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How to Make Kratom Capsules at Home

November 9, 2018 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

Kratom can help with all sorts of medical problems, from insomnia and ADHD to pain relief and depression, to name just a few.

There are different ways in which you can consume kratom. Many people like to take it in powder form, but there are also those who prefer tea form.

But to a number of people, the pure taste of kratom is too hard to take when it’s in powder form, which is why they opt for kratom capsules.

The Benefits of Kratom Capsules

By taking kratom capsules, there is no bitter taste and the intake is very simple. All you need to do is take a capsule and water it down like a medicine tablet. Also, the measuring process is much simpler.

Furthermore, what so many people love about kratom capsules is the fact they can carry them anywhere they go.

If you want to consume powder kratom while away, it may be problematic, especially when in public places where you can’t properly measure and prepare your kratom. But with a kratom capsule, you won’t have to worry about that.

You also won’t have to inhale powder debris. The debris can be very unpleasant, especially if you have an easily irritable nose. But a kratom capsule takes care of that.

So, it’s clear that kratom capsules are a great way to use kratom. But can you make these capsules at home? Absolutely. Here’s how you can do it best.

Before You Begin

Choose the Type of Capsules

First of all, you will need the appropriate receptacle. For this, it’s the capsule case, or empty capsule, whichever term you prefer. There are two types you can choose: gelatin and vegetarian capsules.

A great number of users go with gelatin capsules. There are a couple of reasons for this.

Gelatin capsules are quite affordable and available in all kinds of colors and sizes. On the other hand, gelatin comes from animals, so vegans can’t use it. If you’re a vegan, make a note of that.

Gelatin capsules can also upset your stomach if you take large doses of kratom.

Another problem with gelatin capsules is that they are not suitable for liquid kratom products. They can keep powdered kratom, but when it comes to kratom tincture, for example, they are of no use.

On the other hand, vegetarian capsules provide a great alternative. They are slowly becoming the most popular type of capsules on the market and they are great for keeping kratom tincture.

They are made of hypromellose, cellulose, and purified water.

What’s great about vegetarian capsules is that they are non-GMO, gluten-free, and without any chemicals or preservatives. They are also Halal-certified, and they dissolve in the stomach quicker than gelatin capsules.

Choose the Size of Capsules

Capsules come in different sizes depending on the amount that fits in them. Usually, 5 different sizes are available:

000 – 1 gram of kratom per capsule
00 – 0.735 grams of kratom per capsule
0 – 0.5 grams of kratom per capsule
1 – 0.4 grams of kratom per capsule
2 – 0.3 grams of kratom per capsule

Make sure you choose the right capsule size. If you use smaller capsules, you may need to swallow a larger number of them.

And, if you are using a capsule filler, make sure your capsule trays and capsules are the same size.

NOW Vcaps ’00’ Empty,250 Capsules

Gather the Other Tools

In addition to the capsules, you can use a capsule filling tray or a capsule filling machine. I’ll refer to it as capsule filler for easier reference.

This is not mandatory, but it will definitely make the whole process a lot simpler for you. So, if you have some more money on the side, be sure to invest it in a capsule filler.

Also, you will need a tamper or a similar tool to help you pack the powder down. Depending on what product you choose to buy, it may already have a tool for that.

You will also need a scale, to measure the exact dosage. We recommend using a milligram sensitive scale. A less sensitive may not be as accurate or may not even pick up smaller amounts at all.

And finally, get a pair of latex gloves. It’ll make the process easier and prevent kratom from staining your hands. Latex gloves are also more hygienic than the other types.

ALL-IN Capsule Filling Machine for Size 00

The Process of Making Kratom Capsules

The actual process of making kratom capsules is fairly simple.

First, measure and prepare the amount of kratom powder you need for each capsule. It’s very important that you do this before you start any work. It will facilitate the whole process. Use a table or desk with a clean, smooth surface.

Open up each capsule and start pouring the powder. Once you finish, use the tamper for the part of the capsule you just filled. Then, put the shorter part of the capsule back, and that’s it. Just make sure that the whole capsule is full of powder before you close it.

Also, it’s very important not to rush things. You need to take your time and spend as much as you need in order to get the job done right. If you rush it, you only make a mess and spill the powder over, missing the capsules.

It may be a bit tedious and time-consuming, but it is worth the effort.

