Kratom Dosage Guide
Although it has been used for centuries, kratom only recently has started getting the public attention it deserves. Kratom is supposed to be a great holistic alternative to medications, providing users with numerous health benefits.
However, despite being a promising medicinal plant, more research is needed to confirm kratom’s positive effects on the human body and mind. If you’ve heard about the benefits kratom can provide and would like to learn more about it, and where to start when using kratom, this guide will provide you with all the information you need.
Below, we’ve covered all the questions one might have when starting their journey with kratom, including basic information about the plant, picking the correct kratom dosage, and ways of using kratom.
A Quick Introduction to Kratom
Since you’re here, you probably have a basic understanding of kratom. However, it’s always a good idea to ensure you got everything right before taking it (as you’d do with any other substance). Don’t worry, though. We won’t go into too much detail. We just want to refresh your memory a bit to ensure you know what kratom is before we get to the next part.
In a nutshell, kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical tree found in Southeast Asia, native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries in the region. Natives have been using kratom leaves for millennia, both for medicinal and religious reasons. The Western World, however, has only recently started to discover the plant’s effects on the body.
Essentially, it all comes down to kratom leaves. That’s where kratom’s active ingredient, mitragynine, is stored. Mitragynine is the compound responsible for interacting with the opioid receptors in the brain. This is the compound that gives kratom its stimulant-like properties, providing kratom users with physical and psychological effects.
Why Use Kratom?
Okay, you know what kratom is. Now it’s time to explain why you might find taking kratom beneficial. For this, we need to dive deeper into its supposed health benefits. While more research is required to confirm kratom benefits, current studies show a lot of promise when it comes to using kratom when dealing with issues concerning pain and anxiety.
One of the most commonly mentioned effects of kratom is its supposed soothing properties. By attaching itself to opioid receptors, kratom may help deal with pain-related issues. What’s more, 7-hydroxymitragynine – an alkaloid found in kratom – is approximately 13 times more potent than morphine.
Another benefit many kratom users mention is its mood-boosting effects. Some reports also show that kratom can be used to treat opioid addiction. More research is needed to confirm those claims, though.
Kratom can provide a significant boost of energy, motivation, and focus. White-veined kratom strain is believed to be the most beneficial when it comes to fighting fatigue and enhancing your mood.
It’s vital to note here that more research is required to confirm all these health benefits. However, with so many claims of positive kratom effects, it’s clear to see why more and more people decide to try.
Long story short, if you experience any of the problems mentioned above, kratom can be an effective solution. However, first, it’s vital to learn more about consuming it.
How to Take Kratom?
There are several ways to take kratom. Originally, people in the Southeast Asia region used to remove the leaves from kratom plants and chewed them after removing the veins. They also consumed it in the form of tea, which is still a popular way to ingest kratom.
However, with the ongoing commercialization of kratom, there are now more ways to consume it than ever. Essentially, when trying to decide which kratom products will suit you best, the most popular options include:
- kratom capsules
- kratom powder
- tinctures
- kratom edibles, e.g., gums
- kratom extracts
There are plenty of options to choose from then. It’s important to note here, though, that each option above comes with a different recommended dose of kratom. We’ll cover that in the next section.
How to Find the Correct Kratom Dose?
Picking the correct kratom dosage is not as straightforward as you might expect, especially at the beginning. In general, kratom doses can vary between 2 and 12 grams, where:
- doses lesser than 2 grams are considered microdoses
- a dosage range of 2 to 6 grams is considered a low dose
- dosages higher than 6 grams are referred to as higher doses
- a dose exceeding 8 grams is considered a heavy dose
How much kratom should you consume then? Well, that depends on three key factors:
- your size and weight – 0.025 grams/pound of bodyweight for stimulating effects and 0.04 grams/pound of bodyweight for a sedative effect
- reasons for kratom consumption – pain, anxiety and depression, opiate withdrawal, etc.
- whether you’re a regular user
The exact dose will also depend on the type of kratom product you choose, be it a kratom powder, capsules, or a kratom extract. It’s also vital to consider your individual tolerance. Also, since kratom affects each user differently, it may take a while until you figure out your correct kratom dosing.
The best rule of thumb here is to start with lower doses. Then, if you believe kratom doesn’t work as you’d expect, you can slowly increase the dosage until you get your desired effects. Essentially, when looking for the energizing effects of kratom, take low doses. When dealing with pain, higher doses should do the trick. Be careful not to overdo it and avoid taking heavy doses, which might lead to some adverse effects.
Kratom Dosage Chart
To help you calculate your ideal kratom dose, you can refer to our kratom dosage chart, where we’ve broken down the common kratom dosage ranges and their effects on a user.
How to Measure an Ideal Kratom Dose?
Once you calculate how much kratom you should consume, you need to ensure you measure the right dosage. When it comes to that, the best idea is to use a small scale. Of course, you can do it using a tablespoon or teaspoon. They aren’t as accurate, though, as various kratom powders have different levels of grind, which affects the amount of powder measured.
