Our Expert Research section has a handy little infographic that you should definitely check out! The graphic illustrates (pun intended) data from a survey of more than 2,500 adult kratom users and was published by Johns Hopkins University. More than just an interesting look at the kratom community, the graphic highlights the reasons people are taking kratom, how many experienced side effects, and more.
It’s worthy of note that a majority (61%) of adult kratom users surveyed were women and that the average user is 40 years old, proving that kratom isn’t just for certain people. We think the data is interesting, but you don’t have to take our word for it. A recent article in the New York Post was titled Soccer moms apparently love this trendy, plant-based drug. Care to guess what the article was about?
The Good (It’s Obviously All About Kratom)
The article covers two really important ideas regarding kratom. The first is that the kratom community is diverse and knows no bounds. From the article, “This hot, plant-derived substance [kratom]” is extremely popular among partiers, opioid addicts, and (interestingly) soccer moms who are “looking for a caffeine-free alternative to get them through their day”.
The piece reinforces the idea that kratom is taken by different people for different reasons, explaining both its popularity and the diversity of the kratom community. After the boilerplate explanation of the plant’s significance in Southeast Asian culture, the Post explains that kratom “…is used as everything from a caffeine alternative to a chronic pain reliever, a substitute for those quitting opioids or alcohol, and a nootropic (or cognitive “smart drug”) credited with a slew of health benefits. “
The Bad & The Ugly
But it can’t all be good news, can it? Author Hannah Frishberg acknowledges that kratom is all too often perceivedas a dangerous substance with high abuse potential that routinely causes overdose and death. Unfortunately, the US Food and Drug Administration is perpetuating this misinformation and insists that kratom should be classified a Schedule I Controlled Substance along with heroin, PCP and crack cocaine.
We’ve read far too many studies (and written far too many posts and summaries) to believe the FDA’s position. There’s just way too much evidence that, in our opinion, the benefits of kratom far outweigh the known risks. While we agree that further study is needed, pure, unadulterated kratom has never been attributed to a single fatality by itself. In every reported medical case, injury or death resulted from substances ingested with kratom.
However, we’re enthusiasts, not experts, so let’s check out the expert opinion. From the same article:
“’When millions of people say they’re using kratom, and it’s helping them with conditions that are really difficult to help people with, we have to listen,’ University of Rochester therapeutic drug-use researcher Marc Swogger told Wired. ‘I’m not convinced that a single death has been the result of kratom.’”
Everyone’s favorite plant appears to be the victim of circumstance, and we appreciate the NY Post for their help in getting the message out. The efforts and advocacy of publications like the NY Post and organizations like the American Kratom Association have kept kratom available to the public (mostly) and off the Controlled Substances list and should not go unnoticed.
For Your Information
If you’d like to learn more about the science behind kratom, check out our Expert Research section for deep dives in the chemistry, history, and theory of kratom. We set up that section specifically to share what we’ve learned on our journey to make buying kratom online safe, easy and fast. We put a lot of time and energy into learning about our products, and we stand behind the brands we sell.
We also work hard to support the kratom community, so we’re always pleased when major publications acknowledge kratom in a way that is both accurate and promotes understanding. At Pop Kratom, we believe that a happy customer is an informed customer. Our commitment to customer service extends to our chat and email support lines; we want your experience with our products and our company to be completely positive, so we work hard to bring you the best information and the highest quality kratom on the market.
There’s so much going on with kratom that it’s hard to keep track of all the information. We’re doing our best to clear up the misconceptions and misinformation surrounding the controversial plant. For updates on all things kratom, create your account today! You’ll rack up rewards and get exclusive access to member discounts and new products; best of all? You’ll be able to buy kratom quickly and easily!
Know what you want (or just want to browse)? Head over to the shop- we have kratom gummies, kratom shots, kratom powders and kratom capsules from some of the most popular brands on the market. We’re always here to help if you ever have any questions– and remember, we ship from the US (so you get your order quickly) and accept all major credit cards for your convenience!