Coffee VS Kratom: Here's What to Know!
Kratom VS Coffee for Energy: Learn the Similarities, Differences, Risks, Stimulant Effects, and More!
Are you wondering how kratom and coffee differ? Recently, kratom has become a hot topic of discussion in the United States. Some even compare its effects to coffee. Both kratom and coffee are stimulants that can be used for an energy boost. However, while they do share some similarities, they also have many distinct differences you should be aware of.
What is Kratom?
Scientifically known as Mitragyna Speciosa, kratom is derived from the leaves of a Southeastern evergreen tree in the Rubiaceae coffee family. As such, many people wonder whether kratom is similar to coffee, and how big the differences between the kratom plant and the coffee plant are.
Comparing Kratom to Coffee
Below, we will discuss how kratom relates to the coffee plant, and more importantly, the effects of both coffee and kratom as stimulants when compared side-by-side.
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Are coffee and kratom from the same plant?
So do coffee and kratom come from the same plant? Yes and no. Although kratom and coffee are from the same plant family of Rubiaceae, each ingestible product is derived from a different genus within this family. Coffee comes from a shrub-like bush (Rubiaceae Coffea), while the kratom plant (Rubiaceae Mytragyna) is similar to an evergreen.
Kratom products and coffee products are not derived from the same plant and produce different effects on the body. So, yes, while they are from the same plant family Rubiaceae, they are entirely different species in their genus within that family. Think of it like how tigers and housecats are both in the feline family, yet they are very dissimilar species of cats with vastly different capabilities.
How do coffee shrubs differ from kratom plants?
Coffee comes from the Rubiaceae Coffea species, while kratom comes from the Rubiaceae Mitragyna species. So, coffee and Kratom both come from plants in the same family, Rubiaceae, but are more like cousins with the same grandparents, than siblings with the same parents.
- Although these plant species are in the same family of coffee-type plants, they are not the same plant, nor do their exports produce the same effects when consumed.
- Indeed, the products of these different plants can yield vastly different results when ingested or consumed by people.
Where does kratom come from?
Kratom is an herbal extract from a tree called Mitragyna Speciosa. This tree is native to Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. The leaves of this plant have been used in herbal medicine since the mid-19th century. Kratom is now sold in the United States in many formats including powders and liquids.
Where does coffee come from?
Coffee is an export product that can be sourced from several countries around the world. Arabica coffee, the sweetest and most widely consumed variant of coffee species, likely originated somewhere in Africa or near Sudan. You can get coffee from most grocery stores or online from coffee roasters like OneGreatCoffee.Com.
How is kratom used?
Historically, kratom leaves have been consumed in teas, by chewing directly, or after they’ve been ground into powder for oral consumption. The leaves may also be dried for smoking. In the United States, Kratom is usually sold in a powdered format to be mixed with liquid or taken orally, or in capsules that can be swallowed easily.
How is coffee used?
Generally, the bean of the coffee plant is roasted, ground, and brewed into the drink we call coffee. The coffee bean is actually the pit or seed of the coffee fruit. This is a purple or red cherry-like coffee fruit that grows on the coffee plant.
The coffee cherry seed is dried, roasted, and then ground before being brewed into the coffee beverage that most Westerners are familiar with. Historically, the leaves of the coffee plant have also been steeped into tea. Dried coffee cherries or green coffee fruits may also be consumed.
What does kratom do when ingested?
Kratom is capable of producing both stimulant-like energy effects and/or opioid-like effects. In low doses, Kratom can produce stimulant-like effects. In higher doses and concentrations, kratom may also have sedating or pain-killing effects which resemble opioids.
As a stimulant, kratom may be used to increase physical energy and alertness. Or, other kratom strains can produce sedative, relaxation effects. The strain or dosage of kratom may influence its effects, however, research into this topic is still ongoing. Some argue that rather than the strain, the dosage will determine the effects of kratom.
It is important to note that regular consumption of Kratom can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Kratom may also have negative impacts on the liver.
How kratom affects the body:
- Suppress appetite
- Increases urination
- May cause constipation
- Kratom use can lead to tachycardia
- Causes sedation or drowsiness
- May cause sweating
- Constipation
- Consuming kratom may lead to a feeling of dry mouth
- Impacts on the nervous system have been noted
- Kratom might also have potential hormonal impacts, influencing drive and emotional response
What does coffee do when ingested?
Coffee generally makes individuals feel more alert and energized. It contains other substances as well that may have health benefits. However, overconsumption of caffeine can cause anxiety, and caffeine withdrawals may also cause headaches.
Coffee contains antioxidants and caffeine. caffeine is a stimulant that can increase activity in the brain by suppressing adenosine receptors. It also has antioxidants that may protect against inflammation or disease.
How coffee affects the body:
- Increases alertness
- Improves mood
- Suppress appetite
- Improve memory retention
- May lower the risk of stroke
- May help the body process glucose better
- Antioxidant benefits
- Produce laxative effects or help with bowel movement
What’s better for energy, kratom or coffee?
So is kratom better than coffee for an energy boost? It would depend on what you're trying to achieve. Most would agree that coffee is the better (and safer) choice for a quick energy boost. This is because coffee's stimulating properties are easier to anticipate, cause less physical strain, have been vigorously studied, and the side effects of coffee wear off very quickly with little to no risk.
In contrast, kratom is very strong, can cause varying effects in each individual, and may have negative effects on the kidneys and liver. Moreover, in time, kratom may cause physical dependence and can (in some cases) this reliance may take weeks or even months to fully detox from. Many people do not realize how dependent they are on kratom until they try to quit. Withdrawals from kratom can lead to various issues as well.
So, though the potent effects of kratom may be tempting, and for some, kratom can have benefits and advantages, it's best to carefully consider whether adding kratom into your routine is worth it.
The benefits of kratom may outweigh its risks for people who are already opiate-dependent and are attempting to quit opioids naturally. For these people, kratom is a natural energy alternative that may be of benefit.
For recreational use, daily consumption, or to get a jolt of energy a few times a week, coffee is a better choice than kratom. Kratom should always be consumed with caution. Consider talking to your doctor about the risks first, before trying kratom for yourself.
The Takeaway:
Kratom can be powerful, and it isn't something to play with if you simply want a nice energy boost before work. For that, coffee is the better choice. However, if you are attempting to quit opioids, kratom's benefits may outweigh the risks.
Is a kratom addiction the same as a coffee dependency?
Kratom can have strong addictive effects when taken in high doses or for a long period. However, even if you have been drinking coffee every day for years, it is still far easier for most people to quit than kratom.
With coffee, the effects of quitting are mild and may not even be noticeable. Think a headache or two, and some irritability. However, quitting kratom can cause a full-scale physical halt to your daily life.
Admittedly, caffeine can also be dangerous if you overdo it. Still, most people understand how to drink coffee safely and know that they should consume caffeine in reasonable quantities. You're likely to realize that you've had too much caffeine and recognize its side effects. Even if you do overdo it, help is readily available.
In contrast, kratom dependence tends to sneak up on people. Often, regular kratom users don't realize their body has become reliant on its stimulant effects until after they try to stop taking it. At this point, they realize they're in a usage cycle that's difficult to exit.
What is the biggest problem with kratom?
One little-discussed issue with kratom is that users generally don't realize they are dependent on it until after they try to quit. At this point, they may have many tangible physical side effects to contend with.
Symptoms from quitting kratom may include:
- sneezing
- light sensitivity
- flu-like symptoms
- body aches
- low-grade fever
- diarrhea
- depression
- insomnia
- nausea
So, while both coffee and kratom are stimulants that can cause some physical dependency, kratom is far more potent and should not be taken "just for fun" unless you know the risks. Not to say you should not also be cautious with consuming caffeine, but getting hooked on kratom is a little-known issue in the US that you should be aware of.
If you're the type to get addicted to things easily, you may want to choose something even milder than coffee or kratom, like tea. Green tea can be a great alternative for energy, with health-boosting polyphenols and antioxidants. Shop for bulk loose-leaf tea here!
Quitting kratom vs coffee - what's the difference?
Overall, quitting kratom is more physically strenuous than quitting coffee. You are far less likely to get addicted to coffee than to kratom. If you do happen to develop a physical dependency on coffee, the effects of quitting are likely to be mild, such as caffeine headaches, some constipation, mild fatigue, and irritability. Usually, these side effects subside in under 3 days.
However, detoxing from kratom can get serious, and sometimes even requires medical assistance. Depending on how much kratom you have been taking and for how long, a kratom detox may last many weeks.
Withdrawal symptoms like body soreness, chills, a fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression, neurological side effects, headaches, sneezing, light sensitivity, circulatory problems, and an array of other issues, are not uncommon. In fact, many users have reported that the symptoms of withdrawing kratom mirror withdrawals from regular opioid use.
Is kratom or coffee better for a daily boost?
If you need an energy boost, coffee is the safer bet. The risk of addiction or dependency from coffee is far lower and less severe compared to kratom. Coffee has been regularly consumed for hundreds of years and is currently enjoyed daily by millions of people around the world.
As such, its effects have been well documented and studied by doctors and scientists alike. Not so much with kratom. So, do your research before adding kratom to your daily routine.
Final Thoughts on Kratom vs Coffee: Coffee is the Safer Bet for Daily Consumption and an Energy Boost
All in all, coffee is generally considered the better option for daily consumption if you need an energy boost. It has documented health advantages, and the risks of coffee dependency are quite mild. Coffee can also help a lot if you are trying to quit kratom and your energy is low. Plus, you can get all kinds of caffeine-packed organic coffee in bulk online at a great price!
Remember to think carefully before switching from coffee to kratom, as you could be signing up for some serious dependency issues later on down the road. As always, remember that it is best to talk to your doctor before consuming any kind of new stimulant. If you're considering trying kratom, be sure you know what you are getting into first.
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