Kratom: The Ultimate Users Guide

Welcome to Kratom: The Ultimate Guide! All of our resources on every topic we could think of are right here. This is your one-stop-shop for Kratom information!

Introduction

So, what exactly is Kratom? Mitragyna speciosa is an evergreen tree related to coffee that can grow to heights of over 80 feet and is native to Southeast Asia. It has been used in traditional medicine for at least hundreds of years. Traditionally, raw leaves were chewed by laborers to relieve pain and increase energy. Today, Kratom has similar uses; it acts like an opioid (but is not!) in the body, and is often used to relieve pain, increase energy, alleviate anxiety and depression, and much more. However, now it is common practice for the leaves to be dried and powdered for ease of dosage.

Head on over to our Kratom for beginners overview blog to read more about some Kratom basics.

How it Works

The Science

When Kratom enters your system is acts similarly to an opioid. However, let’s clarify that it most certainly is not an opioid. Other things like chocolate, coffee, and exercise also react with the brain in this way. Kratom produces these effects with the presence of certain alkaloids. Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds. Or, part of the stuff that makes up plant matter. Some plants have alkaloids that are toxic to humans. However, these particular alkaloids work wonders for people.

Further, studies have found that these alkaloids produce opioid like effects on the muscle systems of animals. In fact, scientists isolated these compounds, and found that most of the opioid-like activity present has been attributed to the presence of certain “indole” alkaloids. These compounds relieve pain, as well as block the brain’s detection of painful stimulus.

To read more in depth, visit our blog that explores the available science and literature on Kratom.

Leaf Vein Colors

Kratom comes in three main colors: green, red, and white. These are the “color veins.” These vein color differences come from the maturity of the plant. So, white vein comes from a young tree. Green vein is from a maturing plant. And, red vein is from a fully mature plant. There are also yellow vein strains emerging. The process of drying the leaves also has effects on the color of the product and the alkaloids present.

Effects

Kratom has a wide variety of benefits, depending on the color and strain. Particularly, any of our customers will attest to its pain relieving properties. In fact, pain relief is one of the top reasons people turn to this leaf. You can read more about our strain recommendations if you’re looking to manage your pain here.

Kratom is also great for boosting energy when taken in the proper dosages. Check out our blog on which Kratom is the best for energy for our recommendations there. Additionally, it can help you to improve your focus throughout your day, relieve anxiety, and boost your mood. Certain strains help to wake you up in the morning and some strains can help you fall asleep at night.

Another big important effect is that it can help people recover from opioid addiction. Since this leaf acts similarly to an opioid in the body, it is very effective at easing withdrawal symptoms. Head over to our blog on Kratom’s top benefits to read more detail about the effects, and hear some of our own customer’s stories about how Kratom has helped their lives.

Is Kratom Safe?

Kratom has been the subject of a lot of banter and speculation. Consequently, like a lot of herbal remedies- take CBD and marijuana, Kratom has had some very negative feedback from media and government. That’s why we encourage you to do your own research, and here you are! The facts are that the DEA backed down from taking action to make it a Schedule I drug after an outpour from medical professionals and the community at large urging to keep the powder available. You can read more about that here, as well as more myths that the FDA is spreading falsely.

Nevertheless, products are getting safer. The attention it has received has caused greater market competition, and this is driving the powder quality up. There is an organization, The American Kratom Association, that focuses on safety, and keeping this organic supplement available to the public. This is their vision:

The American Kratom Association was formed in 2014 and officially launched in 2015, to protect the right of all Americans to use the natural botanical Kratom for improved health and well-being. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a natural analgesic which has been used for hundreds of years to safely alleviate pain, combat fatigue and help with the effects of anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, the spread of misinformation, both scientific and anecdotal, about Kratom has created a challenging regulatory environment. The American Kratom Association was formed to organize and represent a community of responsible consumers, provide the general public with clarification surrounding matters of health and wellness where Kratom could play an important role, educate lawmakers and regulators and support scientific research efforts.

Kratom VS Opiates

When talking about Kratom safety we think it’s important to consider the alternatives. This powder is used as an alternative to opiates. With the scale of the opioid epidemic in the United States, this natural supplement is surely a much safer alternative.

There are many Kratom users who take it to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms from opioid addiction. The opioid epidemic in the U.S. is staggering, and people are using Kratom to effectively get out from under those harsh drugs. 

Is Kratom Addictive?

Kratom is not addictive in the way that prescription opiates are. However, it can cause dependence in the way that caffeine or nicotine can. We want to be up front with our customers and tell you that yes, Kratom can cause dependence, and there are withdrawal symptoms associated. However, these withdrawal symptoms are very mild in most cases, usually only lasting a few days. We urge our customers to be aware of Kratom’s abuse potential, and maintain a responsible and healthy relationship with Kratom. We have a blog with much more detail if you would like to learn more.

User Experiences

With a little looking, you can easily find thousands upon thousands of testimonials from Kratom users whose lives it has changed. There are forums, YouTube and written testimonials, and even a letter to the U.S. Senate from prominent scientists urging that the leaf be kept legal and available “because there is a foreseeable negative public health consequence if legal kratom is banned: thousands of former opioid users will be at risk of returning to high-risk opioid use and may add to our nation’s opioid overdose epidemic.” You can also visit our Facebook page and hear the reviews from our own customers.

The video below is produced by the American Kratom Association and shows multiple testimonials about the powder’s benefits.

