You left out one important aspect to this story. Many chronic pain sufferers in the US are no longer given pain medications or are treated like criminals if they are prescribed. So many have turned to Kratom because they cannot get real relief elsewhere. Kratom has saved my chronically ill husband's quality of life and we do live in fear that this lifeline will be taken away. It probably needs to be regulated, but we hope it is not banned. Opioid addiction is a sad state, but pain patients deserve support. Pain can rob so much of a person's life and livelihood.
Yeah I have numerous spinal injuries, but I had to be injured at age 22 vs 52, so doctors rarely take me seriously. Dilaudid helps, next to that I need very high doses of anything else to help. Also lol at the confusion in this video about opiates vs controlled stuff, tramadol is NOT an opiate technically. At least twas what I learned in pharmacology.
@@garretth8224 unfortunatelly,many people have a bad reaction to it. And for chronic pain that is so big,maybe an oil with high % would help but it's not that likely. And who knows if it's legal where they live
@@queens363 To add to that it can be very expensive and insurance does not pay until federally legal if ever and company's and businesses figure out the backend.
I was an opioid addict for 10 years. I went as far as using fentanyl and kratom saved my life. I went to rehab and was given suboxone. When I wanted to cut down my dr insisted I needed to be on it for at least 3 years and I hated the idea of paying $600 a month to just be okay and continue to be dependent on a substance so I learned about it. I started cutting my sub doses in half and used kratom for my second. I eventually quit using the subs and stopped rehab. Now after 4 years I still have no issues avoiding opioids and only take kratom when I am hurting. It’s a life saver and the US wants to take it so they can control the money from addiction and pain reduction.
Props to you for not taking the subs, they are evil. I don't know a single person who got off of those. They ether lose their script and buy them on the streets or go back to their d.o.t. (drug of choice.
Congrats on your sobriety!!! I don’t know you, but I’m still proud of you for taking control of your life and kicking the poisons. I wish you the best!
Woah, you had to pay 600$ a month for sub? I guess I should be even more grateful for the NHS in England than I already was. I pay £30 every three months for my Suboxone prescription. I take a daily 3xpill dose too. Dread to think what it would cost me.
@@MaddogMD82 sadly prices on all meds without a discount card are like this in US. Back in the day you had to go every day and get your dose. It was to stop street selling. I think it was 15usd a visit. So it was very expensive, but cheaper than buying pain killers off the street and risking yourr life because of your addiction. I am so happy those times are gone. Hope everyone here the best!
I was a severe Alcoholic and with that came very many consequences and regrets. I take Kratom on a regular basis and I have completely quit drinking and no longer enjoy alcohol. I don't hear much about this but it has influenced my decision to give up Alcohol and my life has improved.
I want to stop drinking alcohol. You have given me hope!! My son takes Kratom for his arthritis. I had no idea it would help for drinking alcohol. I am willing to try. Thank you!!
@@melindataggart7543 yeah forsure. Find what works. Alcohol was by far the most destructive lifestyle for me so it took a miracle and I know a lot of people throughout my life prayed I wouldn't end up like my Dad who passed away from Alcoholism. I'm 40 years old So it wasn't looking very hopeful for me and sure enough Kratom worked. I haven't drank in almost 6 years. Good luck and give it go. ✌️
@melindataggart7543 j Just be careful with mixing alcohol and kratom. Try avoiding both at the same time or at least 6 hours clean since your last drink. It also helped me quit alcohol all together, 5 years sober with no urge to get a drink at all. And it's way easier to taper down the dose gradually.
I’m a former opiate addict… (Heroin/Fentanyl). I don’t take kratom anymore, but at one point it did help me quit the drugs. Years prior I had been on methadone.. but that was just a way to substitute the heroin.. legally. I wasn’t ready to quit. Now I am 8 months clean and kratom helped with the early phase of withdrawal.
Did you go cold turkey with only kratom as relief? How much of the withdrawal would you say it helps with? If cold turkey with nothing is 10/10 what would you say with kratom is?
I’m a disabled veteran with epilepsy from a brain injury. Last year I had a really bad seizure ad pulled several muscles and ligaments. I was going to be off my feet for weeks but they only prescribed me a weeks worth of pain medication. Kratom was recommended by a fellow veteran and it took away all the pain without making me useless like pain pills did. The number one rule like all things however is moderation…..avoid the concentrated versions and only use it when you need it and make sure you detox from it periodically
All things in moderation. I've been on opioid pain relievers for years, and I frequently take a break (usually just one or two days), and as a result, I've never experienced withdrawal symptoms.
Plain Common Sense... All herbs have a "Recommended Serving" and for Kratom it's 1-2 grams - Most people feel good effects @ 1 or 2 grams ( Double that, Only IF you have a high Opioid Tolerance ) - never bump or abuse this plant - maintain @ lowest Serving - Less is More 😍
I've been "living" with chronic pain for well over a decade now and I can't find any kind of pain relief that isn't considered a felony. I always hear "You're too young" every time and I'm labeled as a pill seeker. Oddly, I've never once asked for any kind of pills. That exact phrase landed me on the operating table at 25 because no one would take my pain seriously. By the time someone did, the disc at the base of my spine had completely collapsed and caused some permanent nerve damage. My surgeon told me "You have two options at this point: You can have your spine fused and we can try to mitigate any further damage to the nerves. You can also choose not to have surgery and, if you're lucky, you'll only lose the use of your legs permanently. Your spine has zero stability and I'm amazed you're still able to move at all." Turns out, I have a genetic condition that made me extremely prone to the injury and, had someone taken me seriously when I first complained of the pain, it could have been caught before the disc ruptured and collapsed. Now, I'm in my mid-30's and I'm bound to a wheelchair any time I leave the house. I can get by with a cane and a little help from my spouse while I'm at home. No one wants to listen, even though I have multiple x-rays, MRI's, and enough metal in me to open my own hardware store. Still told I'm "too young to have that kind of pain". I once had a doctor look at my imaging, examine the 12 inch long scar that runs up my lower back from my spinal fusion, see the discs in my upper back bulging, see that my spine is crooked, and then call me a lair straight to my face. This is what it's like to have chronic pain before you're 60. You're called a liar and treated like a drug addict. Doctors judge you before they ever walk into the room. My physical ailment diagnosis list reads like a Billy Mays commercial script. "But wait! There's more!" Honestly, I'd swing a dead cat over my head under the light of a full moon while whistling Dixie with a turnip shoved up my ass and a rabid badger stuffed in my pants if I thought it would help. Maybe I should look into Kratom and see what happens. I've nothing left to lose because my quality of life has long since vanished. Best case: it helps. Worst case: it kills me. I've reached the point where I'm fine with either outcome. It would be nice to go out and have fun with my kids, though. Right now, I'm not living, I'm just existing.
You’re not alone brother. Surgery at 20 because I toughed it out for so long and did irreversible damage. They had to cut out a few ft of intestine. Never been the same since.
I personally vouch for Kratom but I'd definitely recommend sticking to the dried powder. Like the video mentioned, people messing with it and trying to make it more potent is really where the danger lies. I've been using the powder for 5 years after trying a ton of different medications for some unknown condition (doctors also think I'm "too young") and it has literally saved my life. I'm pretty sure I would have wound up on disability had I not found it. I definitely won't touch anything but the powder or fresh leaves though. I'm hoping to start growing some indoors soon too so that I know I'm for sure getting pure unadulterated Kratom. Also, just FYI- the different "colors" mentioned in the names of Kratom (ex. White vein Maeng Da) is apparently just named that way due to the way it's prepared, it's not typically a different strain like you see with marijuana. I actually use the type I mentioned as an example since it felt ces me a relaxing form of energy. It's actually supposed to be the one that is more stimulating, but I have ADHD so it work a bit of the opposite way. 😅 I take it every 1-3 hours and have never experienced any I'll side effects and it really helps me actually be functional at work and such. I hope you are able to look into it and that it helps you if you try it. 😊
My husband has the exact same situation as you. He had his first spinal fusion at 23. He has been on kratom for 4 years. Completely saved his life. There's no excuse for the way your doctors treated you, but you should be glad you're not getting opioids. There's a lovely little side effect of prescription opioids that no one tells you about. It's called hyperalgesia. It causes INCREASED pain! You see, opioids are designed for short term pain management, such as for a broken bone. But when people are given opioids for years for chronic conditions, the body reacts paradoxically, and instead of blocking the pain, it enhances it. My husband's pain management specialist kept increasing his doses until he developed hyperalgesia (a possibility he never warned him about), and my husband attempted suicide, because he just couldn't take the excruciating constant pain anymore. After he recovered from his suicide attempt, he discovered kratom. It doesn't take all his pain away, and it doesn't get him high at all. It just reduces his pain enough for him to function and not be miserable, which is an absolute blessing. Go to americankratom.org (the AKA's site) for a list of trustworthy companies that they've checked out. (Kats Botanicals is the one we use, and they're awesome.) Order powdered red vein kratom with nothing else. Then mix a half a measuring teaspoon to start in a glass of grapefruit juice to mask the taste. It doesn't dissolve well, so you kind of have to keep stirring as you drink. If you don't notice a difference after half a teaspoon, wait about five hours, and try it with a full teaspoon. It can't hurt you if that's all you take, and you're getting it from a good source. All that scary stuff is either from people using adulterated product or pure product in too high a dose. The powder mixed in juice works better than the capsules, which are a waste of money. My state tried to ban kratom. The state board of pharmacy held a hearing inviting the public to testify for or against the ban. Over 1000 people showed up. I was one of them. We each got 5minutes to testify. Out of over 1000 NOT ONE was in favor of banning it. And the testimonies of so many people, everyone from doctors, nurses, engineers, and professors, to former heroin addict ex-convicts, moved me to tears. Please try it safely. Don't ever just buy it in a store. Get it straight from an AKA-approved manufacturer online, and take it the way I said. Then please let me know how it helped.
Fact: more people overdose on water (that's right -- you can die from drinking too much water in too short a period of time) annually than overdose on kratom.
I'm the biggest skeptic on the planet. With everything. I've watched people super close to me get off opiates that they were VERY addicted to. Their addiction was so bad they were ruining their lives. But they were terrified of withdrawals. They went through them before. Kratom stopped withdrawals and got them off heroine and pain pills. Also, the pharmaceutical company really wants it off the market. Why? Because it works.
It's not magic, the active compounds like mytragine bind to the same opiod receptor as opiates do, however they do not bind to the receptors responsible for respiratory depression so less dangerous for a given potency. I mean it's basically an opiate, somewhat atypical. Kinda like dextrometorphan. Mix both for q wonderful evening haha,
They want it off the market because it's basically an unregulated opiate. It binds to the same receptors, it produces most of the same effects including powerful addiction and horrible withdrawals the only big differences are its a harder to OD but not by a lot and an OD is basically death instead of a narcan dose.
Kratom saved my life too. I was a homeless drunk for over a decade, but I was finally able to get sober after starting kratom powder. Not only did it help to alleviate the detox (going from 1+liter vodka / day to none), but it elevates mood as well, which helped me combat some of the underlying issues that led me to addiction in the first place. That being said, I agree that there are some problems with the current unregulated products. The potency can vary widely between different strains, different distributors, and even different bags of the same product (depending on the distributor). I'm also concerned about the extract due to its potency. I used powder, and any time I'd ended up taking too much at once, I would get extremely nauseous and end up quickly vomiting up the majority of it. The concentration of the extract bypasses that natural defense, and I can absolutely see how easy it might be to overdose. My account is only an anecdote, so make of it what you will. That said, I'm confident I would have died years ago from either liver failure or suicide if I hadn't been introduced to kratom.
As a former opiate addict, I can 100% vouch for kratom. Like many, I was very skeptical at first, but it has changed my life. I don’t even think about taking pills anymore. I would like to eventually stop taking kratom but I don’t want to ever go back to my old life.
@@leo-mf22I was a gram a day user and I've been clean for years now. It saved my life. Everyone's chemistry and tolerance is different though. So I'm sure it can help some and not others
Not just similar withdrawals; significantly worse than the withdrawals induced by stronger opioids like morphine. my friend who used Kratom heavily a few years ago has a similar tolerance to me which is pretty large and she stated multiple times that kratom withdrawals are particularly nasty, with all of the same hallmarks of regular opiates but way more intense and longer lasting depending on how fast you developed a tolerance and how long you were using before taking a break.
I'm incredibly grateful people with chronic pain and opioid issues are able to get relief for their vastly more serious problems but as a person with severe depression and anxiety, a low dose of Kratom gives me the energy and charisma to work in busy restaurant without panic attacks. Moderation in everything, including moderation.
Actually due to opioid crisis a lot of us in pain cannot get treatment. I can't afford Kratom as it is not an rx, I don't have hundreds of spare dollars a month.
It has helped me with my depression, anxiety, and PTSD so much. Gives me the nerve to talk to people without my mind racing and gives me a boost when I’m feeling glued to my bed with depression
Wow. Great bit of timing there Simon. I live in a state that recently got stupid with its crackdown on pain medication. The idiots running the state didn't even bother to make some sort of plan for those that were suddenly cut off of pain meds they've been taken for years. A lot of people are legitimately in pain and suffering are left with no way to get relief. I know of at least three people who took their own life just to get away from the pain. After seeing this I tried some myself and immediately saw why this could help a great deal of people with both pain and opioid addiction.
As a opiate user for years and then getting clean was the hardest thing ive ever did. Kratom saved me and ill stand by it. For anyone who struggles this is something that helps so much. I wont say it isnt still hard but without kratom only other choice would be methadone and i wouldnt recommend that route.
I hope you keep at it. Recall that this is a plant ally, a plant teacher, a potent herbal remedy. Stay away from its concentrates or extracts. Use the whole plant leaf from reliable sources. It may help to keep track of the times of use in a day in a diary. Disregard un-helpful or angry advice.
I hate saying this here but I got arrested once for having weed and other things and I had Kratom also. When I was released they gave me back my phone my wallet and my Kratom. If you're talking about Kratom with in a couple seconds you will hear WHAT THE F IS KRATOM because it doesn't do bad things to you at all, they know everything about Real Drugs- but not this Kratom 👍
I got myself off of a six year morphine habit with kratom and then kratom was fairly easy to put down. It gave me my life back. I was pissed I didn't find out about it way earlier.
Same but I had a OxyContin addiction. Took Kratom for 6 months and got fully clean . It’s been 10 years I’m there for my family now and life has never been better.
I took percs off and on for over ten yrs and never got physically addicted, within the first few yrs of the shots being legal I got my first signs of withdrawal... haha, I'm good now but it got me, when the other narcotics didn't. I guess? it was me being overconfident on how safe it was.. haha.
I've witnessed both sides of the story with two different friends. The female merely added it to her list to alleviate withdrawals until she can get harder drugs. The male, however, not only quit heroine, but also quit drinking as well. It has improved his life considerably.
I never had a drinking problem, but I couldn’t imagine going to a party or socializing without some alcohol. As soon as I started taking kratom, no more alcohol! It helps my social anxiety **without impairing my ability to leave the party whenever I want 😁
I started doing drugs since my teenage, got addicted to crack. Spent my whole life fighting Crack addiction. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. This is something that really need to be use globally to help people with related health challenges.
YES very sure of Dr.benshrooms. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I'm really happy for you that your wife decided to help you...I hear about alot of family members or so called friends shutting an addict out of their life, which since most addicts do it to mask emotions to me is the worse thing someone can do to an addict.
Yes he's Dr.benshrooms. Shrooms to me is a natrual healer. I know a guy who has used mushrooms in the same way and they have really helped him. mah dudes have safe trips all.
I was horrifically depressed since childhood. It was relentless. I assumed it would ultimately end me somehow. About twelve years ago I randomly accepted the offer from a friend of a few doses of mushrooms. I did them two consecutive nights alone. First night was pretty mild. The second night? Wow. I saw my depression from every angle, realized much. Next day: depression totally gone. Never came back, never coming back. It's like it's a forest far away I can remember, and could probably find again with enough effort, but it has zero impact on anything in my life or mind. They honestly saved my life and improved it immensely. I never did them again, either. I wish there was a good, organized way to administer them to people who would benefit from them.
You absolutely rocked this presentation, Simon! I've worked in behavioral health for years, and I can attest to the benefits of Kratom in dealing with addiction and chronic pain for sooo many people. Well done!
As a kratom user for 12 years, I started taking it due to a 5 year pain pill addiction from a prescription thanks too my doctor. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back. It’s saved my life and I urge others to try it if they are on pills. I haven’t ever overdosed, because if you take too much, you will throw it up. If they try and stop it here in the US, I’ll buy pounds of it before they do and stockpile it. I know how much to take to regulate my back pain. Thanks for doing this one guys.
I’ve been taking it for a little over a year now. It’s been incredible. I feel fantastic, and have basically stopped drinking alcohol. I mix up the strains daily, but I’m afraid I might be becoming dependent on it. Most importantly, I really want to make sure my liver is fine. How much do you take daily? And have you seen any liver damage from long-term use?
@@jamesdeininger3759it was a nightmare to get off of it. Don’t give in to what people say about it. Stop taking it for a few days you’ll see what I mean
I don’t understand why everyone is praising it, it’s so weak it’s not enough. If you are addicted to opiates, and try to get off them with Kratom it’s not strong enough. You will still go through severe withdrawal.
I sold kratom and actually started taking it a few years ago and can vouch that you guys really did your research when it came to this. I wish you had explained a little more about how much effort the feds have put into tryong to ban it, and how everytime they try they see a noticable uptake in new users as soon as people learn about it. The entire process really speaks to how little the US is willing to trust it's Pharmaceutical companies or even our Government
This video was well-researched, except the part where they didn't include the DEA's "proof" that kratom was unsafe - a report of fatalities where kratom was mixed with narcotics, always with more than one other substance testing positive on the toxicology report. This DEA report, intended to justify a total Kratom ban, did not include a single case where a person died with only kratom in their system. Additionally, a recent CDC report (2019) found that out of 27,338 overdose deaths, only 7 of them tested positive for kratom alone, and 152 had kratom in their system along with other more deadly substances. Regarding those 7 cases, other drugs "could not be ruled out", as 7 out of 27338 (0.026%) is well within the margin of error for the testing methods. Of those 7, three were confirmed to have other drugs in their system upon retesting, which was published here: www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc1811055 . There is simply no evidence that kratom alone is more dangerous than, for example, caffeine consumption. Because Simon didn't call out the blatant attempt at disinformation from the DEA, or the CDC data which confirms the low risk of kratom use, or the fact that all published evidence thus far shows that kratom is very safe compared to other opioids, the "both sides" attitude was off-putting to me. In addition to all this information, Simon should have mentioned that because kratom cannot be patented, pharma companies have a financial incentive, and thus a legal responsibility to their shareholders, to deny funding for all research on kratom's efficacy or safety. To quote the CDC report from 2019 - "Data on 27,338 overdose deaths that occurred during July 2016-December 2017 were entered into SUDORS, and 152 (0.56%) of these decedents tested positive for kratom on postmortem toxicology (kratom-positive). Postmortem toxicology testing protocols were not documented and varied among and within states. Kratom was determined to be a cause of death (i.e., kratom-involved) by a medical examiner or coroner for 91 (59.9%) of the 152 kratom-positive decedents, including seven for whom kratom was the only substance to test positive on postmortem toxicology, although the presence of additional substances cannot be ruled out (4)." (source: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6814a2.htm )
Unregulated kapitalism as well as (un)constitutional agencys that are nothing but burocratic organizations running wild are two of the biggest problems the US has atm. It´s not really the "government" anymore and your big pharma should only be trusted with strong regulations and checks in place, many of which are lacking.
I was addicted to Kratom for like two years after the military back in 2016 when it first popped off. I used to buy from the Kratom syndicate Great stuff It’s like taking a Percocet light But it’s addicting and withdrawals suck ! Don’t do it !!!!
I was addicted to Kratom for like two years after the military back in 2016 when it first popped off. I used to buy from the Kratom syndicate Great stuff It’s like taking a Percocet light But it’s addicting and withdrawals suck ! Don’t do it !!!!
Thank you for doing this video. Kratom has saved my life and I am not prone to over exaggerating. I know it is not perfect. Addicts that have lived through the hell of only living to stop dope sickness should be able to make the decision to except the comparatively very minor risks of Kratom. If Kratom does one day kill me, the life that I have had since stopping opiates and alcohol is worth it, period! I had nothing and almost no one when I was using and I was of no use to anyone. Today I have friends, a house, a job, and most importantly a family and I am a positive influence on all these things. Again it is not perfect, but anyone who has lived through all the losses of addiction would trade a few years of life for the rest of those years to not live the life of an addict. It is hard to even think of the drug life as living and it will kill anyone that doesn’t get out of it some how. Yes there are other ways, but they are precious few… so why take away one of the ways out for us?
As someone who used to work at a store that sold kratom, this makes me feel so much for people like you ❤ hopefully it won’t be banned, it truly does help so many people. Most of the clients we had were Vets and Ex addicts who were recovering.
