What Is Kratom?
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical Southeast Asian tree with stimulating, and uplifting characteristics, as well as opiate-like properties that promote drowsiness and euphoria depending on the strain consumed. Kratom includes thousands of active components, making it difficult to classify as a single type of substance such as “stimulant” or “opiate.” The two principal molecules, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, have significant activity at the primary opioid receptor, the “mu” receptor. This plant is commonly consumed orally, as a tea or as a pill, with sugar added to disguise its severe bitterness.
What Is The Difference Between All Of The Different Strains?
As mentioned above Kratom is an interesting plant. Closely related to the coffee plant kratom is often known for its stimulating effects. Kratom can also be used for pain relief, sleep, mood enhancement and has even been proven in helping withdrawal symptoms.
The easiest way to break down the differences are by looking at the main colors:
Red Vein
Red Vein Kratom powders come from leaf with bright red veins. The red hue is created from the high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine in this particular plant. 7-hydroxymitragynine is the alkaloid responsible for pain relief and sedation as it is a potent mu-opioid agonist.
These strains are a fast acting kratom and you’ll be able to expect pain relief within 45 minutes of taking it.
Generally red vein strains are used by users who suffer from insomnia, need pain relief, or are using it to get off of opiates. Keep in mind, though red strains are meant for pain relief and sedation some red strains are more energizing than others such as the Red Bali strain. The more energizing red strains are great as a daytime pain relieving kratom.
Green Vein
Green Vein Kratom powders come from very deep green colored leaves. These strains are the most common as well as give the most balanced overall effects. Depending on the strain of green you get some can be more stimulating and some more sedating.
Overall Green Vein is the most balanced and great for mood enhancement and its nootropic abilities. A Green Vein Kratom would likely be the best choice for a beginner.
White Vein
White Vein Kratom is the most stimulating of the strains. These strains contain high amounts of mitragynine which is the alkaloid similar to caffeine in coffee.
This type of Kratom is your natural adderall. Though each strain has varying levels of stimulation, all white kratom will get you going just like your morning cup of joe!
What About Blended Kratom Powders? Are They any Good?
Blended Powders are just several different colors blended together to create something that caters more specifically to what you need. The most common blends you’ll see advertised are “sleep blend” or “workout/energy blend” An Example of a good sleep blend would be a Red Vein Sumatra and Red Vein Borneo. And a White Vein Thai and White Vein Maeng Da would be a great mix for a workout blend.
The Entourage Effect:
If you are familiar with THC or the CBD Market you’ve likely heard of the “entourage effect” If you haven’t heard of this phenomena, it essentially explains that mixing multiple cannabinoids together vs using just in example CBN to sleep.
The same goes for kratom and its alkaloids. Kratom has over 40 different alkaloids the most common being mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, paynantheine, and speciogynine. When blending several different colors/strains it turns it into a “full spectrum” kratom as its giving you an optimal balance of alkaloids from several different strains.
Do The Regional Names Attached To The Strains Mean Anything?
For the most part regional names are used as a marketing gimmick. While there are some minor differences in potency/amount of alkaloids in the different strains per region this is mainly do to the way its processed not due to the region it came from. Most brands say Maeng Da is the most potent type of strain, while others say a Thai is due to its higher alkaloid content. To Sum it up, I wouldn’t allow a region name to carry to much weight when choosing the kratom product best for you!
I’ve Heard About Kratom Powder, But What About Kratom Extract?
Extract is considered the dabs of kratom. Essentially kratom extract is a more concentrated form of kratom powder.
Leaf powder comes from leaves being dried and crushed into a fine powder.
The Process
Extract goes further by boiling the kratom powder until it turns into a tea. They then remove any solids from the tea and use a simmering process that causes the water in the tea to evaporate. This leaves behind a sticky concentrated paste of alkaloids which can be used in shots, teas, tinctures etc.
The main takeaway besides the process in which its made being different is that extracts are 10x stronger than a regular powder.
It can come in both powder form as well as liquid form. The most common form you’ll see it used as is in liquid kratom shots.
Kratom Use For Beginners : What Are The Most Common Ways To Use Kratom?
There are numerous types of ways to consume kratom, none of which will taste good. At least we warned you!
If you are a first time user we would suggest starting with powder capsules. This is going to be the simplest way to ingest it. The math is already done for you, its already capped, swallow it down with water and there’s no taste.
