A Leaf of Faith (2018) User Reviews

Excellent documentary for someone who's interested in learning more about kratom

[sampsonart · 8/10 · 25 March 2021]

For some, this plant is a life saver and for others it's simple another addiction. I will admit that it comes with some responsibility. If you are a daily user and then decide to stop, you will have withdrawals similar to opioid withdrawal. With that being said, in my experience, kratom is the safer alternative to pharmaceutical pain meds. A lot of kratom enthusiasts will down play the withdrawal but that's just because they don't want to "demonize" the plant. Anyone who says the withdrawl is no worse than coffee is either ignorant or lying. It really depends on how much the person takes and how consistently they take it. I know dozens of people who have been tremendously helped by this plant and a lot of them got completely off alcohol using it. Alcohol in my opinion and backed up by science is a lot worse for the human body than kratom will ever be. Kratom is a wonderful plant by like I said, it needs to be used responsibly and if someone uses it a few times a week, there shouldn't be any problems withdrawal wise or dependency wise. This documentary explores the media conception of it and dives into personal experiences with it along with scientific studies on it. Definitely a great beginners guide for someone who's interested in learning more about what it is. I discovered kratom back in 2009 when it was virtually unheard of in the US and the only place you could buy it was online. Now it's sold in every headshop across America and some gas stations as business owners are starting to see the market it has. My overall opinion on kratom is that it CAN be a lifesaver for specific people and others it can be another monkey on their back. For me? I used to use it a lot to curb my opioid addiction and urge to use. I do not use it as much anymore because of the dependent factor. I have experienced withdrawals coming off of it and they weren't fun. Still not nearly as bad as pill withdrawal but each person is different. I wouldn't say it produces a "high".. I would describe it more as a slight euphoria and sometimes intense depending on the quality or if it's an extract or what not (I would stay away from taking extracts too much as they knock your tolerance way up and make it harder to come off of it)

All n all, it's a pretty quality documentary on the plant. Give it a watch if you are curious.

Must Watch! Educate yourself USA!

[musicandglamour · 10/10 · 27 July 2018]

This documentary was so incredible. It shed light on so much of the true root of this terrible "opioid epidemic" we are facing today. Chris Bell interviews members of all sides of the Kratom argument and as a result is frankly, one of the least biased documentaries I have ever had the fortune of viewing.

As a chronic pain sufferer myself, I have tried every prescribed opiate known to man with a wide range of results. However, in the end, when the doctors cut me off of my pain medication, I was lead down a dark path to suffering and yes, suicide. I can't count the times I have spent in psychiatric hospitals as a result of my endless suffering that I very simply -WANTED TO END!

I have recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, along with scoliosis, herniated disk, sciatica, severe hip and also knee pain. I have been forced to go back to Suboxone clinics in order to somewhat alleviate the pain I was in, as no doctors were willing to hear me about my pain since around the 2013 mark. I have walked the line of suboxone clinics, expensive treatment, and feeling like I'll never get the relief I need.

Thanks to this documentary, I recently tried Kratom for myself, and can I just tell you that I have been off of the soul-draining suboxone medication for 72 hours now? That alone is mind boggling to me. It looks like a leaf, smells like a leaf and frankly tastes like a leaf. To me, therefore I'm calling it a LEAF! And what a reLEAF (haha) it has been to me and my poor husband who has had to care for his 32 year old sick wife for the past 3 years? Thank God for this medicine. This plant. This natural remedy.

I don't feel high, I don't feel edgy or irritable as I did whilst on Rx opiates. I feel calm, happy, content, and pain FREE! I can hold my dear son and laugh with him! I even went to the pool and swam today after not getting out of bed for weeks.

Please watch this documentary and educate yourselves. This documentary can and will save the lives of people you love. It can't hurt, so give it a try. Don't let big pharma and our government sway you!

Bravo!

[estelle58 · 10/10 · 11 September 2018]

I was so happily suprised to see "A Leaf of Faith" being streamed.

I was so impressed that this doc showed both of sides of the aisle. The informed and the grossly misinformed.

If you are a chronic pain sufferer and are most unfortunately taking chemically produced pain killers...do yourself a big favor and check this doc out.

Kratom is truly a gift from Mother Nature. There are millions of success stories out there, and I am one.

Be very careful about some reviews

[pazzoutboy-27067 · 10/10 · 1 October 2018]

All I'll say is I've been on kratom for over 2 years. I have stopped a few times to try out other methods to help my pain. I'm a disabled vet and because of my worries over the FDA that was why I had stopped those times. Be careful with these negative review this movie was great very informative. The ppl claiming the horrible withdrawal I'm not sure if they were coming of something else. Maybe they had bad Kratom that was mixed with opioids or it was in there minds. But the few times I stopped I never once experienced anything like what they are claiming. But of course I would not even stop drinking coffee related to Kratom by ths way cold Turkey. I would get bad headaches and be cranky!