@@jordanmalone2547 That is one nicest things someone has said to me on the topic of what Kratom has done for my addiction. Not just online either, but in real life. It’s not something that I talk about a lot, but I can tell that you are being genuinely empathetic. Thank you, this made my day!
Im so happy for you! My story is very similar to yours. If it wasn’t for Kratom and a couple of kind police officers, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m just so happy to have my life back. We got lucky by not getting a hot dose of fentanyl. I lost a lot of friends and family along the way. I’m sure you lost people too. People who haven’t been sucked down that hole will never completely understand. Thank you for sharing your experience and I wish you all the best !
@@mattkeith1180i agree that it’s good in some cases but for me it cost me everything kratom has been a living hell for me and has caused me to recluse in my house from age 21 to 25 I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I can see how it could help but I truly believe it should be given as a prescription instead of a gas station
@@ares8116 i disagree but I understand it’s hard for you to get if you’ve never dealt with it. I never had these problems until kratom and I can 100 percent blame everything I went through on the drug it is literally a weaker opiate no matter how much people beat around the bush about it. The mental withdrawal of kratom is arguably just as bad as opiates even though the physical withdrawal is less severe. I was told by everyone it’s impossible to get addicted to and I was lied to like millions of others who go through the same kratom addiction.
My mother started using Kratom for her chronic pain after the FDA started cracking down on pain management clinics about 5 years ago. Since then, she's actually become a much better and less hostile person. I'm 100% convinced that it is a miracle and, in my subjective experience, a much better and less debilitating medicine.
I am from Pontianak, the capital of an Indonesian province where american suppliers source kratom powder (because it is banned in both Thaliand and Malaysia). The location of the plants is actually deep in Borneo Island, the upstream of the Kapuas River (Kapuas Hulu). The Indonesian anti-narcotic agency (BNN) has been looking into banning production of kratom leaves, but has been so far successfully blocked by the local government. This plant has been the source of income for the locals by supplying the powder mainly to USA.
it is now decriminalised in Thailand. In 2021, Thailand fully legalized kratom and removed it from the list of Category V narcotics, and more than 12,000 people who had been convicted for kratom-related offences when it was still considered a narcotic were granted an amnesty.
@@gailscrypto1536 this is fantastic news! I think it got a bad reputation when young Thai men combined it with a cheap cough syrup (which probably had an actual opioid like codeine) At least, this would be cited by law enforcement officials to justify arresting young men. If they arrested all the laborers who chewed it daily (chewing the leaves raw makes me shudder)
@@squirlmy Ironically, when codeine was banned people turned to high doses acetaminophen as an alternative, which is actually far more harmful to the liver.
@@gailscrypto1536 congrats to Thailand. In Malaysia kratom is under Poison Act and not in the drugs act. Poison act doesn't prohibit planting the trees, but owning/processing/selling/etc the leaves is a crime, up to 100k fine (about 20k usd) or 5y prison iirc. It's so stupid and now we got random kratom trees planted literally everywhere, without owners lol. Although illegal, anyone (including kids) can just grab those leaves if they want now. Honestly kratom shouldn't even be in that act in the first place and it wouldn't be so accessible like today.
@@bb-gc2txkeep at it! In my experience,if you’re trying to get off of opiates, powder works far better. Can measure exact amounts and get more active compounds while not taking a bunch of gel caps. Just my experience though!
@@bb-gc2txsorry to burst your bubble brotha, but you just delayed your withdrawal. It's just going to come back if you don't stay on kratom. And from experience kratom has nasty withdrawals as well. Be safe dude. Just don't want you to be disappointed when the withdrawals come back
you know kratom is a opioid right? and you get just as addicted to it as any other opioid. Try stopping for 1 week, If you dont get any withdrawal then stop for good and call yourself really fucking lucky. But you probably will get pretty bad withdrawal
Hey man. I use kratom too, my story is above. No side effects, though? You never took too much and got super nauseous? You NEVER got constipated? Never got dehydrated? Nothing?! I certainly have. If I tell anyone my story and just leave out the “kratom”, they all say the same thing: miracle. But to say there are zero side effects from something potentially so powerful is not right. If you really have had zero side effects ever over the long term, that’s amazing and not the norm. Most people will encounter some side effects as they learn how to use it.
I've been a low dose Kratom user for 7 years. It's the only thing I've found that takes away nerve pain from peripheral neuropathy and arthritis. As with everything, we are all different and everyone's experience will be different.
Kratom was incredibly helpful for me. I had an ACL reconstruction and a prescription of 200 pain pills for 2 months. I still had 3 months of physical therapy left and Kratom was the only way I was able to stop taking that many pills and still do my physical therapy.
I couldn't help but say that kratom saved my life. I have been on it for a few years. The longest I've ever been off herion since I was 12 was 2 months until now. It's given me the stability to start working on my mental health, work, and live. I would not be alive without it. I did the suboxone, methadone, detox, rehab, jail, the list goes on for 15 years.
I started trying this after going through Chemo, and now have polycystic myalgia. I started trying Kratom powdered leaves that I pack in caplets myself (it does taste awful). I no longer take morphine or tramadol. It has helped me sleep when I need it. I do take what would be considered a low dose and not daily.
Just keep in mind that kratom has different effects at lower vs higher doses. Don't increase your dose to try to strengthen the effects as you will probably get the opposite result.
100% works thank you for giving this the attention it deserves. Opioid addiction doesn't discriminate, it can creep up on anyone and is stigmatized so much it's hard for people to ask for help.
My first job out of college was in a lab doing mitragynine research in animals. Most of the papers I’m an author on involved compounds we extracted and purified out of kratom. We also did receptor binding affinity assays. I looks like a partial agonist to a few different receptors including the μ and κ opioid receptors. My biggest takeaway was there is definite potential in the drug, but people need to be careful. I’ve had plenty of animals die after being administered with pure mitragynine.
Jesus that sounds like a super fun job what did you go to college for and for how long lmao i wanna do stuff like that. Think it may be to late for me to go to school though at 30
They isolate and extract t9 hopefully be more effective. But, ultimately to take over and control the substance. Then, they make $millions. Otherwise, you get cheap leaf and never get trapped into their system of product control.
Kratom saved my life and is the only reason I am able to live with my crippling nerve pain. It kept me completely away from opiates and I have never looked back. It is a life saver, not a killer.
I've never been addicted to opiates, but I began using kratom a few years ago after someone said it helped with their restless leg syndrome. It's been absolutely great for me! I did have a prescription from my doctor, and it worked, but it made me very drowsy into the next day. Kratom has a very slight feeling of relaxation before bed, and it completely got rid of the RLS. I can't speak to opiate comparisons, but I'm glad the fear-mongering over this has ceased just a bit. I've found it to be completely harmless and very helpful for me.
I used kratom for 4 years, decided to quit. just a warning withdrawal will bring on some hellish RLS. Kratom works great until your waking up at 3am from withdrawals and you need to toss n wash just to get another 3hr of rest. it is a physical addiction and quitting is not easy. When you eventually decide to quit I’d recommend the slow Taper strategy, take magnesium and mega dose liposmol vitamin C. r/quittingKratom will give some insight. Even with the proper helper meds Expect to be unable to sleep or function for a week due to RLS and diarrhea. The debilitating anxiety and suicidal thoughts will get better after a month. Kratom was amazing while I was on it but after going thru the withdrawal process, never again. Flushed 4 kilos down the shitter tho I still miss kratom tbh. Good luck
@@cowmath77 nope! agonist of μ-opioid receptor and competitive antagonists of the δ-opioid receptor with low affinity for the κ-opioid receptor. Generally real opioids are agonists of all three. The anti-diarrhea drug loperamide IS an opioid, you might recognize it as Immodium-AD
Thank you so much for this very informative video. I’ve been enjoying kratom for 8 years. Every 4 hours! My doctor prescribed tramadol for chronic pain. I was addicted to that for 2+ years then found kratom. After a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, I continue to use this miraculous plant without any harmful side effects. Completely without pharmaceuticals now. It honestly gave me my life back. Without it, I would be suicidal.
X opoid user. My experience- i relapsed a fee years back and it started with Kratom. I developed a Kratom habit and couldn't stop. The withdrawals were nasty.and depression very dark.
Thank you soooo much for this video! Kratom saved my life. I was born with a severely disabling, painful birth defect and used opiates for nearly my whole life. My drs decided I didn’t need them anymore and put me on suboxone which left me chained to constant clinics and appointments and labeled me an addict. Kratom gave me my life back and for 7 years now made me a happy, confident, and productive adult again!
As someone who is trying to get a PharmD, I'm SUPER intrigued by this whole thing. I would LOVE to get into a lab and see what I could do with this. I'm jotting down these chemicals, the name of the plant and earmarking it for future inquiry. If this could be produce, it would be awesome.
Profitable too, especially if your employers succeed in classifying it as a schedule one substance. Keep up the good work, lots of money to be made off people's misery. Well done, I say well done.
I used it to get off of methadone. I recommend it to chronic pain patients and anyone trying to break free from opioid dependency. After I was done using it to get off of methadone (140 mg daily for 5 years), I never used it again and have no cravings for it.
i always felt so bad for the dudes i was in rehab with damn near nodded off their suboxone dose...mfs out here tryna keep em hooked. I was a stim guy myself so yardy know i got prescribed Vyvanse along with 10 other people lmao. big pharma is a joke.
Yes likewise, I've been using it to reduce as I was in a ridiculously high dose of Methadone from a private Dr & have been for over 25 years. I got down from 300mg a day to just 30mg... It's getting difficult now though. I plan to do a flood dose of ibogaine to come off this last bit.. Plant medicine is a gift from the gods, Psilocybin being the true Sacrament 🙏🏻
I can't see coming off 140mg at once anyway. I've been on methadone myself for 5 years, but my dose is nowhere near what it was 5 years ago. I stopped cold turkey when I was at 20 MG, and nothing touched my withdrawal symptoms.
So many methadone users repeat the refrain that while you can kick opiates, methadone is for life... So if you were able to get off methadone, that's a huge win. The daily grind to obtain methadone is just awful and makes getting control over your life really hard.
I've been taking Kratom off and on for about 4 years now. I use it primarily for pain management, and the fact it doesn't get me high. I have had withdrawals when I decided to come off it, mostly increased sensitivity to pain, being annoyed and tired, and difficulty sleeping. That being said, I do generally recommend it, with the caveat that it is addictive.
@@arribaficationwineho32 everyone is different. some of us become addicted far easier than others. i think it depends on the chemicals and your system. i have friends addicted to cigarettes for a long time, I smoked for a little while and stopped, no problem. It's just different for different people.
I struggled with addiction , primarily anti anxiety meds, amphetamines for near ten years after high school. All I wanted was to be sober and free from those chains that I absolutely hated. After trying kratom at my cousin's kratom bar 7 years ago I have been clean from prescription medications, alcohol and marijuana completely. Kratom doesn't just help with pain . It helps with anxiety, PTSD and reoccurring trauma. For the first time in my adult life I was able to seek help through therapy and with the use of kratom I now have a beautiful family, raising two incredible children with my wife, see the world around me in a whole new light. Support my family with an excellent job I enjoy. Kratom no question helped me completely change the course of my life and my mental state. It in all honesty saved my life and I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow as a man,father, husband with it.
I'm limited on pain medications and that leaves me with very limited choices. I discovered kratom for not only pain, but for when I have extreme anxiety. It actually calms me down even more-so than an anxiety medicine (I was told that kratom could help). Plus, it takes care of it without the addiction. If Kratom is universally accepted, it'll take all the pain relief companies out of business. Heck, I even knew someone that can't take painkillers because of bleeding issues. They can take kratom with no issue!
@@ffwastthat's exactly what they're doing with the help of the FDA. They and the FDA are our worst enemies. That's why we all have to stand up and speak out. Our success stories make a difference.
@@sentientprogram9699 how can you tell someone how they will react? Everyone is different. On top of that, kratom is not an opioid. Science proves that
I was a horrible oxy addict. For years. When I decided to get clean someone suggest I try this stuff for the withdrawals and to help with legitimate pain issues I have. I did, and 6 years later I'm still sober, I work a demanding job, I play with my small child daily and I don't look back or long for the pills. I owe most of that to my daily kratom. It elevates my mood, lowers my pain, and allows me to function without the deadly pills. This is real.
@@MMOchAForPrez And? I don't understand the moralization, here. Harm reduction is good, actually, and if the choice is between oxy and kratom, anybody who is able to opt for kratom (even for life, if it comes to it) should be lauded for it.
Im starting from the perspective of being all for it, if you found something that works for you thats awsome. but why bother changing out tablets for pills if they are both doing the same thing in the brain, pain relief is due to the same mechanism. What in your experience has been the benifit?
Thank you Simon. At first when I read the thumbnail I panicked thinking you were going to show me that Kratom is deadly dangerous. It has given me new life. I was heavily addicted to prescription Opioids. I went from Percs to Methadone. Then after a month and a half of cold turkey kickin hard-core I just lived with the cronic pain. Then I read about Kratom. I know have a new lease on life. Thank you for your help today. Please do another follow up on Kratom in the future. ❤
Kratom has helped me with migraines and IBS. A former coworker beat his heroin addiction with Kratom. It is a natural miracle that big pharma will do anything to stop.
Thank you for this video. I am a chronic pain patient and about a year ago had my normal prescription dose cut in half because of the new rules. Kratom keeps me working and living a fulfilling life and keeps me sane. I wish it was better regulated and there were better dosing options but I make due. I am 42 yrs old and 20 yrs into pain management and honestly this is the best I have felt. My pain was minimally controlled with opiods every 4 hrs, now 2 doses of Kratom per day are all I usually need
I have MS and was able to trade opiates for kratom. Plus, if I go a day without kratom, I don't feel like I'm dying like I did when I was out of opiates.
As much as I don’t like getting personal non-anonymously online, I’m super thrilled you’re doing this video. Kratom has a terrible rep. I went through a 10 yr drug addiction, lost everything. Except my health ins, which is how I traveled to multiple states going to rehab. First at 16, last 6 years ago. The last one was the first and only state funded rehab I went to as I was incarcerated most of 2017. I learned a lot through the entire experience, but mostly about ppl. I got out and went to halfway, immediately shot dope the first couple days, luckily not getting caught. I stopped only because I would have been homeless. I was miserable. Wanted to get high all day everyday, even tho I had a 3 year old daughter that was/is my world. I should mention I genuinely tried AA/NA my entire addiction n I now believe it can cause more harm than good. Anyways I say all that to say I was introduced to kratom in may 2018, first time I took it, I did get a somewhat euphoric feeling, but what rly blew my mind is it took all my cravings for hard drugs away, I can not state how absolutely insane that is. I was able to see how dumb it would be for me to get high “just once.” I still take kratom daily. Life has been extremely hard and I can’t say I’ve been perfect but I’ve got to credit the fact I’m still alive and I have my amazing daughter living with me (it’s just us) to kratom. Thank you for putting this out, a lot of good info. Kratom, along with ALL drugs, should be legal. That is the answer to the drug epidemic. Check out the book “Chasing the Scream.” Very insightful.
I was born with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and was formally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia this year. This is the first I've ever heard of Kratom, and seeing that even with my current med cocktail I still am having my third day in a row spent mostly shaking and crying in bed, on top of just having been wheelchair bound and bed ridden for an upward of 8 years, this is super hopeful. That said, I'm not sure where Canada stands on this... And I'm not sure how well it would play with all of my other needs I need to take for inflammation control and my other autoimmune diseases that aren't pain causing.
“Kratom is legal for personal use and possession, but sale, distribution, and other activities involving the substance are illegal under Canadian federal law.” Might I suggest research on Google about pharmaceutical interactions? It’s well worth doing the research and there’s tons of information out there that your doctor will never tell you. I’m rooting for you! All the best. ❤️
I have lupus and it’s a game changer. I don’t find myself needing to increase dose or chasing a dragon. You can’t mentally go about it like you’re trying to get high. Rather it’s makes the aches and pains go away and gives me motivation and mental sharpness. If I went about it chasing a high I could definitely see it spiraling out of control. Also if you stop it for a day or two you will go into withdrawal but it dramatically decreases any tolerance you may have and the withdraw when you’re not taking more than 5-10 grams of leaves is pretty mild. For context. I was diagnosed w lupus at 18 years old. Immediately prescribed a lot of Vicodin and doc had no problems keeping the pills coming. I got dependent and enjoyed the way it felt without even knowing what I was doing (18 years old). I had some hard lessons and had been off any narcs for a decade. Discovered Kratom and it made my day to day symptoms so much easier to deal with especially the chronic fatigue. Moral of the story. Use responsibly and it will likely be useful for you.
Have been involved with this plant for 20 years. Part of the team that brought it here, defended it and developed most of the most well known products in the market today. Supplied 75% of the US vendors for well over a decade. This plant saves. It is the future and will need to be defended for years to come. Please support.
Is it addictive? I understand it can help addicts get off opioids but can it also be a gateway to get people into opioids if they start kratom before doing stronger opioids?
@@eriklarson4082 I have noticed a difference when I don't take it, to me, its more akin to like a daily coffee drinker missing a cup. I hope that helps!
I can only say that since beginning kratom I have finally found relief from chronic pain that caused addiction and alcoholism for 30+ years. I am grateful for every day and thankful for the wonderful man that introduced it to me. I saw his store while standing in front of the liquor store and realizing this has to end. Every day is a good day now..
I got addicted to Kratom for 2 years at a high dose! I was able to just put it down with minimal withdrawal symptoms but my brain is just now getting back in order around a year later.
This goes for all drugs: If you're physically dependent or addicted, always, always, always WD by tapering the dosage down slowly. This way you can avoid getting PAWS (post acute withdrawl syndrome).
When it was legalized here in Thailand 15 kratom sellers opened in my small rural village, I had 30 yrs opium and heroin addiction behind me and had been clean for a decade so after trying it I threw myself in with abandon , then got covid again, I am a single dad of 2 so I have no help I just have to cope, kratom in high doses helped me function....I also ended up having to cook leaves every 4 hrs. Bang I had a full blown kratom habit... So I stopped, 4 days feeling rank but I still got a little sleep then I was ok. 10 mths later I have no desire to take it.
I experienced severe depression, relapse of severe social anxiety, and insomnia when attempting to quit kratom-- this is what caused me to be unable to successfully quit for 5-6 years. I spent about 4 months slowly tapering my dose down to 1/4 tsp ground leaf per day, and I still ended up with severe insomnia after stopping kratom altogether.
I definitely have a different relationship with kratom than many who have commented. I started using it and like many with addiction problems i managed to become heavily addicted to it. Caused alot of issues in my life. Im sober from all substances now for a year or so. I still feel that it has its place in the medical community but not necessarily on every gas station shelf ( in the us) wildly unregulated.
This. I take Kratom for pain management from a broken spine and detox once a month to ensure I don't get overly attached to it. All of mine is directly imported from indonesia and I've noticed that it doesn't have the same kind of withdrawl and cracked-out feeling I got from whatever I was getting domestically.
😂 what does banning it help when there is always some dude standing on the corner selling powder or rocks.. think mark, THINK.. its best to leave the less lethal shit open and legal, heck even do like they have in Svalbard (norway) where you get a quota (month ration) of alcohol- making it so you can drink but not be a drunk.. say you get x amount of soft drugs if you don't pick x amount of hard drugs, this keeps the drugs pure and the ppl relative sober- and in term forcing a struggling person hand to atleast do softer drugs.
@@Cdawg6429o It's definitely addictive. When I was overtaking it I had worse withdrawals than prescription morphine. It is honestly one of the worst feelings I'd ever had. I think better education on it would solve a lot more problems than anything else though. A lot of people taking it think of it as a wonder cure-all or their morning pick-me-up with no ill-effects. Before they know it they're taking more than they need to be and in a downward spiral since there's really nothing in the way of documentation or education that they're going to get from some random corner shop hocking it in extract form as a energy suppliment. At the end of the day if people knew more about it we'd likely see less stupid decisions made as a result of taking it and more responsibility. I fully expect to see a hard wave of Kratom addictions coming as a result of people trying it to try it and not realizing just how easy it is to get hooked on it. For me it only took the first two times and I physically needed more. It was a physical demand that had me driving to a corner store at stupid hours to get more or I'd felt like I'd never be the same. These days I know better, but back then? Hardly. We all do stupid things. Who even knows what the hell I'd put in my body.
Yep it's sad that the government has put us in a position were we have to act like it's harmless or the devil there's no real option for an legal in-between at the moment not one that will be pursued anyway I hope that changes because I believe it genuinely does save many lives has ruined mine
Ty for the honesty in the reporting of this plant. No fear mongering. Just straight facts from the best that the science has to offer at this point. Without going into great detail, I suffer chronic pain. Have been for many years. I cannot use prescription drugs. I just can't. I can only take natural substances straight from the ground without any mixing or concentrating. 3 or 4, 3 mg doses a day helps to control my pain to a point where I can still support my household with my labor without having to depend on a small gift from the govt. For that, I am thankful.
