With the increasing popularity of Kratom as alternative herbal medicine, more and more people are expressing interest in this medicinal plant. Kratom is one of the best recreational and medicinal herbal supplement that has multiple uses.
Apart from its recreational abilities, Kratom offers various medicinal benefits:
• Pain Reliever
• Energy Booster (Stimulant)
• Addiction recovery (Opiate Withdrawal )
• Mood (anxiety, relaxation, depression, overall mood)
• Enhance Sexual Experience (aphrodisiac)
• Focus and Concentration
• Cognitive enhancement (Nootropic)
In order to achieve all these health benefits, the only alternative is to use chemical-based drugs.
The good news is: there are Kratom alternatives that are all natural, effective and provide similar effects.
Kratom Alternatives for Pain, Energy & Opiate Addiction
Are you in search of a Kratom alternative can relieve stress and anxiety, kill pain, boost energy, enhance mood and alleviate opioid withdrawal?
Below are some of the best Kratom alternative that can provide similar effects:
Kava Kava (Piper Methysticum)
Also known as Kava pepper, Sakau and Tonga, Kava Kava is known for its sedating qualities. It helps to relax the muscles and bring a sense of contentment, similar to Kratom.
Further, it relieves anxiety, restlessness, stress-related pain, muscular spasm, and insomnia.
Some clinical studies and user reports state that Kava is effective in alleviating anxiety-related symptoms such as stress and insomnia. The compound Kavalactones are responsible for influencing brain chemicals via non-opiate pathways. Many studies even suggest that Kava effect is comparable to benzodiazepines.
Another significant value of Kava is its therapeutic role in managing withdrawal symptoms. Kavapyrones bind to specific brain receptors associated with addiction and cravings. It also helps improve the quality of sleep.
Mitragyna Hirsuta
Also famous as Kra Thum Knok, a close family of Kratom, it contains high amounts of Mitraphylline, the active compound of M. hirsute. It has an opiate-like effect on the brain. This is the reason why it is often substituted for Kratom in some recipes and preparations.
Mitragyna Hirsuta also offers opiate-like effects that can help regulate blood pressure and provide oxygen to different parts of the body.
Mitragyna Javanica
Like Mitragyna Hirsuta, Mitragyna Javanica also shares the same family with Kratom. Its main benefit is alleviating pain, which is similar to Kratom but less potent. Mitragyna Javanica contains a unique compound called Mitrajavine.
Mitragyna Javanica is ideal for those who want a mild substitute of Kratom. People who are new to Kratom may try M. Javanica first. It doesn’t have a robust antidepressant quality as Kratom and generates less dramatic relief to stress. This herb does not induce euphoria and sedation.
Akuamma Seeds (Picralima Nitida)
Native in Western Africa, it is famous for treating different health problems such as malaria, muscle contractility, diarrhea, chronic pain syndromes and pneumonia. The main components of Akuamma seeds are the pericine and akuammine, and like Kratom, these active compounds are also opiate receptor agonists, as it binds to all three kinds of opioid receptors – delta, kappa, and mu.
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of Akuamma seeds run through these opioid receptors, the same action with Kratom. The main impact of Akuamma seeds are stimulating and relaxing qualities and are dosage sensitive.
However, it does not produce lethal side effects. In case of overdose, a person may experience stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Phenibut
Phenibut is a medication sold under the names of Fenibut, Anvifen, and Noofen. It is chemically known as β-Phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid, which resembles a brain chemical known as gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA.
It is a neuropsychotropic drug that works as a nootropic (to improve cognition) and anxiolytic. Phenibut elicits a response quite similar to barbiturates and benzodiazepines and is widely used in different parts of the world to treat ailments such as anxiety, fear, tension and sleep disorders.
Unfortunately, Phenibut is highly addictive and can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Addiction to Phenibut can develop in just ten days, and removal can be fatal as it leads to rebound anxiety and sleeplessness.
Marijuana & CBD (Cannabis)
Marijuana (THC & CBD) has the potent analgesic effect that resembles that of Kratom. It also has some euphoric and sedative effects but is less intense than Kratom. Unfortunately, Marijuana has a notorious reputation, and its medicinal and recreational uses are prohibited in many parts of the world.
