If you’re new to kratom, you may be wondering what are kratom alkaloids as you research this botanical. However, even experienced kratom users may not be familiar with exactly what kratom alkaloids are. Here at Mr. Nice Guys, we aim to offer as much information about our products as possible so you can make informed decisions. This blog will answer what are kratom alkaloids, as well as detail kratom alkaloid effects.
Don’t want to learn about what are kratom alkaloids on your own? Come visit us at any one of our 7 locations throughout Corpus and chat with our knowledgeable staff!
What Is an Alkaloid?
By definition, an alkaloid is “any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin which have pronounced physiological actions on humans. They include many drugs (morphine, quinine) and poisons (atropine, strychnine).” More simply put — alkaloids are a class of plant parts that have effects on the human body and/or brain.
All plants are made up of many phytochemicals, and alkaloids are a special type of phytochemical. Alkaloids can be found in a wide range of plants including coffee, cacao, poppy, and kratom. Each plant has its own unique levels of these compounds.
Alkaloids are special because of the range of physiological effects they can have on the human body; they can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and boost mood, among other things.
There are more than 3000 known alkaloids at present, some of which are very commonly used. For example, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans and is present in plants like coffee and certain types of tea leaves.
What Are Kratom Alkaloids?
Now that you know what an alkaloid is in general, it’s time to answer the question of what are kratom alkaloids.
While research on kratom has mainly focused on two main alkaloids, scientists have identified approximately 45 alkaloids in kratom. Levels of these alkaloids will vary from plant to plant, however, based on several factors including where the plant was grown, when it was harvested, and the age of the plant (this is why it’s important to purchase a consistent product and pay attention to how different color veins affect you!).
Below is a chart showing the breakdown of the kratom alkaloids with the highest concentrations.
Kratom Alkaloids & Kratom Alkaloid Effects
The total alkaloid concentrations in dried kratom leaves range from 0.5 to 1.5%. Below we’ll explore the kratom alkaloid effects with the highest concentrations.
Mitragynine
Mitragynine is the most well-known and researched of the kratom alkaloids. It is also the most abundant alkaloid in kratom, present at up to 66% of the total alkaloid content. With these high concentrations, mitragynine is responsible for a lot of kratom’s pain relief properties. Mitragynine works to block the brain’s detection of pain, and it is 1/3 as effective as morphine, and three times as effective as codeine!
7-Hydroxymitragynine
This alkaloid is not in second place as far as potency for kratom alkaloids, but it is in second place when it comes to research — 7-hydroxymitragynine has been well-studied. Though this alkaloid only accounts for 2% of the plant’s total alkaloid content, it is known to be up to 17 times as potent as morphine when it comes to pain management.
Lesser-Known Kratom Alkaloids
The field of kratom research is still expanding, and most of the study has been focused on the two main alkaloids detailed above. But what about those 40+ other kratom alkaloids? Well, the 7 alkaloids in the pie chart above account for 99% of the alkaloids in kratom. So, while there are other alkaloids present, they are there in very small concentrations. Still, though, further research on the other 1% of kratom alkaloids could shed light on kratom alkaloid effects.
Corynoxine B
Corynoxine B is the second most prevalent alkaloid in kratom, right behind mitragynine. Preliminary studies show that this alkaloid has a sedative effect on mice, and this could point to why particular strains (often red vein strains) have sedative properties. Further studies point to this kratom alkaloid effects being promising for autophagy, or our body’s ability to clean out damaged cells.
Speciogynine & Paynantheine
These two kratom alkaloids could contribute to kratom’s pain relief properties by their action as smooth muscle relaxers.
Speciociliatine
This alkaloid could have yet more to do with kratom’s pain relief properties. Speciociliatine has been found to act at least mildly on opioid receptors. This alkaloid coupled with the other opioid receptors in kratom could amp up that pain relief.
What Are Kratom Alkaloids — A Final Word
While you certainly don’t need to understand all of this information to benefit from kratom alkaloid effects, we think it’s a great idea to have as much knowledge as possible about what you’re putting in your body.
If you’ve got questions we didn’t answer about “what are kratom alkaloids”, or when you’re ready to explore our wide array of products — come on into any one of our 7 Mr. Nice Guys locations throughout Corpus Christi and talk to our knowledgeable staff. And as always, have a nice daze!
