If you’re just learning about kratom, you may be a bit confused by the terminology used in the industry. For instance, you may have noticed that different types of kratom typically include a color and/or place in their names. You may also have heard the terms “vein” and “strain” in reference to kratom products. Moreover, there are multiple terms for the different formulations of kratom herb.
All of these terms and phrases describe various characteristics of specific kratom products. This helps consumers to identify key differentiators that determine the method of consumption, as well as the targeted ailments and symptoms. For the purpose of this article, we will briefly clarify the most prevalent kratom terminology. But more specifically, we will cover the meaning and benefits of full spectrum kratom in extract form.
But first things first. Let’s take a look at kratom in general.
Table of Contents
What Is Kratom?
The kratom plant from which kratom products are derived is known as Mitragyna speciosa. It is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, and natives of the region have made medicinal use of its dried leaves for hundreds of years. In general, low doses of kratom provide stimulant effects, and higher doses provide sedative effects. However, different types and forms of kratom will ease the symptoms of different ailments. These include:
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low cognitive function (lack of focus and concentration, memory loss)
- Opiate withdrawal
- Chronic fatigue
- Low libido
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
In addition, users wanting to know how to lose weight quickly have reported that kratom in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise is effective for quick weight loss. This holistic approach eliminates the need for pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures that may come with side effects or significant recovery time, respectively.
Moreover, kratom contains epicatechin. This is a flavonoid with the following beneficial properties:
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Antidiabetic
- Among others
So, how does kratom do all of these amazing things? Well, there’s solid science behind it.
How Do the Compounds in the Kratom Plant Work?
Depending on dosage, kratom causes effects on the brain that are similar to both stimulants and opioids. The primary active compounds found in kratom are the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. In larger doses, these compounds bind to opioid receptors in the brain, producing sedation, euphoria and reduced pain. In contrast, lower doses of kratom interact with different receptors to produce stimulating effects, including increased energy, alertness and focus.
What Is Full Spectrum Kratom Herb Extract?
To more easily understand the meaning of this phrase, it’s best to breakdown each term.
Herbal Extracts
In the context of herbal medicine, herbal extracts are forms of ingestion that are more concentrated and potent than other forms. This is due to the extraction process. There are several extraction methods, but all of them produce a form of the herb with a high concentration of active compounds.
In this way, science has helped make it possible to maximize the benefits of kratom while eliminating any undesirable or unnecessary effects of other compounds. However, an extract only retains the most active alkaloids. This leaves them to do their job on their own, without the assistance of the many other alkaloids and compounds found in the kratom plant.
That’s where “full spectrum” comes in.
Full Spectrum Kratom
Most often, the active alkaloids need assistance from 1 or more of the 25+ alkaloids and 40 bioactive compounds found in the kratom leaves. So, a full spectrum alkaloid extract or full spectrum maeng da kratom extract would contain the complete alkaloid profile found naturally in kratom leaves. Meaning, the alkaloids are in the same proportion as they are in nature. This allows for quicker effects compared to crushed leaf or powdered form.
Furthermore, full spectrum also refers to blending certain veins and strains of kratom to enhance symptom resolution. For instance, red vein (refers to the color of veins in the leaves) kratom strains are typically ideal for users who want to know how to battle anxiety or are looking for mood enhancement supplements. When you blend multiple red vein strains together, you end up with a product with maximized effects. Therefore, a full spectrum kratom product for anxiety could include a blend of Red Borneo, Red Bali and Red Maeng Da strains.
Somewhat similarly, a kratom isolate extract like kratom herbal isolate tablets also contains the full spectrum of compounds for a well-rounded kratom experience.
Who Can Benefit from Full Spectrum Kratom Herb Extract?
A full spectrum kratom extract is for the user who has honed in on not only the symptoms they wish to treat, but have also identified the strains that help them the most. Although a new user can certainly benefit from a full spectrum product, it’s the experienced user who might benefit the most.
This is because they have had the chance to experiment with their sensitivity to different strains and will more likely know which combinations will best alleviate their symptoms. With wise guidance from an expert on kratom however, any user can benefit from a full spectrum kratom product.
Buying Kratom: Local or Online?
If kratom has piqued your interest, and you’re ready to prompt Google to find “kratom near me”, you may want to reconsider. Your query will most likely give you the location of various head shops. Although you can find some common strains of kratom at most head shops, it’s important that you understand the risks of buying from these vendors.
- Because head shops carry all kinds of different products, owners often add kratom to their collection simply to boost sales. Ensuring the quality of products is typically not their highest priority.
- Often, head shop owners don’t use kratom and are unaware of its benefits and effects. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find one who knows the industry standards.
- Kratom products don’t typically move quickly in head shops. As a result, owners often end up marking down expired products to sell to unsuspecting consumers.
Low quality kratom products often contain a high percentage of stems, which contain more alkaloids than leaves. When a product reaches a certain percentage of these compounds, it can cause an array of adverse reactions.