Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a therapeutic herb native to Southeast Asia.
Today, kratom has a place in the arsenal of most medicinal plant users, and it’s no surprise why. This herb carries a broad spectrum of therapeutic benefits ranging from energy enhancement to pain relief.
Here’s everything you need to know about kratom, including its benefits, side effects, and legal status in Iowa.
Is Kratom Legal in Iowa?
Kratom is currently legal in Iowa.
In 2014, state authorities attempted to implement Bill HF2355, which sought to ban kratom and list it as a controlled hallucinogenic substance.
Fortunately, the bill did not pass, and today kratom remains unregulated in this state.
Where to Buy Kratom in Iowa
Kratom is popular in Iowa, so you’ll have no issues getting it in several physical and online stores. While online vendors offer more variety, higher quality, and lower prices, in-store vendors don’t have many pros other than being able to save you time if you’re in a rush.
Vendors such as VIP Kratom, Star Kratom, and Kona Kratom take kratom seriously and go the extra step, making high-quality kratom available to everyone.
That said, if you still want to buy your kratom in-store, here are some kratom retailers in Iowa:
- CBD-KRATOM Quad Cities (Davenport)
- Smoke Shop (Des Moines)
- The Konnexion (Iowa City)
- Cigarette Depot and Fireworks (Alexandria)
- Things N Things (Cedar Rapids)
What To Look for When Buying Kratom
Because of safety issues, never buy kratom without checking a few things first. Here are the most important things to look for, whether from a physical store or online.
Lab Tests
If you’re dealing with a vendor that doesn’t lab-test its kratom, it’s best to look for another one. This is the most crucial aspect to consider when looking for the herb, as it can cause a positive experience or a terrible one.
There have been cases of people severely affected by bad kratom. Because kratom isn’t regulated, anyone can sell it — regardless of purity or potency.
Company Reputation
The reputation of a company is another essential point when looking for kratom.
Performing a thorough google search for buyer reviews can save you from a lot of unpleasantness. But, ultimately, no matter how many positive aspects a vendor comes with, nothing can outweigh the weight of a dirty review history.
Strain Selection
There are several ways to classify kratom, but the most common is to categorize it according to the color of the leaf vein. You can’t see this after it’s processed — another reason you need to be able to trust your vendor.
There are three main types of kratom (called kratom strains), and the effects they produce are unique for each one.
Red vein kratom has the most relaxing and analgesic effects out of all the strains. This is due to its high amount of mitragynine, a mu-opioid alkaloid similar to potent painkillers such as morphine.
White vein kratom has high amounts of 7-hydroxymitragynine, an energizing serotonergic alkaloid. This kind of kratom also boosts creativity and lateral thinking, as it interacts with the same receptors as psychedelics do.
Finally, green vein kratom mixes the properties of red and white kratom but with a milder potency. This makes it an ideal option for beginners or those wanting to treat multiple conditions simultaneously.
What Are People Using Kratom For?
Maybe you want to try kratom but don’t know where to begin, or you’ve been using it and want to branch out.
Here’s a list of the most popular reasons people turn to kratom.
Energy & Focus
When 7-hydroxymitragynine interacts with serotonergic receptors, it produces stimulating effects, which will give you energy, focus, and maybe a boost of creativity. If you’re using kratom for stimulation and productivity, choose white strains.
Anxiety & Depression
Kratom is not a cure for any psychological disorder, but it can certainly help depression and anxiety if used appropriately.
Use red kratom strains for anxiety since they contain high levels of mitragynine; white kratom produces energizing and stimulating effects that are optimal for alleviating depression.
Opioid Withdrawal
Kratom relieves opioid withdrawal symptoms and alleviates cravings, primarily high doses of red strains, due to their interaction with opioid receptors.
It’s worth mentioning that red vein kratom won’t make all the symptoms fade away, and even with kratom, opioid withdrawals are still hellish.
Pain Relief
Kratom is an analgesic, due to one of its two main alkaloids: mitragynine.
As already mentioned, this alkaloid, mainly found in red kratom, is a mu-opioid agonist. Opioid receptors are gateways for pain; mitragynine helps soothe even severe and persistent pain by activating them.
Kratom Dose
Dosage is a crucial aspect because it determines the effects you get and the nature of your experience. Not only are you more likely to experience side effects if you take too much, but the wrong amount can produce effects opposite of what you want.
For example, high amounts of white strains can cause lethargy instead of being energizing.
The general guidelines for kratom dosage are:
- Low dose: 1 – 3 g
- Medium dose: 3 – 5 g
- High dose: 5 – 8 g
While we recommend you start low, don’t be afraid to increase your dosage as you feel you need to. Everyone is different, and there’s not a perfect dose for everyone.
However, only take as much as you need to, and try to limit how often you take it. Occasional breaks are ideal.
How to Prepare Kratom
There are many ways to take kratom, the easiest and most common is to mix the powder with water and just swallow it. This is called the “toss and wash” method.
Other users prefer capsules or mixing the powder with food or infusions to hinder the bitter taste.
Is Kratom Safe?
Kratom is safe but, like anything else, only when used correctly.
Fortunately, this is very easy to do if you consider the two main aspects of this plant — dosage and frequency.
If you take too much kratom, side effects are more likely. If you take it too often, you can build up a tolerance, and you’ll need higher doses and leading you to the same place: adverse effects.
You’ll most likely be fine if you only take kratom when you need it and use reasonable amounts.
Side Effects of Kratom
You might still experience side effects, regardless of how much you take. Fortunately, side effects from kratom aren’t usually severe and include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It’s best to avoid kratom during pregnancy and while using drugs or alcohol.
What’s the Future of Kratom in Iowa?
Iowa authorities have already failed in their first and only attempt to ban kratom. Since then, the plant has never again been subject to any legal debate.
While we cannot say for sure that kratom will remain legal forever in Iowa, nothing indicates otherwise at this time. However, remember that kratom is not regulated, and the state does not control its quality.
If you don’t want to take any risks, remember that you can go to Kona Kratom, VIP Kratom, or Star Kratom.
