TL;DR: Kratom vs. Delta 8 – Key Comparisons
Kratom and Delta 8 are natural substances with recreational and health-related uses. While kratom interacts with opioid receptors and offers dose-dependent effects (energizing in small doses, relaxing in large doses), Delta 8 interacts with cannabinoid receptors, promoting relaxation and mood elevation. Both are federally legal, but their sources, effects, and testing profiles differ.
We’re proud to offer a broad range of both kratom products and Delta 8 products (along with many other cannabinoids) to our customers. Since we have such a deep inventory of both categories, it’s only natural to start wondering about kratom vs Delta 8.
How are kratom and Delta 8 similar? What’s the difference between kratom vs Delta 8?
Keep reading to learn more about both of these natural, federally legal substances and how they compare to each other.
Kratom vs Delta 8: What They Are
Let’s begin by reviewing basic and important information about Delta 8 and kratom. A solid foundation of info for each substance will make the Delta 8 vs kratom comparison that much easier.
All About Kratom
Kratom is the common name for a psychoactive substance derived from the leaves of the mitragyna speciosa tree. This species of plant, a member of the coffee family, has a native range that covers significant parts of Southeast Asia.
In areas where kratom grows naturally, it has a long history of use in traditional medicine along with recreational and productivity-enhancing applications. In other words, kratom has been used as folk medicine, to help people relax, and to keep up energy levels for workers in certain jobs with long hours and/or intense manual labor requirements.
The two major active ingredients in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Biochemistry Research International points out. These chemicals are alkaloids, part of a large and varied group of chemicals tied together by the fact that they have noticeable effects on users. Kratom interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, although it is not itself an opioid.
Kratom stands out among many substances because it has very distinct effects that change based on dose. Smaller doses produce uplifting and energizing effects. Larger doses have more sedating and relaxing effects, with some users reporting it helps with issues like pain management and even withdrawals from other medicines and drugs.
In terms of legality, kratom is not regulated at the federal level and is legal in most states. Just six states (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin) have banned possession and/or sale, and some of those states are considering a move to regulate kratom instead of prohibiting it. Beyond those states and a few city- and county-level bans, kratom is otherwise legal across the majority of the country.
Learning More About Delta 8
Delta 8 is one of many alternative cannabinoids that come from hemp plants. These cannabinoids fall into the alternative category because they are sourced from hemp as opposed to cannabis plants.
While those two plants are the same biologically, they are distinguished legally by the 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill set a threshold of Delta 9 THC content (that’s the most common cannabinoid found in cannabis plants), with 0.3% by dry weight being the cutoff between hemp and cannabis.
Hemp plants and their products are legal federally. While some states have restrictions or bans on alternative cannabinoids, they are legal at the state level in most of the country as well.
Delta 8 and other alternative cannabinoids have similar effects in the big picture as Delta 9. They tend to cause an elevated mood, enhanced sense of creativity, and a feeling of relaxation. These chemicals all act on the body’s cannabinoid receptors to cause their effects.
Cannabinoids have both recreational and health-related uses. Cannabinoids may help with pain management among other issues, and CBD specifically has several promising and proven applications, as Harvard Health Publishing explains.
Kratom vs Delta 8: Key Similarities and Differences
There are several similarities and differences to consider when it comes to kratom vs Delta 8, or kratom vs Delta 9 (or kratom vs most other cannabinoids, for that matter). Let’s start by looking at areas where these two natural substances are alike.
Kratom and Delta 8: How They’re Similar
- Varied use cases: Kratom and Delta 8 are both used recreationally due to the feelings they cause, as well as to address certain health issues. While there isn’t scientific proof for many of their health-related uses, many users swear by them in this context.
- Kratom vs Delta 8 for pain: Both kratom and Delta 8 are thought to help manage some forms of pain. While this hasn’t been confirmed through research, there are many anecdotal reports of their effectiveness from users.
- Varied product categories: Kratom is available in a wide variety of products, from the more traditional powder to gummies, shots, tablets, and even vapes. Delta 8, meanwhile, is offered in vapes, flower, tinctures, edibles, infused drinks, and more.
- Length of effects: Although the specific product used can affect the exact duration of the experience, Delta 8 and kratom both deliver experiences that last somewhere between a few hours and several hours.
Kratom vs Delta 8: Big Differences
- Interaction with the body: Kratom acts on the body’s opioid receptors, while Delta 8 acts on the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
- Specific effects: Cannabinoids are generally relaxing, although some can have somewhat uplifting effects. These effects don’t change based on dose, although their intensity does. Kratom effects vary substantially based on dose, giving users energy with small doses and relaxing them at larger ones.
- Source: While kratom and Delta 8 are both natural products that come from plants, the hemp plant and the mitragyna speciosa tree are not closely related.
- Drug testing: Delta 8 will show up on most common drug tests because most tests are designed to detect metabolites that show recent cannabinoid use. Kratom is not looked for in most standard drug tests, although specialized testing can detect it.
Kratom and Delta 8 You Can Count On
Whether you’re looking for Delta 8, kratom, or both natural substances, Delta 8 Resellers is here to help!
We partner exclusively with leading industry brands to bring you high-quality products. And, whenever available, we share the results of independent third-party lab testing for our products on their individual pages. That way, you can check out quality, purity, and potency for yourself.
Check out our Kratom products and Delta 8 products today!
