With the modern-day hustle and bustle of life, it can be difficult to maintain a bright, cheerful outlook. From work or school duties to paying bills and managing finances, so many everyday tasks take up so much of our energy that we’re left feeling drained at the end of every day. In such cases, finding ways to improve your mood is essential for staying healthy and happy. But who has time for meditation or yoga classes when there’s so much else to do? Enter Kratom, an all-natural plant with potential mood-boosting effects that could help give you more control over your mental state without taking away from your productivity. Keep reading as we explore what Kratom is, how it works, and why you could find its effects beneficial in improving your overall quality of life.
What is kratom?
If you are reading this article, it is probably safe to assume that you are new to consuming kratom or that you would like to learn a bit more about it before consuming it. If that is the case, the first place to start is to learn about what it is.
Kratom refers to the leaves of Mitragyna speciose, an evergreen tree that can be found in countries in Asia such as Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The Mitragyna species is part of the coffee tree family, which makes sense why one of the benefits of consuming kratom is a boost of energy.
Kratom also comes in various strains, which are classified based on the mix of alkaloids they contain. As you can see at Kratom IQ, a popular Kratom resource, each strain has a unique set of effects that contribute to its overall potency and therapeutic value. Kratom’s potency can be modified by administering different strains in specific amounts to create custom blends suited to the user’s needs and preferences.
Benefits of kratom
Speaking of the benefits of kratom, the next thing to take a look at is what exactly kratom does when you consume it, or, in other words, the benefits of consuming kratom. First and foremost, as mentioned above, kratom is most commonly used for increasing energy levels and improving your mood. However, this benefit can only be received in small doses.
The next reason why many people consume kratom is that it is effective at relieving pain. This is possible due to the alkaloids, or opiate receptors, that the leaves contain. Furthermore, many people are coming forward and describing the anxiety-relieving effects that kratom provides. Finally, many people are consuming kratom to improve mental clarity.
How to consume it
Now that you have a better understanding of what kratom is and what benefits it offers to those that consume it, it’s time to take a look at the methods that are used to consume kratom. The three traditional methods of kratom consumption include making a tea with leaves, smoking it, and eating it.
However, since we are in 2023, new methods are being used, such as using a dry herb vaporizer or even a regular liquid vaporizer. Liquid vaporizers are particularly popular because they allow consumers to make their own kratom vape juice at home. Some people who are in a hurry also just toss kratom powder into their mouths and wash it down with water.
Relaxing environment
Even though kratom provides quite a few benefits to those that consume it, it’s important to understand that, much like anything, it is not a wonder drug and can’t fix all problems, especially if those problems are caused by bad lifestyle choices.
Having said that, one way to use kratom to improve your mood would be to be in a relaxing environment when consuming it. This added relaxation, in addition to kratom’s natural mood-enhancing effect, should leave you quite happy. You might even consider doing some yoga or meditation.
Have a healthy diet
If you were to visit any healthcare professional and complain about being in a bad mood constantly, one of the first questions they would ask is if you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. If you truly want to reap the benefits of kratom, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet while using it.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat all of your favourite foods it just means that if your favourite foods are processed or contain a lot of sugar, you should cut down on them and introduce healthier options into your diet.
Get exercise
Finally, the last thing that you can do to use kratom to improve your mood would be to ensure that you are getting exercise while using it. Did you know that doing just 10 minutes of exercise will help not only improve your mood but also combat health conditions and disease?
You don’t need to do strenuous exercise either; 5 minutes of jumping jacks or a 10-minute jog or brisk walk around your neighbourhood is a great amount for someone just getting into it. Most importantly, it’s about staying consistent.
Simona LeVey did her degree in psychology at Tel Aviv University. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
