There is growing interest in the benefits and use of kratom. Although kratom has been a staple of folk remedies and traditional medicine in the east, it has relatively recently been introduced into the western world.
With the increasing prominence of kratom, there is more interest in what it does and how to take it. It may seem to some like an easy process, but for newcomers, taking kratom might be a little mystifying.
The popular media tends to skip over the finer points of most things. While you may have read things about kratom, the basic ideas of how to take kratom and its effects may not be that obvious. After all, kratom is a plant, and the ways to take it may not be immediately recognizable.
How do you take kratom? Are there different ways to take kratom? What happens when you take kratom? How much kratom should you take? These are great questions. This guide will give you the basic information on how to take kratom and what to expect when you take kratom.
How To Take Kratom
Kratom comes in several forms. The leaves are often ground into a powder and made available for easy consumption. Sometimes the leaves are simply dried and packaged. There are also kratom extracts. These last require a bit more information, but we will get to that.
There are some simple ways to take kratom. Because it is a natural substance, little more than leaves much like tea, it is easily consumed.
How To Take Kratom Powder
There are several ways to take kratom powder. One of the most popular and effective ways to take kratom powder is in the form of a tea. There are other ways to take kratom powder, but this is probably the most palatable.
Some kratom users report that the effects of kratom are enhanced by taking it in the form of a tea. This is likely due to the rapid absorption of the kratom alkaloids. This is the method recommended for people who are taking kratom to relax.
What is more, kratom tea generally does not produce a common side effect of kratom commonly referred to as the “wobbles.” The wobbles happen when you have difficulty focusing your eyes. This leads to dizziness in some people.
You can even flavor your tea with some fresh lemon or with honey or sugar. The acids in lemon (or lime) will preserve the alkaloids in kratom and make your tea especially effective. Kratom tea can be chilled and consumed iced.
How To Prepare Kratom Tea
Use a sieve or fine mesh to filter the water through the kratom powder. Heat one-half cup of water to boil. Let the water cool for about 10 minutes (you do not want it boiling. Just hot enough to dissolve the alkaloids). Remove the kratom powder when the water becomes a deep orange or yellow. Drink and enjoy.
A Word About Serving Size
The serving size for kratom tea (and most other forms of kratom) is fairly easy to calculate. If you are new to taking kratom, you will want to go with a small serving to see how it affects you.
- Mild: 1 gram
- Moderate: 3 grams
- Basic effects for most users: 5 grams
- Intense Effects: 10 grams
- Extreme effects (only for experienced kratom users): 15 grams
Since kratom is a natural substance, as opposed to a synthetic, the level of alkaloids in any given strain can vary.
How To Toss And Wash Kratom
The toss and wash method is exactly what it sounds like: you toss the kratom back and wash it down with water or some other liquid like juice. There are a few advantages of the toss and wash method. For one, you get the kratom down quickly and completely. Toss and wash also reduce the taste of the kratom powder which can be bitter and unpleasant. Toss and wash also get you a full serving in one quick movement.
Finally, kratom powder can stick to your mouth. This can be unpleasant. By washing it down with some kind of juice or with water, you make it easy to swallow the kratom powder.
Your drink is not that important, this is a matter of taste. You can use water, apple juice, or orange juice and do the following:
- Take a sip of water or juice and hold it in your mouth.
- Take half the desired serving of kratom with a spoon.
- Take another sip of water or juice to wash down the rest of the powder.
- Repeat these steps to achieve the desired serving. Usually two.
There are advantages to using the toss and wash method. Taking the powder directly in this way produces effects quickly. The disadvantage is that it can be hard to get a precise serving. The other thing about toss and wash for many kratom users is you cannot avoid the taste of the kratom. Some people find the bitter flavor to be intolerable. If this is the case for you, kratom pills might be the answer.
How To Take Kratom Pills
Certainly, one of the easiest ways to take kratom in the form of a pill You can purchase kratom capsules that are already measured and filled. Taking kratom in the form of a pill or capsule is easy, convenient, and a great way to be discreet about taking kratom.
You can make your kratom capsules by buying the empty capsules from the same place you buy your kratom. This can be tricky, and there is no way to fill the capsules with the same accuracy as a professional supplier.
Another downside of using kratom pills is that most people need to take too many of them to get the desired effects. There is simply so little kratom in a pill that many people find they need to take 10-12 capsules just to get the desired effects they are after.
But ultimately, kratom pills are easy, convenient, and discreet. There are real advantages to kratom pills.