If you invest in a capsule filler, you’ll be able to speed the whole process up and save yourself some time. Capsule filling trays have slots for up to 100 capsules and you’ll be able to make a large batch of them in minutes.

In addition, if you choose the right size of capsules for your needs and pack them properly, you won’t need to measure the amount of kratom for every one of them.

It may be a good idea to weigh an empty capsule and a filled kratom capsule to be completely certain of the exact amount of powder than it holds.

Worth Remembering When Making Kratom Capsules

Kratom capsules have many benefits, but they have a few drawbacks too. They are easy to use, but they do have a delayed effect. Powdered kratom will usually take effect within 10 to 30 minutes, but capsules need a bit more time.

You have to take into account the capsule material, which should first dissolve.

Some users advise poking tiny holes in each capsule to speed up the dissolution process. This will allow your body to absorb the kratom much faster and you will feel the effects much sooner.

Others, however, argue that poking doesn’t actually do anything. It’s best to try and see for yourself and that will depend on each individual body and its specifics.

Have you ever made kratom capsules at home? Did you use a capsule filler? How did it go? Feel free to share your experience and tips with us.

Kratom Tolerance: Everything You Need to Know

October 30, 2018 by Speciosa Guide 8 Comments

If you take kratom for some time, you may develop kratom tolerance. It’s one of the most common reasons for kratom not working.

When it happens, your body becomes less sensitive to the plant. And the dose that you normally take does not deliver the same results.

Thus, to get the same effects as before, you need to take a larger dose. While it may seem like a good solution, it is not optimal in the long haul.

A larger dose means that you’ll go through your kratom reserves a lot faster. And will need to order it more frequently. That will require you to spend more and more money over time.

The good news is that kratom tolerance is preventable and also reversible. So, even if you have already developed it, you can easily get over it.

But, before we get into how to do it, let’s first look at why that happens.

Alkaloids Cause Kratom Tolerance

Kratom has a number of different alkaloids that contribute to its medicinal properties. Two of the main ones are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Mitragynine is primarily responsible for kratom’s pain-killing and stimulating properties. Meanwhile, 7-hydroxymitragynine causes pain-killing, relaxing, and stimulating effects.

The two alkaloids are also the main ones causing kratom tolerance to develop.

When you take kratom, its alkaloids interact with the brain receptors. That usually happens within 10-30 minutes after you take your dose, but this time may vary with some strains.

That is when you’ll feel kratom kick in.

When alkaloid concentration reaches a certain amount, your brain begins to down-regulate these receptors. It does so to regain balance.

Kratom alkaloids don’t leave the body the moment you stop feeling the effects. Instead, they remain in your system for approximately 24 hours.

So, if you take kratom regularly, you don’t let alkaloids leave your body completely. Because of that, there is always some amount of them in your system.

Your brain knows that, and it keeps regulating the receptors to continuously find balance. Over time that develops into kratom tolerance.

How Can You Prevent Kratom Tolerance

1. Take the Right Dose

To make sure that you’re not taking more than you need, ingest the right dose that your body requires.

You can do so by first determining what your perfect dose is. Always start with the lowest amount. It’ll usually be 2-3 grams for most strains or even less if a specific vendor’s kratom is very strong.

You may experience kratom effects or not feel anything at all. If the latter happens, gradually up your dose until you feel the desired results.

When you know what the right dose for you is, carefully measure the amount of kratom that you intake each time. We recommend using a sensitive digital scale instead of eyeing your dose with a spoon.

Depending on what size the spoon is and how much you load onto it, the amount of kratom in it can drastically vary. So, you may be taking a lot more than you actually need.

2. Keep Track of Your Kratom Intake

The surest way to developing kratom tolerance is taking it whenever you feel like doing it. The problem with such an approach is that you’ll be ingesting kratom irregularly and even multiple times a day.

Some users end up taking as much as 30-50 grams of kratom powder a day. If that’s where you’re at, you definitely suffer from kratom tolerance.

This way you’ll be constantly adding a new kratom dose without letting the existing alkaloids leave your system. Alkaloid levels in brain receptors are never the same. They will fluctuate depending on how long ago you took your dose.

Along with alkaloid concentration, the intensity at which your brain will try to self-regulate will also vary.

