Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that alters how a person thinks, feels and behaves.
It is characterized by extreme hallucinations, loss of interest in self-care, infatuations, being moody, delusions and sometimes intrusive thoughts.
There is no known cause of schizophrenia but some people believe it is because of genetic predisposition, but studies have not found correlation between the disorder and any particular gene.
For this reason, the disorder does not have any known cure. However, its symptoms are manageable with psychotic medication, behavioral and lifestyle adjustments plus other forms of treatment.
Most of these psychotic medications come with one major side effect, tolerance development and possible dependence.
In a bid to counter the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, some people have resulted to a better less addictive alternative; kratom.
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While there is no enough clinical study to support the use of kratom for schizophrenia, a good number of the disorder patients have reported improvements in their symptoms. Therefore, kratom is perfectly good for schizophrenia. This article focuses on how kratom alleviates schizophrenia symptoms.
Alkaloid Activity
The active compounds contained in kratom, alkaloids are known to bind to the brain receptors thus affecting several cognitive functions such as way of thinking and mood.
Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine are the two active alkaloids contained in kratom plant. These two, bind to the mu-opioid receptors, which are responsible for bad mood and anxiety symptoms in schizophrenia patients. By binding these receptors, the patients experience elevated moods while their anxious symptoms fade away.
Dopaminergic Modulation
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for influencing our happiness. In people exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia, dopamine pathways are usually dysregulated. The two alkaloids contained in kratom have the effect of modulating the dopaminergic system to release more dopamine thereby alleviating symptoms associated with schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions.
Serotonergic and Adrenergic Receptors
Kratom alkaloids are also believed to interact with the adrenergic and serotonergic receptors in the brain. Since these two are also responsible for the bad mood and anxiety symptoms kratom can help alleviate some negative cognitive and affective symptoms of schizophrenia such as anxiety and bad mood.
Anxiolytic and Sedative Effects
Having seen that anxiety and lack of sleep and poor sleeping patterns and in most cases insomnia, kratom is believed to help alleviate these two. This ability can be attributed to its anxiolytic and sedative properties, both of which help reduce the effects of schizophrenia. This is especially true since kratom users who consume high dosage often report the sedative property of the plant.
Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Properties
Due to their prolonged lack of sleep, stress, which is sometimes coupled with intrusive thoughts and fear of always being attacked and persecuted, schizophrenia patients might experience a compromised immunity that might leave them exposed to some aliments, for instance infections. Kratom is believed to help combat this problem since it possesses some anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, thereby reducing the chances of contracting some illnesses that might worsen their symptoms further.
NMDA Receptor Modulation
Some people have often suggested that kratom can influence the NMDA receptor, thereby aiding in some effects of schizophrenia. It is however important to note that this is just a hypothesis that is backed up by very little and needs extensive research.
Caution and Considerations
One of the most notable limitations associated with kratom is that although there is more than enough evidence of its benefits in alleviating the effects of schizophrenia, the evidence is backed up very little clinical research. Another limitation is that just like with commercial medications, the plant must be handled with moderation. In higher doses, kratom can cause sedation coupled with nausea and dizziness. It is also poses a risk of interactions with other medication types which schizophrenia are taking for instance psychotic drugs, a reason for which primary healthcare providers intervention should be incorporated in the use of kratom.
Though some few limitations and risks are associated with kratom, there are no serious side effects reported from the use of the plant. Conversely, some effects that would be deemed adverse in normal people, they could help people who exhibit schizophrenia symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety. It is imperative to consult your primary physician before using kratom. This is because kratom is not safe for everyone since pregnant and people with low blood pressure should never use the plant. At the same time, your doctor’s intervention is critical in the use of kratom if you are currently under medication. This is because the plant has been found to cause interactions with other medication.