Amazing unbiased documentary

[courtdeancd · 10/10 · 10 September 2018]

Gives the facts, straight and to the point. This is a conversation that needs to be brought to the for front. Thank you Chris bell for doing your part to end this epidemic!

Lacking transparency

[The_Boxing_Cat · 4/10 · 4 October 2018]

KELLY Dunn, an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER on this film is the OWNER of Urban Ice the same company featured in this film - this feels like an infomercial.

A few thoughts: The doctor who's wife bought Kratom at a gas station, on the advice of a prostitute, said he knew nothing about Kratom, yet his wife took it while sitting in the car beside him. I question his judgment.

The counselor at Cliffside treatment facility said: If you're on opiates you are a slave, that drug is controlling you". This is a blanket statement and is NOT true for EVERYONE.

Also, the cost was not discussed. For most people who have chronic pain are on disability. Insurance does not cover kratom, so I doubt it would be a good choice for those with a limited income.

I have taken kratom and it's a hit and miss situation. I was told that this is a common complaint. Bottom line is, it comes from overseas -who really knows what you're going to get?

Something's wrong when you can buy alcohol, cigarettes and guns, which all have proven to be lethal. A woman has the right to get an abortion, yet it's a problem to make the choice to treat our pain in a way that is not harmful and gives us our life back. I for one want my right to choose.

Great introduction to Kratom for beginners!

[nbowling-23758 · 9/10 · 3 September 2018]

Kris really put together a fantastic film. We in the Kratom community are fighting everyday to STOP this schedule 1 FDA ban. The FDA is pushing nothing but false Information and bogus claims about this plant. This documentary will open so many peoples eyes and help the world see how amazing Kratom is. So for that, we thank you! Regardless if you know what Kratom is or not, you should watch this video and learn about natural medicine. Somebody in your family or one of your friends can use this to help if they suffer from pain, anxiety, depression ETC.

Kratom works !

[surfbreeze55 · 10/10 · 1 May 2019]

I had to create an account to say how much I enjoyed this documentary. I can't believe some of the remarks. Of course you can get addicted just like anything else in life. If you abuse something it's bad, just like alcohol. Don't be dumb bottom line. It helps many people. It helps me with my restless leg, ovarian cysts and depression. I have been using it for 4 years and I'm just fine. I take breaks, I know when I have been taking too much and I back off. Be responsible. Kratom has changed my life in a positive way

Kratom does not work on the same opioid receptors as other dangerous drugs do

[pacocharte · 9/10 · 27 July 2021]

First off, this is a must-see documentary if you are interested in learning the truth about kratom. I don't care if one of the executive producers has a financial interest in one particular store that sells kratom (and other products!) so long as the message of the film is genuine.

There are many interviews with people who have benefited from kratom where they were previously prescribed opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone and stronger controlled substances that led to addiction, and in some cases a switch to illicit narcotics like heroin when their prescription pain killers ran out.

From the scientific standpoint, kratom doesn't depress the central nervous system (CNS) like prescription (and illicit) opiates do. In fact it's the opposite. Kratom is a relative of the coffee family and there is a mild stimulant effect from most unadulterated strains of ground up leaf.

For anyone to leave a negative review, not on the content of the film, but based on their own alleged addiction to kratom, they must have been either seriously abusing it or procuring adulterated product or "extracts" which are much stronger and marketed by some of the shadier sellers to those who might be looking for a recreational drug to play around with.

As a long-time user of this plant, I have stopped cold turkey more than 10 times once I no longer needed it for pain and the only "withdrawal" (another reviewer's word, not mine) effects are similar to quitting coffee. That is, again, unless they have been ingesting unnecessarily large amounts of dried leaf - or - using adulterated extracts for alleged recreational purposes.

Of course everyone's body is different and some lack an enzyme needed to break down the powdered leaf in their digestive system. That is another reason I recommend using a very small dose the first time if you're trying to wean yourself off of opiates and use kratom for pain. Anyone claiming that they had horrible stomach pain but continued to use it anyway is 1) unaware that they should take it as tea instead or 2) using large amounts/adulterated "extracts" in search of a "high."

Please watch the film before believing negative unsubstantiated reviews and as with anything, do as much research as you can before trying kratom!

Kratom vs. Opioids

[ethermusic1981 · 9/10 · 11 September 2018]

What's irresponsible is WVfilmfem's review. This kind of ignorance is exactly why Mr. Bell felt the need to make this documentary. People need to use their brains. Everything in the world has its downsides; whether it's drugs, food, sex, there are negatives. Yes, kratom has withdrawals. But, despite what recent media reports and trigger-happy hypocrites have been trying to dump on Kratom in the past few years, Kratom use does not lead to harsh addictions and death. There are certain vendors online who have been caught mixing opioids into the kratom they sell, and this has been linked to a handful of deaths. But kratom itself? Not one death has been linked solely to kratom. It can cause withdrawals in people who go overboard with taking it, but compared to heroin and prescription painkillers like Percocet and Vicodin, that's a small price to pay. And when you compare kratom to the legal drug alcohol, it's no contest. Alcohol causes hundreds of thousands of deaths a year, and yet the FDA, DEA, and IMDB users like WVfilmfem want to attack Kratom? Give me a break. Wake up people. As another user said in their review: educate yourself.

