Recently, people are seeking natural ways to cope with a variety of discomforts. Herbal remedies are very sought after as everyone tries to explore naturopathic and homeopathic solutions. With the legalization of cannabidiol (CBD) in the 2018 Farm Act, the cannabis-derived cannabinoid became an almost instant overnight herbal supplement success. Along with CBD, kratom has also become a heavy contender for those exploring therapeutic supplements. However, you might wonder which is better kratom or CBD. In this article, we will explore the benefits of both.
Table of Contents
What is Kratom?
Various types of kratom
Kratom is derived from the leaves of a tropical tree that grows throughout much of Southeast Asia. Thai botanical medicine has used kratom for centuries due to the high alkaloid content found in the foliage. In fact, kratom contains at least 40 different compounds and two leading alkaloids Mitragynine (MG) and 7‐hydroxymitragynine (7‐HMG). MG and 70HMG both act on the brain receptors in a fashion that is very similar to opioids.
The Many Forms of Kratom
Users of kratom can ingest the leave in a powder or capsule form. Recently, many kratom brands are also offering kratom energy drinks and beverages laced with the herb. In Southeast Asia, the locals chew on the leaves of the kratom tree to extract the alkaloids. Also, after a long day or while socializing they will frequently brew kratom tea. Some vendors offer kratom fashioned into tea for U.S. consumers.
How is Kratom Processed?
Unlike CBD, which is extracted from the cannabis plant’s fibers, kratom is obtained by harvesting the leaves of the kratom tree. They are then cured through air-drying. Once cured, the leaves are ground down into a powder or small particles for teas. Kratom contains no additives. However, there are various strains of kratom such as red-vein, green-vein, and white vein. The vein-colors found in the leaves of the kratom tree denote the various alkaloid concentrations.
The Effects of Kratom
Typically, a user can obtain different physical effects by choosing different strains of kratom. When considering kratom or CBD, please remember that CBD tends to render no psychoactive responses in a user but kratom does alter perception and cognitive abilities which are two of the main differences between the two herbs. Users who do not wish to feel ‘different’ might want to avoid kratom and go with CBD.
Forms of Kratom
You do not have as many forms to choose between with kratom as you do with CBD. You can purchase kratom powder which you can mix in foods or beverages. Some people do a toss and wash method of ingestion where they take a dose of kratom powder and chase it with a glass of water to wash it down. If you do not like the bitter taste of kratom then you might want to try capsules. On rare occasions, you can find kratom energy drinks or beverages and teas that you can brew from the kratom leaves.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabinoid; one of the many chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD occurs in both hemp and marijuana. However, only CBD that is derived from hemp which contains less than 0.03 percent is legal in the United States. In some states CBD derived from marijuana is legal, but it contains greater levels of THC than hemp-derived CBD.
The Extraction Process of CBD
Extraction artists use a variety of extraction forms to pull the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant’s fibers. They often use butane, ethanol, CO2 extraction, or grain alcohol to gain CBD. The most popular extraction method is CO2 because it is environmentally friendly and solvent-free.
Types of CBD
You can purchase CBD in many forms such as tinctures, oils, vapes, edibles, topicals, and capsules. CBD comes as full-spectrum (contains all the cannabinoids found in the plant), broad-spectrum (contains all cannabinoids but no THC), and isolate (cannabinoid free-only pure CBD). When derived from hemp, the CBD must always contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
The Effects of CBD
CBD works on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). It can bind with the CB1 and CB2 receptors which governor many responses in the body such as pain perception, inflammation, the immune system, digestion, and more. CBD positively affects the receptors and the ECS to help with a variety of health conditions. One of the nice things about CBD is that it causes no psychoactive responses so you can take it at any time of day without feeling any ‘different.’ Many people are turning to CBD for their pets too!
Not an Easy Choice: Kratom or CBD?
CBD reduces pain. Without a doubt, studies have clearly shown that CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help with arthritis-related inflammation such as pain and swelling. In addition, by reducing inflammation, the CBD helps prevent ongoing nerve degeneration and possible nerve damage. CBD is also favored for relieving neuropathic pain caused by multiple sclerosis.