I'm glad that it works for you, I'm addicted to it and hate it, but I guess if you're taking for medical issues than it can be very helpful. But honestly, tons of people with chronic pain fell the same way about opioid medications, which is a reason ehy the recent crackdowns on prescription has been so devastating for some chronic patients, who's qualify of life was achieve only through medications and now a doctor has a ceiling on how much he can prescribe, forcing these people to suffer. And lastly, a substance being natural and straight from the ground doesn't really make it better or worse than others. Opium is a complety natural juice from the poppy plants, yet is highly addictive and will steal your soul if you keep using it. And then you have synthetic opioids like tramadol being less dangerous than opium. Kratom can be very helpful, but it being natural doesn't really have much to do with it
@@Lock484 sorry for what you’re going through mate, people are far to lax with the use of “non addictive” when describing certain drugs, especially natural ones.
@@log7029 💯 thank you, kratom addiction is no joke, I'm one of the blessed ones who doesn't get extreme physical withdrawal (although it's pretty bad still), but the mental is harrowing, I cannot say it's not because of my preexisting depression, but in my experience, tons of mentally ill people start self medicating eith kratom and it's partly the reason ehy they got hooked, leaving them in the same place I'm currently in. I'm genuinely planning rehab, cause I'm worried I'll just off myself, if I was to try to withdraw alone 🤨🤕
@@Lock484 I was an addict. I used hyperdermically, opioids such as oxyycontin, and then after the first crackdown in 2000, anything that was water soluble. In 2014 I was using a gram to a gram and a half of heroin a day. Then I found recovery on mother's day 2014. I've been sober since. I learned that I was using substances to cope, that's when use becomes addiction. They made my body feel the way I wanted to feel spiritually.... joy. Once I found my joy, it was only my body's desire, and I had that desire removed from me. Everything that is in this earth in its natural form has a specific interaction with our bodies. That's the way we're made, so when I say it's natural, that's what I mean. Everything has its benefits when taken the way they were intended by the One Who made everything. I do not take Kratom to cope with my life, my sorrow or my problems. Consequently, I do not take any medicines that are made from things that have been mixed or concentrated. I take natural things naturally, although anything used in excess will produce problems, even cheeseburgers. Just saying. I refuse to go to doctors. I know the only thing they can do for me is prescribe unnatural medications to treat my pain. Perhaps for some it is ok, but not for me. I've been down that road already after I had a mining accident in a roof collapse. I've been using kratom since 2019. No regrets, no problems. I understand for some it may not be good, just like some can drink a beer and some can't. If you feel like you are using kratom to cope, my suggestion is to find hope so that you can obtain true joy. Hope realized produces joy, and joy is what we as addicts are lacking. I don't want to get all "religious" on you bro, but 1st step is going to be admitting powerlessness, and finding your Higher Power. I will give you some Truth, there is only One. If you are moved by what I've shared, you can find me on Facebook. Same name, same profile pic. I also have a UA-cam channel with a good playlist that will get you started, The Narrow Path. Hit me up anytime. Have a good one.
There were also a couple newer studies published that found that Kratom has the potential to help diabetics with metabolizing insulin and lowering things such as Triglycerides. I have actually seen it help a Type 1 variant diabetic whose body cannot use insulin properly, bring his A1C down to 5.4 and lower his triglycerides etc. His liver function is monitored regularly with no negative effects. It also helps with his severe peripheral neuropathy. I would classify him as a long term user (he started taking kratom years ago to get off of the opiates he was being prescribed for said neuropathy). So long as pharma is getting their cake and eating it too, we wont see those studies and will have to continue to fight for it to stay legal.
You did a great job on this presentation. My brother died from Kratom overdose. He was in denial about his addiction and refused to disclose the use if kratom to his doctor despite experiencing seizures. He dropped dead in front of our father from multiple organ failure. When he died his kratom level was 100 times the leathal dose. When we cleaned his house we found kratom stashes throughout the dwelling. One stash was the size of an entire pillowcase. His kratom use began when he was cut off from prescription drugs. We knew he was sick. But the kratom went undetected because of his reluctance to tell us or his doctor. My guess is that he was in pain so he took kratom. Gradually he took more and more which made him sick. Being sick, he would take more hoping it would make him feel better. His only symptom was seizures. He otherwise did not appear sick.
Sorry for your loss but thats just pure stupidity. its not the drug that killed him its the lack of self control. This is what recommended doses are for and warnings to not take a certain amount within a 24 hour period
Kratom rescued me from a cycle of hell. Long story but I don't know which was worse, the pain, or the unbelievable burden of trying to get help. The severe opioid crisis has made everything far worse, it's difficult to know who really needs medication and who doesn't, pain is difficult like that. Kratom doesn't have the dangerous CNS side effects, with moderation and a little willpower you can get your life back.
💯 I know exactly what you’re talking about. This plant was the only thing that eased my opioid withdrawals and helped me get my life back after an 18 year heroin addiction.
Really gives me hope one day people will be able to stop relying on opioids. I wish we could actually have the Executives and families in prison for life. Everyone who profited off the millions who have died because of these drugs. 🤦♂️
15 years on Hydrocodone and Tramadol. I finally said enough is enough and went cold turkey. Well, that only worked for a day then my brother got me Kratom. It was like breathing after being underwater for so long. It took the withdrawal away and I was in a better mental state. You have to want to quit and when you do you get your life and your finances back. Proud of you and others who had the will to stop and get help. I still stumble and fall sometimes, but I am not the person I was back in the height of my drug problem. I can accept myself and my faults and know that I'm still alive to keep trying to be the person I know I can be.
This is a balanced and fair look into Kratom, well done to the writer (and to Simon for presenting it so well!). It sounds like they need to do the research and see if they can regulate it and allow it to be used as a medication to handle chronic pain and opioid addiction--it sucks that there might be an alarmist wall blocking actual research! Research doesn't equal endorsement or approval. I bet there are a whole bunch of universities that would love to have Kratom research on their books.
The funny thing is that the FDA HAS done a lot of research, but the results didn't look the way they wanted them to so they falsified & cherry picked the data to present. They should be better equipped to do this research than anybody, and instead they submit junk science pushing a narrative that is insulting to read. Now they are trying their hardest to prevent others from doing the same research.
Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here
I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.
@@CarmenOrtiz440The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well
@@LucyFernandez628I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.
Very topical, Simon Whistler. There was literally a coordinated attack that took place recently on July 13th across a lot of social media platforms (including youtube) related to kratom that resulted in permanent bans and suspensions. There is undoubtedly some larger bodies working against kratom. It's terrifying to see it in action. Thank you for posting this.
I was addicted to Kratom for years. It took me years to get off. If you are taking more than 15 grams a day and haven't tried to get off you have no fucking clue what's coming for you. I went through it multiple times. It is hell
@Ohnothisisbad in my experience, kratom withdrawal is so incredibly mild compared to opiate withdrawal. I have MS and was able to get off of prescription pain pills with kratom. If I don't have kratom for a day I'm fine. Before kratom, if I went a day without opiates I wished I was dead.
@@Ohnothisisbad Oh I've been there and beyond. 15g/day is a drop in the bucket. If you experienced that much withdrawal at 15g, you have a very abnormal response.
Kratom saved me from an illicit pill habit. It literally helps me work better. Being on antidepressants, I tend to get sluggish and tired. Kratom helps me more than caffeine does. It also helps with my carpal tunnel pain, enough for me to continue working as a chef. I think it can and does save lives. Kratom , like any other substance you take into your body, needs to be done in a smart educated way. It has far more benefits than drawbacks.
To add to the addiction thing, I’ve been using it for a couple years and I’ve tried getting off a few times, but the withdrawals just suck too much for me. I wish I never started taking it.
Tried to get off kratom? I have been doing the same as well. I would suggest cold turkey. Over the past year I have reduced my daily intake by 50% with no withdrawals. I still get the relief it brings but It going to take atleast another 6months to a year to fully taper off. The key is doing it very very slowly.
I've used it for four years now. I quit by accident when I went to my brothers wedding. (I didn't bring any with me, and I couldn't find any at my destination. No Kratom for two weeks was no problem as far as withdrawal is concerened. I did have a few accute bouts of pain in my spine, but tylenol worked well enough. When I came back from the wedding, I didn't get any kratom for three weeks, no problems. I think overall I only did a druggie panic on day one, after that it wasn't an issue.
Once i found kratom i stopped binge drinking, stopped taking mixed handfull of pills every day, lost 60 lbs, in short, it has been a blessing. I don't think people should take it for no reason nor do i think people should without research but i think it definitely has its place, it completely changed my life for the better
I had been an opiate addict for 12 years after breaking my back and being put on Lortab for pain. I was miserable and I felt I had no escape from the opiate ball and chain that kept me shackled to the daily grind of addiction. Then my wife heard about kratom and got me some to try. I instantly felt a surge of hope and for the first time in over a decade I knew I was now gonna finally beat opiate addiction. Then exactly 7 days later the state of Alabama made the possession and distribution of Kratom illegal. My addiction continued for 8 more years until suboxone treatment finally gave me the ability to kick my addiction.
@@dissidentleathermonster No, suboxone isn't like taking opiates, it just keeps you from having withdrawal symptoms. So I gradually reduced the daily dosage then I went days between doses until I stopped taking it completely. It was a months long process but after 20 years of opiate addiction a few months of suboxone was well worth the result. Although many people do abuse suboxone and simply trade their opiate addiction for suboxone addiction because in high doses suboxone is addictive. Suboxone will only work for those that use it properly and that are seeking to be rid of dependency on any and all drugs.
And I should add that just getting on suboxone made an instant improvement to my life. The effects of opiates don't last long and you build a tolerance to them quickly, so as an opiate addict its an all day struggle to not be sick, but just a tiny dose of suboxone will last all day long, so instead of the constant need to be taking opiates you can take a tiny piece of suboxone in the morning and be fine all day long. So its a huge improvement to ones lifestyle just getting on suboxone.
@@timothy2935 No I only took subs till I got off opiates then I slowly reduced the dose of sub till I finally stopped taking them. Thats how they are intended to be used. If someone is gonna just keep taking subs then whats the point.
When you said “some know the dangers of opioids and have to choose to live their life in agony”, that resonated with me so much. At some point I was on pain meds for my Ehlers danlos syndrome symptoms and injuries, but I had to stop because it was becoming a slippery slope. Now I live my life in constant pain and can even feel it when I’m sleeping. My hope is that one day we will have something safe to use without being afraid of becoming super addicted or OD’ing. 😔
Kratom could be a really good thing for you. It is addictive but not to the same degree as more standard opiodes and it doesn't suppress breathing which is how the others kill.
I used Kratom for years to help with my depression and anxiety. The only reason I stopped was the fact that I moved to New Zealand, and it's not really available here. The fact that countries like New Zealand either make it incredibly hard to get or out right illegal blows my mind.
Thank you for this unbiased video. I've been taking kratom daily for 7 years without issue. If you're interested in kratom, stay away from extracts. Use leaf powder and take small doses throughout the day. Capsules and oblate papers
Thank you. I'm looking into taking Kratom but have no idea where to start. This comment is very helpful. I already found a store near me but of course have no idea what to ask for aside from asking what form of kratom they have. They mentioned pills, powder, and shots.
Kratom saved my life and got me through some very rough times..I had been on pain medication starting at 15 and of course became horribly addicted( if a doctor gives these to me theyre safe...right?) By my early to mid 20s I was buying fentanyl living a very sad "life" I eventually was led to Kratom to manage withdrawal and it allowed me to come back to life. I was able to hold down a job and eventually got onto suboxone. I now have 3 children and am the healthiest I have ever been. I will say Kratom alone is very hard to enjoy at a super high dose. By the end I needed so much...the plain mangda leaf was not strong enough so I would add in a powdered extract. It would keep me from getting sick, absolutely, but the "high" was very very dirty feeling. I remember my eyes needing time to catch up with movements sever dizziness/nausea and what I can only explain as a severely cloudy brain fog. It did save my life though and it does deserve more research regulation doising information and respect.
If you’re getting high from it you are taking too much. I experienced that when I tried an extract and took more than I should have and it was awful. The visual distortions like you mentioned plus nausea and dizziness are not a good time.
@@chrissmith9798 I'm sorry to hear that dude..I did not quit it cold turkey actually but found a doctor who was willing to listen and help me...they eventually switched me to suboxone maintenance and It has 1000% been for the better. I now have 3 littles and am a fulltime chef...I started all of this because of debilitating spine issues though and still deal with it every day unfortunately.. Here recently I've been thinking about tapering off of the suboxone but according to my doctors I eventually will need more spinal surgeries as I get older..so Im just not sure.
You were having those side effects because you were stacking doses, you have to wait around six hours before you redose. the quantity isn't so much the cause its stacking the doses that to you. i was going thought that to. did a test and it was taking more to soon not the quantity.
I was among those working with the AKA fighting the bogus legislative attacks against kratom via donations, petitions, signatures, and seminars. A friend introduced it to me probably 15 years ago and it was eye-opening, as it worked well enough but made other, more expensive and illicit things less effective, hence no longer useful. I'm sure it was primarily attacked because of the lack of taxation (i.e; American legislators and lawmakers not getting their cut) but I am glad to see it still widely available after that p.o.s. Gottlieb tried to get it banned by falsifying info and outright lying about it because it might put a dent in Pharma's pockets.
I've been taking kratom for years now. Compared to other psychoactive substances, its risk profile is extremely safe. The bitter taste and dryness of the powder helps regulate my intake. It's relatively cheap, even cheaper per month than my actual prescription medications. I've talked to my doctor about it, and they agree that all evidence suggests it's quite safe unless mixed with other depressants. I've stopped taking it several times when I didn't have the money, and the withdrawals were manageable. I've referred kratom to two friends of mine who were addicted to opiates, and they both switched immediately. Before taking Kratom, I was addicted to Benzodiazepines (Klonopin) for years, and the level of addictiveness is not even comparable. People who complain about Kratom withdrawal most likely have not experienced narcotic opiate/benzo withdrawal, which is simply on a whole different level. Yet, doctors will prescribe Xanax for anxiety and not kratom, despite there being significant evidence that kratom helps reduce anxiety. It's not even prescribed or recommended for opiate withdrawal, despite helping MILLIONS of people get off opiates by providing an easy "off-ramp" with its relatively mild withdrawal symptoms. If there are real risks, we need to identify them NOW before banning it. Compared to alcohol, it's ridiculously safe, and a preferable addiction compared to abusing opiates, alcohol, or benzodiazepines. All of the side effects Simon described are simply the side effects of opioids, but at a much less severe level than prescription opiates. The FDA and DEA are way out of line by trying to ban it. I'm not the type to handwave at conspiracy theories involving pharmaceutical companies, but they have a clear incentive to suppress this incredible drug because they cannot patent it. And yes, it's a psychoactive drug, just like caffeine and weed - that doesn't make it bad, but it's silly to pretend it's just a plant or supplement.
Half the problems with it, are solely due to a lack of study and research of it. They need to allow research and even encourage it. Big pharma and big govt have made it too cumbersome to do so. And thus not cost economical to do so. This is why some of the regulatory burden needs to gtfo.
@@patrickw9520 Exactly. Pharmaceutical companies have every incentive to prevent any investigation into kratom's efficacy or risk profile, and simply state vague "war on drugs" style platitudes. These same companies lobby the FDA and DEA to criminalize kratom, because kratom is their competition. I hate conspiracy theory BS, but it's very clear that they have an economic interest to eliminate this real threat to their profits, and thus pharma companies have a fiduciary DUTY to suppress kratom research within the bounds of the law. To not suppress kratom would be negligent on the part of the corporation, and their shareholders could sue them for massive losses. Legally speaking, these companies are obligated to do everything in their power to prevent kratom from becoming a popular alternative to more addictive, and patentable substances.
"People who complain about Kratom withdrawal most likely have not experienced narcotic opiate/benzo withdrawal, which is simply on a whole different level. Yet, doctors will prescribe Xanax for anxiety and not kratom, despite there being significant evidence that kratom helps reduce anxiety. It's not even prescribed or recommended for opiate withdrawal, despite helping MILLIONS of people get off opiates by providing an easy "off-ramp" with its relatively mild withdrawal symptoms." So true. Big Pharma will ensure kratom is banned and deemed dangerous.
I have several chronic health issues that cause quite a bit of pain. I am allergic to opioids, and when my doctor tried Tramadol as an alternative I had serious hallucinations from it, so discovering kratom a few years ago has given me back a huge amount of my quality of life, allowing me to get through bad days without a complete loss of productivity.
Ya know the funny thing about opioids? When I finally kicked them, the physical withdrawal pain was worse than the pain I was originally prescribed the opioids for….
I worked at a smoke shop for three years and I had daily customers that would buy 4 to 6 black liquid concentrated shots a day. So the fact that some people can get toxicity poisoning from it is crazy I haven’t worked there in two years I wonder where those people are now. It’s not cheap either each shot was $20. Kratom was always our second best seller after those disposable vapes, every day. I think it’s way more popular than 1.7 million users.
I’ve just spent 3 months on opioid medication while I was waiting for surgery. I can tell you, withdrawals are a hell I never imagined. I lasted four days pretty comfortably as someone who’s comfortable with pain and discomfort. It felt like a flu but I couldn’t take medicine for it because the cure was the cause. But the evening it really kicked into gear; every minute was like hours, every sound was like nails in a chalkboard.
Month on morphine etc and Tylox back in 91. Severely shattered leg. They did not want to give me meds at all, and I was poor so HAD to be a drug abuser. I was poor because I just paid to double major my way through a private university to which I had a half tuition scholarship, but never mind. Never even smoked pot, flatly had refused. Saga, drama, and two weeks out of surgery and a year before I could even think about walking, they cut off all pain relief and told me 'maybe in September you can have an appointment." I went through withdrawal alone with a numbnuts boyfriend who caused with the help of the other moron a 50MPH accident that essentially crippled me for life. I was the passenger. I got stuck with all the bills for hospitals etc, almost no insurance paid, and my attorney could not even be farked putting a lien on the house of the woman who technically caused it, and at least had her license taken away. I spent a few days throwing up, and watching things that do not exist crawl on the walls. Even needing pain killers after that I took none until a single codeine Tylenol for a ten part root canal about 25+ years later. Before that it was handfuls of cheapest aspirin because well I was poor. That time after looking like Marlon Brando for a week (I am a chick) I finally caved because I needed to fall asleep. I totally get needing pain killers though and have a friend who was addicted to far worse use Kratom for awhile and swears by it now as what helped him get off of everything.
It's something you can't even describe. I was an IV heroin and then fentanyl addict and I used heavily... I've been through it so many times but hopefully never again. I've detoxed in jail and I think that's the worst...laying on a thin plastic mat sweating and having no privacy to use the toilet.. only get clean clothes once a week. 😞
@@awkwardautistic Yes i agree i could take the hell in the day but at night it's magnified times 100. It's like all you can focus on is the misery at that time.
Sober 3 years from a horrid alcohol addiction. Kratom completely changed my life. I was suicidal and empty for months after stopping alcohol, I just could not stand life sober. Found out about Kratom and it made life worth living that exact day. Kratom is not very strong and you build a tolerance pretty quick which can lead to taking more and more and more. I fell into that trap a couple years ago but, thankfully, at some point Kratom just stops working, it doesn’t matter how much you take. So you’re forced to reset and tame down to a normal level. I’ve been on the same dose daily for 2 years now and I’m doing great. I don’t get high off it (rarely do anyways,) I barely even notice I’ve taken anything and it works wonders. I feel sober, I am sober, the anxiety melts away and so does the depression. If you’re struggling staying sober, it’s worth a shot. If you relapse, STOP taking it. I would not mix it with anything else. Use it to stay sober, not get fucked up and it’ll change your life. Much love to those fighting addiction.
I've taken kratom for about 11 years. My first year with it I didn't use a dosing schedule and took it based off how it made me feel - my doses slowly kept going up in quantity. Then I took too much and had the fun of vomiting and feeling pretty terrible. I pumped the brakes and cycled off for a few months and got back to the misery of pain during that time. So I did a heck of lot more research before trying it again. Dosing schedule kept coming up and less is more kept coming up. So I did this and it has worked and continued to work for years now without increasing the dose. I don't "feel" the dose but I do notice pain is pretty damn managed and it is immensely helpful to treat ADHD for me in addition to the pain. It's pretty incredible, but use caution so it doesn't turn from a helpful life altering supplement to a terrible life altering supplement. Like anything moderation is the key.
