 

Legislative

Ashwagandha is legal all over the world except for a few states, and you don't need any proof of age or proof of age to buy it. Kratom is currently only "by a thread" among legal products in many countries around the world. The kratom we sell is not intended for direct consumption. 

Can we take ashwagandha and kratom at the same time?

In this section, we will focus on the factors that more or less support the simultaneous use of these two substances at the same time. Is it better to choose one of these two plants every time, or do you get good results when using both at the same time?

According to the findings so far, we know that these two plants act synergistically, which means that they can enhance each other's effects. However, before you decide to use it, it is important to note a few facts related to this topic. 

The ideal procedure in this case is to use the substances separately, at least at the beginning, in order to find out how they can affect our body and what effects we observe. With kratom, we should also pay attention to the correct selection of the strain that we decide to use. After that it is very important to focus on kratom dosage, which we should always follow. The dosage depends on many factors and is really very individual. It depends on the effects sought, other substances used or, for example, the weight of the user. 

Why not use both substances at the same time from the beginning?

It's absolutely simple. As we mentioned before, ashwagandha works synergistically with kratom to increase its effectiveness. This reduces the required dose and we could very easily take unnecessarily large doses. What are other possible reactions during current use?

Agonistic response

This situation occurs when kratom enhances the effects of ashwagandha. In this case, excessive relaxation and unexpected very strong drowsiness may occur, which may not be suitable in the given situation. 

Metabolic competition

This is a condition where kratom slows the effects of ashwagandha. This allows the kratom to be used up and removed from our system more quickly. As it is used up faster, our body cannot fully utilize its effects, and with long-term use in this way, our dosage will reach higher doses due to reduced effectiveness, which is not ideal for our body or our wallet. 

How can these plants be combined?

The best method found so far is regular dosing of ashwagandha and burst dosing of kratom. In this way, we will use the effects of ashwagandha to the maximum and, if necessary, we will feel the full effectiveness of the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. 

Final words

Both kratom and ashwagandha have been part of traditional medicine for many years and have proven to have their place in alternative methods even today. If you decide to purchase these items, you can probably find ashwagandha at your nearest pharmacy. You should only buy Mitragyna speciosa tree leaves from verified sellers and should be cautious when purchasing them. Many sellers only try to lure money from their customers, and their products are often of poor quality and may contain various unwanted additives. 

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Source: https://www.kratomcountry.com/blog/ashwagandha-and-kratom

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