Colorado Springs is a city sprawled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Its numerous trails, parks, and other touristy sceneries make it a famous destination for adventure-seeking, nature-loving individuals. It’s also a go-to place for the health-conscious who are drawn to the place’s high altitude and conducive weather.

On top of being popular for its marvelous scenery, Colorado is also known as one of America’s most autonomous state – manifesting a libertarian ideology that puts high regard for civil rights. The progressiveness of Colorado Springs, Co inhabitants led them to be among the first to legalize the use of marijuana, trailblazing the rest of America.

Being a melting pot for people seeking adventure, and with its progressive-thinking dwellers, it would be interesting to know if kratom, an emerging, controversial ethnobotanical product, was also given a pass in this US city. These and more details about kratom below.

What is Kratom?

Scientifically called Mitragyna speciosa, kratom is an indigenous tropical plant from the coffee family, originating in Southeast Asia. There are different kratom strains present. Its leaves are reported to contain a psychoactive compound that, when consumed, cause mind-altering reactions. The use of kratom as a traditional medicinal supplement is not new. In fact, in locations where it grows, people use kratom to boost energy, relieve pain and anxiety, and improve mental sharpness and quality of life for chronic pain sufferers.

But while it’s been popular in the countries of origin for some time now, Americans have just kept up. Recently, though, more and more Americans, including those from Colorado Springs, Co, are using kratom and its products for various reasons – primarily either as a medicinal supplement or recreational drug. In fact, 16 million users have been reported in the US.

Uses of Kratom

In areas where the plant originates, kratom is considered traditional medicine. Accordingly, when chewed, the leaves can relieve musculoskeletal pain. Kratom users also claim it increases energy, enhances mood, promotes good appetite, and increases sexual desire. Some kratom strains allegedly promote good sleep. Meanwhile, locals use kratom to harness its benefits, such as:

• Promote wound healing
• As a local anesthetic
• Treat coughs
• Resolve diarrhea
• Address intestinal infections
• As intestinal deworming agents
• To stave off exhaustion

It is also believed that kratom can treat addiction to opioids. However, there are no studies to back this claim.

Different Forms of Kratom Products

Looking into the history of kratom use, we’d see locals chewing the leaves as a means of extracting the compounds for body absorption. Some others boil them and make a tea preparation out of it.

However, the modern use of kratom is by crushing the leaf and packaging it as pills or capsules. You will also see kratom sold in a wide selection of products such as kratom powder, extract and e-juice, shots, teas, and the more appealing chewing gum version. All of these are being sold all over the Colorado Springs area and other cities in the US.

Kratom and Vaping

With kratom’s popularity in the US, vapers were quick to ask: can you vape kratom?

Kratom can indeed be vaped. But to vaporize plant matter, heating must be done at a very low temperature to prevent burning. There are herbal vaporizers designed explicitly for dry heating materials, such as kratom powder. Others add tinctures of liquids or oils for a more efficient vapor production as dry heating often leads to smoke creation instead of vapor.

But for hassle-free kratom vaping, you can directly get kratom vape juices from your favorite vape shop in Colorado Springs instead of going for the dry kratom product.

Everything You Need to Know

Kratom’s increasing fame led many in the medical field to discuss and study its impact and whether there is truth to all the self-reported effects people claim to experience after taking it.

Desired Effects

Surprisingly, in a study aimed to assess kratom’s and pain tolerance, the result showed that individuals with histories of long-term kratom use have significantly increased pain tolerance an hour post intake of kratom drinks.

The study also revealed that Mitragynine, one of the alkaloids found in Mitragyna speciosa, binds to opioid receptors similar to morphine, which explains its pain relief factor.

Side Effects

A rather surprising finding came out from the same study – no unwanted effects were observed from all the confessed long-term kratom users. There were no reported nor observed withdrawal symptoms after that, and urine toxicology was negative.

Despite these, kratom continues to receive negative media reportage; hence some people continue to regard kratom like a dangerous opioid. Reports of people dying or experiencing adverse reactions from kratom consumption continues to spread. The current consensus on this is that these adverse reactions result from synergistic interactions of several substances or kratom products containing contaminants.

Warnings

But while the findings reveal that kratom may indeed be a beneficial plant, it’s worth noting that the study used controlled levels of the herb. Safety cannot be assured for the intake of Kratom extracts or powder outside the lab and beyond the level used in the study. As consumers, it would still be prudent for everyone to take the herb with the utmost caution, whether taking the capsule, powder, or extracts. This is to veer away from alleged possible dependence and real health risks from abusing this potent herb.

Moreover, more studies should be performed regarding the outcome of human consumption of kratom. After all, not all adverse claims have been debunked. Hence, take anything you hear with a grain of salt.

Is it Legal to Buy Kratom Products in Colorado Springs?

Despite the negative media kratom seems to be getting, there is no ban on kratom sales, not in Colorado Springs. But in the town of Monument, Co, kratom sale has been banned. Moreover, Monument isn’t the only one banning kratom; Union County did the same and a few other areas in the US.

Where Can You Buy Kratom Products in Colorado Springs?

Kratom Colorado Springs stores are everywhere, with online shops and physical stores. Experience the bliss of using kratom as a traditional medicine and mood enhancer. Just be sure to get nothing but quality products to harness kratom’s potentials.

As counterfeit products abound, and not all businesses do honest deals, make sure you know which store can be trusted. With kratom’s integrity as a potent medicine already been tarnished due to adulterated products contaminated with harmful substance, make sure your selection comes from reputable kratom vendors and suppliers. Trusted ones would be glad to offer a ‘call us’ option for any order dispute.

Is it Safe to Order from Online Shops?

Ordering anything from online shops has risks with it. So when buying from an online store, make sure they can be trusted. Some online shops offer a money back guarantee if only to prove the integrity of their service. Throw tough questions in before making a purchase. Ask from which lab the blends are made and everything kratom-related, so you could have your peace of mind. A customer has all the right to be asking for product-related information, and the right store owner would be one who would show respect to clients by providing valuable information.