History of Kratom

Kratom has been used in traditional medicine practices since the nineteenth century. Starting in the 1800’s scientists began to document its usage, and the plant was officially classified and given its scientific name, Mitragyna Speciosa.

Fast forward to the 1900’s, and Kratom was legal in Thailand, but started to grow in popularity. The Thai government found it to threaten the opium market, and dubbed it illegal. It stayed that way until 2018, but workers still found ways to use it for their troubles. But, the leaf becoming legal opened the door for medical and scientific advancement.

In the U.S., Kratom has never been federally banned, though there are local laws and regulations in different states that regulate or outlaw it. But, this leaf is becoming much more in the spotlight, and the science and medical community are taking notice. Kratom has been the subject of much more research in recent years.

Check out our more in depth blog about the history of Kratom for more information!

How its Made

Kratom production is a pretty interesting process. I mean, these trees can be over 80 feet tall! And somebody has to get up there to get those leaves down. So, a worker climbs up the tree, and plucks individual leaves. After harvest, workers wash, dry, crush, and powder the leaves. Then, the powder goes into capsules or bags. It is important that the product packaging is air tight. This is because Kratom is organic and biodegradable. Our blog about the whole process has video examples and a more detailed look at every step of production.

Where to Buy

So, there are a LOT of places out there to buy Kratom. The gas station. Your local headshop. Pretty much everywhere online. But there are some issues with just buying your Kratom from anywhere. As with most anything from gas stations, sure, you can get it there. But, is that really where you want to get it from? As far as headshops go, it is very common that Kratom isn’t their main offering. A lot of these shops sell Kratom, but they don’t really know what it is. The workers usually aren’t knowledgeable about the product, and they are unable to make recommendations based on your needs. At best, most headshops are running with whatever Kratom they get in that week, and they can tell you that there are different colors.

Fortunately, there are tons of reputable online sources for Kratom. Unfortunately, there are a lot of poor quality bulk suppliers online. So, when looking to buy online, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you are getting top quality Kratom. Look around their website before you go to the product page. Can you get to know them? Any place you buy Kratom from should be easy to contact and quick to respond. They should be experts on Kratom and be able to talk to you one on one about your specific needs and what strains will work for you. Read more about experiences buying Kratom from different locations and tips on selecting quality vendors on our blog, here.

How to Take It

Now you’ve got this powder, what do you do with it, exactly? Well, there are quite a few ways to take Kratom. Since you can add it to food, I guess you could say the possibilities are endless, really. But, the powder generally just gets washed down medicine style. Powder straight to the mouth and chug it down with your liquid of choice. Just be careful not to inhale it! However, Kratom can have a flavor that is… not most people’s favorite. Let’s call it “earthy.” So, there are ways to avoid its taste full force. Some people enjoy making tea out of their Kratom, and sipping on it sweetened to their liking. We’ve heard of users who add it to yogurt or smoothies. And of course, we’ve packaged it into capsules so that you don’t have to worry about the flavor at all if you don’t want to.

If you want to read more about ways of taking Kratom, or see video examples of how to make Kratom tea, check out this blog for more information.

Taking Kratom Responsibly

Finding the correct dosage of Kratom for you is essential for being a responsible user. There are some horror stories out there. Usually, these are from people taking entirely too much for a first dose. You have to start small, and be patient with finding the dose that works for you.

But, there isn’t a recommended dosage, like with a prescription you might get from your doctor. Typically, a teaspoon of Kratom is a single dose. Start with one, document how you feel, and keep track of your dosage until you find the sweet spot! Additionally, Kratom comes in capsules, which can make measurements much easier. Read our full blog on using Kratom responsibly to learn more.

Taking Kratom and CBD

CBD is different from Kratom, but it does work to alleviate some of the same problems. CBD is a compound made from the hemp plant. Legal CBD contains little to no THC, and does not get you high. Read more about the differences between CBD and Kratom here.

Taking CBD and Kratom together can be beneficial for managing serious chronic pain. However, if used incorrectly, the combination of the two can be overwhelming. Care needs to go into both the timing and the dosages of Kratom and CBD together to ensure that it is effective and safe. Read up on how to take Kratom and CBD together responsibly here.

Is it Legal in my State?

In the U.S. Kratom is legal in most states, but there are states that have a ban. Additionally, there are even cities within legal states that have banned the substance themselves. So, be sure to check out your local laws and make sure that can legally buy and use the powder. You can check out this map with updated information about Kratom laws.

Does Kratom show up on a drug test?

Even if you are living in a legal state, drug tests can be worrisome. Not to worry, the likelihood of getting tested for Kratom is very, very low. While it is entirely possible to run a drug test on someone for this leaf, it is not common. The bottom line is, testing someone for Kratom is expensive, and most places just don’t do it. To read more about drug testing, head on over to our blog for more details.

Can you Grow Kratom at Home?

The short answer? Yes! If you really want to, you can absolutely grow this tree at home. The honest answer? It’s going to take a good amount of time and money, and you’re probably never going to be able to grow enough for yourself if you use it regularly. This tree is a picky plant, so you have to ensure that its very specific needs are being met. If you want to grow Kratom, check out our guide to buying and growing Kratom plants.

Conclusion

If you came here with a question about Kratom, we hope we answered it! If you think of a topic we forgot to mention, tell us in the comments or shoot us an email. We really encourage you to spend some time with the information in this guide. Explore the links and resources, and learn as much as you can about Kratom before you buy. We love informed customers!