These last several years have seen a boom in the popularity of kratom. Proponents attest that it can improve mood, relieve stress, and improve mental focus. And amid calls to rein in opioid use, some former opioid users are hailing kratom as the answer to their chronic pain issues.
With all of this publicity, many people are looking to try kratom for the first time, but don’t quite know where to begin. Questions like how to take kratom are common, though very important to ask.
In the spirit of making kratom easy to understand, here’s a short primer on what it is and how to use it safely and effectively.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant from the Mitragyna Speciosa family. This evergreen tree hails from parts of Southeast Asia like Thailand, the Philipines, and Malaysia. In some parts of these countries, the plant has long been recognized for its stimulating and sedative effects and has found use in medicine, cultural rites, and recreation.
The effects associated with kratom use are caused by naturally occurring alkaloids. Kratom leaves come in three colors: red, green, and white. Each of these leaves has a different alkaloid profile and can produce different effects.
How Can I Use It?
For much of its history, the most common way to use kratom was to simply chew the leaves. This causes a low but steady dose of kratoms active compounds to be released and absorbed through the gums.
This low dose of kratom is associated with its physically and mentally stimulating properties. Laborers would use kratom leaves to help them work harder for longer, staving off physical exhaustion and wavering mental focus.
The next most basic means of using kratom is to brew it into a tea. This particular method is probably the most popular in the United States, and many cities have seen a boom of dedicated kratom bars serving up their own custom recipes.
And finally, we have extracts and capsules. These pre-prepared doses tend to be more potent than chewing or brewing. For that reason, you will want to order from reputable sources like The Kratom Connection to ensure that you’re getting a safe product, and always follow manufacturer instructions.
So How Do You Dose Kratom?
As with many herbal supplements, kratom can affect different people to different degrees. For that reason, a certain amount of experimentation is required to find the right amount of kratom for you.
If you are ordering kratom at a cafe, ask the staff for advice. Typically, they will have a selection of options in varying potencies and will be able to start you off with a mild choice. For capsules and extracts, always start with lower-potency choices and take the smallest amounts to gauge your reaction.
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, so the key with kratom or any other supplement is always to start conservatively and then build up to a level that you’re comfortable with.
Asking “How Much Kratom Should I Take” Is Just the Beginning
Kratom is a fascinating plant that seems to show a great deal of potential in treating a variety of ailments.
For first-timers, it’s natural to feel nervous or to have questions like “how much kratom should I take” in the back of your mind. But when taken responsibly and in moderation, you can rest easy.
And for more reading on living your best life, be sure to keep up with the latest from our blog.