Did you know that the first recorded documentation of kratom goes back as far as 1836? However, the native people of Southeast Asia have known about the plant long before the 1800s. Despite kratom’s long history, it has only become more popular in the United States recently.
For that reason, you might not know much about what kratom is, or, for that matter, another increasingly popular plant known as kava. So, what is the difference between kava vs kratom? Is one better than the other and which should you consider buying?
If you’re looking for answers, you’ll find them right here in this article. Before we explore kava, let’s first explore what makes kratom unique.
What Is Kratom
Kratom is an evergreen tree that lives in the tropical forests of Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Borneo. The tree’s scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa. For thousands of years, the indigenous people there have cultivated the leaves of the kratom tree.
Indigenous people have also grown kratom for religious ceremonies. Today, you may find kratom in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and forms, including kratom capsules.
The legality of kratom in the United States is a bit ambiguous because kratom is legal in some states while it is illegal in others. Some of the states in which kratom is illegal include Alabama, Rhode Island, Indiana, and Wisconsin, among others.
The reason why the legality of kratom is in question is because of the chemicals mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine that occur within the kratom leaves. Researchers have found that mitragynine seems to bind to the same receptors in the brain that are responsible for binding opioids. This is an interesting discovery because the kratom tree is actually part of the same family that contains coffee rather than opium.
Since it belongs to the coffee family, the kratom leaves tend to have similar stimulant properties. The proper kratom dosage will depend on the weight and metabolism of a person, but it is best to start off with small quantities.
Now that you know more about kratom, you may be wondering how kava compares.
What Is Kava
Similar to kratom, kava has also been recently growing in popularity across the United States. Kava is also a plant but it comes from a different location than kratom, namely from the South Pacific. The plant’s scientific name is Piper methysticum but many of the native Pacific islanders call it kava kava or simply kava.
The word “kava” itself actually comes from the word “awa” which, in the Polynesian language means “bitter.” When it comes to the question of kratom vs kava, there are several things that make kava unique. However, one thing that is very similar between the two plants is that they have both been used for many years in the ceremonies of their respective indigenous peoples.
Instead of using the leaves of the kava plant, the roots are the part of the plant that can be crafted into various products. In traditional ceremonies on the islands of the South Pacific, these roots are usually ground into a paste. Then, it is necessary to thin out the paste using coconut milk or water to turn the kava into a drink.
Creating a drink out of kava is not always necessary. Instead, some might prefer to grind the roots into a paste and then let it dry out until it becomes a powder. With today’s technology, many manufacturers have started to create kava capsules and other products.
Kava is also legal across the United States, although, in contrast, some European countries such as Great Britain have banned this plant. The main chemicals found within the kava roots are known as kavapyrones.
There are 18 kavapyrones that have been discovered so far and 15 of them are active. They seem to bind with certain receptors in the brain such as the GABAa receptor.
Kava vs Kratom
By this point, you may be wondering which product is better than the other. The answer is that both kava and kratom are unique in their own ways. They are both plants that come from tropical regions of the world. Indigenous populations have long used their leaves and roots for religious ceremonies and for other reasons among their cultures.
Today, both of these plants are becoming more and more popular in the United States. Manufacturers have also taken the opportunity to turn these plants into capsules and other various products. They also affect the brain in different ways since they come from different plant families.
Kava and kratom are not for everyone, but you’ll never know if they’re not for you unless you buy them first. Knowing more about these two plants is always a good idea before you take the plunge and buy either of their products.
Everything You Need to Know About Kava vs Kratom
If you were wondering what the difference might be between kava vs kratom, now, you should know all about it. Both of these plants have a long history and are now becoming familiarized with other countries such as the United States and countries throughout Europe. Buying kratom or kava can be an interesting experience if you’ve never done it before.
To learn more about kratom, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
*EZ Kratom does not sell or endorse Kava. This article is for informational purposes only.
