Kratom & Weed: Which is Best for You?

Depending on who you ask, the difference between kratom & weed and their effects can vary widely. Therefore, this guide will take a look at both of them from a nonbias standpoint for both soothing and recreational purposes, leaving readers to decide which one is the best for them.

Both kratom and weed come with soothing properties and are used for a number of reasons. The biggest difference today is that kratom is still largely under-regulated by the FDA while weed has only been approved for one prescribed drug called Epidiolex for medicinal treatments.

Despite weed’s recent legalization, kratom is still legal in many states as well as several foreign countries; therefore, the more that people are learning about kratom and discovering its power, the more they’re dropping their favorite smoke and edibles and buying bags of kratom instead.

Kratom vs Weed?

Kratom and weed are both plants but are designed with different compounds and genetics. The scientific name for kratom is Mitragyna speciosa, a native species that grows mostly throughout Southeast Asia and is part of the coffee family. Kratom trees go through a cyclic cycle where at different times of the season, the veins in the leaves change color and are harvested by hand.

There are more than 100 compounds found in kratom; however, the main two active ingredients include the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The varying effects and potency of kratom depend on the strain and vein color of the leaves when harvested as well as its method of drying.

The most popular strains of kratom include white, green, and red vein kratom; however, other variations such as gold and yellow are produced by crossbreeding and innovative drying techniques.

Weed is a plant from the Cannabis L Sativa family where its most famous attribute is the psychoactive chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main mind-altering compound out of 113 contained in the cannabis plant.

All cannabis species started off as landrace strains, but over time, cross-breeding different species have produced thousands of different strains that are commonly used today for recreational and medicinal purposes. Weed also contains higher concentrations of another important compound known as cannabidiol (CBD).

Unlike TCH, CBD is nonpsychoactive and blocks the high that THC is known for and is mostly extracted from the hemp plant, weed’s cousin. There are many more compounds contained in the resin of the secreted glands of the cannabis plant; however, TCH and CBD are the main two with cannabidiol making up 40% of the plant’s compounds.

Effects of Kratom and Weed

Although Kratom and weed both offer recreational and other benefits, the amount you consume can produce varying effects. Kratom taken in smaller doses can produce an increase in energy, improved concentration, enhanced memory, better mood, and mild relief while higher doses of kratom are known to create the following effects:

• Sedation
• Soothing
• Relaxation
• Increased energy

When weed is extracted into CBD for other purposes, it is used for  relief from tension, stress, uplifts mood, and overdoses of CBD are almost nonexistent. The effects of CBD do not get you high, rather it provides relief by attaching to your CB2 receptors in your brain while the effects of its counterpart THC are psychoactive in nature. The effects of THC are known to cause:

• Delayed response time
• Heightened senses
• Impacts motor skills
• Decrease in sexual drive
• Short-term memory loss

Which is More Potent? Kratom or Weed

In terms of overall potency, kratom is stronger than weed because a person can only get so high by smoking or digesting it in the form of edibles. The body simply needs to time come down before another high can be achieved.

The best weed smoked will come with a buzz that lasts approximately 30-45 minutes while in edible form, you can experience a longer duration due to the concentration of THC contained in the products, and the high generally last between 2-3 hours.

On the other hand, average dosages of a high-quality kratom strain such as Meang Da, Indo, and Bail have been known to last most users 5-6 hours. However, unlike weed that teeters off with use, taking more kratom on top of the initial dose can intensify the effects for even longer periods of time.

With that being said, new kratom users should not take more than the recommended dosage until their bodies build up a tolerance. Kratom is by far stronger than weed; therefore, take only what your body needs because it can come with some unpleasant side effects if abused.

Side Effects of Kratom and Weed

Regardless of a plant’s physical composition, any chemicals extracted from it when abused come with adverse side effects. While CBD is almost impossible to feel any side effects from overdosing, its partner TCH if abused can create the following side effects, but are not limited to:

• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Diarrhea
• Heart palpation

Consuming large doses of kratom is no different than eating edibles with high concentrations of THC. The results of digesting large quantities of kratom  can result in the following adverse side effects, but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

Can You Ingest Both Kratom and Weed Together?

Although it is possible to ingest kratom and weed together, it’s not recommended because a chemical imbalance can occur in your body resulting in some of the adverse side effects mentioned above.

According to users of kratom and weed on Reddit, most prefer one or the other while others report taking kratom in the morning for a boost of energy throughout the workday and use weed to relax before going to bed in the evening.

Kratom Price vs Weed Price 

The price of weed on a national average is about $280 an ounce (28 grams) while kratom sells for $15 per 1.5 ounces (50 grams). While some dispensaries may offer deals on certain strains or quantities, they stop at the one-ounce price.

However, when Kratom is purchased in larger amounts, the price drops even more drastically. In the end, when it comes to soothing and recreational uses, kratom is always more affordable and lasts longer.

Legal Differences of Kratom and Weed

Broadly speaking, both kratom and weed are legal here in the US on most state levels; however, depending on where you live, you may discover that possessing and using kratom or weed can come with some legal problems.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considers both kratom and weed a schedule 1 drug; however, from a legal standpoint, you are more likely to face higher penalties, fines, and jail time for a cannabis crime than one concerning kratom in the eyes of the law.

Click the link, Kava vs Kratom, for a thorough comparison.