If you frequent gas stations or smoke shops in the Tampa Bay area, it is highly likely that you’ve seen big signs plastered on the windows and walls pushing the sale of kratom. Kratom has had a huge impact on exotic tea-enjoyers across the world, and there is a large concentration of kratom drinkers in the Tampa Bay area.

To clarify, this post is not intended to discuss my personal opinions on kratom, the legality of kratom country wide, or or provide an overarching analysis of what specific chemical compounds in kratom do to your body. This post is intended to provide a summary addressing what kratom is, where it comes from, and how it makes you feel. If you would like more information about kratom, I highly recommend taking the time to do thorough independent research due to the high volume of contradicting facts and information that tend to be spread from word to mouth. 

That being said, kratom is extremely popular, and there is a good reason for it. Kratom and kava drinkers tend to run in the same circles, and though the two beverages are quite different, they share a community of overlap that provides insight into what makes both of these beverages so appealing 

So, how is kratom different from kava?

Kratom, or the Mitragynia Speciosa, refers to an evergreen tree grown in southeast Asia. Kratom has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and is a member of the same family as the coffee plant. Kava, on the other hand, is a root-based plant in the pepper family grown in the volcanic soil of certain pacific islands. Though both plants are often associated with one another as they are both commonly consumed exotic teas, they share no relation to one another chemically. 

Kratom can be consumed in a multitude of different ways. Historically, people would once take the leaves of the kratom plant and chew on them as a form of herbal remedy, used to relieve pain amongst other ailments. Today, it is most frequently consumed either in the form of a crushed-leaf tea, extracts, “slurries”, or capsules. “Slurries” refer to micronized kratom powder suspended in another liquid as a means to simulate crushed-leaf tea, though it is a completely different process than brewing kratom. 

All of these different methods provide different experiences of varying quality. Crushed-leaf teas involve a rather involved brewing process, but have proven to be the most authentic method in which to consume kratom. 

Kratom is known for a slew of different effects, from pain relief, to mood enhancement, to the alleviation of opioid withdrawals. Kratom is known to stimulate the mu-opioid receptors in the brain, which has been cause for much controversy, though kratom is not classified as an opiate, and can be helpful for many people who aim to stay clear of opioid use.

Kratom is extremely controversial because it can affect people in many different ways. The best way to approach kratom is mindfully and with caution. If kratom seems like it may be a welcome presence in your life, my best recommendation is to get comfortable asking your kavatenders questions, and to do research until you feel confident that kratom is right for you.