You’ve probably noticed that our catalog at The Calm Leaf has been expanding a lot lately, as we’re keeping up with the latest and greatest natural plant products rich in properties that our customers just can’t get enough of. With so many new products hitting the market all the time, it can definitely be hard to keep up, which is why we’re here today: to compare two of the newest sensations available, which are kratom and THCH. Let’s compare them to one another to see what each one can offer to you both recreationally and therapeutically.
Contender #1: Kratom
Kratom refers to the dried, ground up leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, an evergreen tree which grows in Southeast Asia. The leaves of the tree are rich in alkaloids that contain properties which can change how we feel, both mentally and physically. Taking kratom means that these alkaloids interact with our brain’s opioid receptors, which regulate processes such as mood, pain sensitivity, and more.
Kratom naturally exists in numerous strains, referring to the specific cultivar of the tree (which varies between different regions). It also comes in three “veins”, referring to the color of the leaf’s vein at the time of harvest. As the leaves grow and mature, the color of the vein transforms, and this indicates the maturity level and prominence of individual alkaloids in the leaf. This means that color of the vein can tell us how potent the product is, and which effects are the most prominent depending on which alkaloids are most abundant at any given time during the maturation process.
Can I Get High off of Kratom?
Kratom can definitely get you intoxicated, because it attaches to the brain’s opioid receptors which can cause intoxication, similarly to opiates. How high you can get from kratom, and what kinds of psychoactive effects for which you experience, will depend on the dosage, as well as the vein and the strain.
Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom is protected under federal law, as it’s never been illegal in the United States. However, a few states have made it illegal, and they are:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Also, keep in mind that kratom is prohibited in a handful of municipalities across the United States, even in states where kratom is deemed legal legal. Because of that, we urge you to check your state laws and local laws periodically to make sure kratom is still legal where you live, as this can change at any time.
Does Kratom Have Benefits?
Kratom hasn’t been on the US market for long, which means that medical researchers are still in the early stages of understanding its distinctive benefits. Still, enough scientific papers have been published for us to recognize that it has the potential to:
- Enhance energy, focus, and alertness
- Act as an anxiolytic
- Enhance mood
- Offers analgesic properties
- Improve sleep
- Decrease appetite
Does Kratom Have Side Effects?
Basically, kratom use can cause certain side effects, especially when not taken according to the label’s directions, if your dosage is too high, or if your body just doesn’t tolerate it because of the nature of your unique body. Side effects you may experience include:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Impaired coordination
- Increased heartrate
- Dry mouth/thirst
- Irritability/confusion
- Potential overdose
What Kinds of Kratom Products are There?
You can buy kratom in various product forms, as it’s pretty easy to infuse the water-soluble kratom powder into any formula. Now, let’s go over the products you’re most likely to encounter:
- Kratom Powder: The dried and ground up leaves, which is the pure form of kratom. It can be added to liquids or any other kind of solution you prefer.
- Kratom Liquid Extracts: These are highly concentrated liquid kratom products that are taken like a shot to offer a fast-acting and very potent experience.
- Bottled Kratom Drinks: Bottled kratom beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water, and any other type of drink infused with kratom powder.
- Kratom Teas: Kratom tea is just kratom powder placed inside of a teabag, for an easy way to extract the alkaloids into hot water.
- Kratom Edibles: Kratom gummies and other kratom-infused edibles promote long-lasting effects that come on more gradually.
- Kratom Capsules: Taking kratom in capsule form can be convenient if you’re already used to taking supplements as part of a routine.
- Kratom Vapes: These are still quite new to the marketplace, but just like any vapes, they’re available in bottle E-Liquids to be used in compatible vape pens, as well as pre-filled cartridges that attach to any 511-threaded pen-style system and AIO (All-In-One) Disposable Vapes. Vaping kratom allows you to feel the effects within minutes, but the effects don’t last as long.
- Kratom Topicals: Kratom topicals are applied to the skin, so that the alkaloids absorb transdermally.
