Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia. Before reaching the western countries, it was a part of the indigenous Southeast Asian culture for thousands of years. Kratom was even considered a folk medicine used as a stimulant.
Rural workers and peasants in Thailand and other countries chewed kratom leaves during hard and monotonous working days. It helped them stay alert and maintain a good mood.
Nowadays, the popularity of kratom in the west is growing. Even despite the FDA’s claims that it’s a dangerous drug.
Users choose it for pain, anxiety, and stress relief, as well as means of boosting their mood.
Kratom is available in powder form, capsules, as well as extract. Which one is the best way to take kratom? And which should you buy? Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is made by finely grinding dried kratom leaves. Farmers and harvesters pick kratom leaves and dry them either indoors or outdoors. The exact processing method depends on the kratom vein type.
The Advantages of Kratom Powder
It’s thr most widely available for that kratom comes in. You’ll likely be able to easily find your favorite vein type and strand.
In addition, the body can assimilate it quickly. As a result, you can experience its effects much faster than after taking kratom capsules. The onset of the results is also going to be more intense, and you will likely be able to feel when the kratom “kick in”.
Since manufacturers only need to pack kratom powder, it’s cheaper than kratom capsules or extract.
There are multiple ways in which you can take kratom powder. You can make krato tea, or you mix it with water, juice, yogurt, smoothies, or even applesauce.
Is it the best way to take kratom, though? Let’s look at the disadvantages.
The Disadvantages of Kratom Powder
The downside of taking kratom powder is that it tends to have a bitter taste and a specific smell. If you’ve ever tried matcha. Or strong over-steeped green tea. While there are people who don’t mind or even like it, many describe it as “horrible”, “disgusting”, or even “pungent”.
However, not every kratom powder is the same. Depending on the vendor, some powders will be more bitter while others will be a lot more tolerable and wouldn’t taste nearly as bad.
There are vendors who have selected kratom powders that do not taste bad at all.
While swallowing kratom powder, it can stick to the tongue or throat, having you feel the bitter taste for longer. Or you may simply not feel comfortable swallowing it.
Kratom powder needs to be measured and prepared before taking it. That makes it more difficult to use if you need to transport it, for instance, to work, gym, or if you are spending time outdoors. The easiest method is Toss’n’wash, but even then, you need to measure your dose.
Another minus is that you need to measure and move it carefully. Or you risk spilling the fine powder everywhere. You’ll not only waste some of the product but will also need to clean it up later.
Kratom Capsules
Because of kratom’s peculiar taste and the need for preparation, people have sought easier ways of taking it. Therefore, a number of vendors offer kratom capsules in addition to the standard powder.
Kratom capsules come in 5 different sizes:
- Size 000 – each capsule contains 1 gram of kratom
- Size 00 – each capsule contains 0.735 grams of kratom
- Size 0 – each capsule contains 0.5 grams of kratom
- Size 1 – each capsule contains 0.4 grams of kratom
- Size 2 – each capsule contains 0.3 grams of kratom
The Advantages of Kratom Capsules
First of all, kratom capsules are much more convenient to use than kratom powder. It’s easier to measure your dose if you know exactly how much kratom goes into each capsule. You also will not be making a mess as you would with preparing kratom powder.
Kratom capsules are much more convenient to transport. You can easily take them to work, on your day out and around the city, a hike, a holiday, and similar.
Since kratom capsules are much easier to swallow and there’s a barrier between the powder and your taste buds, you won’t actually taste the kratom. This can be helpful if you do not like its taste or the smell bothers you.
The Disadvantages of Kratom Capsules
Kratom capsules are more expensive than powder. It takes extra time, resources, and manpower to create them, which results in a price increase. Also, not many manufacturers produce them.
Not every vendor will offer kratom capsules. Or they may not have every single kratom variety in capsule form. Likely, only the most popular strains. So, even if your go-to vendor has your favorite type of kratom, they may not necessarily have it available in capsules.
Since the powder is coated in the capsules, it takes it longer for the body to break them down and absorb. Because of that, it’ll take longer for you to start experiencing the results and the onset may also be much slower. Some users also report that they don’t feel the results at the same intensity.
Most capsules are made of gelatin. If you are taking a larger dose of kratom, then the amount gelatin and any other additives that the coating is made of may upset your stomach.
The coating may also contain chemicals you may not be aware of, such as substances you may be allergic to. To avoid that, purchase kratom capsules only from vendors whom you trust.
Depending on the material of the coating, kratom capsules may not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans. However, if you are one, you can also purchase kratom powder and make your own capsules at home using vegetarian or cellulose-based coating. It will also be much cheaper than buying ready capsules.
Kratom Extract
Kratom extract is kratom in concentrated form. To produce it, experts brew crushed or powdered leaves for a long period of time. After most of the water evaporates, a thick paste that contains a strong concentration of primary kratom ingredients is left.
This paste can then be further made into a concentrated powder, oil, tincture, or resin.
Kratom extracts are usually graded by a digit followed by “x”, such as 1x, 10x, 15x, or other. That indicated how much kratom was used to produce 1 gram of concentrate. For example, 10x means that 10 grams of kratom were reduced to 1 gram of kratom extract.
The Advantages of Kratom Extract
As kratom extract is a concentrated form of kratom, you can take smaller and more powerful doses. You’ll experience the same results as taking kratom in power for, yet you’ll require a much smaller amount to achieve the same result.
If you’re taking kratom extract in liquid form, your body will be able to absorb it faster. So, you’ll experience faster results.
You can also use kratom extracts such as tincture and oil topically. For instance, you can make kratom soap or add it to cosmetics, such as home-made body lotion.
The Disadvantages of Kratom Extract
The process of making the kratom extract is lengthy and pricey, and it needs experts to do it. That results in a much higher price.
Some users report coming across extracts laced with opioids and other substances. Therefore, if you do choose to use kratom extract, make sure you purchase it from a trustworthy and credible vendor. Do not go for the first most affordable option online. Also, check the content of the extract before you purchase it and make sure it is pure alkaloid extract.
While reviews on this vary, there are a number of users who report having developed tolerance to kratom extract much quicker than to kratom powder.
The potency of the extract will depend not only on its concentration, but also on what strain it comes from. Because of this, it can be hard to measure the appropriate dose of kratom extract that you should take.
Because of this, kratom extract also poses a greater risk of overdose.
Other Types of Kratom
Apart from the types mentioned above, you can also find crushed kratom leaves. While less popular than kratom powder, it is available through some vendors.
If kratom powder has the stems and veins removed, crushed kratom leaves contain all parts of the kratom leaf. Because of this, the alkaloid content is different and some report it being stronger than kratom powder.
The downside is you don’t have as many options, because you can only use to make tea. However, if you are a kratom tea lover, this may be the right type for you.
Which Is the Best Way to Take Kratom?
To be completely honest with you, our choice is kratom powder. It’s easily available, contains pure kratom only, and, once you get the hang of it, is rather easy to use.
Yet, that’s the best way to take kratom for us. The type that best suits your needs and preferences will completely depend on you.
Also, the type of kratom you choose is not as important as the vendor. Make sure you carefully select whom you purchase your kratom from. Choose someone who is trustworthy, reliable, and transparent about their sources, practices, and kratom testing.
Have you tried kratom capsules or extract? Or only kratom powder? What’s the best way to take kratom in your opinion? What experiences have you had? Are there any advantages or disadvantages that you’d like to add to our list?
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