It’s best to take a new dose when both of these are low. This way you’ll be allowing enough time for your body to reset.

To ensure that you avoid sporadic kratom intake times, keep track of the doses that you ingest.

You can do it via a journal, a mobile app, or any other means that works for you. Select the best time depending on your needs and the strain that you’re taking and stay consistent.

3. Take Magnesium Supplements

You may already be familiar with kratom potentiatiors. But, there’s one that we’d like to point out.

Magnesium.

Magnesium is effective for both – increasing the potency of kratom as well as lowering kratom tolerance.

Remember the receptors that were responsible for developing kratom tolerance? Magnesium is saturated in antagonists for these receptors and can help to keep them balanced.

4. Do Not Take or Limit Your Intake of Kratom Extracts

According to multiple users, kratom extracts can quickly develop tolerance. Or, they can make users immune to kratom powder, especially if taken for a long time.

Another problem with extracts is that you will need to calculate each dose. Kratom doses are normally measured in grams of kratom powder. That means that you’ll need to know how much kratom powder you would need in grams. Then, you’ll need to calculate that taking into consideration the strength of the extract.

This makes doses of kratom extracts hard to measure. And you can easily take a much larger dose than your body actually requires.

5. Rotate Kratom Veins and Strains

Kratom tolerance is most likely to develop if you’re continuously taking the same strain. To avoid that, many users suggest rotating vein colors and strains.

Since each of them will have a different concentration and potency of alkaloids, your body will have a harder time getting used to any one of them. Users also report feeling more sensitive to each of the strains if they rotate them.

If you’d like to do this, select a few strains with similar effects that would deliver the results that you need. Then, create a schedule of what days you’ll be taking each of them on.

Keep in mind that different strains will have different potency and alkaloid concentration. Therefore, you will likely need to take a slightly different dose for each strain.

6. Take Days Off

Kratom tolerance develops if you allow for kratom buildup to occur. This can happen if you aren’t allowing enough time between your doses for alkaloids to leave your system.

An easy way of preventing tolerance from happening and is not taking kratom every day.

Allow one or two days between each kratom dose. That will let your body expel the alkaloids that it has accumulated. It will also help you keep your kratom sensitivity low.

What If You Already Have Developed Kratom Tolerance?

The best and the fastest way of lowering kratom tolerance is taking a break. How long of a break you’ll need, will depend on your individual body and how strong your tolerance is.

Time off will give your body time to remove the alkaloids that it has accumulated and reset. As a result, your tolerance levels will go down.

Observe how your body is feeling. When you feel recovered and any side effects are gone, try taking your initial dose of kratom again.

And most importantly, assess why tolerance developed in the first place and what you can do to prevent that from happening again in the future.

Have you ever experienced kratom tolerance? Why did that happen? What did you do to overcome it? Perhaps you’ve discovered your own tricks for preventing and lowering kratom tolerance?

Real vs. Fake Kratom: How to Buy the Best Kratom

October 23, 2018 by Speciosa Guide 4 Comments

Let’s face it, kratom isn’t cheap and, depending on the dose you need, a month’s supply can cost you quite a bit. Therefore, some users may be tempted to choose a cheaper product.

Sadly, it may not always the best route to take, because you may end up getting fake kratom.

So, if you suddenly discover your kratom not working and you’ve ruled out all the possible reasons for it being kratom tolerance, chances are that you’ve purchased fake kratom.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy Cheap Kratom

Imagine that you want to buy a designer watch. You would have a basic idea of how much it would cost. And if you see anything considerably below that price yet with the designer logo on it, you’d immediately suspect that it’s a knock-off.

The same principle applies to kratom.

It costs a certain amount of money to buy kratom from suppliers and import it. So, if the retail price of kratom if low, that means of the below:

It’s fake kratom,
It’s fake kratom mixed with expired kratom,
Kratom is mixed with other substances, and even if they are harmless that is not what you agree to pay for and it won’t deliver the desired results,
It’s old or contaminated kratom that’s repackaged and labeled as fresh,
It’s illegally acquired kratom that likely hasn’t passed safety control.

In either one of the cases, it’s not a good idea to consume it. Especially because kratom isn’t regulated.

The FDA is advocating a kratom ban. Even though kratom is legal right now to sell, buy, and possess kratom in the United States, there are no regulations that would control the imported product.