For instance, typically, a tablespoon of a coarse-ground kratom powder weighs approximately 2.7 grams. Fine kratom powders, however, are heavier. Usually, a tablespoon of a fine-ground kratom powder weighs around 3.5 grams. That’s roughly a full gram difference. And as explained on the chart, one gram of kratom can make a massive difference in its effects.
That being said, a small scale will provide you with the most accurate doses. If you don’t have one, though (or for some reason refuse to use it), use level scoops, preferably the same one, when measuring kratom powder.
How Long Do Kratom Effects Last?
Once you’ve measured your perfect dose of kratom, you’ll like to know when you’ll feel its effects and for how long they will last. When it comes to that, there is no one-size-fits-all rule, as it all depends on an individual.
Typically, when taking it on an empty stomach, you can expect kratom’s effects to kick in after around 30-40 minutes. The effects would appear later if you had a larger meal before consuming kratom. Usually, it takes around 90 minutes. As for how long kratom lasts, you should feel its effects for 5-6 hours. However, as said, the exact time will depend on an individual.
How Much Kratom Is Too Much?
Although kratom rarely causes any side effects, as with any other dietary supplement, it’s vital to consume kratom in a recommended dosage range. In general, it’s always best to start with lower doses and increase them slowly until you feel the desired effects. If you go overboard, too much kratom exposure can come with several undesirable side effects, including:
- dehydration
- headaches
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- sedation
- difficulty concentrating
- dizziness
How much kratom is too much kratom, though? It’s not a straightforward question to answer. In essence, it’s not recommended to go over 12-gram doses. However, as covered, it does depend on an individual. For instance, for some, a high dose of kratom (6-8 grams) might be considered too strong, whereas, for others, it’s a recommended dosage.
Essentially, it all comes down to finding your ideal dosage range and taking several precautions to ensure you take kratom in a healthy manner. And that brings us to the next point.
Tips for Taking Kratom
As said, it’s important to take several things into consideration when taking kratom, especially if you’re only at the beginning of your kratom journey. To ensure you start this journey the right way, we’ve prepared a list of guidelines that, in our opinion, all kratom users should know about.
Do Your Research
It’s always a good idea to learn as much as you can about a substance before taking it. The story is no different for kratom. For instance, there are several kratom strains, and each comes with slightly different effects. There are also various kratom products that can deliver distinctive effects.
Do your research, read guides from reputable sources, and consult your physician on whether kratom might be a recommended solution. The more you know about kratom, the higher the chances you get the most out of incorporating it into your dietary routine.
Always Buy High-Quality Kratom
Finding a tried and trusted kratom source is a must. Kratom vendors like Mount Kratom provide consumers with high-quality kratom products that are safe to use, tested by authorities, and highly effective. Going for cheap kratom brands is never a good idea, as they often contain low-quality kratom that might be hazardous to one’s health.
Find Your Perfect Dose
As you have learned by now, finding your ideal kratom dose is vital to take advantage of its supposed health benefits. However, as we’ve covered throughout this article, it’s not as straightforward as some think. If you want to ensure you get the desired effects, though, it’s a task you need to complete.
Essentially, if you’re at the start of your journey with kratom, it’s always a good idea to start with a low dose and slowly increase it until you feel it work the way you want it to. The common usages of kratom include pain relief, energy and focus increase, depression, and opiate withdrawal. Depending on your individual needs, the dose of kratom should vary between:
- 2-5 grams when dealing with pain
- 2-4 grams if you require a focus and energy boost
- 1-4 grams for mood-boosting effects
- 2-5 grams when tackling opiate withdrawal symptoms
However, as we’ve mentioned several times already, the dose will depend on your individual needs and kratom tolerance.
Stay Hydrated
One thing to know about kratom, it does a ‘great’ job dehydrating you. That being said, you should always arm yourself with a considerable amount of water before you take kratom. As a rule of thumb, you should drink as much water as you can when taking kratom. Otherwise, you might start feeling dehydration effects, such as nausea and dizziness.
Keep a Journal
Whether you like it or not, finding your perfect kratom dosage is a process of trial and error. To ensure you get things right faster, we’d recommend keeping a journal. Every time you take kratom, write down what the dosage was, what were the effects, what kind of product did you take, etc. It will allow you to figure out the ideal dose and desired kratom strain to provide you with the results you want.
Key Takeaways
If you’re new to kratom, finding the ideal dose will take some time. As covered, kratom dosage will depend on numerous factors, such as your weight, as well as the effects you want to achieve. There’s also the case of your individual tolerance to kratom. Long story short, there are many things to consider.
However, as you’ve learned, finding that perfect kratom dose is an absolute must if you wish to incorporate it into your dietary regime. Going overboard might cause undesired side effects like nausea or headaches, whereas taking too little won’t provide you with the results you seek.
Hopefully, after reading our guide, you now know how much kratom you should take and how to measure it correctly. Also, remember to always use high-quality kratom powder coming from reputable and regulated vendors like Mount Kratom and ensure you stay hydrated when taking it. And if you have any more questions regarding kratom and kratom products, refer to our FAQs section and blog, where you’ll find more information regarding this miraculous plant and the effects it can provide.
