Cannabis, CBD, and Kratom: Similarity and Difference

Many users are turning to herbal medicine to manage various health conditions. Cannabis, CBD, and kratom have some important similarities and differences. The herbs have been around for hundreds of years and are undergoing research on their medicinal benefits and effects.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a psychoactive drug whose main cannabinoids are CBD and THC. Research shows that there are more than a hundred cannabinoids in cannabis, including CBL (cannabicyclol), CBN (cannabinol), and THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid).

The CBD and THC are widely used for medicinal and recreational purposes. THC works on regions of the brain that affect balance and attention, memory, posture, and coordination. This allows it to influence your capability of processing stimuli. And, being psychoactive, THC gives intense excitement and happiness.

What is CBD?

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of many cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It is the second most predominant cannabinoid after THC. CBD can be extracted from cannabis or the hemp plant. Commercial CBD is derived from the hemp plant, a cousin to marijuana.

CBD is popular because it’s not intoxicating like THC; it may even help alleviate the adverse effects of THC. Both children and adults can use CBD’s calming and soothing effects to treat various conditions.

Use of CBD is lawful at the national level and in most states as long as it has less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. However, each state has its policies around the use of CBD.

What is Kratom?

Kratom is extracted from the mitragyna speciosa tree, which belongs to the coffee family. The tree originates from Southeast Asia. The herb is also referred to as Ketum, Kakum, Thom, Maeng Da, biak-biak and thang.

Traditionally, manual workers chewed kratom leaves for more energy and stamina because it’s energizing and sedating. But there are many uses of Kratom, and it can also help treat the symptoms of withdrawal from opioids and other drugs. To enjoy its full benefits, it’s wise to research the best kratom shops to buy from first before shopping online.

Similarities Between Cannabis, CBD, and Kratom

1.    They Have Entourage Effects

The first similarity between cannabis, CBD, and kratom is that they have synergistic effects. If you take cannabis and CBD as a whole plant extract, you will find it more effective. The combination of compounds such as terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids work together to produce better results. Kratom is also more effective when taken as a whole plant product than a single compound on its own, like mitragynine. It has other alkaloids, such as 7-hydroxy mitragynine, and when you take it as a whole plant product, you will get more potent effects.

2.   Their Effects are Based on Strains

There are several strains of kratom including, red vein, white vein, and green vein kratom. Similarly, cannabis has strains such as ruderalis, Sativa, and indica. These strains are responsible for the varied effects.

3.    Their Therapeutic Effects

Kratom and CBD have the potential to manage withdrawal symptoms of drug addiction. Marijuana indica strains have the same effects as kratom. The strains can ease pain, just like CBD and kratom. You can also use them to improve your immune system and enhance your mental and physical health.

Differences Between Cannabis, CBD, and Kratom

1.    Their Effects

Marijuana has intoxicating effects and impairs your sense of clarity, blurring focus, while kratom and CBD can improve your cognitive functioning. CBD and kratom can also provide relief from anxiety. Marijuana is known for creating and enhancing anxiety and paranoia. However, kratom is habit-forming, but pure CBD from cannabis is not addictive as marijuana.

2.    Legality

When the www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018...">https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-...">2018 Farm Bill came into effect, CBD extracted from hemp ceased being a Schedule I drug. It also became legal in most states. The legality of kratom is a gray area. www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/12/493295493/kratom-advocates-...">https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/12/493295493/kratom-ad...">In 2016, the DEA pushed on the ban of some kratom compounds. But due to public outcry and the DEA halted pursuit for a temporary prohibition of kratom products. At the state level, some states like Alabama, Vermont, Tennessee, Washington, Indiana, and Wisconsin have banned kratom.

3.    Methods of Consumption

You can consume cannabis and CBD through smoking, vaping, or use lotions and creams, tinctures, and edibles. To use kratom, you brew the leaves into tea, grind them into powder and mix with water or food.

4.    Different Active Ingredients

One of the differences between cannabis, CBD, and kratom is that they all have different active ingredients. The main active ingredients in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinol, cannabigerol, www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/what-is-delta8-thc">https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/what-is-delta8-thc">delta-8 THC, and other compounds. Cannabis has psychoactive elements that interfere with receptors creating an imbalance between the mind and the body.

On the other hand, the main active ingredients in kratom are 7-hydroxy mitragynine and mitragynine. The simulative effects of kratom are caused by mitragynine, while 7-hydroxymitragynine produces its effects by working together with opioid receptors directly. CBD is the main active ingredient in cannabidiol products, which interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, giving you the effects you feel after consuming CBD.

Conclusion

Before choosing either cannabis, CBD or kratom, ensure that you research their benefits and effects. Kratom, CBD, and cannabis are all extracted from a plant, with some of their effects being similar. Despite the similarities, the herbs have some distinct differences in terms of active ingredients, legal status, and effects.