Kratom is an active plant of the Rubiaceae family, growing wild in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, which found its ways to the shelves of stores because of its supposed health and medicinal properties. However, there have been troubling questions on the influence of this drug on blood pressure. Can kratom result in high blood pressure? This article discusses how kratom affects the blood pressure of a person and the impact of the substance on the cardiovascular system.
We will also identify what kratom is, the characteristics of high and low blood pressure, the symptoms to look for, and the different types of kratom with the best effects. Furthermore, we will uncover the possible kratom advantages, providing you with all the necessary information if you think about consuming or plan to purchase Happy Go Leafy kratom.
What is Kratom?
Kratom is scientifically recognized as Mitragyna speciosa, and it belongs to the coffee family tree; this substance is endemic in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Originally, people used fresh kratom leaves because of their therapeutic value.
The former may also be chewed, dried, and brewed as tea while the latter may be crushed and ingested as pills or capsules. Actually, when the two primary compounds of kratom, namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine act on the opioid receptors in the brain, the substance has stimulating and sedative effects depending on the dosage.
At lower concentrations, kratom also functions as a stimulant that makes the users more energetic, alert, and even outgoing. Higher doses cause sedative effects that accompany pain reduction and create a feeling of euphoria. The versatile use of kratom is in treating pain, enhancing mood, and assisting during the opioid withdrawal process.
However, its use is debated due to risks to health and the fact that regulation of these products remains relatively lenient in most countries. Of course, before delving into a discussion of whether kratom undoubtedly increases blood pressure, it is necessary to understand what it is at all and how it acts on the body.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Hypertension is often defined as high blood pressure, a medical condition in which the force of the circulating blood against the artery’s walls is too great. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: as the ratio of systolic pressure – that is the pressure during the contraction of the heart – to diastolic pressure or the pressure of the blood vessels at rest between the contractions. It is normal for a reading to be 120/80 mmHg while a reading of 140/90 mmHg or above is usually grouped under hypertension.
Hypertension presents risks that are very dangerous to the health of a person since it may cause heart disease, stroke, affected kidneys, and even loss of vision. It is sometimes known as the “silent killer” mainly because it rarely comes with early symptoms of the current damage. Hypertension is a condition associated with numerous iatrogenic causes and risk factors comprising genetic, poor diets, non-active lifestyle, obesity, stress, and alcoholism.
It is recommended that hypertension should be dealt with through exercising, taking balanced diet, avoiding high levels of sodium, quitting smoking, excess drinking alcohol. Anti-hypertensive drugs might also be prescribed in order to regulate blood pressure levels.
It is crucial to understand high blood pressure if one is to detect its risks and develop measures to preserve the heart’s health with specific regard to substances such as kratom that are understood to influence blood pressure.
Does Kratom Cause High Blood Pressure?
The issue of whether or not kratom raises blood pressure is an issue of continuing controversy and scientific discovery. Kratom is found in the tree called Mitragyna speciosa and contains alkaloids such as mitragynine and paying 7-hydroxymitragynine which has effects on the opioid receptors and the cardiovascular system.
A number of users have expressed that they have to deal with elevated levels of heart rate and blood pressure after taking the substance, above all if the dosage is rather big.
Prospective research data on kratom is limited, but some of the existing preclinical data and some case reports indicate that kratom could lead to elevated blood pressure. Some of the effects that are associated with the use of kratom, but at a lower dosage, include an increased rate of heartbeat, the same way it happens in the case of caffeine, among others.
However, there is no broad, clinically reviewed, and controlled research, and the effects of kratom on blood pressure in the long run are not fully identified.
This depicts the general effects that kratom has on an individual who uses it, though the experiences may differ due to factors such as dosage and frequency as well as the health conditions of the individual using the plant. People with hypertension or cardiac issues should avoid kratom in the circumstance that using it could worsen their situation.
Precisely, users must set its regulations and consult any medical expert they wish to consume kratom to avoid cases of hypertension. Recognizing problems associated with the abuse of this plant product shall enable people to make proper decisions as a way of improving their health.
How Does Kratom Affect Your Blood Pressure?
The use of Kratom has been shown to affect blood pressure, with results depending on the dosage, physiology, and frequency of consumption of the plant. Thus, at low concentrations of the active components, kratom operates as a stimulant, raising cardiovascular frequency and blood pressure levels.