Many turn to CBD to treat migraines and headaches. As a topical, CBD can be rubbed on the area of discomfort for fast absorption through the skin and into the system. Many times, you will find CBD infused balms, salves, and lotions that also contain capsaicin or menthol to further soothe.
CBD and Epidiolex
Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first CBD pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of childhood epilepsies. Epidiolex has truly helped make CBD more acceptable as a potential treatment due to its success in preventing or reducing seizures in sufferers of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Treating Anxiety with CBD
CBD tinctures
CBD has shown great promise in helping with anxiety, according to studies. Especially, individuals faced with public speaking and other stressful situations. The cannabinoid has gained favor for the treatment of panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Health Benefits of Kratom
Kratom has not undergone as much scientific research as CBD so its benefits remain in the dark and are often only backed by historic word of mouth in Southeast Asia. However, as time progresses and kratom becomes more mainstream research will start to take place to determine the potential health benefits of the herb. However, despite the concrete evidence, many kratom enthusiasts believe strongly that the alkaloids found in the plant reduce their perception of pain, help them sleep, improve their cognitive abilities, and relieve the withdrawal symptoms of opioid abuse.
A study was carried out by Psychopharmacology to study kratom for the treatment of opioid addiction and it was found that Mitragynine does appear to reduce opioid abuse and might even work as an acceptable antidepressant. However, despite the study, the FDA continues to drag its feet over approving kratom for medical uses and research contains to be scarce. Kratom remains a wee bit of a quandary since Mitragynine appears to effectively treat opioid addiction but 7-HMG acts on the brain’s opioid receptors which makes the FDA cautious about the herb.
Kratom or CBD: Which one is Better?
It is ridiculously hard to compare CBD and kratom. Both are herbs gathered from a plant, but they act in vastly different ways on the body. CBD is non-addictive and considered safe which makes it very appealing to users. With very few side effects and sound scientific support, there is no reason not to try CBD. Most people simply find it more comfortable then kratom.
Perhaps it is the fact that kratom seems exotic since it comes from Southeast Asia and is not as intermingled in the culture of America as cannabis. Either way, most people opt to try CBD first. However, kratom is fast increasing in popularity as more people decide to try new things and explore treatments promoted by other cultures.
Ultimately, it is your choice which one is best for you: kratom or CBD. They are both hugely different, so you will want to experiment with each one to make a concrete determination.
Buying Kratom or CBD
CBD is widely available. You can purchase the cannabinoid online, at smoke shops, dispensaries, and even health food stores. There are many brands and choices. Kratom is increasing in popularity and you can find it either online or at brick and mortar stores. Ideally, you should find a vendor who you trust to purchase your kratom from.
At My Kratom Club, we sell a variety of strains HERE.
What to Look for in Kratom or CBD?
You want to find a respected brand whether you are buying Kratom or CBD. The brands should perform third-party laboratory testing to ensure the purity of both kratom and CBD. Also, pay close attention to the manufacturing process and product reviews to determine if the brand will meet your needs.
If you want to learn more about kratom or CBD then please contact My Kratom Club. We are here to answer all your questions.
Hi Kimberly, I am aware of CBD but had never heard of Kratom. Is it also legalised? This is an interesting comparison and a very informative article. I know people who have used CBD for joint pain and headaches and they talk highly of it. I believe in natural herbal methods and I appreciate your time in sharing so much information. I know it is easy to find details online but some of the content you find out there, at times is very confusing.
Keep sending more comparisons of the sort. Thank you. Marisa
Hey there Marisa,
Kratom is legal in most states.
Take a look HERE to see where Kratom is banned which can be helpful and informative.
Happy you found us Marisa and enjoyed learning more about Kratom and CBD.
– My Kratom Club
I really find this information so interesting and educational. Kratom is not something that I have ever heard of and I am not completely convinced about CBD Oil. However, once I read your article will definitely look at trying especially as I like the way they take the leaves from the tree to make which seems a lot more plausible for me.
Thank you so much for this information
This is truly a great analysis and comparison of CBD and Kratom. I have had so many questions about both products put mainly Kratom as I had never heard of it prior to visiting your site. Being a gummy fan, CBD would probably be my first choice. However, your explanation of the benefits of Kratom, and the fact that it can be taken in a pill form, makes it worth trying. I have bookmarked your site as there are other articles I would like to read to get the whole picture. Thanks for this thorough explanation.
