Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) originates from Southeast Asia and thrives in lush, tropical environments like the jungles of Borneo and Bali.
The plant contains a series of compounds that act on opioid receptors, among others — which is why there’s so much controversy surrounding it.
Some states have banned kratom while others ignore it, but a growing number decide to regulate it, making it accessible but with certain stipulations.
Texas recently joined this group, so the laws surrounding kratom have changed, effective September 1, 2023.
Here’s what you need to know about buying kratom in Texas, how to use it, and what current research says about its safety.
Is Kratom Legal In Texas?
Kratom is legal in the state of Texas. However, as of May 5, 2023, there are now laws on how it’s processed and sold.
SB 497 (the Texas Kratom Consumer Health & Safety Protection Act) was introduced in January of 2023, enacted in May, and becomes effective September 1, 2023.
This law requires kratom products to be properly labeled and for the 7-hydroxymitragynine content to be less than 2% of the total alkaloid content. It also illegal to sell kratom to anyone under 18.
This substance isn’t regulated at the federal level, so some states pass laws like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), or a version of it. Others outlaw it, such as Alabama, Arkansas, and Indiana.
The DEA classifies kratom as a drug of concern because of its potential for dependence if misused, but this feeds the myths surrounding kratom. It’s worth noting that most medications for pain, depression, and anxiety, such as opioids, alprazolam, or clonazepam, have a much higher potential for addiction.
Related: Is Kratom Dangerous?
Where to Buy Kratom In Texas
One of the disadvantages of kratom being an unregulated substance in the United States is the lack of quality control of the products on sale.
Now that kratom is regulated in Texas, you don’t have to worry so much about this. Products have to be tested and labeled, so you know what you’re getting.
However, there are many other reasons to buy kratom online versus locally.
Buying Kratom Online
The American Kratom Association sets high standards for the vendors they certify. These companies have consistently high quality products due to the testing.
AKA-approved vendors are audited every year. If their product doesn’t pass the evaluation, the association’s recommendation is withdrawn. These retailers are easier to find online.
Beyond that, buying online gives you the utmost discretion and the prices are unbeatable. You buy closer to the source, cutting out the middleman and guaranteeing freshness.
Kona Kratom is an excellent shop if you want to buy a good quality product at an affordable price and from a reliable source. This company offers lab tests on all its products and has an educational blog about kratom on its website.
Kona Kratom
If you want to receive your shipment as soon as possible, we recommend buying from Star Kratom. This company prioritizes speedy delivery above all else. They offer competitive pricing and a wide selection of products to choose from.
Star Kratom
Looking for premium Kratom? Go with VIP Kratom. This company has slightly higher prices than the other two, but it’s well worth it if you’re looking for reliable, potent, and consistent kratom powder and don’t mind paying a little more for it.
VIP Kratom
Buying Kratom In a Store
If you Google “kratom near me,” you’re likely to turn up a list of recommended stores in your area. There are quite a few stores selling kratom in Texas, especially in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Just be aware that the prices are usually higher when you buy from retail shops. And often, the quality of the kratom you’re going to get is lower than it is when ordering directly from the manufacturer.
Some of the stores where you can buy kratom if you’re in the state of Texas include:
- CBD Kratom (Dallas, Houston, & Frisco)
- Smokin Dragon Gifts (Fort Worth)
- Blaze Bros (San Antonio)
- Kratom King (Longview.)
- Discount Smoke Vape CBD Kratom Shop (River Oaks)
Find Kratom In Your City
- Arlington
- Austin
- Brownsville
- Corpus Christi
- Dallas
- Denton
- El Paso
- Fort Worth
- Garland
- Houston
- Irving
- Killeen
- Laredo
- Lubbock
- McAllen
- McKinney
- Plano
- San Antonio
What to Look for When Buying Kratom
When purchasing kratom, you should pay attention to several factors.
Cost, the shop’s selection, customer service, and reviews are all aspects to consider when purchasing kratom. In this section, we’ll give some tips on how to find a good quality product
Strain Selection
The strain of kratom you choose to medicate with will significantly influence the effects you receive.
You can pick between white vein, red vein, and green vein kratom.
Categorizing this substance according to the color of the veins in its leaves is the easiest way to do this, and although not perfect, this variable of kratom will allow us to predict its effect.
White Vein Kratom
White vein strains provide the most stimulating and euphoric effect of the three. Kratom is ideal for those who need to elevate their moods, such as those suffering from depression and those who want to enhance their ability to create and think laterally.
White-vein kratom is ideal for those who work with their creativity. The euphoric state of mind and contentment that the white strains will leave you in will make your mind a perfect setting for maximum effort. White vein kratom is often heralded as a nootropic.
Red Vein Kratom
Red Vein Kratom is the most popular choice for treating insomnia and pain. Unlike white veins, red veins provide a more calming effect that can be sedative in high doses (over 5 grams) and can have light stimulant effects in lower doses (2-3 grams).
This kind of kratom has a high content of the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, to which it owes its relaxing effects.
Green Vein Kratom
If we were to put the three primary vein colors of kratom on a scale, the stimulating effects of white and the sedative effects of red would keep it even. We have the spectrum covered by adding green vein kratom in the middle of the other two variants.