Great documentary, Mr. Bell. Thank you for an honest film that sheds some reality on the Kratom discussion. I pray this documentary will help others out there to see the light; if Kratom becomes a Schedule I. drug, there will be a lot of deaths on the hands of the FDA, DEA, and ignorant Americans.

This stuff isn't a miracle drug and should be taken off the market

[jcpollaro · 1/10 · 12 September 2018]

I personally have been addicted to this and it's the same withdrawals as you would go through if on opiates. Was physically and mentally addicted to this tea. Spent tons of money on it and was sit as dog when I finally stopped taking this garbage. Please do your research. It's not a wonder drug at all. Hope I can help someone before they try this for the first time

Another great doc from Chris Bell

[pirate-04348 · 10/10 · 1 September 2018]

I love the style of his documentaries and this one does not disappoint. Chris interviews lots of people to get to the truth about the plant we have all heard about on the news.

Is it a hardcore harmful drug or something mild that has helped people get their lives back from chronic pain and addiction ? Watch and find out

Eye Opening and Unbiased

[kmurphy-96751 · 10/10 · 18 September 2018]

Wow! Thank you to Chris Bell for making such an informational film on Kratom. If you are a user, are interested or are just wondering what kratom is, this documentary is very informative. It's very unbiased, presenting views on both sides of the issue. Kratom is life changing for so many people, it truly is a miracle substance. Its great to see a mainstream documentary that can share so much information to hopefully help more people.

Kratom Saves Live

[faisaljamal-72754 · 10/10 · 26 November 2018]

One of the best and true documentary that shed light on the real facts of Kratom. Although, many big players are pushing hard to list it as a harmful drug but no success as benefits exceeds the side-effects.

If I could go back

[katiestallo · 1/10 · 22 October 2018]

I'd never touch it. Not once. I had all my friends and family convinced how mild it was and how it's this wonder drug for anxiety, pain relief, and depression.

I'm in my second week of detox and can say with 100% honesty that stopping kratom has been harder than stopping adderall and Xanax. This is far from mild.

Don't watch. Don't use.

Irresponsible

[WVfilmfem · 1/10 · 7 September 2018]

I was so excited after viewing this documentary about kratom. I immediately ordered a "beginner's pack" of the product. I decided to investigate further and watched several (there are many, many) videos on YouTube about kratom withdrawals, which are pretty severe!~ This is not a benign plant that should be taken with the expectation of great benefits and no consequences. There ARE consequences. I'm just saying, educate yourself and be aware.

Not a wonder drug

[samantha_menna · 1/10 · 20 September 2018]

I used Kratom to get off a prescription pain killer addiction and within a few months I was addicted to Kratom. In fact, Kratom withdrawal was WORSE. After going through the motions of being a Kratom supporter and then it's victim, I am highly disappointed in the biases of this film. They only shed a nice light in favor of Kratom while making those with a negative attitude towards it seem crazy or uninformed. Kratom IS addictive and I did go seek it habitually. If I didn't have it I went into serious withdrawal within 10 or less hours of my last use. This is not a truly informative documentary. It's very biased in favor of Kratom. They should have interviewed people like myself who initially advocated for it, took it "as prescribed" and then ended up replacing one drug for another. I have seen it help SOME people in the same way those same some people can be helped with prescription pain killers. However, those people are few and far between. While in the height of my Kratom use I worked at a head shop that sold only Kratom. My clients were there everyday, most of them had conversations with me about their addiction to it, and those who couldn't afford it would beg me for just a little bit to get them through. I literally had a list of people who owed me money for Kratom! I hope you guys do your research before jumping on the Kratom train.

Be aware and do your research..

[legna-97660 · 2/10 · 5 December 2018]

I haven't seen the documentary buuuut I have been using Kratom for a few months now. It is not a miracle drug. I do have chronic back pain and the Kratom takes it down a notch. I don't feel irritable and angry like I did on opiates. There are side effects after 10-12 hours of not taking the Kratom for me. They haven't been as bad as the opiates withdrawal but they are there none the less. I can tell you a very interesting fact in reading online. I switched to urban ice organics in October because a friend uses them. I went to order a few days ago and found that they had raised their prices which I thought was odd.. Then I read that the producer of the film owns the company where I buy my Kratom.. Makes sense that the film will be biased since this chick really is about getting rich.. Kratom is a pretty pricey switch from opiates. My opiates would cost me $40 bucks for 120 pills a month and my Kratom costs me $130/ kilo that lasts me about a month and a half. Not to mention I have no idea of the effect the powder is having on my kidneys and the long term side effects. I do believe that Kratom helps but it definitely isn't without consequences..

Dont take it

[rusty-61689 · 1/10 · 19 September 2018]

Its a totally unproven drug. This film was made by ppl who want to be millionaires. Take CBD cannabinol instead. Its legal!