What are the similarities between kratom vs. CBD?

Kratom is the name for a tree native to Southeast Asia and herbal supplements made from its leaves. Kratom supplements contain many chemicals that affect a person’s body. Kratom and kratom products are currently legal in many areas. However, people need to verify whether kratom is legal in their local state law.

The FDA has yet not approved kratom for any medical use. Scientists are continuing to investigate the potential medical uses of kratom. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern.

CBD is one of the chemicals in the cannabis plant. The plant contains many compounds, known as cannabinoids. CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two of the most well-known cannabinoids. Many of the legal products in the U.S. containing CBD come from hemp, which is a specific variety of cannabis containing high CBD levels and very low THC levels.

THC is the compound responsible for the high that people associate with cannabis. CBD is generally nonintoxicating and may possess health benefits.

CBD is available in several forms and products, such as dietary supplements, beverages, and food. The only FDA-approved drug product that contains CBD is Epidiolex, a prescription seizure medication.

Kratom and CBD interact with a person’s body in different ways.

Scientists are still investigating how kratom affects a person’s body. Two main psychoactive chemicals in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine. These chemicals affect parts of a person’s brain in ways similar to opioid drugs, such as codeine.

Scientists do not yet know exactly how CBD works to produce its effects. It affects several parts of a person’s brain, such as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is part of a person’s nervous system. It helps regulate many bodily functions. These functions include pain, mood, and appetite.

Scientists studying how CBD affects people’s brains found that it changes brain activity and connections in areas that affect anxiety.

Although both kratom and CBD are natural substances that derive from plants, they do not have much in common.

People may use both CBD and kratom for similar reasons, such as pain relief, anxiety relief, and elevating mood. However, people may not use them for the same conditions.

CBD and kratom have several differences, such as:

Both are plant substances. However, CBD comes from the cannabis plant, while kratom derives from a tree in the coffee family known as Mitragyna speciosa.

The substances also interact with the body in different ways. Their ideal use may vary, with some evidence suggesting that kratom is effective for acute pain, while CBD is useful for managing chronic pain.

The two compounds also differ in legal status. For example, the legality of CBD in the U.S. varies by state and depends on the compound’s source. The FDA has also approved a drug containing CBD. However, kratom is not federally regulated, and there are no drug products containing kratom legally on the U.S. market.

At low doses, kratom can produce several stimulant effects, including increased:

At high doses, kratom can produce a sedative effect. According to the FDA, people may self-treat several conditions using kratom, such as:

However, there are no legal prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drug products containing kratom available in the U.S. The FDA has not approved kratom as a dietary supplement.

A 2021 study notes that products containing CBD may have benefits for:

People may also self-treat these and several other conditions using CBD, including low mood and insomnia.

Epidiolex is a prescription medication, containing CBD. It helps reduce how often a person with some severe forms of epilepsy has seizures.

Kratom may produce side effects, including:

Risks of kratom include:

People may also have rare and serious side effects from kratom, such as heart damage. Scientists have linked a very small number of deaths to kratom.

Generally, most people tolerate CBD well and do not typically experience side effects. However, potential risks of CBD can include:

The FDA has warned people not to use kratom due to serious potential side effects. Several U.S. agencies continue to monitor new data on kratom to better understand its short and long-term risks.

The FDA has only approved one product containing CBD for use as medication. They have not yet determined that other products containing CBD are safe and effective. These products may have unknown risks, side effects, and interactions with other medications.

Kratom and CBD are both natural substances that derive from plant sources. However, beyond this, they do not have much in common.

Both differ in several other ways, such as their benefits, risks, and side effects. They also interact with a person’s body in different ways.

Kratom and CBD both have several risks and may cause serious side effects. The FDA has warned people not to use kratom. Although scientists continue to investigate both substances, the FDA has only approved one medication containing CBD.

If a person is considering products containing either kratom or CBD, it is advisable for them to first consult a healthcare professional.