This results from activating the sympathetic nervous system, similar to how caffeine or any stimulating agent affects the body. While for some people, this could represent an advantage due to the stimulant effect that Anabolic steroids have, for others, it can lead to some temporary hypertension cases, particularly for those who are sensitive to these stimulants or for those who have cardiovascular issues.
Larger doses of kratom produce sedative effects, which, coupled with normal consumption of blood pressure-reducing medicine, may cause a substantial drop in blood pressure. However, these effects are not steady, and some users may continue experiencing an elevation of blood pressure caused by the multiple ways in which the human body is likely to react to the several active compounds present in kratom.
For blood pressure, the effects of long-term use may also be less similar with chronic kratom use having different effects. It means that repeated use can result in tolerance to the active substances that will require an increased amount to be taken to achieve the same effects, which will cause more serious cardiovascular reactions such as hypertension.
Furthermore, the effects of kratom on increased blood pressure can change depending on even the mixture with other substances like caffeine or medication drugs.
Hence, due to the observable positive and negative impacts as well as the lack of enough research, it is advisable for people who experience high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems to approach the use of kratom cautiously. It is advised to check its side effects and regular blood pressure with the doctor so it can reduce other premeditated risks of consuming Kratom.
How To Identify The Signs Of High Blood Pressure?
It is important to know the early symptoms of this pressure difference, known as hypertension, to enable early containment. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel any signs at the beginning stage. Here are some common signs to watch for:
Blurred Vision
This is a condition in which the four screenings often contributed by hypertension can harm the eyes’ blood vessels, causing Retinopathy. This can lead to the development of a condition that causes impaired vision or even threatens a person’s sight. Getting your eyes checked often will enable the doctor to identify any change in your vision, which may signal high blood pressure.
Nosebleeds
Though less frequently mentioned, more often, intense and profuse bleeding through the nose may also be indicative of extremely high blood pressure. This is possible because the blood vessels involved in the nose region are very tender, and adding pressure leads to busting. When you have frequent nosebleed problems, you should check your blood pressure often.
Shortness of Breath
This leads to a state where the heart is compelled to contract abnormally and this may lead to heart failure. This can lead to pulmonary edema, which is characterized by breathlessness. Shortness of breath during simple activities should warrant a check of your blood pressure.
Dizziness
High blood pressure, which influences blood flow in the brain, can cause dizziness or even fainting. This may be dangerous, particularly if it is frequent or supplemented by other signs, such as nausea or fainting.
Headaches
They have become very well known for being a sign of extremely high blood pressure also known as hypertensive emergency. They can be throbbing or aching and may last for hours or even days at a time, and they may be accompanied by confusion, changes in vision or severe nosebleeds. They include symptoms that are suggestive of acute bacterial endocarditis and such symptoms call for emergency medical intervention.
Types of Kratom Strain
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da is from Thailand, and it is renowned for its strength with a preference for yielding stimulating and analgesic impacts. It can be consumed in green veins, red veils, and white forms. Green Maeng Da works more on stimulating energy and pain relief, Red Maeng Da is a bit on the sedative side, which works well in pain, and White Maeng Da is highly stimulating and has an energy boost.
Bali Kratom
Bali Kratom is one of the most popular types thanks to it being relatively affordable and easy to find. It is mostly applied in cases of pain to calm the patients and to create a minimal level of high. This strain is also understood to have a longer window of high impact rather than other similar ones. Out of all its capabilities, Red Bali is particularly notable for pain relief and is a powerful sedative.
Borneo Kratom
Originating from Borneo, it is famous for eliciting strong analgesic and soporific characteristics in the user. It is most useful in controlling constant pain, stress, anxiety, backaches, and insomnia. There are three types of Borneo Kratom: red, green, and white. Red Borneo is the most popular due to its Quentin, which has a calming effect.
Green Malay Kratom
This type of Malay is known to have long-lasting effects, and an ideal balance between its Users will enjoy Green Malay for its long-lasting effects and smooth ride. It provides balanced analgesia, increased energy, and over-satisfaction, hence appropriate for daylight use. The users prefer Green Malay due to its ability to make individuals feel happy and relieve general discomfort without the strong sedative effect.