Can you elaborate on how it treated your ADHD? I don’t have an opioid problem or chronic pain but I have ADHD worse than anyone you’ve ever met in your entire life. I’ve tried everything imaginable and nothing works. I’m the only person I know of who is completely immune to Adderall. In a bitter rage I started taking 7 to 10 pills at a time instead of the recommended 1, and I was still as sober as I was before I took them. I’m desperate for any kind of remedy or potential solution. Everyone in my family is very successful, my younger sister a physician’s assistant making incredible money and I’m still working an entry level warehouse job at the age of 30 because I’m completely incapable of taking on any kind of work that requires me to think. I’ve thought about trying Kratom but I don’t want to add another addiction into my life unless it addresses my ADHD, because that would be the only way it’s worth it. Thanks so much my man.
I take a dosing schedule.. I didn't research it but I take kratom 4 to 5 time per day about every 4-5hours. Unlike opioids I haven't had to continue increasing my dose in order to get the effects i want. This has been 5 year now. I have experienced the all too terrible sickness of taking too much kratom at a time and puking. It's not fun at all. I also found that white leaf kratom is all I like. Red makes me to lathargic and green makes me far more nauseous more often. It took a while to figure this out and I have reduced my daily kratom intake by 45% from my peak. It was getting too expensive and that's saying a lot since I get it dirt cheap compared to most. My guy buys it straight from east Asia and I buy it from him 10kgs(22lbs) at a time.
@@BuckScrotumn Sure! I stick to a dosing schedule of 3 grams of powder or capsules every 4 hours during the day. That is the sweet spot for me. Kratom is one of those things where less is more. When first trying it, I'd think I'm pretty focused so more is better right.. not so much - more usually meant unpleasant side effects and grogginess. Start small and stay small with it. You're not shooting for cupcakes and rainbows for effect, just a little more dialed in focus and momentum. You'll have to tweak and tune it to how your body responds. I also stick with red vein strains. The anecdotal evidence says reds equal sedation but maybe it's the ADHD brain where red equals focus and energy and white equals sedation. Again it's some trial and error. I'd recommend going with a sample pack to kind of have a go at a whole spectrum of them. Also buy wholesale online. It is substantially cheaper than at a headshop. I use Viable Solution personally and have for years. They are excellent for me. I wish you the best of luck and none of this is medical advice just my own experience with it.
Kratom is amazing. It's cured these undiagnosable abdominal pains I've had since I was a kid. Everything the doctors tried from opiates to pregabalin didn't work to stop it, but kratom did. It literally gave me my life back again
As someone who has dealt with addiction I recommend extreme caution when it comes to kratom. Its not as addictive as opiates but it can sneak up on you and let me tell you of all the drugs ive withdrawn from and there have been many, kratom is actually the 2nd worst only beaten by benzos. It actually had a worse withdrawl then actual opiates because of how damn long it took to get through (though I've heard fentynal is similar in that, i never withdrew from that one specifically.) As far as pain relief goes i never felt it was much stronger then an ibuprofen but ive been told its great for arthritis.
well its not strange that it is just as bad as opioids, because it IS AN OPIOID. And im pissed off that people in the comments dont seem to know this and see it as a "natural plant". Yes so is poppies which contain morphine...
Fentanyl actually has a short-life and fairly short withdrawals. They are intense but they usually peak by day 2 or 3 and by 4 or 5 days, you will be feeling much better. Methadone withdrawals usually last weeks, and Suboxone withdrawals can also last up to 10 to 15 days. Realistically methadone withdrawals are the worst since they can be 20 to 30 days, but they are also milder
Regardless of what anyone tells you, taking it at higher doses it becomes incredibly addictive and can cause a withdrawal reaction resembling the delirium tremens from alcohol
No it doesn't resemble delirium tremens. There is a mild opioid withdrawal though. I've withdrawn from Kratom numerous times and it is not fatal. That isn't to say it's a miracle plant, it is just a milder opioid
I'm a USMC veteran with a lot of daily pain from disabilities. Kratom is the only thing that relieves nearly all of those symptoms while not getting me high so I can work and drive which is great! However there's a catch. It is still addictive and you need to be careful about how much you take and when. If I miss a regular dose there are definitely minor withdrawal symptoms but it doesn't even touch other things I've had to get off of. Kratom really can be a force for good, but we still have to proceed with caution. Anything can be detrimental if abused.
Exactly, we absolutely should not ban it, but lets not pretend it is not, well, exactly what it is. Its a drug, a drug that can be used responsibly by adults. But it needs to be treated approprately
It depends on how much you are taking. The people here saying it's not as bad haven't gone down the rabbit hole. Many many many people with difficult life situations or physical pain will fall down that hole until they are taking 100 grams a day.
I am an Iraq War Veteran with severe PTSD that led to severe alcoholism. I was raped in the Navy and covered up with a bad paper discharge when I attempted to report it. I attempted suicide in 2009. I have been sober from alcohol for the past decade thanks to Kratom. During my worst alcohol binge, my BAC was .47. Most people die at .40
I've suffered from chronic pain since I was in elementary school, but I never knew how to put what I was experiencing into words. Until I put my back out in 2017 at 32, I assumed I was just imagining things. Then I ended up on opioids when I herniated discs. Kratom does nothing, and Soma didn't either(supposedly Soma is strong. It was a sugar pill for me.) I ended up with the diagnoses of: Chronic Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Reynaud’s, and Meralgia Parasthetica. I also have two herniated discs, instead of just one as before. My doctor sees me every month, I get tested randomly after every 3 month period, and I've also been on nerve meds to avoid painkillers, but my body chemistry means it has to be able to fell an Ox before I feel any relief. I'm also allergic to nearly every NSAID except for acetaminophen. And I'd be dead before I could take enough of that to make a difference. Opioids are perfect for me; I have never overdosed, sold my meds, taken enough to actually FEEL high or anything like it. I was able to function after being put on an opioid long term.....but I still have those days where I'm housebound or bedbound. Every week. Especially in flareup periods. I'm just lucky I found my current doctor who trusts me. The first pain management dr I met was an ass. "I refuse to give hydrocodone to a perfectly healthy 33year old." If I was perfectly healthy I wouldn't have needed to see him, but whatever. I've been gaslit so much.....😢
I used kratom to quit dilaudid ended up on kratom for 4 years, up to 40-50 grams per day. The withdrawals were pretty close to oxy withdrawal. I believe kratom works as an ssri, withdrawals were very similar to antidepressants. Took well over a month to feel normal after quitting Keaton
Anecdotally of course but I know several people who are alive today because of kratom. It will always have my support even though thankfully I've never needed it myself. Harm reduction options like this and nicotine vaping should ALWAYS be available when the alternative so easily leads to death and suffering. This video also gives me hope that this channel could approach nicotine vaping in a responsible and fair manner, something most reporting on it can't do.
Yes, and thank you for mentioning nicotine vaping. We smokers are addicted to nicotine, and yet nicotine is NOT the part of smoking that kills smokers! Vaping was cheaper to do when it first came out, NOW it's almost as costly as smoking! (TAXES!). You would think a RATIONAL government would ENCOURAGE smokers to switch to vaping! But there are NO rational governments!
@@jamesslick4790 100% with you. I hope rational people like Simon who have a large reach will talk about vaping because it has just gotten so misunderstood and so difficult for people to do. Its impossible to imagine something so important being subverted by the people who are actually supposed to give a crap about public health and then no one else giving a damn.
@@Nefville Vaping is the ultimate solution to smoking. and that's the "problem" (for the government). The government PRETENDS it wants people to quit smoking, But they REALLY DON'T. They reap in billions of tax dollars from cigarette smokers. I "roll" my own using "pipe" tobacco and "tubes". The tobacco I buy has to specify that it's for "pipes", but yet it's called "Tube Cut". It's a stupid fucking "dance". Vape cut out all of THAT bullshit AND was safer. Uh oh! So "they" had to remind us that vaping is "not healthy"..No Shit Neither is eating Oreos. However, vaping (or eating Oreos) is 1000x "healthier" than SMOKING. P.S. My comments are NOT a non-smoking rant. I am smoking right now! I have been a smoker since 1979! (I blame Carter, LOL) But "vaping" has an UNDESERVED bad "rap" that I hate. Vaping is a POSITIVE evolution in a largely negative world. PS I'm not some young vaping "hipster", I'm a 61 year old (Yes, "boomer"!) Cigarette smoker!
It's a huge shame that Kratom is lauded as such a wonder-substance. No one talks about how incredibly debilitating the withdrawal is once you decide you've had enough. For me personally it was worse to stop than codeine was. I curse the day I ever consumed an Opiate. I certainly class it as one of the worst days of my life. I had been suffering with immense pain on my throat/tonsil area and putting off going to the doctor. When I eventually did, the pain was so bad i couldn't move my mouth to even talk. Turns out I had a quinsy - An abscess of the throat. They are fucking awful. I was offered some painkillers to ease what was absolutely mind-boggling pain.... And there begins my journey. I'd never had an opiate before this. I was given 2x 30mg codeine phosphate tablets... They certainly eased the pain in my throat, but unfortunately they eased the pain in my soul much more. I can still remember that feeling of pure bliss... I remember thinking to myself "oh wow, I can legally buy these over the counter at a pharmacy wothout a prescription? I am in trrrrouble now..." 5 years later and I'm finally on the right side of dealing with the problem head-on and having good success. Something that, at times has seemed like an impossibility. Not everyone in this position is a "junkie", either btw. I am a mid-thirties father of 4 with my own house, a wife and my own company, working as a consultant in a lucrative industry. I've even worked for Forumla 1 teams in the past year. This can happen to anyone. If you take anything away from this bloody ramble of mine, it's that I beg you show compassion to anyone you know struggling in a similar way. No one sets out to fu*k themselves over with an addiction. It creeps up on you while you're not looking, and before you know it, youre trying to workout which pharmacy you've not been to yet this week, so that you can get the pills you need to prevent the onset of withdrawal for another day. If anyone wants feels like they nee someone to talk to, possibly in the same position as I was, i'd love to help. My username is "borat" (yeah lol) on the bird app. Send me a DM and I will help all i can.
I used Kratom to help withdrawl from opiates and my roomate uses it to really help with his pain. It’s amazingly helpful and needs to be researched and fully legalized to be used as safely and effectively as possible!
@@cowmath77 I don’t take it anymore. Used it to get off opiates. Took it for about 4 days and then just stopped. Makes withdrawal tolerable. By researched I mean an FDA study to either be available OTC or prescription. Kratom has nowhere near the addictive potential as opiates. Have you ever tried Kratom?
Ive been using Kratom for five years now. I have intense pain from Fibromyalgia and my doctors are too scared to prescribe me anything stronger than gaba so I turned to Kratom as a desperate attempt to mediate the pain. It works! Kratom saved my life!
I was out of my meds, didn’t want to go through withdrawal, so I tried Kratom and it stopped the symptoms, I was sold and relieved, but One Important Note, it works “ as long as you never mix it with any other opioid “. Also I have capsules and not sure how much to take. The bottle instructions said, take 6 then wait few hours and take 2. Their 500 mg’s, but wanted you to know it saved me from getting the dreaded withdrawal ❤
I take kratom every day. I was hooked on tianeptine (stuff came in bottles of 15-30 and was called tianna or zaza in gas stations and vape stores) for a whole year after being told it was not addictive and accidentally becoming dependent on it. It was highly addictive. The withdrawals were so horrible. I’ve never had withdrawals from anything harder but these withdrawals kept me from even being to stand up out of my bed because I would almost pass out if I stood up. If it weren’t for kratom I don’t know where I would be now. My dad who is anti drug and drinking even takes kratom to help with back pain. I have experienced kratom withdrawals but it felt like I had the common cold vs the tianeptine withdrawal was like I had the flu, stomach virus, Covid and any other horrible sickness.
@Burger_pants I understand that. If you’ve never been addicted to opioids then you won’t understand. Kratom only partially hits opioid receptors. Kratom helps me with my anxiety and insomnia. I don’t have to take a handful of pills everyday anymore. I take a teaspoon of kratom in the morning and one before bed and that’s it. I’m not wasting my money on pills anymore. The point of the kratom is to taper off of it eventually to keep me from having horrid withdrawal symptoms everyday so I can continue to work. Plus kratom is legal in my state. Not sure why you sound so bitter
tianeptine is a prescribed antidepressant at 12mg doses, not prescribed for more than 72g per day . I imagine like most recreational users you'd take a gram (or more) So, as a prescription, not addictive, at doses several times that, definitely addictive.
@@squirlmy the tianeptine that I was taking was not regulated. You could buy it at gas stations here in Alabama. I was originally recommended it by a “friend” that said it would help with my anxiety and give me energy. Before I knew it I was addicted to it but if I had known anything about it before hand I would not have taken them at all. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and it almost ruined my life
Kratom has saved my life ! Kratom got me off Benzos and opiates. It helps the mental and physical issues that I have without leaving me unable to function! I'm so grateful for it ! 🙏❤
I completely understand that those in pain needing Kratom. For this guy I started taking Kratom two years after I quit a bad opioid addiction. I was not in physical pain. It gave me a boost of energy and seemed like something I could take daily without interrupting my daily life (family, work, etc.). I didn’t realize I was trading one for another. If you are reading these comments looking for a substitute to make yourself feel different, be more fun to be around like I was… save yourself the pain and insanity. More than likely you are an addict just like me.
I'm currently reducing my dosage down from around 50-60g per day to currently 30-35g. I (obviously) don't want it to become illegal and I think it can help many people, but it's also important to mention the addictive potential of the substance (you did but many don't). I have to take it all the time, I get nasty withdrawl symptomes like RLS, sweating, stress and I just feel like shit and I can't sleep anymore. I'm also almost certain it causes cross tolerance with opioids. It also does get you more or less high at the right dosage, it makes you happy or less depressed and makes you worry less, also as you said it can give you energy or it sedates you. The potency of different strains and varieties can vary a lot.
I've been taking Kratom for around 5 year's. I take around 12g to 20 at the most a day. I've never really shopped around for good Kratom because I always been buying the same brand since I started, I tried maybe 3 others but no better and store bought. I use Remarkable Herbs, I hear it's not bad but definitely not the best but it's Cheap and sold 5 minutes from me and clearly works. I hear of some really good brands online that supposedly you don't need to take as much but truthfully I don't know and also worry that maybe they have other chemicals in it, be no good, or just get ripped off. Have you tried Remarkable? And what are some good Brands? Good luck cutting back. I've did that myself a few times, I'd just cut back a bit each time. I always do that when I start to get to the bottom of a bag lol. Wish you luck bro. Thanks
@@ashleygatton5649 Hey, I used different shops (primarily grüneshaus, sometimes dreamherbs and one or two other at the beginning), but I'm from Germany, so I don't know if it's really relevant to you. I've never tried or heard of Remarkable. What I experienced is that the strain is important (green is great, red is meh, but ok and white is shit, so I only buy green), but it's not too important which exact type of kratom you're buying, so it makes a relatively minor difference from the shops I use. Same when it comes to the shop/brand in general, if it's good/solid there aren't too many differences.
It will absolutely cause withdrawals if you take a fairly high dose daily. They are not fun either.. Extreme anxiety, sweating, RLS, inability to sleep, tremors.. People that claim otherwise are lying or ignorant.
You can tell whether people have experienced chronic pain or know someone who has by the way they phrase the use of opioids. I avoided them because they just consistently make me nauseous but when your options are daily agony or morphine it’s incredibly unfair to demonise people who take pain medication.
Someone gave me a packet of Kratom powder to try for my debilitating nerve pain, but I've been afraid to try it because I take psychiatric meds that might not safely interact with it. I'd like more research to be done before I consider it as an option. Your parting words made me tear up, though. Because yeah, if you live with chronic pain--especially if it's so bad you can't work. There's no such thing as a light at the end of the tunnel. It would mean the world for that to change.
I take psychiatric meds too and I also take kratom daily. I havent had any problems and kratom even completely got rid of some of the side effects from one of my psych meds. I was in a similar position to you and it ended up helping me beyond anything I could ever imagine.
You left out one important aspect to this story. Many chronic pain sufferers in the US are no longer given pain medications or are treated like criminals if they are prescribed. So many have turned to Kratom because they cannot get real relief elsewhere. Kratom has saved my chronically ill husband's quality of life and we do live in fear that this lifeline will be taken away. It probably needs to be regulated, but we hope it is not banned. Opioid addiction is a sad state, but pain patients deserve support. Pain can rob so much of a person's life and livelihood.
Yeah I have numerous spinal injuries, but I had to be injured at age 22 vs 52, so doctors rarely take me seriously. Dilaudid helps, next to that I need very high doses of anything else to help. Also lol at the confusion in this video about opiates vs controlled stuff, tramadol is NOT an opiate technically. At least twas what I learned in pharmacology.
The way people are demonised for medication they need to live is incredibly depressing
@@Memento_Mori_MoralsTry marijuana lmao
@@garretth8224 unfortunatelly,many people have a bad reaction to it. And for chronic pain that is so big,maybe an oil with high % would help but it's not that likely. And who knows if it's legal where they live
@@queens363 To add to that it can be very expensive and insurance does not pay until federally legal if ever and company's and businesses figure out the backend.
I was an opioid addict for 10 years. I went as far as using fentanyl and kratom saved my life. I went to rehab and was given suboxone. When I wanted to cut down my dr insisted I needed to be on it for at least 3 years and I hated the idea of paying $600 a month to just be okay and continue to be dependent on a substance so I learned about it. I started cutting my sub doses in half and used kratom for my second. I eventually quit using the subs and stopped rehab. Now after 4 years I still have no issues avoiding opioids and only take kratom when I am hurting. It’s a life saver and the US wants to take it so they can control the money from addiction and pain reduction.
Props to you for not taking the subs, they are evil.
I don't know a single person who got off of those.
They ether lose their script and buy them on the streets or go back to their d.o.t. (drug of choice.
Congrats on your sobriety!!! I don’t know you, but I’m still proud of you for taking control of your life and kicking the poisons. I wish you the best!
Woah, you had to pay 600$ a month for sub? I guess I should be even more grateful for the NHS in England than I already was. I pay £30 every three months for my Suboxone prescription. I take a daily 3xpill dose too. Dread to think what it would cost me.
@@MaddogMD82 sadly prices on all meds without a discount card are like this in US. Back in the day you had to go every day and get your dose. It was to stop street selling. I think it was 15usd a visit.
So it was very expensive, but cheaper than buying pain killers off the street and risking yourr life because of your addiction.
I am so happy those times are gone.
Hope everyone here the best!
@@luv-lost Heck, that's a great way to make someone unemployed.
I was a severe Alcoholic and with that came very many consequences and regrets. I take Kratom on a regular basis and I have completely quit drinking and no longer enjoy alcohol. I don't hear much about this but it has influenced my decision to give up Alcohol and my life has improved.
I want to stop drinking alcohol. You have given me hope!! My son takes Kratom for his arthritis. I had no idea it would help for drinking alcohol. I am willing to try. Thank you!!
@@melindataggart7543 yeah forsure. Find what works. Alcohol was by far the most destructive lifestyle for me so it took a miracle and I know a lot of people throughout my life prayed I wouldn't end up like my Dad who passed away from Alcoholism. I'm 40 years old So it wasn't looking very hopeful for me and sure enough Kratom worked. I haven't drank in almost 6 years. Good luck and give it go. ✌️
@melindataggart7543 j Just be careful with mixing alcohol and kratom. Try avoiding both at the same time or at least 6 hours clean since your last drink. It also helped me quit alcohol all together, 5 years sober with no urge to get a drink at all. And it's way easier to taper down the dose gradually.
I started drinking kratom and I didn’t want alcohol anymore ,and same with me I didn’t enjoy alcohol after having kratom works good
I've stayed sober for 7 years from severe alcohol addiction. Thanks kratom. I wish my Mom had tried it while she was still alive
I’m a former opiate addict… (Heroin/Fentanyl). I don’t take kratom anymore, but at one point it did help me quit the drugs. Years prior I had been on methadone.. but that was just a way to substitute the heroin.. legally. I wasn’t ready to quit. Now I am 8 months clean and kratom helped with the early phase of withdrawal.
Awesome congrats! I'm 30 days clean from fentanyl, i didn't have kratom just went to treatment
Did you go cold turkey with only kratom as relief? How much of the withdrawal would you say it helps with? If cold turkey with nothing is 10/10 what would you say with kratom is?
Well done meatisburger. One day at a time. Good luck 🫶🏻
Godspeed!
How did you take Kratem ?dosage for recovery
I’m a disabled veteran with epilepsy from a brain injury. Last year I had a really bad seizure ad pulled several muscles and ligaments. I was going to be off my feet for weeks but they only prescribed me a weeks worth of pain medication. Kratom was recommended by a fellow veteran and it took away all the pain without making me useless like pain pills did. The number one rule like all things however is moderation…..avoid the concentrated versions and only use it when you need it and make sure you detox from it periodically
I haven;t watched the video yet. But your comment speaks volumes. Were you able to get it prescribed or obtained it?
All things in moderation. I've been on opioid pain relievers for years, and I frequently take a break (usually just one or two days), and as a result, I've never experienced withdrawal symptoms.
