Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

From relaxation, to quelling appetite, to killing pain, I've recently been using an herb called “Kratom” (ever since I injured my back several months ago and I needed something other than an opioid based painkiller to stop the discomfort and allow me to sleep and engage in my normal day-to-day function).

When I first used Kratom, I felt the effects within minutes – and also experienced a pleasant euphoria, and even a drop in appetite, with none of the side effects of a painkiller and none of the psychosis of something like marijuana.

Advocates say the herb kratom offers relief from pain, depression, and anxiety. Scientists say it may hold the key to treating chronic pain and may even be a tool to combat addiction to opioid medications. But the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is now trying to ban this potent herb, citing an “imminent hazard to public safety.”

So is kratom safe?

Addictive?

How do you use it?

What are the different strains?

What else can kratom be used for?

In today's podcast with Chris Bell, you'll discover the answers to all these questions and much more. This is a must listen, in my opinion, especially since President Trump just declared the opioid crisis in America a “national emergency”.

Chris “Boar” Bell is an American director, producer and writer, known for his documentaries Bigger, Stronger, Faster and Trophy Kids and Prescription Thugs. He is the brother of Mark Bell and Mike Bell, both of whom were featured in Bigger, Stronger, Faster. In 1997, Bell obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Film Production from the University of Southern California. He currently resides in California, where founded his film production company Bigger Stronger Faster Inc, which is devoted to producing educational documentaries, films, and TV shows…

…Chris also happens to be an expert in all things kratom, and even claims in this video that kratom is “the cure for the opioid epidemic”.

During our discussion, you'll discover:

-How Chris went from being in intense pain 24-7 to nearly destroying his stomach with ibuprofen and advil to being completely addicted to opioid based painkillers…[8:55]

-How Chris originally discovered kratom…[20:50]

-What kratom is and where it comes from…[23:45 & 25:00]

-How you feel when you take kratom…[26:05]

-The difference between the different kratom strains, like red, white and green…[27:25]

-Whether kratom is safe on the organs…[31:15]

-Where Ben and Chris get their kratom…[38:20 & 40:45]

-Whether kratom is addictive or habit-forming…[42:15]

-If kratom is banned by WADA or USADA…[47:10]

-Whether kratom can be combined with anything to enhance its effects…[50:50, 52:50 & 54:00]

-How long kratom takes to “hit your system” and how long it lasts…[59:25]

-The new kratom documentary Chris is working on…[60:30]

-And much more…

Resources from this episode:

-My podcast on “Drug Dealer, MD”



–Leaf Of Faith Instagram

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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Chris or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!

Also published on Medium.