Thai Kratom
Thai Kratom, mainly cultivated in Thailand, has proven to be a stimulating kind of kratom. White Thai is particularly famous for its use as a stimulant beverage that increases mental activity and is hence preferred by people who want to be more productive. Red Thai, hence, provides more relaxation and is less stimulatory than the other Kratom varieties.
Sumatra Kratom
Sumatra Kratom is a strain of Kratom native to Sumatra, Indonesia. Known for its balanced effects, it offers both energy and relaxation, making it popular for pain relief, stress reduction, and improved focus.
What Are the Benefits of Kratom?
Pain Relief
Where pain relief is a concern, it is one of the most well-known and widely recognized benefits of using kratom. Kratom performs an analogous function to opioids by binding to the opioid receptors and managing pain proficiently.
Due to this aspect, constant use results in it being a natural supplement for those with chronic pain issues like rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Red vein kratom has strong relieving impacts on the pain sensation because of the presence of powerful analgesic effects.
Mood Enhancement
Kratom also wards off any signs of low moods. During the day, this plant can make you feel more cheerful and happy. Some of the effects include’ perceived general well-being, mood elevation, and sensation of sociability after consuming Kratom.
One has to take note that this mood enhancement is good for people who are struggling with mood swings like depression and anxiety disorder. Green vein kratom strains may be used more frequently as it is suggested to provide better mood improvement without too much sedation.
Energy Boost
White vein kratom specifically is widely marketed as having energizing effects which may explain why it has high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine. These strains can actually cause increases in energy and focus, which in turn lead to productivity, as well as potency as considered by those who need natural energy to propel them through their workday.
This stimulating effect is understandably similar to caffeine, which is the relaxant component often lacking in coffee and results in jitteriness.
Anxiety Reduction
Anxiety-relieving effects are also another major advantage of Kratom. What makes it unique is the fact that it only has effects that are usually found in professional treatment facilities. Through the engagement of receptor proteins in the brain, kratom achieves its anxiolytic effect in the form of relaxation when used to treat anxiety and stress conditions.
That can prove especially beneficial for people with social phobia or with generalized anxiety disorder. Calm mood-boosting strains of kratom are mostly classified under red and green vein kratom varieties.
Addiction Recovery Aid
Kratom is used to help those who want to quit substance use and dependency, such as opioid addicts. In other words, it interacts with opioid receptors and minimizes the withdrawal effects like pain, anxiety, and cravings that patients have to experience during the course.
Moreover, the ability of kratom to improve one’s mood and make a person more relaxed can also help a person who is in the process of recovery to maintain emotional equilibrium. But as long as it is taken moderately and with the assistance of a doctor when dealing with addiction, it has to be admitted that Kratom has its benefits.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed whether kratom can lead to high blood pressure and its effects on the cardiovascular system. Kratom, the signs of high and low blood pressure, and various kratom strains were some of the topics that arose during our conversation.
Further, we discussed the positive effects associated with kratom use, such as analgesia and mood elevation, increased energy, alleviation of anxiety, and role in the recovery from addiction.
The impact in regard to blood pressure and its use is undoubtedly crucial, especially among patients with cardiovascular diseases. Even if some studies indicate that kratom might increase the blood pressure of people using the product, more studies need to be done.
It is recommended that anyone who uses kratom should pay close attention to his/her blood pressure and should involve a doctor at the same time. To get further information about kratoms and to purchase good and authentic brands, please refer to the websites enlisted in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I monitor blood pressure while using Kratom?
Yes, it is necessary to pay attention to this aspect and perhaps consult a doctor before using kratom, especially if you have chronic cardiovascular diseases or if you are a hypertensive patient.
Is Kratom Safe?
Like other products in the market, some users have expressed gains, but kratom safety is still questionable. It is strongly recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before use, especially if you are suffering from an ongoing health issue.
Can Kratom Interact with Blood Pressure Medications?
Yes, kratom can be known to interact with Blood Pressure Medications. If on medication, consult a healthcare provider before using kratom for issue self-treatment.
Are There Any Long-Term Effects of Kratom on Blood Pressure?
Consequently, the effects of long-time usage of kratom on blood pressure are not fully known. These side effects are usually mild and can be resolved quickly or need to be reported to a healthcare professional and followed up periodically.
Can I overdose on kratom?
Yes, kratom can also cause an overdose, especially when used at a high concentration. Possible side effects of opioids include vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and problems with breathing. It should be used carefully and in accordance with the dosage instructions provided.