@@caroljo420That third day is when you start to actually feel the withdrawals, then after that, it's game on, and you feel like death !
Plain Common Sense... All herbs have a "Recommended Serving" and for Kratom it's 1-2 grams - Most people feel good effects @ 1 or 2 grams ( Double that, Only IF you have a high Opioid Tolerance ) - never bump or abuse this plant - maintain @ lowest Serving - Less is More 😍
why is cannabis still illegal ?
I've been "living" with chronic pain for well over a decade now and I can't find any kind of pain relief that isn't considered a felony. I always hear "You're too young" every time and I'm labeled as a pill seeker. Oddly, I've never once asked for any kind of pills. That exact phrase landed me on the operating table at 25 because no one would take my pain seriously. By the time someone did, the disc at the base of my spine had completely collapsed and caused some permanent nerve damage. My surgeon told me "You have two options at this point: You can have your spine fused and we can try to mitigate any further damage to the nerves. You can also choose not to have surgery and, if you're lucky, you'll only lose the use of your legs permanently. Your spine has zero stability and I'm amazed you're still able to move at all." Turns out, I have a genetic condition that made me extremely prone to the injury and, had someone taken me seriously when I first complained of the pain, it could have been caught before the disc ruptured and collapsed.
Now, I'm in my mid-30's and I'm bound to a wheelchair any time I leave the house. I can get by with a cane and a little help from my spouse while I'm at home. No one wants to listen, even though I have multiple x-rays, MRI's, and enough metal in me to open my own hardware store. Still told I'm "too young to have that kind of pain". I once had a doctor look at my imaging, examine the 12 inch long scar that runs up my lower back from my spinal fusion, see the discs in my upper back bulging, see that my spine is crooked, and then call me a lair straight to my face. This is what it's like to have chronic pain before you're 60. You're called a liar and treated like a drug addict. Doctors judge you before they ever walk into the room. My physical ailment diagnosis list reads like a Billy Mays commercial script. "But wait! There's more!"
Honestly, I'd swing a dead cat over my head under the light of a full moon while whistling Dixie with a turnip shoved up my ass and a rabid badger stuffed in my pants if I thought it would help. Maybe I should look into Kratom and see what happens. I've nothing left to lose because my quality of life has long since vanished. Best case: it helps. Worst case: it kills me. I've reached the point where I'm fine with either outcome. It would be nice to go out and have fun with my kids, though. Right now, I'm not living, I'm just existing.
You’re not alone brother. Surgery at 20 because I toughed it out for so long and did irreversible damage. They had to cut out a few ft of intestine. Never been the same since.
I personally vouch for Kratom but I'd definitely recommend sticking to the dried powder. Like the video mentioned, people messing with it and trying to make it more potent is really where the danger lies. I've been using the powder for 5 years after trying a ton of different medications for some unknown condition (doctors also think I'm "too young") and it has literally saved my life. I'm pretty sure I would have wound up on disability had I not found it. I definitely won't touch anything but the powder or fresh leaves though. I'm hoping to start growing some indoors soon too so that I know I'm for sure getting pure unadulterated Kratom.
Also, just FYI- the different "colors" mentioned in the names of Kratom (ex. White vein Maeng Da) is apparently just named that way due to the way it's prepared, it's not typically a different strain like you see with marijuana. I actually use the type I mentioned as an example since it felt ces me a relaxing form of energy. It's actually supposed to be the one that is more stimulating, but I have ADHD so it work a bit of the opposite way. 😅 I take it every 1-3 hours and have never experienced any I'll side effects and it really helps me actually be functional at work and such. I hope you are able to look into it and that it helps you if you try it. 😊
My husband has the exact same situation as you. He had his first spinal fusion at 23. He has been on kratom for 4 years. Completely saved his life. There's no excuse for the way your doctors treated you, but you should be glad you're not getting opioids. There's a lovely little side effect of prescription opioids that no one tells you about. It's called hyperalgesia. It causes INCREASED pain! You see, opioids are designed for short term pain management, such as for a broken bone. But when people are given opioids for years for chronic conditions, the body reacts paradoxically, and instead of blocking the pain, it enhances it. My husband's pain management specialist kept increasing his doses until he developed hyperalgesia (a possibility he never warned him about), and my husband attempted suicide, because he just couldn't take the excruciating constant pain anymore. After he recovered from his suicide attempt, he discovered kratom. It doesn't take all his pain away, and it doesn't get him high at all. It just reduces his pain enough for him to function and not be miserable, which is an absolute blessing. Go to americankratom.org (the AKA's site) for a list of trustworthy companies that they've checked out. (Kats Botanicals is the one we use, and they're awesome.) Order powdered red vein kratom with nothing else. Then mix a half a measuring teaspoon to start in a glass of grapefruit juice to mask the taste. It doesn't dissolve well, so you kind of have to keep stirring as you drink. If you don't notice a difference after half a teaspoon, wait about five hours, and try it with a full teaspoon. It can't hurt you if that's all you take, and you're getting it from a good source. All that scary stuff is either from people using adulterated product or pure product in too high a dose. The powder mixed in juice works better than the capsules, which are a waste of money.
My state tried to ban kratom. The state board of pharmacy held a hearing inviting the public to testify for or against the ban. Over 1000 people showed up. I was one of them. We each got 5minutes to testify. Out of over 1000 NOT ONE was in favor of banning it. And the testimonies of so many people, everyone from doctors, nurses, engineers, and professors, to former heroin addict ex-convicts, moved me to tears. Please try it safely. Don't ever just buy it in a store. Get it straight from an AKA-approved manufacturer online, and take it the way I said. Then please let me know how it helped.
Fact: more people overdose on water (that's right -- you can die from drinking too much water in too short a period of time) annually than overdose on kratom.
@@jacovisnowe where do you get your fresh leaves? I have been looking for some
I'm the biggest skeptic on the planet. With everything. I've watched people super close to me get off opiates that they were VERY addicted to. Their addiction was so bad they were ruining their lives. But they were terrified of withdrawals. They went through them before. Kratom stopped withdrawals and got them off heroine and pain pills. Also, the pharmaceutical company really wants it off the market. Why? Because it works.
Pharmaceutical companies don't like competition. If addiction was an issue , what about nicotine, caffeine, or alcohol?
2ed biggest biggest is right here and i got to be honest i don't think your real i imagined you thats right i'm the skeptic king
SHIT POST DUH
And cuz the pharmaceutical companies are now making money off of suboxone.
It's not magic, the active compounds like mytragine bind to the same opiod receptor as opiates do, however they do not bind to the receptors responsible for respiratory depression so less dangerous for a given potency. I mean it's basically an opiate, somewhat atypical. Kinda like dextrometorphan. Mix both for q wonderful evening haha,
They want it off the market because it's basically an unregulated opiate. It binds to the same receptors, it produces most of the same effects including powerful addiction and horrible withdrawals the only big differences are its a harder to OD but not by a lot and an OD is basically death instead of a narcan dose.
Kratom saved my life too. I was a homeless drunk for over a decade, but I was finally able to get sober after starting kratom powder. Not only did it help to alleviate the detox (going from 1+liter vodka / day to none), but it elevates mood as well, which helped me combat some of the underlying issues that led me to addiction in the first place. That being said, I agree that there are some problems with the current unregulated products. The potency can vary widely between different strains, different distributors, and even different bags of the same product (depending on the distributor).
I'm also concerned about the extract due to its potency. I used powder, and any time I'd ended up taking too much at once, I would get extremely nauseous and end up quickly vomiting up the majority of it. The concentration of the extract bypasses that natural defense, and I can absolutely see how easy it might be to overdose.
My account is only an anecdote, so make of it what you will. That said, I'm confident I would have died years ago from either liver failure or suicide if I hadn't been introduced to kratom.
As a former opiate addict, I can 100% vouch for kratom. Like many, I was very skeptical at first, but it has changed my life. I don’t even think about taking pills anymore. I would like to eventually stop taking kratom but I don’t want to ever go back to my old life.
So What would happen if you stopped taking Kratom? Would you experience similar withdrawal symptoms as opiates?
Imo the withdrawals from kratom are the worst I've ever experienced.
As a heroin addict, I tried it to help with withdrawals and it didn't help with anything. Maybe for pills but didn't help at all with heroin.
@@leo-mf22I was a gram a day user and I've been clean for years now. It saved my life. Everyone's chemistry and tolerance is different though. So I'm sure it can help some and not others
Not just similar withdrawals; significantly worse than the withdrawals induced by stronger opioids like morphine. my friend who used Kratom heavily a few years ago has a similar tolerance to me which is pretty large and she stated multiple times that kratom withdrawals are particularly nasty, with all of the same hallmarks of regular opiates but way more intense and longer lasting depending on how fast you developed a tolerance and how long you were using before taking a break.
I'm incredibly grateful people with chronic pain and opioid issues are able to get relief for their vastly more serious problems but as a person with severe depression and anxiety, a low dose of Kratom gives me the energy and charisma to work in busy restaurant without panic attacks. Moderation in everything, including moderation.
👍👍
Agreed, I take kratom for the same reason, and it really is a great help!
Actually due to opioid crisis a lot of us in pain cannot get treatment. I can't afford Kratom as it is not an rx, I don't have hundreds of spare dollars a month.
You can buy 1000 pills for like 90$ it’s not as expensive as you think
It has helped me with my depression, anxiety, and PTSD so much. Gives me the nerve to talk to people without my mind racing and gives me a boost when I’m feeling glued to my bed with depression
Wow. Great bit of timing there Simon. I live in a state that recently got stupid with its crackdown on pain medication. The idiots running the state didn't even bother to make some sort of plan for those that were suddenly cut off of pain meds they've been taken for years. A lot of people are legitimately in pain and suffering are left with no way to get relief. I know of at least three people who took their own life just to get away from the pain. After seeing this I tried some myself and immediately saw why this could help a great deal of people with both pain and opioid addiction.
What state did that? Interested in reading up on it
As a opiate user for years and then getting clean was the hardest thing ive ever did. Kratom saved me and ill stand by it. For anyone who struggles this is something that helps so much. I wont say it isnt still hard but without kratom only other choice would be methadone and i wouldnt recommend that route.
I’m on day 11 and 1000% agree. This or methadone. I’m happy I’m not going to clinics every day. Not easy at all, but it’s working.
Kratom saved my life from pain killers as well as many members of my family and almost all of my friends. It's amazing that we all made it out alive
You're not out yet.
I hope you keep at it. Recall that this is a plant ally, a plant teacher, a potent herbal remedy. Stay away from its concentrates or extracts. Use the whole plant leaf from reliable sources. It may help to keep track of the times of use in a day in a diary. Disregard un-helpful or angry advice.
Fail to see how this was a helpful comment@@charlieg6913
Right on
I hate saying this here but I got arrested once for having weed and other things and I had Kratom also. When I was released they gave me back my phone my wallet and my Kratom. If you're talking about Kratom with in a couple seconds you will hear WHAT THE F IS KRATOM because it doesn't do bad things to you at all, they know everything about Real Drugs- but not this Kratom 👍
I got myself off of a six year morphine habit with kratom and then kratom was fairly easy to put down. It gave me my life back. I was pissed I didn't find out about it way earlier.
Same but I had a OxyContin addiction. Took Kratom for 6 months and got fully clean . It’s been 10 years I’m there for my family now and life has never been better.
💯
I took percs off and on for over ten yrs and never got physically addicted, within the first few yrs of the shots being legal I got my first signs of withdrawal... haha, I'm good now but it got me, when the other narcotics didn't. I guess? it was me being overconfident on how safe it was.. haha.
@@chaosdweller
Sounds like you made that up. I call bullshit or you're just high af rn.
@@chaosdweller
What do you mean by "the shots being legal" exactly?
I've witnessed both sides of the story with two different friends. The female merely added it to her list to alleviate withdrawals until she can get harder drugs. The male, however, not only quit heroine, but also quit drinking as well. It has improved his life considerably.
I'm glad YOU think I've improved my life. 😂
@@wile-e-coyote8371 lol
I never had a drinking problem, but I couldn’t imagine going to a party or socializing without some alcohol. As soon as I started taking kratom, no more alcohol! It helps my social anxiety **without impairing my ability to leave the party whenever I want 😁
@@wile-e-coyote8371 are you actually the friend David mentioned?? 😂
I started doing drugs since my teenage, got addicted to crack. Spent my whole life fighting Crack addiction. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. This is something that really need to be use globally to help people with related health challenges.
YES very sure of Dr.benshrooms. I have the same experience with anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction and Mushrooms definitely made a huge huge difference to why am clean today.
I'm really happy for you that your wife decided to help you...I hear about alot of family members or so called friends shutting an addict out of their life, which since most addicts do it to mask emotions to me is the worse thing someone can do to an addict.
How do I reach out to him? Is he on insta
Yes he's Dr.benshrooms. Shrooms to me is a natrual healer. I know a guy who has used mushrooms in the same way and they have really helped him. mah dudes have safe trips all.
I was horrifically depressed since childhood. It was relentless. I assumed it would ultimately end me somehow. About twelve years ago I randomly accepted the offer from a friend of a few doses of mushrooms. I did them two consecutive nights alone. First night was pretty mild. The second night? Wow. I saw my depression from every angle, realized much. Next day: depression totally gone. Never came back, never coming back. It's like it's a forest far away I can remember, and could probably find again with enough effort, but it has zero impact on anything in my life or mind. They honestly saved my life and improved it immensely. I never did them again, either. I wish there was a good, organized way to administer them to people who would benefit from them.
You absolutely rocked this presentation, Simon! I've worked in behavioral health for years, and I can attest to the benefits of Kratom in dealing with addiction and chronic pain for sooo many people. Well done!
As a kratom user for 12 years, I started taking it due to a 5 year pain pill addiction from a prescription thanks too my doctor. I have a ruptured disc in my lower back. It’s saved my life and I urge others to try it if they are on pills. I haven’t ever overdosed, because if you take too much, you will throw it up. If they try and stop it here in the US, I’ll buy pounds of it before they do and stockpile it. I know how much to take to regulate my back pain. Thanks for doing this one guys.
What is your dosage in total per day?
I’ve been taking it for a little over a year now. It’s been incredible. I feel fantastic, and have basically stopped drinking alcohol. I mix up the strains daily, but I’m afraid I might be becoming dependent on it. Most importantly, I really want to make sure my liver is fine.
How much do you take daily? And have you seen any liver damage from long-term use?
@@jamesdeininger3759it was a nightmare to get off of it. Don’t give in to what people say about it. Stop taking it for a few days you’ll see what I mean
@@strengthful6058 yeah. coffee can be hellish to quit, too. and often cost more!
I don’t understand why everyone is praising it, it’s so weak it’s not enough. If you are addicted to opiates, and try to get off them with Kratom it’s not strong enough. You will still go through severe withdrawal.
I sold kratom and actually started taking it a few years ago and can vouch that you guys really did your research when it came to this. I wish you had explained a little more about how much effort the feds have put into tryong to ban it, and how everytime they try they see a noticable uptake in new users as soon as people learn about it. The entire process really speaks to how little the US is willing to trust it's Pharmaceutical companies or even our Government
Why should Americans trust big Pharma, govt, or MSM? Literally all they do is lie, mislead, and try to manipulate us and have for our entire lives.
This video was well-researched, except the part where they didn't include the DEA's "proof" that kratom was unsafe - a report of fatalities where kratom was mixed with narcotics, always with more than one other substance testing positive on the toxicology report. This DEA report, intended to justify a total Kratom ban, did not include a single case where a person died with only kratom in their system.
Additionally, a recent CDC report (2019) found that out of 27,338 overdose deaths, only 7 of them tested positive for kratom alone, and 152 had kratom in their system along with other more deadly substances. Regarding those 7 cases, other drugs "could not be ruled out", as 7 out of 27338 (0.026%) is well within the margin of error for the testing methods. Of those 7, three were confirmed to have other drugs in their system upon retesting, which was published here: www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc1811055 . There is simply no evidence that kratom alone is more dangerous than, for example, caffeine consumption.
Because Simon didn't call out the blatant attempt at disinformation from the DEA, or the CDC data which confirms the low risk of kratom use, or the fact that all published evidence thus far shows that kratom is very safe compared to other opioids, the "both sides" attitude was off-putting to me.
In addition to all this information, Simon should have mentioned that because kratom cannot be patented, pharma companies have a financial incentive, and thus a legal responsibility to their shareholders, to deny funding for all research on kratom's efficacy or safety.
To quote the CDC report from 2019 - "Data on 27,338 overdose deaths that occurred during July 2016-December 2017 were entered into SUDORS, and 152 (0.56%) of these decedents tested positive for kratom on postmortem toxicology (kratom-positive). Postmortem toxicology testing protocols were not documented and varied among and within states. Kratom was determined to be a cause of death (i.e., kratom-involved) by a medical examiner or coroner for 91 (59.9%) of the 152 kratom-positive decedents, including seven for whom kratom was the only substance to test positive on postmortem toxicology, although the presence of additional substances cannot be ruled out (4)." (source: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6814a2.htm )
Unregulated kapitalism as well as (un)constitutional agencys that are nothing but burocratic organizations running wild are two of the biggest problems the US has atm.
It´s not really the "government" anymore and your big pharma should only be trusted with strong regulations and checks in place, many of which are lacking.
I was addicted to Kratom for like two years after the military back in 2016 when it first popped off. I used to buy from the Kratom syndicate
Great stuff
It’s like taking a Percocet light
But it’s addicting and withdrawals suck !
Don’t do it !!!!
I was addicted to Kratom for like two years after the military back in 2016 when it first popped off. I used to buy from the Kratom syndicate
Great stuff
It’s like taking a Percocet light
But it’s addicting and withdrawals suck !
Don’t do it !!!!
Thank you for doing this video. Kratom has saved my life and I am not prone to over exaggerating. I know it is not perfect. Addicts that have lived through the hell of only living to stop dope sickness should be able to make the decision to except the comparatively very minor risks of Kratom. If Kratom does one day kill me, the life that I have had since stopping opiates and alcohol is worth it, period! I had nothing and almost no one when I was using and I was of no use to anyone. Today I have friends, a house, a job, and most importantly a family and I am a positive influence on all these things. Again it is not perfect, but anyone who has lived through all the losses of addiction would trade a few years of life for the rest of those years to not live the life of an addict. It is hard to even think of the drug life as living and it will kill anyone that doesn’t get out of it some how. Yes there are other ways, but they are precious few… so why take away one of the ways out for us?
As someone who used to work at a store that sold kratom, this makes me feel so much for people like you ❤ hopefully it won’t be banned, it truly does help so many people. Most of the clients we had were Vets and Ex addicts who were recovering.
@@jordanmalone2547 That is one nicest things someone has said to me on the topic of what Kratom has done for my addiction. Not just online either, but in real life. It’s not something that I talk about a lot, but I can tell that you are being genuinely empathetic. Thank you, this made my day!
Im so happy for you! My story is very similar to yours. If it wasn’t for Kratom and a couple of kind police officers, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m just so happy to have my life back. We got lucky by not getting a hot dose of fentanyl. I lost a lot of friends and family along the way. I’m sure you lost people too. People who haven’t been sucked down that hole will never completely understand. Thank you for sharing your experience and I wish you all the best !
@@mattkeith1180i agree that it’s good in some cases but for me it cost me everything kratom has been a living hell for me and has caused me to recluse in my house from age 21 to 25 I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I can see how it could help but I truly believe it should be given as a prescription instead of a gas station
@@ares8116 i disagree but I understand it’s hard for you to get if you’ve never dealt with it. I never had these problems until kratom and I can 100 percent blame everything I went through on the drug it is literally a weaker opiate no matter how much people beat around the bush about it. The mental withdrawal of kratom is arguably just as bad as opiates even though the physical withdrawal is less severe. I was told by everyone it’s impossible to get addicted to and I was lied to like millions of others who go through the same kratom addiction.
My mother started using Kratom for her chronic pain after the FDA started cracking down on pain management clinics about 5 years ago. Since then, she's actually become a much better and less hostile person. I'm 100% convinced that it is a miracle and, in my subjective experience, a much better and less debilitating medicine.
I am from Pontianak, the capital of an Indonesian province where american suppliers source kratom powder (because it is banned in both Thaliand and Malaysia). The location of the plants is actually deep in Borneo Island, the upstream of the Kapuas River (Kapuas Hulu). The Indonesian anti-narcotic agency (BNN) has been looking into banning production of kratom leaves, but has been so far successfully blocked by the local government. This plant has been the source of income for the locals by supplying the powder mainly to USA.
I had a Kratom tree growing on the coast about 10k south of Singkawang, no idea how it got there as it was an old tree when I bought the land
it is now decriminalised in Thailand. In 2021, Thailand fully legalized kratom and removed it from the list of Category V narcotics, and more than 12,000 people who had been convicted for kratom-related offences when it was still considered a narcotic were granted an amnesty.