The most common way to ingest kratom is buying bulk powder. This option takes a little bit more work and some equipment (french press/food scale) This way you measure out the dosage you want brew an urn and pour over ice and add stevia to taste. We find that drinking it very cold with stevia cuts out MOST of the bitter taste.
More Experienced Options:
The second most common way to ingest kratom is by buying a pre made extract shot like a Nodzilla or OPMS. These are an easy grab and go way to get it in. Take it like you would take a 5 hour energy shot. I’d recommend keeping a chaser close by as some of these shots taste awful.
Some of the more less common ways of taking kratom are doing what’s called a “toss and wash” Which is taking the dosage you want on a spoon tossing it in your mouth and washing it down with water (personally wouldn’t recommend this even being used to the taste.)
A less common, but becoming more popular way to ingest kratom is via edibles. Thus far I’ve seen gummies as well as cookies and nerd ropes. Most Kratom edibles are going to be made with extract vs powder if you are trying to stay away from extract or limit it in your consumption for tolerance purposes this might not be the best option for you.
What Dosage Of Kratom Should I Take?
As with most things dosage varies depending on several factors. Are you going to be taking an extract? Are you going to take just powder? Have you used it before, what’s your tolerance?
These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself when taking kratom yourself as well as recommending it to others.
The Takeaway-
The belief in the space currently is that 2-4 grams is a good starting place dosage wise for a beginner. 6-12 grams is considered a higher dose of kratom.
Keep in mind with most companies now a days a capsules is a half gram. So you would need to take 8 capsules for a 4 gram dose.
When dealing with extract you need significantly less as an extract is 10x the strength of regular powder. Most extract products are already properly dosed out for you so its not to much of a hassle.
How Long Do The Effects Of Kratom Last? Can I Take Kratom At Work?
Just like anything we ingest into our bodies there are a lot of variables that come into play in regards to how quickly any substance will effect us. The general consensus is that most experiences last 4-6 hours.
This can very based on metabolism, route of ingestion if you took it on an empty stomach etc.
It doesn’t have any intoxicating or psychotropic capabilities so its the perfect supplement to take anytime including work!
Is Kratom Legal In My State?
Yes, it is legal in most states but do to its opioid like characteristics it is under constant scrutiny. Legislation has been worked on to federally ban it several times none of which has passed through due to the highly beneficial use of the plant in dealing with opiate abuse and withdrawal. We will list the most current up to date legality by state below:
- Alabama –is illegal in Alabama. In 2016, Alabama banned mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which are the two most common alkaloids in kratom.
- Alaska – is legal.
- Arizona – is legal.
- Arkansas – is illegal
- California – is legal, except within the city limits of San Diego and Oceanside.
- Colorado – is legal, except in the towns of Monument and Parker.
- Connecticut – is legal.
- Delaware – is legal.
- Florida – is legal, except within Sarasota County.
- Georgia – is legal and regulated by the Kratom Consumer Protection Act.
- Hawaii – is legal.
- Idaho – is legal.
- Illinois – is legal for people over the age of 18, except in Jerseyville and Alton.
- Indiana – is illegal
- Iowa – is legal.
- Kansas – is legal.
- Kentucky – is legal.
- Louisiana – is legal.
- Maine – is legal.
- Maryland – is legal.
- Massachusetts – is legal.
- Michigan – is legal.
- Minnesota – is legal.
- Mississippi – is illegal in several counties.
- Missouri – is legal.
So Many States….
- Montana- is legal.
- Nebraska – is legal.
- Nevada – is legal.
- NH – is legal for individuals over the age of 18, except in Franklin City.
- NJ – is legal.
- NM– is legal.
- NY – is legal.
- North Carolina – is legal for people over the age of 18.
- North Dakota – is legal.
- Ohio – is legal.
- Oklahoma – is legal.
- Oregon – is legal.
- Pennsylvania – is legal.
- Rhode Island – is illegal in Rhode Island.
- South Carolina- is legal.
- South Dakota – is legal.
- Tennessee – is legal for those over the age of 21. Tennessee enforces labeling requirements for kratom products.
- Texas – is legal.
- Utah – is legal.
- Vermont – is illegal.
- Virginia – is legal.
- Washington – is legal.
- West Virginia – is legal.
- Wisconsin – is illegal.
- Wyoming – is legal.
More Resources:
Brand And Product Reviews
Happy Hippo Herbals Brand Review
How To
How To Pick The Best Extract Shot For Me
FAQS
