Category: Health

Kratom and kava are both herbal supplements with a reputation for producing beneficial, calming effects. They’re very different plants, though, and it can seem like everyone’s choosing sides. Don’t jump on board with either side before reading on to find out how they compare.

Origins of Kratom vs. Kava

As you’ll discover if you read the information on the Kava Guides website, the kava plant is native to the Pacific Islands and is part of the pepper family. It also plays an important role in local cultures, but that’s about as far as the similarities go. The powdered kava available to Westerners comes from the roots of a plant in no way related to the kratom tree.

Kratom comes from the Mitrangyna speciosa species of evergreen tree, found in Southeast Asia. In this area of the world, kratom use has been both a folk remedy and a huge part of local culture for millennia. The kratom powder Westerners know and love comes from the tree’s dried leaves.

The kava plant is native to the Pacific Islands and is part of the pepper family. It also plays an important role in local cultures, but that’s about as far as the similarities go. The powdered kava available to Westerners comes from the roots of a plant in no way related to the kratom tree.

Effects of Kava vs. Kratom

Both kava and kratom can have sedative effects when taken in the right doses. However, while kava is known for inducing mild relaxation in any quantity, kratom is more versatile. Many consumers also take kratom for energy and focus.

Wondering how that’s possible? The explanation is actually quite simple. Kratom produces different effects depending on the dose. Taking a small amount of it can boost energy levels, improve sour moods, and increase focus. Taking a large amount of kratom will produce sedative effects and may help with controlling pain, although it will still create some degree of euphoria in users.

Kratom also comes in many different strains, each of which has slightly different effects. White strains of kratom are well-known for boosting energy, while red strains tend to be more relaxing and green strains fall somewhere comfortably in between. Sites like Kona Kratom often sell small sample packs of each strain for newcomers to the herb to try out and find a favorite type. Meanwhile, those who use kava don’t have the option to switch to a different strain if they want to combat its sedative effects.

Pharmacology of Kratom vs. Kava

Kratom’s primary active ingredients are its alkaloids, which include mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These alkaloids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, although it’s important to note that kratom is not an opiate. It can, however, produce some of the same effects when taken in large doses and it is known to stimulate serotonin and norepinephrine release.

Kava’s main ingredients are kavalactones. Less is known about how they operate, but researchers believe they interact with the brain’s limbic system, which controls emotions. Kava also stimulates dopamine production.

Legality of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava is legal almost everywhere, including in all 50 United States. Kratom is federally legal, but six states have banned its sale in stores. These states include Rhode Island, Vermont, Indiana, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Arkansas. Some states also restrict the sale of kratom on a count-by-county basis. However, it’s widely available online.

Where to Buy Kratom vs. Kava

In states where kratom sales are legal, it can be found in smoke shops and specialty stores. It’s much easier and more affordable to buy kratom online, though. Buying online also gives consumers the chance to shop around, which lets them validate manufacturers’ reputations and choose the strains that will best suit their unique needs.

Kava can be purchased at most grocery stores and almost all natural food stores. It is also available to purchase online from various websites as kava kava extracts are becoming increasingly more popular with those suffering from stress in areas all over the world. Since there aren’t any major differences in effect between kava products, buyers don’t have to worry as much about finding the right strain or brand. They just need to make sure they buy from reputable manufacturers that lab test their products to ensure quality.

Potency of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava produces mild effects, while kratom can be quite potent. Don’t expect anything remarkable when drinking a kava tea or a specialty drink that contains this plant extract. It may help with inducing a more relaxed mood, but it won’t produce any noteworthy psychoactive effects.

Kratom can be a potent stimulant or a sedative depending on the strain and the dosage. Those who want to take advantage of kratom’s energizing effects should stick to low doses, usually less than four grams per serving. Those who want to use it to increase relaxation and manage anxiety or pain can take larger doses of up to eight grams, but they should still start off with smaller amounts. As with any herbal supplement, it’s always best to take the lowest effective dose.

Types of Kava vs. Kratom

Kava is most commonly sold as a tea or as an ingredient in specialty drinks. Kratom comes in several forms, the most popular being powder or capsules. Kratom powder can be used to brew tea, make protein drinks, or even add some extra zing to a favorite dish. The capsules can be taken just like any other herbal supplement with plenty of water.

Dosing Kava vs. Kratom

Since most of the kava extracts available to Western consumers come in tea form or in specialty drinks, dosing it is relatively easy. Just brew up a tea or crack open a can and drink it. Kratom is a little harder to dose. Using capsules makes it easier, though. Just start off with one or two capsules and up the dose until it has the desired effect. Make sure to wait a while between doses, though. The capsules must be digested before their contents are released into the bloodstream, which can take a while.

The Bottom Line

Both kratom and kava can be beneficial herbal supplements if consumers take them right and have realistic expectations about what kinds of results they can expect. Since they operate in different areas of the brain, consumers can also take kratom and kava together. Combining the two does require extra attention to dosing, though, so don’t overdo it.

When buying either kratom or kava, consumers need to know what they are getting. Look into the manufacturers in advance to make sure they lab test their products. The FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, so it’s up to manufacturers, vendors, and consumers to evaluate risks and benefits and to determine which supplements are legitimate.