@@gailscrypto1536 this is fantastic news! I think it got a bad reputation when young Thai men combined it with a cheap cough syrup (which probably had an actual opioid like codeine) At least, this would be cited by law enforcement officials to justify arresting young men. If they arrested all the laborers who chewed it daily (chewing the leaves raw makes me shudder)
@@squirlmy Ironically, when codeine was banned people turned to high doses acetaminophen as an alternative, which is actually far more harmful to the liver.
@@gailscrypto1536 congrats to Thailand. In Malaysia kratom is under Poison Act and not in the drugs act. Poison act doesn't prohibit planting the trees, but owning/processing/selling/etc the leaves is a crime, up to 100k fine (about 20k usd) or 5y prison iirc. It's so stupid and now we got random kratom trees planted literally everywhere, without owners lol. Although illegal, anyone (including kids) can just grab those leaves if they want now. Honestly kratom shouldn't even be in that act in the first place and it wouldn't be so accessible like today.
I have been taking Kratom every day for 4 years no side effects. It’s changed my life. It’s very subtle but really helps. Mood, energy, pain.
pill form? i just took my first opms gold pill half hour ago and my withdrawals are gone its 1 am and im about sleep for first time in 4 nights
@@bb-gc2txkeep at it! In my experience,if you’re trying to get off of opiates, powder works far better. Can measure exact amounts and get more active compounds while not taking a bunch of gel caps. Just my experience though!
@@bb-gc2txsorry to burst your bubble brotha, but you just delayed your withdrawal. It's just going to come back if you don't stay on kratom. And from experience kratom has nasty withdrawals as well. Be safe dude. Just don't want you to be disappointed when the withdrawals come back
you know kratom is a opioid right? and you get just as addicted to it as any other opioid. Try stopping for 1 week, If you dont get any withdrawal then stop for good and call yourself really fucking lucky. But you probably will get pretty bad withdrawal
Hey man. I use kratom too, my story is above. No side effects, though? You never took too much and got super nauseous? You NEVER got constipated? Never got dehydrated? Nothing?! I certainly have. If I tell anyone my story and just leave out the “kratom”, they all say the same thing: miracle. But to say there are zero side effects from something potentially so powerful is not right. If you really have had zero side effects ever over the long term, that’s amazing and not the norm. Most people will encounter some side effects as they learn how to use it.
I've been a low dose Kratom user for 7 years. It's the only thing I've found that takes away nerve pain from peripheral neuropathy and arthritis. As with everything, we are all different and everyone's experience will be different.
How many capsules do you take or do you use the tea to treat the pain?
I'm taking it for 6 years now and it does wonders for degenerative disc lower back pain as well.
@@rc59191
I mix it with lemon juice and toss it back. I don't mind the taste of it.
@@rc59191
Also, I take about 3gms twice a day. A green/white in the am and red at night.
@@rc59191
I toss and wash most of the time. Taste doesn't bother me.
Kratom was incredibly helpful for me. I had an ACL reconstruction and a prescription of 200 pain pills for 2 months. I still had 3 months of physical therapy left and Kratom was the only way I was able to stop taking that many pills and still do my physical therapy.
Maybe it helps with pills, but it doesn't work for heroin. Didn't do anything but make withdrawal symptoms even worse.
I’m a brain tumor survivor and I suffer chronic migraines and I find Kratom as a godsend when I’m suffering a 3 day migraine.
Here here!!
Kratom was the only substance besides opioids that ever helped me with a migraine…
@@rumckinley same!
I couldn't help but say that kratom saved my life. I have been on it for a few years. The longest I've ever been off herion since I was 12 was 2 months until now. It's given me the stability to start working on my mental health, work, and live. I would not be alive without it. I did the suboxone, methadone, detox, rehab, jail, the list goes on for 15 years.
12 wow that's very young.
I started trying this after going through Chemo, and now have polycystic myalgia. I started trying Kratom powdered leaves that I pack in caplets myself (it does taste awful). I no longer take morphine or tramadol. It has helped me sleep when I need it. I do take what would be considered a low dose and not daily.
Just keep in mind that kratom has different effects at lower vs higher doses. Don't increase your dose to try to strengthen the effects as you will probably get the opposite result.
100% works thank you for giving this the attention it deserves. Opioid addiction doesn't discriminate, it can creep up on anyone and is stigmatized so much it's hard for people to ask for help.
My first job out of college was in a lab doing mitragynine research in animals. Most of the papers I’m an author on involved compounds we extracted and purified out of kratom. We also did receptor binding affinity assays. I looks like a partial agonist to a few different receptors including the μ and κ opioid receptors. My biggest takeaway was there is definite potential in the drug, but people need to be careful. I’ve had plenty of animals die after being administered with pure mitragynine.
No reason to use pure mitragynine. Dried leaf powder works well enough with all the other alkaloids.
Was this at UMISS?
Jesus that sounds like a super fun job what did you go to college for and for how long lmao i wanna do stuff like that. Think it may be to late for me to go to school though at 30
Why extract the pure chemical when the whole leaf works fine.... let a good thing be.
They isolate and extract t9 hopefully be more effective. But, ultimately to take over and control the substance. Then, they make $millions. Otherwise, you get cheap leaf and never get trapped into their system of product control.
Kratom saved my life and is the only reason I am able to live with my crippling nerve pain. It kept me completely away from opiates and I have never looked back. It is a life saver, not a killer.
I've never been addicted to opiates, but I began using kratom a few years ago after someone said it helped with their restless leg syndrome. It's been absolutely great for me! I did have a prescription from my doctor, and it worked, but it made me very drowsy into the next day. Kratom has a very slight feeling of relaxation before bed, and it completely got rid of the RLS. I can't speak to opiate comparisons, but I'm glad the fear-mongering over this has ceased just a bit. I've found it to be completely harmless and very helpful for me.
Yes! It helped with my restless legs too!
I used kratom for 4 years, decided to quit. just a warning withdrawal will bring on some hellish RLS. Kratom works great until your waking up at 3am from withdrawals and you need to toss n wash just to get another 3hr of rest. it is a physical addiction and quitting is not easy. When you eventually decide to quit I’d recommend the slow Taper strategy, take magnesium and mega dose liposmol vitamin C. r/quittingKratom will give some insight. Even with the proper helper meds Expect to be unable to sleep or function for a week due to RLS and diarrhea. The debilitating anxiety and suicidal thoughts will get better after a month. Kratom was amazing while I was on it but after going thru the withdrawal process, never again. Flushed 4 kilos down the shitter tho I still miss kratom tbh. Good luck
If you have restless legs syndrome, smoke heroin. It will go away and you'll be high. Just moderate the consum like an accordion.
@@cowmath77 nope! agonist of μ-opioid receptor and competitive antagonists of the δ-opioid receptor with low affinity for the κ-opioid receptor. Generally real opioids are agonists of all three. The anti-diarrhea drug loperamide IS an opioid, you might recognize it as Immodium-AD
Thank you so much for this very informative video. I’ve been enjoying kratom for 8 years. Every 4 hours! My doctor prescribed tramadol for chronic pain. I was addicted to that for 2+ years then found kratom. After a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, I continue to use this miraculous plant without any harmful side effects. Completely without pharmaceuticals now. It honestly gave me my life back. Without it, I would be suicidal.
X opoid user. My experience- i relapsed a fee years back and it started with Kratom. I developed a Kratom habit and couldn't stop. The withdrawals were nasty.and depression very dark.
Thank you soooo much for this video! Kratom saved my life. I was born with a severely disabling, painful birth defect and used opiates for nearly my whole life. My drs decided I didn’t need them anymore and put me on suboxone which left me chained to constant clinics and appointments and labeled me an addict. Kratom gave me my life back and for 7 years now made me a happy, confident, and productive adult again!
a happy, confident, and productive adult ........wish i was i still have a long way to go
As someone who is trying to get a PharmD, I'm SUPER intrigued by this whole thing. I would LOVE to get into a lab and see what I could do with this. I'm jotting down these chemicals, the name of the plant and earmarking it for future inquiry. If this could be produce, it would be awesome.
Except you can't patent a plant
@@amosbackstrom5366 , Thus why kratom is slandered by them.
Profitable too, especially if your employers succeed in classifying it as a schedule one substance. Keep up the good work, lots of money to be made off people's misery. Well done, I say well done.
I used it to get off of methadone. I recommend it to chronic pain patients and anyone trying to break free from opioid dependency. After I was done using it to get off of methadone (140 mg daily for 5 years), I never used it again and have no cravings for it.
i always felt so bad for the dudes i was in rehab with damn near nodded off their suboxone dose...mfs out here tryna keep em hooked. I was a stim guy myself so yardy know i got prescribed Vyvanse along with 10 other people lmao. big pharma is a joke.
Yes likewise, I've been using it to reduce as I was in a ridiculously high dose of Methadone from a private Dr & have been for over 25 years.
I got down from 300mg a day to just 30mg... It's getting difficult now though. I plan to do a flood dose of ibogaine to come off this last bit.. Plant medicine is a gift from the gods, Psilocybin being the true Sacrament 🙏🏻
Congratulations! I’m really happy for you and that’s useful to know
I can't see coming off 140mg at once anyway. I've been on methadone myself for 5 years, but my dose is nowhere near what it was 5 years ago. I stopped cold turkey when I was at 20 MG, and nothing touched my withdrawal symptoms.
So many methadone users repeat the refrain that while you can kick opiates, methadone is for life... So if you were able to get off methadone, that's a huge win. The daily grind to obtain methadone is just awful and makes getting control over your life really hard.
I've been taking Kratom off and on for about 4 years now. I use it primarily for pain management, and the fact it doesn't get me high. I have had withdrawals when I decided to come off it, mostly increased sensitivity to pain, being annoyed and tired, and difficulty sleeping. That being said, I do generally recommend it, with the caveat that it is addictive.
I used it daily while caring for a hospice pt. I had back pain from lifting. I stopped it with no issue
@@arribaficationwineho32 everyone is different. some of us become addicted far easier than others. i think it depends on the chemicals and your system. i have friends addicted to cigarettes for a long time, I smoked for a little while and stopped, no problem. It's just different for different people.
I struggled with addiction , primarily anti anxiety meds, amphetamines for near ten years after high school. All I wanted was to be sober and free from those chains that I absolutely hated. After trying kratom at my cousin's kratom bar 7 years ago I have been clean from prescription medications, alcohol and marijuana completely. Kratom doesn't just help with pain . It helps with anxiety, PTSD and reoccurring trauma. For the first time in my adult life I was able to seek help through therapy and with the use of kratom I now have a beautiful family, raising two incredible children with my wife, see the world around me in a whole new light. Support my family with an excellent job I enjoy. Kratom no question helped me completely change the course of my life and my mental state. It in all honesty saved my life and I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow as a man,father, husband with it.
I'm limited on pain medications and that leaves me with very limited choices. I discovered kratom for not only pain, but for when I have extreme anxiety. It actually calms me down even more-so than an anxiety medicine (I was told that kratom could help). Plus, it takes care of it without the addiction. If Kratom is universally accepted, it'll take all the pain relief companies out of business. Heck, I even knew someone that can't take painkillers because of bleeding issues. They can take kratom with no issue!
That means the drug companies will fight it tooth and nail.
@@ffwastthat's exactly what they're doing with the help of the FDA. They and the FDA are our worst enemies. That's why we all have to stand up and speak out. Our success stories make a difference.
@@gsdlover257 The FDA is already bought and paid for, a cursory glance at the smoking cessation market showed that years ago.
except you will get physically addicted to kratom just like with other opiates
@@sentientprogram9699 how can you tell someone how they will react? Everyone is different. On top of that, kratom is not an opioid. Science proves that
I was a horrible oxy addict. For years. When I decided to get clean someone suggest I try this stuff for the withdrawals and to help with legitimate pain issues I have. I did, and 6 years later I'm still sober, I work a demanding job, I play with my small child daily and I don't look back or long for the pills. I owe most of that to my daily kratom. It elevates my mood, lowers my pain, and allows me to function without the deadly pills. This is real.
You traded one dependency for another...
@@MMOchAForPrez thanks for your opinion, what awesome stuff do you got going on? You must be pretty awesome.
@@MMOchAForPrez And? I don't understand the moralization, here. Harm reduction is good, actually, and if the choice is between oxy and kratom, anybody who is able to opt for kratom (even for life, if it comes to it) should be lauded for it.
@@MMOchAForPrezyou would truly understand if you had went through addiction issues
Im starting from the perspective of being all for it, if you found something that works for you thats awsome.
but why bother changing out tablets for pills if they are both doing the same thing in the brain, pain relief is due to the same mechanism.
What in your experience has been the benifit?
Thank you Simon. At first when I read the thumbnail I panicked thinking you were going to show me that Kratom is deadly dangerous. It has given me new life. I was heavily addicted to prescription Opioids. I went from Percs to Methadone. Then after a month and a half of cold turkey kickin hard-core I just lived with the cronic pain. Then I read about Kratom. I know have a new lease on life. Thank you for your help today. Please do another follow up on Kratom in the future. ❤
Kratom has helped me with migraines and IBS. A former coworker beat his heroin addiction with Kratom. It is a natural miracle that big pharma will do anything to stop.
You know the poppy plant is 100% natural too. Natural doesn't necessarily mean better or safe.
I know many people who beat a heroin addiction with Suboxone or Methadone. Those drugs are much safer then this drug.
@@carmattvidz4426 ^^^^^ . This. I meen...charcoal and poop are natural. eating those would be gross and bad idea.
Thank you for this video. I am a chronic pain patient and about a year ago had my normal prescription dose cut in half because of the new rules. Kratom keeps me working and living a fulfilling life and keeps me sane. I wish it was better regulated and there were better dosing options but I make due. I am 42 yrs old and 20 yrs into pain management and honestly this is the best I have felt. My pain was minimally controlled with opiods every 4 hrs, now 2 doses of Kratom per day are all I usually need
I have MS and was able to trade opiates for kratom. Plus, if I go a day without kratom, I don't feel like I'm dying like I did when I was out of opiates.
As much as I don’t like getting personal non-anonymously online, I’m super thrilled you’re doing this video. Kratom has a terrible rep. I went through a 10 yr drug addiction, lost everything. Except my health ins, which is how I traveled to multiple states going to rehab. First at 16, last 6 years ago. The last one was the first and only state funded rehab I went to as I was incarcerated most of 2017. I learned a lot through the entire experience, but mostly about ppl. I got out and went to halfway, immediately shot dope the first couple days, luckily not getting caught. I stopped only because I would have been homeless. I was miserable. Wanted to get high all day everyday, even tho I had a 3 year old daughter that was/is my world. I should mention I genuinely tried AA/NA my entire addiction n I now believe it can cause more harm than good. Anyways I say all that to say I was introduced to kratom in may 2018, first time I took it, I did get a somewhat euphoric feeling, but what rly blew my mind is it took all my cravings for hard drugs away, I can not state how absolutely insane that is. I was able to see how dumb it would be for me to get high “just once.” I still take kratom daily. Life has been extremely hard and I can’t say I’ve been perfect but I’ve got to credit the fact I’m still alive and I have my amazing daughter living with me (it’s just us) to kratom.
Thank you for putting this out, a lot of good info. Kratom, along with ALL drugs, should be legal. That is the answer to the drug epidemic. Check out the book “Chasing the Scream.” Very insightful.
I am glad you could get "right" for your daughter. I went to detox in 2015. If I didn't, I would be dead.
I was born with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, and was formally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia this year. This is the first I've ever heard of Kratom, and seeing that even with my current med cocktail I still am having my third day in a row spent mostly shaking and crying in bed, on top of just having been wheelchair bound and bed ridden for an upward of 8 years, this is super hopeful. That said, I'm not sure where Canada stands on this... And I'm not sure how well it would play with all of my other needs I need to take for inflammation control and my other autoimmune diseases that aren't pain causing.
“Kratom is legal for personal use and possession, but sale, distribution, and other activities involving the substance are illegal under Canadian federal law.”
Might I suggest research on Google about pharmaceutical interactions? It’s well worth doing the research and there’s tons of information out there that your doctor will never tell you.
I’m rooting for you! All the best. ❤️
I have lupus and it’s a game changer. I don’t find myself needing to increase dose or chasing a dragon. You can’t mentally go about it like you’re trying to get high. Rather it’s makes the aches and pains go away and gives me motivation and mental sharpness. If I went about it chasing a high I could definitely see it spiraling out of control. Also if you stop it for a day or two you will go into withdrawal but it dramatically decreases any tolerance you may have and the withdraw when you’re not taking more than 5-10 grams of leaves is pretty mild.
For context. I was diagnosed w lupus at 18 years old. Immediately prescribed a lot of Vicodin and doc had no problems keeping the pills coming. I got dependent and enjoyed the way it felt without even knowing what I was doing (18 years old). I had some hard lessons and had been off any narcs for a decade. Discovered Kratom and it made my day to day symptoms so much easier to deal with especially the chronic fatigue. Moral of the story. Use responsibly and it will likely be useful for you.
Fair warning this also is addictive. It also has withdrawal
Fibromyalgia isnt a valid diagnosis. Its them throwing their hands up and saying "they're fine, but they insist something is wrong" diagnosis.
@@justinlast2lastharder749 because I'll believe some random guy on the internet over my doctors...
I’ve been using it since Thailand legalized it chewing and tea bitter but you get use to it and I feel great
Have been involved with this plant for 20 years. Part of the team that brought it here, defended it and developed most of the most well known products in the market today. Supplied 75% of the US vendors for well over a decade. This plant saves. It is the future and will need to be defended for years to come. Please support.
100% it really does save lives, THOUSANDS of examples all over. Thank you for your part friend.
do you know of a particular organization(s) that does good work?
Is it addictive? I understand it can help addicts get off opioids but can it also be a gateway to get people into opioids if they start kratom before doing stronger opioids?
@@eriklarson4082 I have noticed a difference when I don't take it, to me, its more akin to like a daily coffee drinker missing a cup. I hope that helps!
Foh kratom is just as addictive as dope period. If you stop you go through withdrawals and it bind to your opioid receptors. Quit lyin to people
I can only say that since beginning kratom I have finally found relief from chronic pain that caused addiction and alcoholism for 30+ years. I am grateful for every day and thankful for the wonderful man that introduced it to me. I saw his store while standing in front of the liquor store and realizing this has to end. Every day is a good day now..
I got addicted to Kratom for 2 years at a high dose! I was able to just put it down with minimal withdrawal symptoms but my brain is just now getting back in order around a year later.
This goes for all drugs: If you're physically dependent or addicted, always, always, always WD by tapering the dosage down slowly. This way you can avoid getting PAWS (post acute withdrawl syndrome).
When it was legalized here in Thailand 15 kratom sellers opened in my small rural village, I had 30 yrs opium and heroin addiction behind me and had been clean for a decade so after trying it I threw myself in with abandon , then got covid again, I am a single dad of 2 so I have no help I just have to cope, kratom in high doses helped me function....I also ended up having to cook leaves every 4 hrs. Bang I had a full blown kratom habit...
So I stopped, 4 days feeling rank but I still got a little sleep then I was ok. 10 mths later I have no desire to take it.
I experienced severe depression, relapse of severe social anxiety, and insomnia when attempting to quit kratom-- this is what caused me to be unable to successfully quit for 5-6 years. I spent about 4 months slowly tapering my dose down to 1/4 tsp ground leaf per day, and I still ended up with severe insomnia after stopping kratom altogether.
was able to stop cold turkey no issue
Ive taken Kratom for a long time for my back pain and its truly given me new life to some extent. I worry every day there will be a ban.
I definitely have a different relationship with kratom than many who have commented. I started using it and like many with addiction problems i managed to become heavily addicted to it. Caused alot of issues in my life. Im sober from all substances now for a year or so. I still feel that it has its place in the medical community but not necessarily on every gas station shelf ( in the us) wildly unregulated.
This. I take Kratom for pain management from a broken spine and detox once a month to ensure I don't get overly attached to it. All of mine is directly imported from indonesia and I've noticed that it doesn't have the same kind of withdrawl and cracked-out feeling I got from whatever I was getting domestically.
@@cowmath77it’s definitely not near as addicting as the standard pain pills, but still obviously is addicting at a certain level
😂 what does banning it help when there is always some dude standing on the corner selling powder or rocks.. think mark, THINK.. its best to leave the less lethal shit open and legal, heck even do like they have in Svalbard (norway) where you get a quota (month ration) of alcohol- making it so you can drink but not be a drunk.. say you get x amount of soft drugs if you don't pick x amount of hard drugs, this keeps the drugs pure and the ppl relative sober- and in term forcing a struggling person hand to atleast do softer drugs.
@@Cdawg6429o It's definitely addictive. When I was overtaking it I had worse withdrawals than prescription morphine. It is honestly one of the worst feelings I'd ever had. I think better education on it would solve a lot more problems than anything else though. A lot of people taking it think of it as a wonder cure-all or their morning pick-me-up with no ill-effects. Before they know it they're taking more than they need to be and in a downward spiral since there's really nothing in the way of documentation or education that they're going to get from some random corner shop hocking it in extract form as a energy suppliment.