Kratom With Food
Kratom is a herb. To this end, it can be taken with food. The main disadvantage of taking kratom with food is that it can take longer to achieve the desired effects but you can get the effects of kratom by mixing it with some kinds of food, and this is an easy and tasty way to take kratom.
Taking kratom on an empty stomach is the best way to get the effects quickly. One of the easiest and most effective ways to mix kratom with food is to mix into yogurt. You can even sweeten the yogurt with some honey to make for a delicious and healthy snack that also packs the pleasant effects of kratom.
Another great way to mix kratom with food is to make your fresh juices. Using a quality juicer, you can mix things like apples, carrots, fresh ginger, and kratom. This makes your usual healthy juice, and it carries all the benefits of kratom.
How Long Does Kratom Take To Kick In?
If you take kratom on an empty stomach you can expect to feel the full effects in about 20-30 minutes. If you take kratom on a full stomach you can expect it to take 45-60 minutes to feel the full effects.
This said, the toss and wash method on an empty stomach will get you effects faster than any other. Tea is probably a close second in terms of length of time to feel effects. You should feel the kratom within about 30 minutes.
Taking kratom with food necessarily buffers the effects of the kratom. You will feel the full effects, but they will take longer to set in and the feelings may be more gradual. Some people prefer taking kratom with food as it allows them to manage the effects of the kratom more easily.
How Often Can You Take Kratom?
The effects of kratom generally last anywhere from five to seven hours. It is recommended that you wait until the effects of one serving have subsided before you take another. That said, many people take kratom for specific therapeutic reasons.
If you take kratom to achieve a specific therapeutic goal, you may want to take regular servings at about 5-7 hour intervals. Do not continue this for more than about three days. You need to give your body a rest and allow your body to detox periodically.
How Much Kratom To Take?
It is important to keep in mind that kratom is a natural substance. The concentrations of the alkaloids in kratom can vary from one batch to another. The alkaloid concentrations vary from one strain of kratom to another.
Also, your metabolism will partially determine how much kratom you can take. Some people are extremely sensitive to the effects of kratom and require only small servings to achieve the desired effects. Others need much more kratom to feel anything at all.
As a general rule of thumb, you can work with the following guidelines:
- Small Serving for Mild Effects: 2 grams
- Moderate Serving: 4- 6 grams
- High Serving: 8-10 grams
These servings are for kratom powder. You can adjust accordingly for capsules or tea. Keep in mind that some strains of kratom produce much more pronounced effects. If you are new to kratom, start with a small serving first.
Also, remember that the serving of kratom depends in some measure on the desired effects. Lower serving, for most strains of kratom, tend to produce more relaxing effects. Higher servings, will give you a boost of energy.
Is Kratom Safe To Take Every Day?
Kratom is a plant and it is similar to coffee. Like any other plant that alters your body chemistry and produces specific effects, it can have side effects and the cumulative effect of taking kratom can lead to other issues.
It is a good idea to take a break from kratom for periods. It always makes sense to allow your body chemistry and metabolism to return to a normal state. You can give your body time to detox. This is as true of coffee as it is for kratom.
The key to using kratom is to listen to your own body. If you are experiencing the side effects of kratom, take some time off from using it. Allow your body to rejuvenate and detox. Any substance can have cumulative effects when taken too much.
Conclusion
If you are new to kratom, you may feel like you are grasping at things when it comes to how to take kratom and how much you should take. It is easy to feel intimidated when the only information you have is unreliable word of mouth.
This guide should provide you with the basics of how to take kratom. The most important thing to keep in mind is that kratom will naturally affect some people more than others. If you use caution and a little common sense, you will be able to take kratom for your specific needs without any unwanted effects or experiences.
Kratom may produce calming effects when taken in the right quantities, and it can give you an natural energy boost if taken in other quantities. Each strain of kratom is different, and you can adjust your serving according to the strain. In any case, there are multiple ways to take kratom according to your needs and tastes.
Whether you want to toss and wash to get the full effect quickly or you want to sip a kratom tea to allow the effects of kratom to wash over you, you can easily find a way to take kratom that works for you. Mix a little of your favorite strain of kratom into a yogurt smoothie and let the effects come on slowly.
Again, the main thing to keep in mind is your body chemistry and metabolism. If you are new, start with a small serving and see how you feel. If you have experience with kratom. Toss and wash a strain known to produce the right effects and enjoy.
