Kratom or CBD for Anxiety: Comparing Two Popular Natural Remedies

From your heart racing to your thoughts centered on your stress, anxiety manifests itself in several ways, both physically and mentally. Some individuals can manage their anxiety through deep breathing exercises and other similar techniques. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. Some can benefit from natural anxiety relief like kratom or CBD. Before you choose one though, you should compare kratom vs. CBD oil to understand the differences. 

Identifying Signs of Anxiety  

While stress is a normal part of life, anxiety occurs when a person over response to normal life stressors. You might find yourself unable to take your mind off your troubles, or maybe you stress over issues that have yet to occur. 

While fears and troubles might consume your thoughts, anxiety can often have physical symptoms too, such as:

• Sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Trembling or shaking
• Tiredness or weakness
• Insomnia  
• Gastrointestinal problems

Kratom Vs. CBD Oil: General Information 

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is an extract from the cannabis plant. Unlike the ingredient in the plant that causes euphoria – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD can’t get a person high. It’s the non-psychoactive portion of the flower that’s useful for medicinal purposes. 

It may come in the form of an oil, capsule, chew, salve, gum, vape oil, spray, suppository, and more. Many people opt to use it in oil form, though. In terms of its health benefits, it may help with those with any of the following issues: 

• Seizures
• Anxiety
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatment
• Pain

When you want to choose between kratom or CBD oil, consider both are natural and have a positive impact on anxiety. If mental health issues are sufficiently serious, formal depression treatment may be needed.  As of yet, the FDA has yet to approve all products with CBD in it, but one CBD-derived medication, Epidiolex, has FDA approval. 

According to cbdflowerusa, Kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree. You may smoke, eat, or drink kratom because it’s available as: 

• Fresh or dried leaves 
• Powder 
• Paste 
• Capsules
• Pills
• Gum
• Liquid 
• Pellets 
• Capsules

It may have the following benefits:

• Anxiety relief
• Pain relief 
• Energy booster
• Mood enhancer
• Withdrawal symptom relief
• Antispasmodic 

The effects of kratom are dependent upon the dosage. Generally, lower dosages provide you with a stimulant-like effect while higher doses generate pain relief and possible euphoria. Kratom isn’t FDA approved and is only legal in some states. 

Kratom Vs. CBD Oil: Mechanism of Action

Although you can take CBD or kratom for stress and anxiety, their mechanisms of action aren’t the same. Kratom works on the opioid receptors in the brain, which are the same receptors that prescription pain relievers like oxycodone effect. Although it’s not an opioid pain reliever, it may reduce pain. Some individuals experience mood changes from it, although it’s not known why. 

On the contrary, CBD oil works on the cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and nervous system. For anxiety relief, the CBD binds with the CB1 receptors, which affect pain, emotions, and mood.  

Special Considerations When Choosing Kratom or CBD Oil 

When you consider whether kratom or CBD oil is for you, it’s important to understand that people can react differently to these substances. Even though they’re natural, both CBD oil and kratom for stress and anxiety can cause side effects. 

Usually, individuals tolerate CBD oil well, but possible side effects include:

• Hallucinations
• Depression
• Low blood pressure 
• Dizziness
• Depression

A person could also experience withdrawal symptoms like insomnia and irritability from CBD oil. 

Kratom is more likely to cause side effects than CBD. Poison control centers throughout the U.S. reported around 1,800 reports for kratom from 2010 until 2017. Some of those reports even included death. Other possible side effects of kratom are: 

• Weight loss 
• Muscle pain 
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth 
• Liver damage
• Constipation
• Changes in urine
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Breathing suppression 
• Drowsiness
• Seizure 
• Coma 

If you’re deciding between CBD oil or kratom for stress and anxiety, you want to take into consideration that either one may help. However, not everyone responds the same. It’s also important to understand the possible side effects, so you know what to expect.