Contender #2: THCH
THCH (tetrahydrocannabihexol) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis, and it’s present in the hemp plant in trace amounts, although it can be recreated through isomerization. It was only discovered in the last few years, and that means that we know little about its chemical properties and potential effects, other than its hexol carbon sidechain which influences how easily it absorbs into the body. Its enhanced carbon sidechain essentially means it attaches to cannabinoid receptors more efficiently than delta 9 THC.
Like we’ve seen with every cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, THCH binds to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) in the body, which mainly exist within the nervous system, and other bodily systems as well. Cannabinoid receptors require cannabinoids to regulate processes of the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system in every mammal that is tasked with maintaining homeostasis. This is why cannabinoids are associated with so many distinctive properties at the same time.
Can I Get High off of THCH?
THCH is intoxicating, and it’s stronger than the high of delta 9 THC. It’s the second most intoxicating cannabinoid after THCP, for reference, and THCP is 10 times as strong as delta 9 THC. Tetrahydrocannabihexol’s high is reported as being quite calming yet euphoric, and people say that it offers profound effects on mood.
Is THCH Legal?
The passing of the U.S. 2018 Farm Bill legalized the hemp plant federally, allowing all hemp derivatives to be sold legally, assuming they contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. All cannabinoids except delta 9 THC are therefore legal without restrictions, and that includes THCH.
Still, states are permitted to prohibit certain cannabis-derived products, and some have banned all psychoactive hemp derivatives. These states are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
Does THCH Have Benefits?
THCH has not undergone much research pertaining to its benefits, but once again, THCH is known for offering similar effects to delta 9 THC, only stronger. And, as we know of many potential benefits associated with delta 9 THC, not to mention the fact that cannabinoids in general can offer numerous potential benefits, we can guess that THCH offers properties such as the ability to:
- Reduce stress levels
- Improve mood
- Offer analgesic properties
- Offer anti-inflammatory properties
- Reduce nausea
- Increase appetite
- Aid in sleep
- Support digestive and immune function
- Offer neuroprotective properties
Does THCH Have Side Effects?
Cannabis is known to be nontoxic to the human body, which applies to individual cannabinoids as well. Cannabis has never been shown to cause major adverse events or life-threatening effects. However, if your tolerance is low or you take too high of a dose, you can end up with certain side effects. And, there are certain side effects that come with psychoactive cannabinoids, if you get too high. The good news is that side effects reported are mild and short-lived, and include:
- Dry eyes
- Dry mouth
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Fatigue/drowsiness
- Increased appetite
- Paranoia/anxiety
- General impairment
- Forgetfulness/fogginess
What Kinds of THCH Product Types are There?
THCH can be found in some product types that are all worth checking out:
- Vapes (Disposables and Cartridges): Vaping THCH offers a fast-acting and potent way to get in a nice serving of your favorite cannabinoid, along with a nice selection of strains, all while being convenient, travel-friendly, and discreet.
- Edibles: Edibles like gummies produce long-lasting effects with a gradual onset.
- Concentrates (aka “Dabs”): Concentrates are concentrated cannabis products that are dabbed – that is, flash-vaporized at a high temperature using a special “dabbing” device – for an ultra-powerful and fast-acting experience.
- Flower: THCH flower refers to raw hemp flower buds infused with THCH distillate – an isolated extract of the cannabinoid. Flower comes in lots of strain choices, and it’s sold in the forms of loose buds as well as pre-rolls.
- Tinctures: Tinctures are bottled oils that are intended to be taken sublingually (below the tongue) to absorb quickly and offer long-lasting effects. Available in multiple milligram strengths, they’re quite simple to take.
Kratom or THCH? It’s Totally Up to You!
Basically, both kratom and THCH bring lots of potential benefits as well as an enjoyable high, which is why they’re often compared to one another. But, as you can see, while kratom works on the brain’s opioid receptors, THCH offers a more holistic approach through its relationship with the endocannabinoid system. If you want to compare them for yourself, simply head on over to The Calm Leaf, where you can find each in different delivery methods, strengths, strains, and more, letting you finetune your experience according to what you’re looking to get out of each product.