Kratom and kava are two natural botanicals that have been used for centuries in different cultures. Their growing popularity in modern wellness is due to many time-tested uses, but one thing in common is that their therapeutic potential is unmatched. Folks looking for natural remedies to substitute conventional supplements find these two plant-based options a welcome change in natural wellness alternatives.
Here you’ll learn a real comparison of kava vs kratom, focusing on their origin, potential health effects, legality, and contributing characteristics – from your friendly experts at Real Botanicals. Not only will this help you make informed decisions in choosing the right one for your wellness needs, but it may show you how each can be beneficial when combined for more pronounced benefits and effects.
What Are Kava and Kratom?
Let's look at where we get both kava and kratom and why they are of such interest in the wellness community. Whether you’re looking at our collection of kava kratom shots or just here to educate yourself on the difference between kava vs kratom, we’ll help guide you to your next whole-body herbalsolution.
In-Depth Look at Kava
Kava, scientifically called Piper methysticum, is a plant that hails from the tropical climes of the South Pacific. Traditionally, the locals ground kava plant roots and created kava tea beverages to share during cultural, social, and ceremonial activities. The Western world recently learned about kava's relaxing potential and used kava as a wellness or stress supplement, as well as a way to unwind with friends. Kava is available in various product forms, including powder, capsules, and liquid extracts.
A Closer Look at Kratom
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen tree cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia. Kratom leaves have been traditionally used for their energizing and relaxing properties. Southeast Asian laborers and farmers chewed these leaves or made kratom tea to boost energy and combat fatigue when working under the scorching sun for long hours.
Today, Kratom may be one of the fastest-growing botanicals as more people embrace the plant's potential for lasting energy and uplifting effects on both the body and mind.
Key Differences Between Kratom and Kava
Though kava and kratom are both beloved in their native cultures, the two plants are often confused in the West. Since kratom and kava come across the world and into our wellness routines, it's essential to understand what makes each of these plants unique—and use their support in the best ways.
Kratom vs Kava: Origins and Sources
Kratom originates from Southeast Asia and grows naturally in regions such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. These places have tropical climates with fertile soils, the best surviving environment for kratom plants. Kava, on the other hand, comes from the South Pacific, mainly Vanuatu and Fiji. Kava does well in warm climates under partial shade since too much sunlight exposure can be too harsh.
While the leaves of the kratom tree flourish in bright sun, kava plants prefer dappled light, as if filtering through an overhead canopy of forest trees. Kratom trees grow in the wild but are also heavily cultivated on plantations, while kava propagates exclusively through human cultivation.
Kratom vs Kava: Active Compounds
Kratom contains more than 40 active compounds called alkaloids. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary alkaloid compounds in kratom and are responsible for many of their wide range of properties. There are about six different active compounds in kava, called kavalactones. These kava ingredients interact with GABA receptors in the brain to produce relaxation and mood-boosting effects, whereas kratom interacts with opioid receptors, often providing relief for the user.
Read more: What is Mitragynine?
Kratom vs Kava: Consumption Methods
Kratom is available in several forms like kratom powders, liquid shots, kratom capsules, or extracts. You can toss and wash kratom powder, brew kratom tea, make a kratom smoothie, and so much more! Capsules and tablets— like these 7-hydroxymitragynine tablets—are popular choices to avoid the strong taste of kratom powder.
Kava kratom shots are simple, easy, and effective at packing your daily dose into one bottle. These shots make it super simple to get the botanical benefits your body craves without having to count capsules or measure powders.
The most common type of kava products are kava powder and kava kratom drinks. The kava powder is added to water, mixed thoroughly, and kneaded or strained to get a fine, smoother, drinkable liquid, called kava tea. Kava beverages come pre-dosed and ready to consume. Interestingly, kratom beverages and kava drinks are often consumed alongside each other at kava bars, a new social trend hitting the US.
Comparing Kratom vs Kava: Benefits & Effects
Kava vs kratom affects our bodies differently in terms of their mechanism of action and potential effects. Let’s break it down to help you design a beneficial regimen based on your desired effects.
Kratom or Kava for Relaxation?
Kava has strong calming and tension-reducing properties. Kavalactone interactions with GABA receptors help to induce relaxation and reduce distress without mental fog or sedation. Kratom promotes relaxation, but is more dose-dependent, sharing both relaxing properties and stimulating ones, depending on how much kratom you take.
Red veins of kratom are considered the most relaxing. Kratom delivers more sedating properties when consumed at high doses. Since both kava and kratom can make you feel relaxed, either may work but is more predictable for body-mind relaxation and calmness when used at accurate dosing.
Kratom or Kava for the Best Relief of Discomfort?
Kratom is the best in relieving discomfort due to the alkaloids interactions with opioid receptors in the brain, which is thought to relieve discomfort. At higher doses, kratom produces powerful soothing effects that can also provide relief. This explains why kratom is so often sought as a natural way to find relief. Kratom is not an opiate, but because it interacts with the same receptors as opiates do, kratom has inspired scientific research on kratom for potential use for those who deal with pain and discomfort.
Substances like kava may make you feel relaxed, which may indirectly offer mild discomfort-relieving properties, possibly relieving everyday tension and lingering discomfort.
