The demand for herbs has risen among people of different ages. They serve them for multiple reasons. Some use them for their calming effects, while some consume them to heighten their sensations.
If you are an enthusiast for psychoactive substances and herbal treatments, you must have come across the names - Kratom and Delta 8 THC.
Kratom originates from Southeast Asia and has been in use for years. Whereas Delta 8 is a compound that is found in the cannabis plant. It is also known as Delta 8 THC because it is a variant of tetrahydrocannabinol. But is this enough to know before getting your hands on any of these substances? Not at all!
The questions which arise are, how similar are Kratom and Delta 8 THC? Are they legal? Are they safe? And whether they can be combined or not. In today's article, we will compare these two and dig out the information which will help us differentiate both.
What Is Kratom?
What makes herbs so unique is their therapeutic properties with minimal side effects. It would not be wrong to say the same about Kratom. This plant is indigenous to Southasian countries, including Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand.
Although the health benefits it provides are not scientifically proven, as people claim, it is used as a medicine as well as for recreational purposes.
What Is Delta 8 THC?
Similar to CBD, Delta 8 THC tetrahydrocannabinol is also a cannabinoid but it produces psychoactive effects. Delta 8 THC is not CBD but its similarity is more to Delta 9. Although Delta 8 THC also causes high it is milder than Delta 9. Consequently, it is considered safer than Delta 9.
As hemp and marijuana are the two varieties of Cannabis Sativa plant, Delta 8 THC is a substance found in this plant. Moreover, it occurs naturally and can be found in the form of small traces in the cannabis plant. Lately, the popularity of it is on the rise and it is also referred to as Marijuana lite.
People claim that it gives them health benefits but it lacks scientific evidence.
Composition Of Delta 8 THC and Kratom
Well, it might sound strange to you but both of these have totally different compositions. In fact, one is only a compound. Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 are the forms of THC. Delta 8 THC is a compound found in the cannabis plant besides other compounds. Delta 8 THC is the short-term for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol.
On the flip side, Kratom is not a compound but a tree and the leaves of this tree have alkaloids. Two of the alkaloids present in its leaves are Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.
Comparison Chart For Kratom and Delta 8 THC
Even if you lately got familiar with these two, there are inevitable differences and similarities between them. Let's see in the below table how these two compare to each other.
Just as there is a lack of scientific evidence about the benefits of Kratom, it is also unclear whether it has specific side effects or not. However, there are people who report having encountered health risks.
According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Delta 8 THC is said to have side effects because its users face vomiting, hallucinations, and imbalance. Moreover, it was also stated that the products containing it don't usually get tested against harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. Therefore, consuming the product deteriorates health instead of being helpful.
On the other hand, according to an article, some products containing Delta 8 THC also have Delta 9 and Delta 10. Not to forget that these compounds offer a far stronger 'high' than Delta 8 THC.
Side Effects Of Kratom
The side effects of Kratom also need to get confirmed through extensive research evidence. However, the impact of this herb differs from person to person. Secondly, overdosing on it is also risky and sometimes lethal.
The commonly occurring side effects include breathing issues, hallucination and nausea. Furthermore, it also causes dependence, unlike Delta 8 THC. However, in any case, rushing to the doctor is a must.
Is It Safe To Combine Kratom and Delta 8 THC?
Honestly, both of the substances lack thorough research, and therefore, there is a lot that we cannot say with certainty. It will be highly risky to mix both of these.
There are numerous misconceptions about so many things and for Kratom, one of the misconceptions is that it enhances the effects of THC. Anyway, it is not at all recommended and you must consult your doctor if you want to discuss such queries with anyone.
Are Delta 8 THC and Kratom Consumed In The Same Way?
Well, both of these are consumed in different ways. Let's discuss one by one the consumption methods for each.
Kratom
Usually, people prefer using it in powdered form. Firstly, because it is pocket friendly and secondly, it comes up with multiple consumption methods. This can be brewed in tea, mixed with edibles, and used through toss and wash.
Besides, capsules are also among the frequently tried methods because they are easy to carry and don't make you experience the peculiar taste of Mitragyna Speciosa as it is not liked by everybody. Unfortunately, they cost a little more than powder.
The least favored methods are tinctures and liquid extracts. Below are the ways people consume Kratom.
Toss and Wash
Brewing In Tea
Mixing With Edibles
Capsules
Tinctures and Extracts
Delta 8 THC
Well, tinctures are more commonly used when you have to introduce Delta 8 THC to your body, unlike for Mitragyna Speciosa. However, gummies and vape cartridges are the preferred ways of consuming them.
Vape cartridges help in setting the precise dose, which is not the case with gummies. Moreover, gummies take longer to activate. So, gummies go for those who are patient enough to wait a little longer. The methods for using Delta 8 THC are listed below.
Vape Carts
Gummies
Tinctures
Legality Of Delta 8 THC and Kratom
The laws related to substances keep changing based on the progress in scientific research. Therefore, if you want to stay safe, then you must keep yourself updated with the changes.
Kratom
It is not necessary that if a state allows Mitragyna Speciosa, it must also allow the consumption of other substances. In the United States, Ketum is legal in some states but banned in others. Kratom laws differ outside the United States. However, the countries that consider it illegal are stated below.
Lithuania
Finland
Australia
Denmark
Japan
Israel
Latvia
Romania
Russia
Myanmar
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
Sweden
New Zealand (unless the person has a prescription from a doctor)
Poland
Thailand
Vietnam
Delta 8 THC
The countries that allow the consumption of Delta 8 THC only allow the one which is derived from hemp plants. In short, Delta 8 THC products that only contain 0.03% THC are permitted. In some countries, it is legal and in some, it is regulated. However, the states that consider it confirmed illegal are:
Colorado
Delaware
Idaho
New York
North Dakota
Rhode Island
Vermont
Utah
Iowa
Louisiana
Montana
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Is Kratom Better Than Delta 8 THC?
Well, it all depends on your preferences and why you want to get your hands on any of them. In terms of developing a habit, Delta 8 THC seems like a good choice because you don't face dependence issues. Also, there are almost no such cases of overdosing on THC and marijuana but Kratom overdosing has led to severe outcomes, according to reports.
On the flip side, Ketum does not make you encounter senselessness if taken in the recommended dosage but Delta 8 THC does make you feel high even if the effects are milder than Delta 9. One of the facts in support of this is that people utilize particular Ketum strains to get the energy boost to do tasks.
Conclusion
So now you know about how similar Kratom and Delta 8 THC are. From being a source of relaxation to having side effects, both of these have their users all across the world.
It is important to read about them in detail in the article, so you get a grip on them before you try any. Furthermore, keeping yourself updated with the laws and regulations set by the state for these substances will keep you safe.
Abdullah Mamun, founder of Authentic Kratom, is a notable expert in the kratom industry, blending technology, finance, and advocacy skills to promote kratom's benefits and legal status.
Since founding Authentic Kratom in 2013, Mamun has been a vocal advocate for kratom, joining the American Kratom Association (AKA) in 2016 to combat regulatory challenges. He has played a crucial role in advocating for the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), emphasizing the need for safety...
