Written By Kami Ann Davis 🌹🍃
Anything on the planet can be harmed and abused. It has nothing to do with the food/drug. And yes foods are DRUGS. No, they are not drugs in the same sense as heroin or cocaine. But, there is a reason why food is classified as a ‘drug’. It’s because almost everything we ingest has a physiological or psychoactive effect on us. After all, isn’t that the whole reason why we eat, and are scientifically required to consume wholesome foods? We NEED food in order to survive, literally. Look how <<<incredibly>>>beneficial caffeine is?? It helps millions upon millions of people get up everyday, feel awake and vibrant and be productive at their jobs and in life, generally. That’s not a small thing. It’s quite monumental. Why should Kratom be any different?
Kratom is safe and it’s a partial agonist. It is derived from the coffee tree plant, the rubiaceae, from Southeast Asia. So far, there are no deaths from Kratom, alone. Caffeine in coffee and tea, is a partial agonist. Both require simple effort and responsibility, when taken. But, if you’re struggling with addiction and you tend to abuse substances, then I’m not sure if Kratom can really help you. Be honest with yourself and ask if you are willing to do the self-growth and work it takes, in order to get past your abusive tendencies. Do you actually have a legitimate reason to be taking it or wanting to take it, in the first place?
Being an adult means being responsible and making smart choices. Drinking coffee is not meant for children because of the stimulant properties in it. Same thing goes for Kratom. It has properties in it that really are not meant for children. Or what about alcohol? Some substances should only be allowed for adults. In a perfect world, we could give Kratom rather than opioids to a sick or dying child, under a parent’s consent and doctor’s supervision… but we are far from that, if ever. My point is that we must be responsible when consuming ANYTHING. It isn’t a child’s job to be responsible. It’s an ADULT’S JOB TO BE RESPONSIBLE, when consuming food and substances, whether it be medication or herbs. Why should Kratom be any different?
Look at how addicting FOOD is, for the millions of morbidly obese people? Have you seen the show 10000 LB. Sisters? I absolutely adore Miss Tammy Slaton. My heart hurts for her, because you can physically see her emotional pain, in the unwanted weight she carries. But, I can also see that pain in her eyes. She didn’t get to be 645 lbs because she ‘likes’ to eat or because eating makes her feel good. NO. She is eating because it makes her feel good. But, only because it numbs the horrific pain she has stemming from whatever trauma she suffered as a child. No, I’m not her psychologist, but in my heart and my mind as an LVN&Mental Health Counselor <<<who took care of many patients>>>, I’m almost certain that is why she cannot stop eating so much. She has an addiction, an out-of-control behavior she cannot control.
We also need herbs and medicine in order to SURVIVE. Anyone who says they don’t believe in medication or even herbal supplements and vitamins, are actually harming themselves by denying their bodies treatment and pain relief. OR, they’ve been lucky enough to not be conflicted yet.
Kratom is a great tool that can be utilized. However, results depend on the person’s mental state and the actual reasons as to why they want to take it. This is why the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is so important. Because, it will prevent immature youth from getting hold of Kratom, for the wrong reasons.
What I mean by that is this: In order to take Kratom successfully, you must be an adult exercising responsibility. It’s important to use this plant sparingly and only when actually needed. Because it does have alkaloids in it, you need to take breaks and change strains REGULARLY. Teenagers certainly do not care as much about this sort of thing, I don’t think. Younger adults these days don’t really care about their health or using substances (sparingly) as much. This is why age restriction is so important, in regard to the KCPA.
I am a broken record when I say this, but it bares repeating. No amount of Kratom taking, or AA meetings, or NA meetings is going to heal you and your addiction, if you’re not processing the past trauma, in which drove you to ‘need’ to take something or try to achieve being numb.
I’m talking about addiction, not depending on something for pain relief. Addiction is mental and emotional, having a diagnosis or condition ..within the brain. Taking something because you’re in pain doesn’t have the slightest thing to do with the state of being addicted to something, because a person is hurting emotionally and mentally.
It’s absolutely insane <<<in my eyes>>>how the lines of two conditions/diagnoses have become so blurred. This so-called opioid epidemic and opioid hysteria have lumped two completely separate conditions into one. The dying and chronic pain patients are suffering, as a result.
The underlying reason tho is because we condemn anyone who has an addiction or mental illness. We can’t even admit to having any kind of mental hardship because we are scared of the stigma that surrounds it. Or, we know deep down we will be known as the ‘weak’ one or the ‘mental’ case.
We HAVE to change this way of thinking. First of all, more people than you think actually struggle with mental health issues. Here is an excerpt from WHO back in 2001, showing alarming numbers. What I find to be sad is that this is from almost TWENTY YEARS AGO. I can’t find anything more recent, which just proves my point further. That mental healthcare is neglected in this country and around the globe.
The World Health Report 2001: Mental Disorders affect one in four people
Treatment available but not being used
28 September 2001 News releaseReading time: 4 min (952 words)
‘One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination and neglect prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental disorders, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding. Where there is no understanding, there is neglect.
Stop and look around people, mostly at yourself though. Instead of worrying about the person next to you, or opposite of you and judging him ..take a lovingly look at yourself and take inventory. Pay attention to your own thoughts and behavior, instead of being glued to your phone. Take care of yourself, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. A lot of you won’t know how or where to begin, but that’s alright. It’s a beginning. We have so many books 📚to help guide us on self-care, yet we just don’t use them.
I have always been mindful but I am also a former psychiatric nurse, so it goes hand in hand. Most people ignore their mental and emotional needs or do not think once to care for themselves in this capacity. The two most important organs, we ignore the most. Stop ignoring your heart and your mind. You and your SELF are worth the time.
Written By Kami Ann Davis 🌹🍃
Southeast Beautiful Kratom Education 