Kratom Use vs Kava Use for Euphoria Effects
Both kratom and kava contain psychoactive compounds that can change the way you feel. Kratom is often used as a way to improve mood and some people experience a mild euphoric feeling, though it affects different people in different ways. Kava can also give a mild euphoria, making people feel more open and uplifted in overall well-being.
Effects of Kratom vs Kava for Sleep—Which is Best?
Kava is well-recognized for its relaxing and calming effects, making it an excellent choice if you struggle to sleep at night. Due to the smooth but potent nature of kava properties, you may have a peaceful evening, a good night's rest, and wake-up revitalized. Kratom is also effective for sleep at higher doses and with certain strains known to promote deep relaxation and calmness to prepare you for a restful night. Correct dosage is essential to prevent high tolerance and other unwanted effects.
Check out our guide to kratom dosage for a more in-depth review of how to take kratom properly.
Differences Between Kava and Kratom Safety Profiles
Botanicals like kava kava vs kratom may present some health concerns or complications if used frequently, at large doses, or for long periods. Prolonged kava use, for example, can lead to skin issues or liver damage; which has prompted some regulation of its sale and use.
Kratom carries risks, as well, like a higher risk of tolerance, and potential for overdose (especially when combined with drugs), and addiction for some people. This made a few states ban kratom use while others imposed rules and regulations due to safety concerns for public health.
Side Effects of Kava and Kratom
Kratom vs kava kava are safe and well-tolerated when used in moderation and with proper dosing. Most undesirable reactions are associated with irresponsible consumption, especially in high serving amounts regularly.
The most common kava side effects are:
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Fatigue
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Mental fog
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Drowsiness
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Impaired motor skills
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Gastrointestinal issues
Kratom may also have some common adverse or unwanted effects, which may include:
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Nausea
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Dry mouth
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Increased heart rate
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Sweating
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Constipation
Risk of Addiction & Long-Term Effects
Using kava or kratom long-term, or in heavy doses can present risks of addiction in addition to the potential for adverse effects. The addiction potential is higher with kratom due to its interaction with opioid receptors, which can be a problem for people susceptible to addiction.
Mindful use of both botanicals is encouraged to promote elevated well-being and happy living while avoiding negative effects. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before using either supplement if you have underlying medical conditions or take medications.
Legal Considerations
The FDA does not regulate either kava or kratom, though kava is a little less vilified. It is important to note that kava is legal in all fifty states, while kratom use is banned in some areas. Be sure to confirm the local laws governing kratom and kava in your region before using.
For a complete review, be sure to read our blog: is kratom legal to buy in my state?
Which Is Better: Kava or Kratom?
Kava and kratom are both useful botanicals that may help improve sleep, your mood, and daily comfort when used responsibly—but which is better for you? Essentially, whichever one you prefer and feel comfortable using!
If you seek energy and focus effects for a productive day, or to relieve discomfort, kratom is the best option. When you want to relax after a busy day, feel lighter and less stressed, and welcome a better night's rest, kava may do the magic. It really comes down to preference and precise and accurate dosage to improve your natural wellness routine for a happy life.
Kava vs. Kratom vs. 7-Hydroxymitragynine: How Do They Compare?
We have discussed a lot about kratom and kava. Let’s briefly enter the world of 7-hydroxymitragynine. 7-Hydroxymitragynine, 7-hydro, or 7-OH, is the most potent alkaloid in kratom. Also, it is the most potent alkaloid, praised for its wide range of powerful effects.
Kava, kratom, and 7-OH have therapeutic properties but affect the body and mind in different ways. Kava is more relaxing and calming but in a smooth manner. Kratom delivers both stimulating and soothing effects based on the dosage taken. 7-OH is very powerful and effective in relieving discomfort and relaxing the body and mind. So, if the latter is your biggest concern, 7-OH products may best suit your needs.
What is 7-Hydroxymitragynine? Are 7-OH Products Best for You?
7-OH is an active ingredient present in the kratom plant. It is highly reputed for its potent effects and influences the overall kratom benefits in the body. As the kratom tree ages, mitragynine is converted to 7-Hydroxymitragynine through enzymatic and post-harvest oxidation. This also contributes to the powerful effects of the alkaloid. Red vein strains produce their effects likely due to higher levels of 7-OH.
Real Botanicals specializes in the extraction of alkaloids like 7-hydroxymitragynine through ChromaPure extraction methods and creates a variety of kratom and kava products to suit your needs. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing produces high-quality and potent 7-hydroxymitragynine products that we’re happy to share with you via product Certificates of Analysis.
Get your 7-hydroxymitragynine tablets and 7-hydroxymitragynine shot and start feeling better today—naturally!
Kava vs. Kratom: Final Thoughts
Kratom and kava offer a wide range of effects, making both popular and accessible ways to find relief and pleasure. Whether you are a kratom or kava fan, sourcing your products from a reputable vendor like Real Botanicals will ensure you get both in their natural form, which is more beneficial to your well-being and routine.
Check out all products from Real Botanicals for premium kava and kratom products, and don't forget to try one of our Kratom + Kava Mood Boost Shots, combining the best of both botanicals in one easy-to-use shot!