There are a few problems that modern society has yet to find a solution for. With around 8.3 million Americans suffering from psychological distress, stress is one of those problems. Scientists have uncovered several solutions that are available virtually anywhere.

Among these popular solutions is kava vs kratom. Most people have heard of both. However, few people know the difference between these substances.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about both to decide for yourself which is best for you. 

What Is Kava?

Kava is a plant that you can find in the Western Pacific Islands, but it is mainly found in Fiji and Polynesia. Kava belongs to the pepper family. On these islands, Kava is used in medicine and during celebrations because it has calming effects on pain, promotes sociability, and improves sleep. 

In the United States, it is used as tea, or sometimes it is used in baked goods. 

What Is Kratom?

The kratom plant is mainly found in Malaysia and Indonesia. This plant belongs to the coffee family. The plant also gives a person calming effects when it is taken in small doses. 

If it is consumed in high doses, it can create opiate-like effects. You can easily order kratom online if you want to try it yourself. 

Similarities

The main similarity between kava and kratom is that they are both plants. When they are taken in small doses, they can both relieve stress and increase energy levels. Most people consume these by grounding the plants into tea and drinking it. 

Differences

When it comes to kratom vs kava, they each react with the body in different ways. Kratom has alkaloids that influence certain opioid receptors in the brain, that influence serotonin, and block out the pain receptors. This ends up producing a morphine-like effect. 

Kava, on the other hand, stimulates dopamine receptors and also influences the GABA receptors in the limbic system. With kava, you should never feel opiate-like effects like you would with kratom. 

Another difference is the part of the plant that each one comes from. Kava is made from the roots of the plant, and kratom is made from the leaves of its plant.

With kratom, there are also different veins that are offered, with each one producing a different effect. The red vein seems to give a calming effect, and the white and yellow veins seem to give more energy. The white vein also helps people with social anxiety because, while it gives energy, it also makes people feel more relaxed. 

Feeling Like a Kava vs Kratom Pro?

We hope that now that you have learned more about kava vs kratom, you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you. You might even want to try both of them out to see which one you like best. 

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