It’s a great theme with one column that keep the visitors focused on the content and the beautiful start picture that shift between Kratom & CBD seems well placed. It’s a Thorough, detailed well written review of the difference between Kratom & CBD. There are several good and sincere points in the difference.
Maybe It could be beneficial to use a kind of highlights in ex. “no psychoactive responses (CBD)” vs “alter perception and cognitive abilities (Kratom)”? It seems like it’s the crucial difference!
Thank you for a good relevant review
Being a user of kratom, I would always be optimistic about the comparison of the two. Though the only difference is the fact that I just got to know about cbd some few weeks ago and it has been working well too. However, going by my uses of kratom and the fact that I had no issues with it since I have been using, I will just puck Kratom above cbd now. Thanks
To be honest, this is going to be a very hard selection for me because I have been using CBD for a while and I know how well it works but I have only read about kratom but have not tested it abilities. I am however very eager to give it a go having read what you have written here. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for educating me in regards to Kratom. I did not know what it was until now. With that said, it seems like Kratom would not be ideal for most illnesses outside of helping wean people off of a drug addiction. CBD is more likely to help with much more without altering perceptions and such. It actually is a little scary to think about people using it without researching the effects. Yikes! I think I will stick to the CBD at this point.
Hey there Kelly.
CBD and Kratom are quite different when it comes to chemical composition.
There have been very few cases overall in regards to major illnesses and side effects of taking this supplement.
It’s important to us to provide as much information in our blog HERE so that we have informed consumers.
Kratom is used for:
* Pain
* Anxiety
* Energy
* Mood Elevation
There are many other uses for Kratom but those are the foundation.
This should give you a bit more information of how powerful this substance is and all natural.
– MKC
Wow! This information was great insight. I like how you mentioned what to look for while shopping. Whether that be the brands performing third-party laboratory testing to ensure the purity of both kratom and CBD. AND to pay close attention to the manufacturing process and product reviews to determine if the brand will meet your needs. Though, I do wonder what would be the best place to start for me to determine what my needs are exactly.
Thanks in advance!
Cass
A very popular question Cassandra.
We always recommend starting with small amounts and fully reading our product descriptions in our store HERE.
It will help a lot to know and learn about what will be best for you.
– MKC
I had not heard of Kratom before. Do you know then if Kratom could help someone with a very high OCD level? And is this something like CBD that could possibly show up on a blood test? My son was taking CBD for his OCD, but it only helped minimally, and it showed up in a blood test at work which was embarrassing for him as he is not a drug user LOL.
Leahre we appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment.
CBD can show up in a blood test as you know.
There are different types of CBD and it varies as it is manufactured, instead of being an all natural powder like Kratom.
Take a look HERE for how different strains can help with different types of ailments.
– MKC
Thanks so much for sharing a beautiful, informative article with us. The principal element of this article is about Kratom and CBD. It’s really amazing that you covered this subject so well in your post. I have learned a lot from reading your post and gained a lot of knowledge about Kratom. I like the CBD of the points mentioned in your article. I haven’t used Kratom before but I was inspired by your article and joined the referral you provided to use.I think it and CBD Oil will play an effective role in solving any of my problems.
I’ve read your article and enjoyed it and I’d like to share it with my friends by posting it in the Facebook community so that everyone knows about your article and gets to know it.
Hello Kimberly – This is an interesting article. I have been researching CBD but I have a very limited knowledge of kratom so this is enlightening. I think kratom still has legality issues doesn’t it, or is it covered under the recent farm bill legislation? I don’t have any major illnesses but I’ve started Hemp oil as a preventative measure. Maybe I’ll try kratom next. Thanks.
Nathaniel,
Happy to see you are knowledgeable of the farm bill as that has been very important to allow CBD to be more of a mainstream product.
Unfortunately it hasn’t changed anything with Kratom.
Hopefully soon.
Take a look HERE to read more about Kratom and the legal issues surrounding the all natural supplement.