Kratom quality control comes down to individual vendors, their values, and code of ethics. While many vendors test each batch of kratom that they receive for contaminants and other harmful substances, not everyone does that. Simply because they aren’t accountable to anyone else but themselves.

What makes this even worse is that because there are no regulations, there is also no punishment for not selling genuine quality kratom. So, the one who suffers from all this is the end user.

Buying fake kratom is not only a waste of money but can even be dangerous.

Here are some of our tips on how you can avoid buying fake kratom.

How to Avoid Buying Fake Kratom

Do Your Research on Kratom Vendors

If you’re new to kratom or are looking for another vendor, don’t just choose the first vendor whom you come across.

Take your time to check them out. A genuine kratom vendor will have a website and may also sell kratom in online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. Their prices should be matching regardless of where the products are sold.

If you can only find the product on eBay and it’s selling for a really cheap price, this cheap kratom is likely fake kratom.

A legitimate seller should have a website. They should display information on kratom lab testing and have an easy way of contacting them. A reliable vendor will also likely have reviews or testimonials from satisfied clients.

Don’t go Crazy over Cheap Kratom and Discounts

Kratom usually stays fresh for up to three months after purchase. Stored properly, of course. If kratom vendors have a product that will expire soon, they may offer discounts.

They do so because if they follow ethical practices, they need to discard the expired product. Depending on the quantity that can mean huge losses of money.

By purchasing a product that is going to expire soon, you do not risk your health. You simply need to consume your batch soon to gain optimal effects. Therefore, we advise you not to buy kratom in bulk once it’s discounted.

If it seems that discounts are rotating, or simply put, different products have discounts at different times, then it’s likely that they sell genuine kratom. In this case, not everything they have in store will be discounted.

If, however, all their products have discounts, discounted products seem to never change, or their prices are considerably lower, it may be best to take the safe route and avoid these vendors altogether.

Check Reviews and Customer Feedback

Reviews are crucial for any vendor to make sales. As a matter of fact, 63% of users are more likely to buy a product from vendors who have reviews.

This means that legitimate vendors are going to want to display buyer reviews to boost their sales. Good vendors will also respond to customer feedback, even the negative one. Because even that forms an opinion about their brand, and a legitimate vendor will want to make sure this opinion is good.

Check if the vendor sells their product in online marketplaces as well. While vendors can control their reviews on their own site, marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay do not allow that.

Many kratom users also use Reddit and kratom forums to talk about their experiences with different vendors.

Check all these out to get a more thorough insight on vendors.

If there are no reviews at all or they seem to be fake or inconsistent, something may be off. Avoid vendors if you aren’t completely sure of them.

Contact Kratom Vendors if You Have Any Doubts

When in doubt, search the vendor’s website for contact information or customer support.

While not all vendors will have a customer support feature, legitimate ones will have a contact form or contact information easily available on the site. They will also try to respond to queries quickly.

However, if you cannot find any contact information or they do not get back to you, the vendor may either be fake or not care about servicing their customers in the best way possible. We advise you to look for another vendor in either one of the cases.

Watch Out for Someone Copying Existing Kratom Vendors

When something or someone is successful, there will be copycats who will recreate everything exactly in the same way as the original brand. Remember the knock-off watches that I mentioned before? Same can happen to kratom.

Fake vendors can recreate a website and the company’s branding in the same exact manner. They will have a slight tweak in the URL that you may not notice if you aren’t being very attentive at that moment.

They will sell kratom for much cheaper prices that users will be attracted to because they’ll think they are purchasing from the real brand.

To make sure that does not happen to you, make sure to carefully check the URL of the website. Is it exactly the same as it always was? Is the site secure? A secure site should have “https” in front of the domain name, not “http”.

Make sure to check all that before you process any payments.

Know Where Your Kratom Comes From

Kratom is native to Southeast Asia, namely to Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Kratom’s scientific name is Mitragyna Speciosa. However, there are other plants in the Mirtagyna family that aren’t real kratom.

While it may look the same, fake kratom will not have the same concentration of alkaloids. It won’t be as effective, and may even cause unpleasant side effects.

With slight exceptions, most of the kratom currently comes from Indonesia and the island of Borneo that is divided primarily by Indonesia and Malaysia.