Guarana
A potent stimulant, the seeds of Guarana contain twice the amount of caffeine in coffee beans. Its energizing effects are better than coffee due to its slower release. If you specifically need an energy boost, this can be an excellent alternative as it can reduce physical and mental fatigue, enhance athletic performance and give off a significant amount of energy.
Nymphaea caerulea
More commonly known as Blue Lotus, this herb is a natural sedative with euphoric and aphrodisiac effects. Its euphoric experience is quite similar to Kratom as it can enhance the mood, improve mental concentration and provide psychological relaxation.
Blue Lotus contains a psychoactive compound called apomorphine and nuciferine, which makes this herb efficiently use as a sleep aid, anxiety reliever, stress reliever and for promoting somnolence. Many users noticed a mild stimulant-like effect. It is also used for treating gastrointestinal disorders such as dyspepsia and diarrhea.
Wild Opium Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Most people view wild opium as an annoying weed. It releases a milk-like sap which has a similar effect to opium. People merely break the leaves of wild opium lettuce and gather the sap.
The sap offers a numbing sensation – not the typical ‘high’ feeling, but a short-lived sense of blocking the sensation. This is the reason why it is widely used to suppress pain. Wild opium lettuce does not contain opium, but the beneficial effects mimic the effects of opium. Aside from pain relief, it is also used for persistent coughs, sunburns, and other diseases. Despite its name, it is safe and legal natural medicine.
Corydalis
The roots of Corydalis is often used for neuropathic pain and inflammation. It can relieve menstrual, abdominal, chest and hernia pain.
Many pharmaceutical companies are eyeing the chemical compound present in Corydalis – dehydrocorbulbine (DHCB), to develop a non-opioid painkiller. Corydalis is a non-addictive and safe Kratom alternative for depression, pain, and emotional disturbances.
Kanna (Sceletium Tortuosum)
Kanna is a succulent that grows in South Africa. Also known as Channa or Kougoed, it has been used historically by hunter-gatherers and pastoralists to reduce stress and anxiety and improve the mood. It can also suppress hunger and relieve pain.
Kanna is a potent natural anti-depressant as it works as a serotonin releasing agent, with a slight SSRI activity. The alkaloids present in Kanna targets the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotion.
When using Kanna, it slows down the mind’s hyperactivity and abnormally active ANS (autonomic nervous system). If you are suffering from anxiety and overthinking, Kanna is the ideal natural remedy for you.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark is commonly used for pain relief. The active chemical responsible for its potent pain management benefits is salicin, a compound that works similar to aspirin, which is usually found in the bark and stem of the plant.
This makes this plant useful for a headache, body ache, back pain and internal inflammation. The healing of internal inflammation also helps chronic inflammatory diseases such as tendonitis, arthritis and even systemic lupus erythematosus.
Some other chemicals such as flavonoids and polyphenols have immune-boosting agents, with antioxidant and antiseptic properties, without any adverse health effects.
Due to its active compound salicin, it is not recommended to be used for young children as it may cause Reye Syndrome, a severe condition that causes inflammation of the brain and the liver. For adults, most doctors approve taking 240mg for pain management.
Rhodiola Rosea
Famous for its potent adaptogenic properties, It helps reduce stress, chronic pains, fatigue, and anxiety. Its leaves and roots are believed to be the most potent. The plant’s primary active compounds include rosarian, rosin, tyrosol, salidroside, and Rosavin. Due to its highly active adaptogenic properties, it can enhance the level of energy and stamina; and improve the mood and promote self-contentment by stimulating the hormone serotonin.
Yohimbe
Originated from Africa, the bark of Yohimbe contains the popular chemical yohimbine, which is commonly used in making herbal medicine. Yohimbe is known to lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels – the reason why it is widely used to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems.
It is a natural energy booster and is commonly used to improve athletic performance, for weight loss and even for depression along with other medications.
I’m currently on 32ml of methadone a day and am looking to stop soon. I was told kratom is good for alleviating some of the withdrawal effects. Can anyone help with ones best and what doses how often please?