– MKC
I prefer CBD to Kratom for the exact reason that CBD is non-additive while Kratom is and I’ve read about the fact that Kratom is a herbal medicine that when addicted to isn’t easy to withdraw from and it may take a little bit of trouble and time to get it sorted. I’ll always recommend CBD.
Hi Kimberley
This is a very interesting article and it does clearly demonstrates the difference between CBD or Kratom and for what reasons you may choose one or the other. I personally think that both have use medically but we still do not know which is better for certain conditions or symptoms. I must admit I not heard much about kratom but I have heard and read a lot about CBD. I think that it can mask pain but it will not address the underlying cause of the pain I think that research is still in its infancy and we will not know its benefits or side effects until more studies have been carried out.
I do not like jumping the gun. Which do you think in the long run will be more beneficial for those suffering from chronic pain?
Thanks
Antonio
Thanks Antonio for the detailed comment and question.
That is a great question but hard to answer. Everyone is so different.
We have heard many say that Kratom works so much better for them than CBD.
We have also heard the opposite.
It is always best to see for yourself with sampling.
Hope that helps.
– MKC
Awesome article once again. I had never come across Kratom before your articles. I have tried CBD but the jury is still out on that. I did not have any noticeable benefits, however I am savvy enough to know that working with herbs requires patience and consistency. Thank you for the comparison.
I started looking into CBD use for the wife to help her when she was having a lot of joint pain issues. We started using gummies first and then went with Smoking it in plant form like you would with marijuana. I found that using CBD was a great mood stabilizer for her and helped her to not be so wound up. It will not get you high as much as it just helps you unwind and relax. She tried Kratom but for some reason with her, she gets nauseous using it. she has a bit of an allergic reaction. I used the same product and didn’t have any issues at all. It is best to try different things as not every product works the best per person as was pointed out that there are different extracting forms that may affect the end product. Also, a tip for the legal smokers out there, if smoking weed makes someone paranoid mixing their weed with CBD or using with a CBD product helps to alleviate those symptoms. I am going to check out the Kratom club shop. What is a good place for me to start not knowing as much about kratom as CBD?
I used CBD for a period of 4 months due to arthritis and anxiety but I have never heard about kratoms before! It’s so fascinating to know that they’re basically leafs that are turned into a some type of medical alternative. Personally, I would stay with CBD if I had to pick one but having an alternative it’s something to keep in mind if CBD isn’t working for the person.
Absolutely fascinating stuff. I used to think that both of these are kind of the same thing. It turns out it isn’t. Not even close, the way I see it.
“Alter perception and cognitive abilities” – I assume that’s in the positive direction, right? Or at least a neutral one. One definite advantage of this might be that we actually get to feel how Kratom is doing its thing. But then again CBD is the one backed up by extensive research in various aspects. Ultimately, generally speaking, I agree. I feel it’s definitely worth trying and exploring both.
But since, personally, I’ve tried CBD once it first became the thing, I’m leaning more towards Kratom.
I appreciate the article. Cheers.
Well! I wouldn’t say specifically because they are both excellent and they can really be used for almost everything but being on the brighter side and staying more safer, I will prefer to make use of kratom to cbd. Though you have done a great job by not being biased in your overview of the two. however, I still prefer kratom to cbd.
This is an interesting article that taught me about Kratom. Like the explanation on how kratom is processed and especially the air-drying. The air-drying seems like would take a while to be ready for the actual product for people to use. I use CBD oils for health benefits, most of the time buy them without thinking about looking or finding out about how the products are processed.
HI there Janette.
Thanks for your thoughts. It is very important to learn about how the products are produced as there is not any regulation by the government when it comes to quality control of Kratom and CBD products.
We do our best to work with the companies that can supply us with their manufacturing procedures and safety precautions.
– MKC
Kratom is a very nice product although I am yet to try it out but I gotten a very good response on the product. On the other hand CBD is a super product although some brands are wanting to spoil it but it very good…..And I think I would go with CBD for now till I get Kratom.
Hi Sophia,
Appreciate your thoughts on CBD and Kratom.
CBD
is most definitely more well known that Kratom.
Both can be used for pain. Kratom has shown to help with a whole lot of other ailments.
If you have the time we encourage you to check out our list of the most popular Kratom strains and how each based on our customer feedback has shown to help.
Click HERE to learn more.
– MKC