At the end of the day if people knew more about it we'd likely see less stupid decisions made as a result of taking it and more responsibility. I fully expect to see a hard wave of Kratom addictions coming as a result of people trying it to try it and not realizing just how easy it is to get hooked on it. For me it only took the first two times and I physically needed more. It was a physical demand that had me driving to a corner store at stupid hours to get more or I'd felt like I'd never be the same.
These days I know better, but back then? Hardly. We all do stupid things. Who even knows what the hell I'd put in my body.
Yep it's sad that the government has put us in a position were we have to act like it's harmless or the devil there's no real option for an legal in-between at the moment not one that will be pursued anyway I hope that changes because I believe it genuinely does save many lives has ruined mine
Ty for the honesty in the reporting of this plant. No fear mongering. Just straight facts from the best that the science has to offer at this point. Without going into great detail, I suffer chronic pain. Have been for many years. I cannot use prescription drugs. I just can't. I can only take natural substances straight from the ground without any mixing or concentrating. 3 or 4, 3 mg doses a day helps to control my pain to a point where I can still support my household with my labor without having to depend on a small gift from the govt. For that, I am thankful.
I'm glad that it works for you, I'm addicted to it and hate it, but I guess if you're taking for medical issues than it can be very helpful. But honestly, tons of people with chronic pain fell the same way about opioid medications, which is a reason ehy the recent crackdowns on prescription has been so devastating for some chronic patients, who's qualify of life was achieve only through medications and now a doctor has a ceiling on how much he can prescribe, forcing these people to suffer.
And lastly, a substance being natural and straight from the ground doesn't really make it better or worse than others. Opium is a complety natural juice from the poppy plants, yet is highly addictive and will steal your soul if you keep using it. And then you have synthetic opioids like tramadol being less dangerous than opium. Kratom can be very helpful, but it being natural doesn't really have much to do with it
@@Lock484 sorry for what you’re going through mate, people are far to lax with the use of “non addictive” when describing certain drugs, especially natural ones.
@@log7029 💯 thank you, kratom addiction is no joke, I'm one of the blessed ones who doesn't get extreme physical withdrawal (although it's pretty bad still), but the mental is harrowing, I cannot say it's not because of my preexisting depression, but in my experience, tons of mentally ill people start self medicating eith kratom and it's partly the reason ehy they got hooked, leaving them in the same place I'm currently in. I'm genuinely planning rehab, cause I'm worried I'll just off myself, if I was to try to withdraw alone 🤨🤕
@@Lock484 I was an addict. I used hyperdermically, opioids such as oxyycontin, and then after the first crackdown in 2000, anything that was water soluble. In 2014 I was using a gram to a gram and a half of heroin a day. Then I found recovery on mother's day 2014. I've been sober since. I learned that I was using substances to cope, that's when use becomes addiction. They made my body feel the way I wanted to feel spiritually.... joy. Once I found my joy, it was only my body's desire, and I had that desire removed from me. Everything that is in this earth in its natural form has a specific interaction with our bodies. That's the way we're made, so when I say it's natural, that's what I mean. Everything has its benefits when taken the way they were intended by the One Who made everything. I do not take Kratom to cope with my life, my sorrow or my problems. Consequently, I do not take any medicines that are made from things that have been mixed or concentrated. I take natural things naturally, although anything used in excess will produce problems, even cheeseburgers. Just saying. I refuse to go to doctors. I know the only thing they can do for me is prescribe unnatural medications to treat my pain. Perhaps for some it is ok, but not for me. I've been down that road already after I had a mining accident in a roof collapse. I've been using kratom since 2019. No regrets, no problems. I understand for some it may not be good, just like some can drink a beer and some can't. If you feel like you are using kratom to cope, my suggestion is to find hope so that you can obtain true joy. Hope realized produces joy, and joy is what we as addicts are lacking. I don't want to get all "religious" on you bro, but 1st step is going to be admitting powerlessness, and finding your Higher Power. I will give you some Truth, there is only One. If you are moved by what I've shared, you can find me on Facebook. Same name, same profile pic. I also have a UA-cam channel with a good playlist that will get you started, The Narrow Path. Hit me up anytime. Have a good one.
Russell I'm in the same boat with MS. Where do you feel is the safest/best place to purchase Kratom? TY
There were also a couple newer studies published that found that Kratom has the potential to help diabetics with metabolizing insulin and lowering things such as Triglycerides. I have actually seen it help a Type 1 variant diabetic whose body cannot use insulin properly, bring his A1C down to 5.4 and lower his triglycerides etc. His liver function is monitored regularly with no negative effects. It also helps with his severe peripheral neuropathy. I would classify him as a long term user (he started taking kratom years ago to get off of the opiates he was being prescribed for said neuropathy). So long as pharma is getting their cake and eating it too, we wont see those studies and will have to continue to fight for it to stay legal.
You did a great job on this presentation.
My brother died from Kratom overdose. He was in denial about his addiction and refused to disclose the use if kratom to his doctor despite experiencing seizures. He dropped dead in front of our father from multiple organ failure. When he died his kratom level was 100 times the leathal dose. When we cleaned his house we found kratom stashes throughout the dwelling. One stash was the size of an entire pillowcase. His kratom use began when he was cut off from prescription drugs. We knew he was sick. But the kratom went undetected because of his reluctance to tell us or his doctor.
My guess is that he was in pain so he took kratom. Gradually he took more and more which made him sick. Being sick, he would take more hoping it would make him feel better. His only symptom was seizures. He otherwise did not appear sick.
Oh no, I'm so sorry you lost him.
Sorry for your loss but thats just pure stupidity. its not the drug that killed him its the lack of self control. This is what recommended doses are for and warnings to not take a certain amount within a 24 hour period
Kratom rescued me from a cycle of hell. Long story but I don't know which was worse, the pain, or the unbelievable burden of trying to get help. The severe opioid crisis has made everything far worse, it's difficult to know who really needs medication and who doesn't, pain is difficult like that. Kratom doesn't have the dangerous CNS side effects, with moderation and a little willpower you can get your life back.
💯 I know exactly what you’re talking about. This plant was the only thing that eased my opioid withdrawals and helped me get my life back after an 18 year heroin addiction.
Really gives me hope one day people will be able to stop relying on opioids. I wish we could actually have the Executives and families in prison for life. Everyone who profited off the millions who have died because of these drugs. 🤦♂️
15 years on Hydrocodone and Tramadol. I finally said enough is enough and went cold turkey. Well, that only worked for a day then my brother got me Kratom. It was like breathing after being underwater for so long. It took the withdrawal away and I was in a better mental state. You have to want to quit and when you do you get your life and your finances back.
Proud of you and others who had the will to stop and get help. I still stumble and fall sometimes, but I am not the person I was back in the height of my drug problem. I can accept myself and my faults and know that I'm still alive to keep trying to be the person I know I can be.
This is a balanced and fair look into Kratom, well done to the writer (and to Simon for presenting it so well!).
It sounds like they need to do the research and see if they can regulate it and allow it to be used as a medication to handle chronic pain and opioid addiction--it sucks that there might be an alarmist wall blocking actual research! Research doesn't equal endorsement or approval. I bet there are a whole bunch of universities that would love to have Kratom research on their books.
The funny thing is that the FDA HAS done a lot of research, but the results didn't look the way they wanted them to so they falsified & cherry picked the data to present. They should be better equipped to do this research than anybody, and instead they submit junk science pushing a narrative that is insulting to read. Now they are trying their hardest to prevent others from doing the same research.
Psychedelics definitely have potential to deal with mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression, I would like to try them again but it's just so hard to source out here
I’ve been researching on psychedelics and it’s benefits to individuals dealing with Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and from my findings, they really work and I’ve been eager to get some for a while but its been difficult to get my hands on them.
@@CarmenOrtiz440The Trips I've been having really helped me a lot. I’m now able to meditate and I finally feel in control of my emotions and my future and things that used to be mundane to me now seem incredible and full of nuance on top of that I'm way less driven by my ego and I have alot more empathy as well
I was having this constant, unbearable anxiety due to work stress. Not until I came across a very intelligent mycologist. He saved my life honestly
@@LucyFernandez628I feel the same way too. I put too much on my plate and it definitely affects my stress and anxiety levels. I am also glad to be a part of this community.
@@LucyFernandez628Does he deliver to various locations?
Very topical, Simon Whistler. There was literally a coordinated attack that took place recently on July 13th across a lot of social media platforms (including youtube) related to kratom that resulted in permanent bans and suspensions. There is undoubtedly some larger bodies working against kratom. It's terrifying to see it in action. Thank you for posting this.
I was addicted to Kratom for years. It took me years to get off. If you are taking more than 15 grams a day and haven't tried to get off you have no fucking clue what's coming for you. I went through it multiple times. It is hell
@@Ohnothisisbadgood thing it's a cheap and safe addiction
@@Ohnothisisbadjust because you personally had a bad experience with it doesn’t mean the government should ban it. Period.
@Ohnothisisbad in my experience, kratom withdrawal is so incredibly mild compared to opiate withdrawal. I have MS and was able to get off of prescription pain pills with kratom. If I don't have kratom for a day I'm fine. Before kratom, if I went a day without opiates I wished I was dead.
@@Ohnothisisbad Oh I've been there and beyond. 15g/day is a drop in the bucket. If you experienced that much withdrawal at 15g, you have a very abnormal response.
Kratom saved me from an illicit pill habit. It literally helps me work better. Being on antidepressants, I tend to get sluggish and tired. Kratom helps me more than caffeine does. It also helps with my carpal tunnel pain, enough for me to continue working as a chef. I think it can and does save lives. Kratom , like any other substance you take into your body, needs to be done in a smart educated way. It has far more benefits than drawbacks.
If I’m not mistaken that’s what they use it for in SE Asia… basically a coffee alternative.
To add to the addiction thing, I’ve been using it for a couple years and I’ve tried getting off a few times, but the withdrawals just suck too much for me. I wish I never started taking it.
Tried to get off kratom? I have been doing the same as well. I would suggest cold turkey. Over the past year I have reduced my daily intake by 50% with no withdrawals. I still get the relief it brings but It going to take atleast another 6months to a year to fully taper off. The key is doing it very very slowly.
I've used it for four years now. I quit by accident when I went to my brothers wedding. (I didn't bring any with me, and I couldn't find any at my destination. No Kratom for two weeks was no problem as far as withdrawal is concerened. I did have a few accute bouts of pain in my spine, but tylenol worked well enough. When I came back from the wedding, I didn't get any kratom for three weeks, no problems. I think overall I only did a druggie panic on day one, after that it wasn't an issue.
Once i found kratom i stopped binge drinking, stopped taking mixed handfull of pills every day, lost 60 lbs, in short, it has been a blessing. I don't think people should take it for no reason nor do i think people should without research but i think it definitely has its place, it completely changed my life for the better
I had been an opiate addict for 12 years after breaking my back and being put on Lortab for pain. I was miserable and I felt I had no escape from the opiate ball and chain that kept me shackled to the daily grind of addiction. Then my wife heard about kratom and got me some to try. I instantly felt a surge of hope and for the first time in over a decade I knew I was now gonna finally beat opiate addiction. Then exactly 7 days later the state of Alabama made the possession and distribution of Kratom illegal. My addiction continued for 8 more years until suboxone treatment finally gave me the ability to kick my addiction.
But aren’t you just addicted to Suboxone now?
@@dissidentleathermonster No, suboxone isn't like taking opiates, it just keeps you from having withdrawal symptoms. So I gradually reduced the daily dosage then I went days between doses until I stopped taking it completely. It was a months long process but after 20 years of opiate addiction a few months of suboxone was well worth the result. Although many people do abuse suboxone and simply trade their opiate addiction for suboxone addiction because in high doses suboxone is addictive. Suboxone will only work for those that use it properly and that are seeking to be rid of dependency on any and all drugs.
And I should add that just getting on suboxone made an instant improvement to my life. The effects of opiates don't last long and you build a tolerance to them quickly, so as an opiate addict its an all day struggle to not be sick, but just a tiny dose of suboxone will last all day long, so instead of the constant need to be taking opiates you can take a tiny piece of suboxone in the morning and be fine all day long. So its a huge improvement to ones lifestyle just getting on suboxone.
And now addicted to subs lmao 🤣 grrrreat
@@timothy2935 No I only took subs till I got off opiates then I slowly reduced the dose of sub till I finally stopped taking them. Thats how they are intended to be used. If someone is gonna just keep taking subs then whats the point.
When you said “some know the dangers of opioids and have to choose to live their life in agony”, that resonated with me so much. At some point I was on pain meds for my Ehlers danlos syndrome symptoms and injuries, but I had to stop because it was becoming a slippery slope. Now I live my life in constant pain and can even feel it when I’m sleeping. My hope is that one day we will have something safe to use without being afraid of becoming super addicted or OD’ing. 😔
Kratom could be a really good thing for you. It is addictive but not to the same degree as more standard opiodes and it doesn't suppress breathing which is how the others kill.
Chronic pain patient here as well. You'd think modern medicine would be able to come up with some better long-term options 😢
I used Kratom for years to help with my depression and anxiety. The only reason I stopped was the fact that I moved to New Zealand, and it's not really available here. The fact that countries like New Zealand either make it incredibly hard to get or out right illegal blows my mind.
I have chronic pain, but refused opioids from my doctor. She told me to try kratom, and I’m very glad she did!
Yeah, it's also an Opioid. That's why it works. You're still taking an Opioid.
I use Kratom and it’s incredible. No wonky side effects (but some stomachs don’t handle it well).
I am one of those saved by Kratom after heart bypass surgery. Thanks for this video the truth needs to come out!
Thank you for this unbiased video.
I've been taking kratom daily for 7 years without issue. If you're interested in kratom, stay away from extracts. Use leaf powder and take small doses throughout the day. Capsules and oblate papers
This! Stick to powder and you’ll be fine!
Thank you. I'm looking into taking Kratom but have no idea where to start. This comment is very helpful. I already found a store near me but of course have no idea what to ask for aside from asking what form of kratom they have. They mentioned pills, powder, and shots.
Kratom saved my life and got me through some very rough times..I had been on pain medication starting at 15 and of course became horribly addicted( if a doctor gives these to me theyre safe...right?) By my early to mid 20s I was buying fentanyl living a very sad "life" I eventually was led to Kratom to manage withdrawal and it allowed me to come back to life. I was able to hold down a job and eventually got onto suboxone. I now have 3 children and am the healthiest I have ever been. I will say Kratom alone is very hard to enjoy at a super high dose. By the end I needed so much...the plain mangda leaf was not strong enough so I would add in a powdered extract. It would keep me from getting sick, absolutely, but the "high" was very very dirty feeling. I remember my eyes needing time to catch up with movements sever dizziness/nausea and what I can only explain as a severely cloudy brain fog. It did save my life though and it does deserve more research regulation doising information and respect.
If you’re getting high from it you are taking too much. I experienced that when I tried an extract and took more than I should have and it was awful. The visual distortions like you mentioned plus nausea and dizziness are not a good time.
It saved me but I'm similar to your experience, I want to stop by get really sick when I try,did you quit cold turkey or ?
@@chrissmith9798 I'm sorry to hear that dude..I did not quit it cold turkey actually but found a doctor who was willing to listen and help me...they eventually switched me to suboxone maintenance and It has 1000% been for the better. I now have 3 littles and am a fulltime chef...I started all of this because of debilitating spine issues though and still deal with it every day unfortunately.. Here recently I've been thinking about tapering off of the suboxone but according to my doctors I eventually will need more spinal surgeries as I get older..so Im just not sure.
You were having those side effects because you were stacking doses, you have to wait around six hours before you redose. the quantity isn't so much the cause its stacking the doses that to you. i was going thought that to. did a test and it was taking more to soon not the quantity.
Ah yes, wobbly eyes
I was among those working with the AKA fighting the bogus legislative attacks against kratom via donations, petitions, signatures, and seminars. A friend introduced it to me probably 15 years ago and it was eye-opening, as it worked well enough but made other, more expensive and illicit things less effective, hence no longer useful. I'm sure it was primarily attacked because of the lack of taxation (i.e; American legislators and lawmakers not getting their cut) but I am glad to see it still widely available after that p.o.s. Gottlieb tried to get it banned by falsifying info and outright lying about it because it might put a dent in Pharma's pockets.
And that's what the attacks are all about... protecting Pharma's monopoly.
AkA! You guys did great work. I submitted my testimonial a few years back. Keep it up!
I've been taking kratom for years now. Compared to other psychoactive substances, its risk profile is extremely safe. The bitter taste and dryness of the powder helps regulate my intake. It's relatively cheap, even cheaper per month than my actual prescription medications. I've talked to my doctor about it, and they agree that all evidence suggests it's quite safe unless mixed with other depressants. I've stopped taking it several times when I didn't have the money, and the withdrawals were manageable. I've referred kratom to two friends of mine who were addicted to opiates, and they both switched immediately.
Before taking Kratom, I was addicted to Benzodiazepines (Klonopin) for years, and the level of addictiveness is not even comparable. People who complain about Kratom withdrawal most likely have not experienced narcotic opiate/benzo withdrawal, which is simply on a whole different level. Yet, doctors will prescribe Xanax for anxiety and not kratom, despite there being significant evidence that kratom helps reduce anxiety. It's not even prescribed or recommended for opiate withdrawal, despite helping MILLIONS of people get off opiates by providing an easy "off-ramp" with its relatively mild withdrawal symptoms.
If there are real risks, we need to identify them NOW before banning it. Compared to alcohol, it's ridiculously safe, and a preferable addiction compared to abusing opiates, alcohol, or benzodiazepines. All of the side effects Simon described are simply the side effects of opioids, but at a much less severe level than prescription opiates. The FDA and DEA are way out of line by trying to ban it. I'm not the type to handwave at conspiracy theories involving pharmaceutical companies, but they have a clear incentive to suppress this incredible drug because they cannot patent it. And yes, it's a psychoactive drug, just like caffeine and weed - that doesn't make it bad, but it's silly to pretend it's just a plant or supplement.
Half the problems with it, are solely due to a lack of study and research of it.
They need to allow research and even encourage it. Big pharma and big govt have made it too cumbersome to do so. And thus not cost economical to do so. This is why some of the regulatory burden needs to gtfo.
@@patrickw9520 Exactly. Pharmaceutical companies have every incentive to prevent any investigation into kratom's efficacy or risk profile, and simply state vague "war on drugs" style platitudes. These same companies lobby the FDA and DEA to criminalize kratom, because kratom is their competition.
I hate conspiracy theory BS, but it's very clear that they have an economic interest to eliminate this real threat to their profits, and thus pharma companies have a fiduciary DUTY to suppress kratom research within the bounds of the law. To not suppress kratom would be negligent on the part of the corporation, and their shareholders could sue them for massive losses. Legally speaking, these companies are obligated to do everything in their power to prevent kratom from becoming a popular alternative to more addictive, and patentable substances.
"People who complain about Kratom withdrawal most likely have not experienced narcotic opiate/benzo withdrawal, which is simply on a whole different level. Yet, doctors will prescribe Xanax for anxiety and not kratom, despite there being significant evidence that kratom helps reduce anxiety. It's not even prescribed or recommended for opiate withdrawal, despite helping MILLIONS of people get off opiates by providing an easy "off-ramp" with its relatively mild withdrawal symptoms."
So true. Big Pharma will ensure kratom is banned and deemed dangerous.
I have several chronic health issues that cause quite a bit of pain. I am allergic to opioids, and when my doctor tried Tramadol as an alternative I had serious hallucinations from it, so discovering kratom a few years ago has given me back a huge amount of my quality of life, allowing me to get through bad days without a complete loss of productivity.
Ya know the funny thing about opioids? When I finally kicked them, the physical withdrawal pain was worse than the pain I was originally prescribed the opioids for….
I worked at a smoke shop for three years and I had daily customers that would buy 4 to 6 black liquid concentrated shots a day. So the fact that some people can get toxicity poisoning from it is crazy I haven’t worked there in two years I wonder where those people are now. It’s not cheap either each shot was $20. Kratom was always our second best seller after those disposable vapes, every day. I think it’s way more popular than 1.7 million users.
I’ve just spent 3 months on opioid medication while I was waiting for surgery. I can tell you, withdrawals are a hell I never imagined. I lasted four days pretty comfortably as someone who’s comfortable with pain and discomfort. It felt like a flu but I couldn’t take medicine for it because the cure was the cause.
But the evening it really kicked into gear; every minute was like hours, every sound was like nails in a chalkboard.