This type of kratom will have the most variability in its effects. Some breeds of green vein kratom are more stimulating, and others are more sedative. This is why we recommend reading the product descriptions carefully.
AKA Certification
We’ve already mentioned the American Kratom Association.
However, we believe it’s relevant to highlight its utmost importance.
It’s much easier to guarantee a product’s quality when the company is certified by the AKA.
Company Reputation
It’s a good sign if the vendor you’re buying from is registered with the AKA. However, you should also look at what users think of their products.
Before buying anything, do a thorough internet search on the brand. To make it easier to determine whether a vendor offers quality products or not, you can use our vendor reviews.
What Are People Using Kratom for?
Research continues to show that kratom provides medicinal effects. Users report consistent improvements when using this medicinal plant for pain, anxiety, insomnia, and many other conditions and symptoms.
Kratom for Pain
Kratom is considered an atypical opioid and makes an excellent pain killer.
Its mechanism of action involves interaction with opioid receptors, just like prescription painkillers such as morphine. However, it is much safer and less addictive.
The red strains of kratom tend to be the most popular for pain because these variants contain higher levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine, which also makes them more sedative.
However, as mentioned above, there can be differences between two kratom strains from the same vein. We invite you to read our article explicitly dedicated to helping you choose the best kratom for pain relief to learn more about this topic.
Related: What’s the Best Kratom Dose for Pain?
Kratom for Anxiety & Depression
Kratom helps regulate a neurotransmitter called GABA, which is responsible for decreasing the excessive electrical activity in the brain responsible for causing anxiety.
When it comes to choosing the best kratom for anxiety, the majority of users favor red and green strains. This is because these two have the highest content of 7-hydroxymitragynine and speciogynine.
On the other hand, white strains are usually better for depression because they contain more mitragynine, kratom’s main alkaloid, which acts on serotonin, adrenergic, and dopamine receptors.
Kratom is great a great mood-booster, helpful for both anxiety and depression. Medium-sized doses are usually best for reducing anxiety with kratom. Lower doses tend to have more stimulating effects, which can trigger it in some people.
Opiate Withdrawal
By binding to the opioid receptors in our body, kratom will be a weapon that many of those fighting the war against opioids will use to their advantage.
It’s common knowledge that one of the reasons users of these terrible drugs fear discontinuing their use is withdrawal symptoms.
Plenty of anecdotal reports and a growing number of studies suggest kratom can help reduce withdrawal symptoms, making them easier to manage. A recent study conducted at the University of Florida showed kratom had positive affects on those going through opiate withdrawal.
Energy & Focus
If you want to improve your concentration with kratom, go with red and green veins. These kratom strains will have the most potent impact on focus and concentration.
Just be careful; in higher doses, kratom becomes much more sedative, which can be a detriment to your ability to stay focused and engaged in the task at hand.
It’s important to note that the goal of the kratom user should be to get the desired effects while consuming the lowest possible dose.
Is Kratom Safe?
Despite the controversy, kratom is very safe if used responsibly. It’s much safer than painkillers, anxiolytics, and antidepressants that you can find in a pharmacy. Even the World Health Organization reviewed it and found it to not be a public threat.
However, it’s worth mentioning that kratom can have adverse effects if misused.
Consider a tolerance break if you need tor take large amounts to feel the effects. One week should bring your tolerance back to normal levels. Ideally, you should use kratom no more than five times a week.
Kratom is addictive, which is one of the reasons people fear it. However, it is nowhere near as addictive as opioids and is unlikely to cause an overdose.
The biggest dangers of using kratom come with using too high of doses for an extended period and mixing it with other substances like medication, alcohol, or other drugs, especially opioids.
Related: List of Kratom/Drug Interactions
Side Effects of Kratom
Kratom is a safe herb when used responsibly.
However, it’s also true that it can cause side effects. Most kratom users notice only a few of these side effects periodically, which is usually an indication that their dosage is too high. Remember that the effects of kratom can be more noticeable at lower doses.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects. Kratom is not at all delicious, but its undesirable taste is not what usually causes these adverse effects. Any alkaloid consumed in high doses can cause this reaction, so the best way to avoid it’s to ingest reasonable amounts.
This effect is more common in first-time users. Their bodies aren’t used to the hard-to-digest fibers in kratom and their bodies may reject them at first. This can also trigger constipation as a side effect.
In high doses, kratom can make you dizzy or give you something called “the wobbles.“
If you’re pregnant or using alcohol or drugs, you should not use kratom.
What’s the Future of Kratom In Texas?
Kratom is now regulated in Texas, and it’s unlikely they’ll crack down or loosen the restrictions needlessly.
Naturally, the conception of kratom will shift from being an intoxicant, which it’s not, to being treated as a medicine. Regulators initially feared that kratom would increase the rates of opioid addiction. Still, now that we’ve seen this isn’t the case, the focus is shifting to understanding how kratom may be used to reduce this issue instead.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and try kratom after reading this article, we invite you to visit the shops of reliable vendors such as Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom.
