In my highrise condominium building’s elevators, I often chat with Mrs. X, a 90-year-old gal with a sharp mind, a sharp wit, and an unquenchable desire to knock boots with Che Guevara.

Her infatuation with Che isn’t teenybopper puppy love but the burning desire of a limousine-lib lady deeply engrossed in understanding a revolutionary’s psyche. I often see her with a thick tome about Che, lost in tales of revolutions and rebels.

One recent evening, as we rode the elevator up, I winced from the sharp sting of diabetic neuropathy. Mrs. X’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Ever heard of kratom?” she asked.

Now, if you’re imagining kratom as some exotic dance from Guevara’s Cuban revolution days, let me set the record straight. “Kratom” usually refers to the prepared leaves from Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia.

The plot thickens when you learn that kratom’s lead actor, mitragynine, holds court with the same receptors in our brain as opium does. Its leaves have compounds with pain-numbing, mind-altering effects.

It’s a bit like a passionate tango between Che and an opponent on the dance floor of your neurons. This dance brings a suite of side effects, many eerily similar to opioids. From the itching that feels like ants dancing a rumba on your skin to thoughts racing faster than a retro jukebox on a caffeine spree and speech that rivals the speediest auctioneer. Plus, pupils that constrict to the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

Yet, amid this chaotic carnival, there emerges a soothing, pleasant buzz. The euphoria you might feel listening to an old, soulful song on a rainy day. And boy, did it tackle my neuropathic foot pain head-on.

However, much like Guevara’s ideologies, kratom comes with its complexities. The enchanting hum it provides is tempting. So tempting that in my journey, I’ve learned to respect its power, using it sparingly and wisely, ensuring I’m not being led astray by its allure.

Life is full of unexpected teachers. Who would’ve thought a 90-year-old Che Guevara-loving neighbor would be my gateway to the enigmatic world of kratom?

If this story teaches you anything, it’s that wisdom can come from the most unpredictable sources. And as always, if you’re contemplating a dance with kratom, ensure you lead and consult a medical professional first.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, scientist, or medical professional, and nothing in this post should be interpreted as medical advice. Kratom is a controversial substance with potential risks, and its effects can vary widely from person to person. If you are considering using kratom, consult with a qualified healthcare provider first. Do not take this flash-fiction post as an encouragement to try kratom yourself. You are solely responsible for your own decisions and actions.

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