Oral care needs to be prioritized at all times. Dentists recognize this and send regular reminders to their patients to ensure they don’t forget their next cleaning or exam. Years ago, dentists came up with the twice-a-year dental visit recommendation. They did so as a way to spend more time with patients and educate them on how to prevent dental issues rather than having to fix them. While many men, women, and children find twice a year is enough for their needs, this isn’t the case for everyone. How often should people see the dentist?

 

Factors to Consider When Scheduling Dental Visits

People of all ages need to use the twice-yearly cleaning schedule as a guideline. However, speak to the dental team to determine whether they think more frequent visits would be of benefit. Several factors play a role in this, including the person’s dental health, overall health, and oral hygiene. Speak to the dentist at every visit to see what is recommended when it comes to your next dental cleaning appointment based on what was seen during that visit, as a person’s oral health may change over time.

 

Who Benefits From More Frequent Visits?

Certain groups of individuals find they need to visit the dentist more often. For instance, a person with a higher risk of disease should see the dentist more frequently. This ensures they catch any problems early so treatment may begin.

Pregnant women often experience problems with their teeth because of hormonal changes, so schedule at least one visit during each pregnancy. Smokers need to see the dentist more often, as nicotine negatively impacts oral health. Smokers have a higher risk of gum disease and other conditions, so every smoker needs to make dental care a top priority. Diabetics also experience problems with their teeth more often than healthy individuals, and they may need to see the dentist every three months.

Any person with a weak immune response to bacterial infection should see their dentist routinely. People prone to cavities or excessive plaque and tarter want to visit the dentist more often to keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy. Finally, anyone suffering from periodontal disease will need to see the dentist more than twice a year to keep this disease from progressing.

A person’s oral needs change over their lifetime, which is why people should ask their dentist at every visit. Furthermore, anyone who has been ill or under stress ought to see the dentist. The dental team can help stop problems before they begin.

 

Seeing the Dentist Remains Crucial

Many dental issues remain hidden until the problem has progressed. For instance, a person cannot detect many cavities until they grow and cause problems or pain. Gum disease isn’t easily spotted, but dentists know how to catch problems at an early stage. Many dental problems benefit from treatment at the early stages, and the dentist becomes of great help in determining the right treatment plan for you.

With regular professional dental care, men, women, and children find they keep their teeth and gums healthy and gorgeous. People of all ages must brush their teeth a minimum of twice a day and floss every day. Keep all scheduled appointments, and work with the dentist to find the appropriate schedule for regular checkups. With proper dental care, you’ll have a smile you love and want to share with everyone.

Millions of people across the globe struggle with sadness and depression. Many people believe these two terms are equivalent. They even seem very much the same on the surface. That being said, depression and sadness are actually two very different situations. Unfortunately, the common misconceptions about their interchangeable ness can lead to quite a few problems.

Many people experience brief stints of extreme sadness and rush to seek out psychological treatment and medication. Others spend the majority of their lives battling depression alone without help because they believe they’re only sad. Knowing the difference between the two is the key to figuring out if you or a loved one needs Therapy for depression. It’ll also leave you better equipped to overcome both issues and help others do the same.

 

Understanding Sadness

Everyone inevitably experiences sadness from time to time. By definition, sadness is a condition of feeling unhappy. It can also be described as feeling disheartened, sorrowful, blue, or down and out among many other explanations. This emotion is a normal human reaction to certain circumstances, such as physical pain, a canceled vacation, being passed over for a promotion, losing a cherished piece of jewelry, or even a hurtful comment from a complete stranger to name a few. Since people react to various scenarios in different ways, any number of things can bring on a bout of sadness.

In most cases, the onset of sadness can be traced to a specific event. It may last a few hours or a few weeks, but it gradually fades away over time. Despite feeling sad, you can still feel happiness shining through as well. Sadness is painful, but it isn’t permanent or all-consuming. In many ways, sadness is even helpful. It can help us better appreciate the happy times and be more empathetic to others’ low points as well as certain other benefits.

 

Delving into Depression

Sadness is an emotion, but depression runs much deeper. It’s a mental disorder. Reports show that more than 264 million people suffer from depression globally. As alluded to earlier, the actual figures are probably much higher. Many cases aren’t reported because sufferers believe they’re only experiencing prolonged bouts of sadness. In fact, experts note that at least 75 percent of people who live with depression don’t receive the help they need.

While sadness is fleeting, depression doesn’t dwindle over time. Though depression can be linked to traumatic events in people’s lives, it can’t easily be traced to a single recent event in the same way sadness can. Its origins are usually much more deeply seated. Most people who suffer from depression struggle to feel happy regardless of the brighter moments in life. This condition is generally accompanied by long-running irritability, loss of interest in virtually everything, sleeping too much or not enough, fatigue, lack of focus and concentration, and noticeable changes in weight and appetite.

 

All Things Considered

People often confuse sadness and depression because the two may seem very similar at first glance. In truth, sadness is temporary while depression is more permanent. Sadness is a symptom of depression, but it’s not the same situation. It goes away on its own over time. Depression requires outside intervention, such as medication and therapy. It may bring about long-term feelings of fear and hopelessness, but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost.