Kratom vs. Suboxone: What Are the Differences?

Kratom seems to be popping up frequently recently. It makes sense; a herbal supplement that claims to be able to enhance your mood or relieve your pain seems too good to be true.

And, perhaps it is. The safeness and legality of kratom have been in question for quite some time, though there are some benefits it can possibly offer.

Suboxone is lesser-known but is quite similar to kratom in its use.

To see if either of these products may be right for you, keep reading to learn the difference between kratom vs. suboxone.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a psychoactive plant that grows in Southeastern Asia. Initially, day laborers who were working in hot conditions consumed it.

Today, it is more frequently used in the United States and Europe, but because it does not naturally grow in these regions, it is most often bought as powders or liquids.

Most people will drink kratom tea to consume it. There is the option to buy kratom wholesale to save money if you were to use it frequently.

While kratom is not an opioid, it does affect your brain in a similar way. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragine are two chemicals found in the leaves of kratom, which activate the opioids receptors found in your brain.

Mitragynine can also act as a stimulant when it interacts with other chemicals in your brain. Kratom will provide a mild stimulant effect at low doses, increasing energy levels and alertness.

In high doses, kratom can help alleviate pain and cause sleepiness. It is most often taken to help with chronic pain and for substitution therapy for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Substitution therapy helps those who suffer from OUD overcome their addiction by taking alternative medications that activate the opioid receptors in their brain. While kratom does this, it is still unclear how safe or effective it is.

What Is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an FDA-approved treatment for OUD, which contains two active drugs, buprenorphine and naloxone.

Buprenorphine partially binds to the opioid receptors in your brain and triggers them, which helps to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Because it binds to these receptors more weakly than full opioid agonists, it is a safe opioid-based medication.

At high doses, buprenorphine loses its ability to activate opioid receptors, which decreases the chance of being addicted or dependent on it.

Kratom vs. Suboxone

The main difference between suboxone and kratom is safety and legality. Suboxone is FDA-approved which means it is considered safer than kratom, and it is proven to be highly effective.

Because of suboxone’s “ceiling effect,” it has a much lower rate of abuse because its euphoric properties will slow at high doses, which is the opposite of kratom.

Kratom is legal in the United States but illegal in Europe and other countries. Suboxone is a controlled substance and is widely legal and available.

Which Is Right for You?

When comparing kratom vs. suboxone, it may seem like they are two completely different substances. While this is true, they can also be used in similar ways.

It is always wise to be careful and do your research before taking any medication, so if you’re unsure, ask your doctor before trying one of these products.

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