Month on morphine etc and Tylox back in 91. Severely shattered leg. They did not want to give me meds at all, and I was poor so HAD to be a drug abuser. I was poor because I just paid to double major my way through a private university to which I had a half tuition scholarship, but never mind. Never even smoked pot, flatly had refused. Saga, drama, and two weeks out of surgery and a year before I could even think about walking, they cut off all pain relief and told me 'maybe in September you can have an appointment." I went through withdrawal alone with a numbnuts boyfriend who caused with the help of the other moron a 50MPH accident that essentially crippled me for life. I was the passenger. I got stuck with all the bills for hospitals etc, almost no insurance paid, and my attorney could not even be farked putting a lien on the house of the woman who technically caused it, and at least had her license taken away. I spent a few days throwing up, and watching things that do not exist crawl on the walls. Even needing pain killers after that I took none until a single codeine Tylenol for a ten part root canal about 25+ years later. Before that it was handfuls of cheapest aspirin because well I was poor. That time after looking like Marlon Brando for a week (I am a chick) I finally caved because I needed to fall asleep. I totally get needing pain killers though and have a friend who was addicted to far worse use Kratom for awhile and swears by it now as what helped him get off of everything.
It's something you can't even describe. I was an IV heroin and then fentanyl addict and I used heavily... I've been through it so many times but hopefully never again. I've detoxed in jail and I think that's the worst...laying on a thin plastic mat sweating and having no privacy to use the toilet.. only get clean clothes once a week. 😞
Skin crawling , negative thoughts, cant eat , cant sleep ugh!
@@mikehunt4797 yeah it wouldn't be as bad if you could sleep through it
@@awkwardautistic Yes i agree i could take the hell in the day but at night it's magnified times 100. It's like all you can focus on is the misery at that time.
Sober 3 years from a horrid alcohol addiction. Kratom completely changed my life. I was suicidal and empty for months after stopping alcohol, I just could not stand life sober. Found out about Kratom and it made life worth living that exact day. Kratom is not very strong and you build a tolerance pretty quick which can lead to taking more and more and more. I fell into that trap a couple years ago but, thankfully, at some point Kratom just stops working, it doesn’t matter how much you take. So you’re forced to reset and tame down to a normal level. I’ve been on the same dose daily for 2 years now and I’m doing great. I don’t get high off it (rarely do anyways,) I barely even notice I’ve taken anything and it works wonders. I feel sober, I am sober, the anxiety melts away and so does the depression. If you’re struggling staying sober, it’s worth a shot. If you relapse, STOP taking it. I would not mix it with anything else. Use it to stay sober, not get fucked up and it’ll change your life. Much love to those fighting addiction.
I've taken kratom for about 11 years. My first year with it I didn't use a dosing schedule and took it based off how it made me feel - my doses slowly kept going up in quantity. Then I took too much and had the fun of vomiting and feeling pretty terrible. I pumped the brakes and cycled off for a few months and got back to the misery of pain during that time. So I did a heck of lot more research before trying it again. Dosing schedule kept coming up and less is more kept coming up. So I did this and it has worked and continued to work for years now without increasing the dose. I don't "feel" the dose but I do notice pain is pretty damn managed and it is immensely helpful to treat ADHD for me in addition to the pain. It's pretty incredible, but use caution so it doesn't turn from a helpful life altering supplement to a terrible life altering supplement. Like anything moderation is the key.
Can you elaborate on how it treated your ADHD? I don’t have an opioid problem or chronic pain but I have ADHD worse than anyone you’ve ever met in your entire life.
I’ve tried everything imaginable and nothing works. I’m the only person I know of who is completely immune to Adderall. In a bitter rage I started taking 7 to 10 pills at a time instead of the recommended 1, and I was still as sober as I was before I took them.
I’m desperate for any kind of remedy or potential solution. Everyone in my family is very successful, my younger sister a physician’s assistant making incredible money and I’m still working an entry level warehouse job at the age of 30 because I’m completely incapable of taking on any kind of work that requires me to think.
I’ve thought about trying Kratom but I don’t want to add another addiction into my life unless it addresses my ADHD, because that would be the only way it’s worth it.
Thanks so much my man.
I take a dosing schedule.. I didn't research it but I take kratom 4 to 5 time per day about every 4-5hours. Unlike opioids I haven't had to continue increasing my dose in order to get the effects i want. This has been 5 year now. I have experienced the all too terrible sickness of taking too much kratom at a time and puking. It's not fun at all. I also found that white leaf kratom is all I like. Red makes me to lathargic and green makes me far more nauseous more often. It took a while to figure this out and I have reduced my daily kratom intake by 45% from my peak. It was getting too expensive and that's saying a lot since I get it dirt cheap compared to most. My guy buys it straight from east Asia and I buy it from him 10kgs(22lbs) at a time.
This. 100%
@@BuckScrotumn Sure! I stick to a dosing schedule of 3 grams of powder or capsules every 4 hours during the day. That is the sweet spot for me. Kratom is one of those things where less is more. When first trying it, I'd think I'm pretty focused so more is better right.. not so much - more usually meant unpleasant side effects and grogginess. Start small and stay small with it. You're not shooting for cupcakes and rainbows for effect, just a little more dialed in focus and momentum. You'll have to tweak and tune it to how your body responds. I also stick with red vein strains. The anecdotal evidence says reds equal sedation but maybe it's the ADHD brain where red equals focus and energy and white equals sedation. Again it's some trial and error. I'd recommend going with a sample pack to kind of have a go at a whole spectrum of them. Also buy wholesale online. It is substantially cheaper than at a headshop. I use Viable Solution personally and have for years. They are excellent for me. I wish you the best of luck and none of this is medical advice just my own experience with it.
When ya vomit from any opioid that's ya body getting addicted trust me I know
Kratom is amazing. It's cured these undiagnosable abdominal pains I've had since I was a kid. Everything the doctors tried from opiates to pregabalin didn't work to stop it, but kratom did. It literally gave me my life back again
Chrohns disease? Intermittent burning and general pain at random?
To be fair you could say that about most controlled substances... They work but...
@@vooxiisaid opioids were tried and you can’t really get more controlled substance than that
Are you a woman? If so look up endometriosis. It’s been hell on earth for me.
@@isatq2133 Could be ALL sorts of things. But I am sure the doctors tried that (as applicable) if morphine had been involved!
Great info Simon. I've been a daily user of Kratom for general anxiety disorder for about 5 years now. It works.
@@Rodderz1
Lors of water. Kratom can dehydrate you. Also, magnesium helps.
@@Rodderz1 I eat a high fiber diet. Constipation has never been an issue for me.
As someone who has dealt with addiction I recommend extreme caution when it comes to kratom. Its not as addictive as opiates but it can sneak up on you and let me tell you of all the drugs ive withdrawn from and there have been many, kratom is actually the 2nd worst only beaten by benzos. It actually had a worse withdrawl then actual opiates because of how damn long it took to get through (though I've heard fentynal is similar in that, i never withdrew from that one specifically.) As far as pain relief goes i never felt it was much stronger then an ibuprofen but ive been told its great for arthritis.
well its not strange that it is just as bad as opioids, because it IS AN OPIOID. And im pissed off that people in the comments dont seem to know this and see it as a "natural plant". Yes so is poppies which contain morphine...
Fentanyl actually has a short-life and fairly short withdrawals. They are intense but they usually peak by day 2 or 3 and by 4 or 5 days, you will be feeling much better. Methadone withdrawals usually last weeks, and Suboxone withdrawals can also last up to 10 to 15 days. Realistically methadone withdrawals are the worst since they can be 20 to 30 days, but they are also milder
Regardless of what anyone tells you, taking it at higher doses it becomes incredibly addictive and can cause a withdrawal reaction resembling the delirium tremens from alcohol
No it doesn't resemble delirium tremens. There is a mild opioid withdrawal though. I've withdrawn from Kratom numerous times and it is not fatal. That isn't to say it's a miracle plant, it is just a milder opioid
Absolutely false
Now tell me what doses you took it at? How many grams a day
I'm a USMC veteran with a lot of daily pain from disabilities. Kratom is the only thing that relieves nearly all of those symptoms while not getting me high so I can work and drive which is great! However there's a catch. It is still addictive and you need to be careful about how much you take and when. If I miss a regular dose there are definitely minor withdrawal symptoms but it doesn't even touch other things I've had to get off of. Kratom really can be a force for good, but we still have to proceed with caution. Anything can be detrimental if abused.
Exactly, we absolutely should not ban it, but lets not pretend it is not, well, exactly what it is.
Its a drug, a drug that can be used responsibly by adults. But it needs to be treated approprately
It depends on how much you are taking. The people here saying it's not as bad haven't gone down the rabbit hole. Many many many people with difficult life situations or physical pain will fall down that hole until they are taking 100 grams a day.
Got me off all kinds of shit!
Thank you for your service.
I am an Iraq War Veteran with severe PTSD that led to severe alcoholism. I was raped in the Navy and covered up with a bad paper discharge when I attempted to report it. I attempted suicide in 2009. I have been sober from alcohol for the past decade thanks to Kratom. During my worst alcohol binge, my BAC was .47. Most people die at .40
I've suffered from chronic pain since I was in elementary school, but I never knew how to put what I was experiencing into words. Until I put my back out in 2017 at 32, I assumed I was just imagining things. Then I ended up on opioids when I herniated discs. Kratom does nothing, and Soma didn't either(supposedly Soma is strong. It was a sugar pill for me.) I ended up with the diagnoses of: Chronic Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Reynaud’s, and Meralgia Parasthetica. I also have two herniated discs, instead of just one as before. My doctor sees me every month, I get tested randomly after every 3 month period, and I've also been on nerve meds to avoid painkillers, but my body chemistry means it has to be able to fell an Ox before I feel any relief. I'm also allergic to nearly every NSAID except for acetaminophen. And I'd be dead before I could take enough of that to make a difference. Opioids are perfect for me; I have never overdosed, sold my meds, taken enough to actually FEEL high or anything like it. I was able to function after being put on an opioid long term.....but I still have those days where I'm housebound or bedbound. Every week. Especially in flareup periods. I'm just lucky I found my current doctor who trusts me. The first pain management dr I met was an ass. "I refuse to give hydrocodone to a perfectly healthy 33year old." If I was perfectly healthy I wouldn't have needed to see him, but whatever. I've been gaslit so much.....😢
Acetaminophen is not an NSAID
Thank you for this. Very informative.
I used kratom to quit dilaudid ended up on kratom for 4 years, up to 40-50 grams per day. The withdrawals were pretty close to oxy withdrawal. I believe kratom works as an ssri, withdrawals were very similar to antidepressants. Took well over a month to feel normal after quitting Keaton
This episode was really good, would love to see more like it
Anecdotally of course but I know several people who are alive today because of kratom. It will always have my support even though thankfully I've never needed it myself. Harm reduction options like this and nicotine vaping should ALWAYS be available when the alternative so easily leads to death and suffering. This video also gives me hope that this channel could approach nicotine vaping in a responsible and fair manner, something most reporting on it can't do.
Yes, and thank you for mentioning nicotine vaping. We smokers are addicted to nicotine, and yet nicotine is NOT the part of smoking that kills smokers! Vaping was cheaper to do when it first came out, NOW it's almost as costly as smoking! (TAXES!). You would think a RATIONAL government would ENCOURAGE smokers to switch to vaping! But there are NO rational governments!
@@jamesslick4790 100% with you. I hope rational people like Simon who have a large reach will talk about vaping because it has just gotten so misunderstood and so difficult for people to do. Its impossible to imagine something so important being subverted by the people who are actually supposed to give a crap about public health and then no one else giving a damn.
@@Nefville Vaping is the ultimate solution to smoking. and that's the "problem" (for the government). The government PRETENDS it wants people to quit smoking, But they REALLY DON'T. They reap in billions of tax dollars from cigarette smokers. I "roll" my own using "pipe" tobacco and "tubes". The tobacco I buy has to specify that it's for "pipes", but yet it's called "Tube Cut". It's a stupid fucking "dance". Vape cut out all of THAT bullshit AND was safer. Uh oh! So "they" had to remind us that vaping is "not healthy"..No Shit Neither is eating Oreos. However, vaping (or eating Oreos) is 1000x "healthier" than SMOKING. P.S. My comments are NOT a non-smoking rant. I am smoking right now! I have been a smoker since 1979! (I blame Carter, LOL) But "vaping" has an UNDESERVED bad "rap" that I hate. Vaping is a POSITIVE evolution in a largely negative world. PS I'm not some young vaping "hipster", I'm a 61 year old (Yes, "boomer"!) Cigarette smoker!
1,000% The FDA can't tell us that vaping is better for your lungs, but I know what it did for mine. It's a safer alternative.
It's a huge shame that Kratom is lauded as such a wonder-substance.
No one talks about how incredibly debilitating the withdrawal is once you decide you've had enough. For me personally it was worse to stop than codeine was.
I curse the day I ever consumed an Opiate. I certainly class it as one of the worst days of my life. I had been suffering with immense pain on my throat/tonsil area and putting off going to the doctor. When I eventually did, the pain was so bad i couldn't move my mouth to even talk. Turns out I had a quinsy - An abscess of the throat. They are fucking awful. I was offered some painkillers to ease what was absolutely mind-boggling pain.... And there begins my journey. I'd never had an opiate before this.
I was given 2x 30mg codeine phosphate tablets... They certainly eased the pain in my throat, but unfortunately they eased the pain in my soul much more. I can still remember that feeling of pure bliss... I remember thinking to myself "oh wow, I can legally buy these over the counter at a pharmacy wothout a prescription? I am in trrrrouble now..."
5 years later and I'm finally on the right side of dealing with the problem head-on and having good success. Something that, at times has seemed like an impossibility.
Not everyone in this position is a "junkie", either btw. I am a mid-thirties father of 4 with my own house, a wife and my own company, working as a consultant in a lucrative industry. I've even worked for Forumla 1 teams in the past year.
This can happen to anyone. If you take anything away from this bloody ramble of mine, it's that I beg you show compassion to anyone you know struggling in a similar way. No one sets out to fu*k themselves over with an addiction. It creeps up on you while you're not looking, and before you know it, youre trying to workout which pharmacy you've not been to yet this week, so that you can get the pills you need to prevent the onset of withdrawal for another day.
If anyone wants feels like they nee someone to talk to, possibly in the same position as I was, i'd love to help. My username is "borat" (yeah lol) on the bird app. Send me a DM and I will help all i can.
To answer your question: "yes" however, big corporations HATE it and want it banned!
I used Kratom to help withdrawl from opiates and my roomate uses it to really help with his pain. It’s amazingly helpful and needs to be researched and fully legalized to be used as safely and effectively as possible!
@@cowmath77 I don’t take it anymore. Used it to get off opiates. Took it for about 4 days and then just stopped. Makes withdrawal tolerable. By researched I mean an FDA study to either be available OTC or prescription. Kratom has nowhere near the addictive potential as opiates. Have you ever tried Kratom?
Loved this episode, definitely an eye opener
Ive been using Kratom for five years now. I have intense pain from Fibromyalgia and my doctors are too scared to prescribe me anything stronger than gaba so I turned to Kratom as a desperate attempt to mediate the pain. It works! Kratom saved my life!
I was out of my meds, didn’t want to go through withdrawal, so I tried Kratom and it stopped the symptoms, I was sold and relieved, but One Important Note, it works “ as long as you never mix it with any other opioid “. Also I have capsules and not sure how much to take. The bottle instructions said, take 6 then wait few hours and take 2. Their 500 mg’s, but wanted you to know it saved me from getting the dreaded withdrawal ❤
I take kratom every day. I was hooked on tianeptine (stuff came in bottles of 15-30 and was called tianna or zaza in gas stations and vape stores) for a whole year after being told it was not addictive and accidentally becoming dependent on it. It was highly addictive. The withdrawals were so horrible. I’ve never had withdrawals from anything harder but these withdrawals kept me from even being to stand up out of my bed because I would almost pass out if I stood up. If it weren’t for kratom I don’t know where I would be now. My dad who is anti drug and drinking even takes kratom to help with back pain. I have experienced kratom withdrawals but it felt like I had the common cold vs the tianeptine withdrawal was like I had the flu, stomach virus, Covid and any other horrible sickness.
@Burger_pants and why does that concern you sweetie?
@Burger_pants I understand that. If you’ve never been addicted to opioids then you won’t understand. Kratom only partially hits opioid receptors. Kratom helps me with my anxiety and insomnia. I don’t have to take a handful of pills everyday anymore. I take a teaspoon of kratom in the morning and one before bed and that’s it. I’m not wasting my money on pills anymore. The point of the kratom is to taper off of it eventually to keep me from having horrid withdrawal symptoms everyday so I can continue to work. Plus kratom is legal in my state. Not sure why you sound so bitter
tianeptine is a prescribed antidepressant at 12mg doses, not prescribed for more than 72g per day . I imagine like most recreational users you'd take a gram (or more) So, as a prescription, not addictive, at doses several times that, definitely addictive.
@@squirlmy the tianeptine that I was taking was not regulated. You could buy it at gas stations here in Alabama. I was originally recommended it by a “friend” that said it would help with my anxiety and give me energy. Before I knew it I was addicted to it but if I had known anything about it before hand I would not have taken them at all. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and it almost ruined my life
Kratom has saved my life ! Kratom got me off Benzos and opiates. It helps the mental and physical issues that I have without leaving me unable to function! I'm so grateful for it ! 🙏❤
I am too but it's still a powerful drug and needs to be respected.
@@chaosdwellerthat goes for every drug in existence from aspirin to Tylenol to Benadryl.
it might've gotten you off Opiates, but you're still on an Opioid if you're taking Kratom daily
@@corneliusthecrowtamer1937 yer name? haha.
I completely understand that those in pain needing Kratom. For this guy I started taking Kratom two years after I quit a bad opioid addiction. I was not in physical pain. It gave me a boost of energy and seemed like something I could take daily without interrupting my daily life (family, work, etc.). I didn’t realize I was trading one for another. If you are reading these comments looking for a substitute to make yourself feel different, be more fun to be around like I was… save yourself the pain and insanity. More than likely you are an addict just like me.
Have you quit
I'm currently reducing my dosage down from around 50-60g per day to currently 30-35g. I (obviously) don't want it to become illegal and I think it can help many people, but it's also important to mention the addictive potential of the substance (you did but many don't). I have to take it all the time, I get nasty withdrawl symptomes like RLS, sweating, stress and I just feel like shit and I can't sleep anymore. I'm also almost certain it causes cross tolerance with opioids.
It also does get you more or less high at the right dosage, it makes you happy or less depressed and makes you worry less, also as you said it can give you energy or it sedates you. The potency of different strains and varieties can vary a lot.
I've been taking Kratom for around 5 year's. I take around 12g to 20 at the most a day. I've never really shopped around for good Kratom because I always been buying the same brand since I started, I tried maybe 3 others but no better and store bought. I use Remarkable Herbs, I hear it's not bad but definitely not the best but it's Cheap and sold 5 minutes from me and clearly works. I hear of some really good brands online that supposedly you don't need to take as much but truthfully I don't know and also worry that maybe they have other chemicals in it, be no good, or just get ripped off. Have you tried Remarkable? And what are some good Brands? Good luck cutting back. I've did that myself a few times, I'd just cut back a bit each time. I always do that when I start to get to the bottom of a bag lol. Wish you luck bro. Thanks
@@ashleygatton5649 Hey, I used different shops (primarily grüneshaus, sometimes dreamherbs and one or two other at the beginning), but I'm from Germany, so I don't know if it's really relevant to you. I've never tried or heard of Remarkable.
What I experienced is that the strain is important (green is great, red is meh, but ok and white is shit, so I only buy green), but it's not too important which exact type of kratom you're buying, so it makes a relatively minor difference from the shops I use. Same when it comes to the shop/brand in general, if it's good/solid there aren't too many differences.
reading between the lines you are taking more than just kratom...
@@joejones9520 yeah, but I'm not addicted to it.
It will absolutely cause withdrawals if you take a fairly high dose daily. They are not fun either.. Extreme anxiety, sweating, RLS, inability to sleep, tremors.. People that claim otherwise are lying or ignorant.
You can tell whether people have experienced chronic pain or know someone who has by the way they phrase the use of opioids. I avoided them because they just consistently make me nauseous but when your options are daily agony or morphine it’s incredibly unfair to demonise people who take pain medication.
Someone gave me a packet of Kratom powder to try for my debilitating nerve pain, but I've been afraid to try it because I take psychiatric meds that might not safely interact with it. I'd like more research to be done before I consider it as an option. Your parting words made me tear up, though. Because yeah, if you live with chronic pain--especially if it's so bad you can't work.
There's no such thing as a light at the end of the tunnel. It would mean the world for that to change.
I take psychiatric meds too and I also take kratom daily. I havent had any problems and kratom even completely got rid of some of the side effects from one of my psych meds. I was in a similar position to you and it ended up helping me beyond anything I could ever imagine.
Get off the psych meds and get on kratom. Your psych issues are likely from your pain. It was for me.
It's not going to cause you a problem
Kratom is addictive, very much so for some people.