So, if you happen to come across a product that isn’t from there, it is highly likely that it may be fake kratom.

Stop Using Kratom if You Suspect that Something Is Wrong

And last but not least, keep in mind that you will be the one suffering if you purchase fake kratom. Make your health and wellbeing a priority and always take the safe route when choosing kratom and a vendor.

Have you ever bought fake kratom? How did it happen? What do you do to avoid buying fake kratom?

How to Store Kratom the Right Way

October 12, 2018 by Speciosa Guide 2 Comments

Your choice of how to store kratom will affect how long it lasts, how potent it is, as well as how strong the results are.

Kratom owes its effects to its alkaloids, primarily mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.

While studies on kratom are limited, several sources suggest that the mitragynine in kratom gradually turns into another substance. It’s called mitragynine pseudoindoxyl. It is believed to have low or no painkilling properties and might even act as an opiate antagonist.

How Long Does Kratom Last

Generally, kratom retains maximum freshness for up to three months. If stored correctly, it’ll maintain most of its freshness for 6-12 months.

Once 12 months have passed, kratom will retain most of its potency, yet it’ll become dryer and will start to gradually lose its quality. The drier kratom powder gets, the less pleasant it’ll become to ingest.

How long your kratom will last will also depend on how fresh it is when you purchase it. The longer it’s been kept in storage by its vendor and distributors, the less it is going to last.

Kratom Storage Tips

1. Buy Fresh Kratom from a Reliable Vendor

The quality and freshness of your kratom will depend on the vendor that you purchase it from. The sooner the vendor ships and the more frequently they stock up, the fresher their kratom is going to be.

Many vendors work with a middleman. They buy kratom in bulk from someone else who sources it and then resell it to individual users.

This process lengthens the time from when kratom is harvested and processed and when it reaches the user. The longer this time is, the sooner it’ll lose its potency.

To avoid that we advise you to buy kratom from vendors who import it directly from the source and do not use a middleman. That will ensure that your product will reach you sooner, will be fresher, and you’ll be able to store it longer without losing kratom potency.

Therefore, take your time to research vendors carefully.

Check the information available on the vendors’ websites, yet don’t rely on that alone. Kratom isn’t regulated by the FDA, so there are no set standards that vendors must adhere to. Much depends on their individual values and motivations.

Read through user reviews as well to get a more accurate view of the vendors. You can also look through kratom forums, and even post your own questions on vendors that you are interested in. Many users also discuss kratom related topics on Reddit.

2. Buy the Right Amount of Kratom

There’s no need to buy kratom in large bulk if you won’t be able to use it up within the maximum of three months. Especially if you’ll be the only person using it.

Don’t buy a larger amount of kratom simply because it’s cheaper. You may save money, but you may end up with kratom that’s not as potent as it could have been.

Start by purchasing smaller amounts at first and gauge how much you use in one, two, or three months. Then, depending on how fresh your vendor’s product normally is, you’ll know how much you need to buy to ensure that you’re using the freshest and the most potent product.

3. Store Kratom in Airtight Containers

Moisture and oxygen are the two main reasons for kratom going bad.

Even a few drops of water can make your kratom perfect environment for mold to start growing. If that happens, it’s best to get rid of the entire batch as it all can be contaminated.

Kratom is an organic substance. Therefore, it exposed to oxygen, it can become stale.

To prevent both of these from happening, store kratom in airtight plastic or glass containers. You can use zip log bags, sturdy Tupperware dishes, or airtight glass jars.

You can remove air from ziplock bags by partially zipping it up, placing a straw in it, and sucking the excess air out. Avoid placing the straw too close to the kratom powder or you may suck it in as well.

If you’re using Tupperware or glass jars, there will be some air left after closing them. Because of that, choose the right size for the amount of kratom that you have so that it contains as little air as possible.

4. Store Kratom in Small Containers

Placing all of your kratom in a single container may seem the easier route to take, but we advise you not to do it. Constantly opening this container can deteriorate the product.

Instead, store a few days’ supply of kratom in small containers or zip-lock bags (make sure to get the air out of them). That will help your kratom stay fresh and keep its properties and potency longer.

5. Store Kratom in a Cool Dark Place

Frequent changes in temperature and direct sunlight can also deteriorate kratom. That’s why it’s best to store kratom in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

A storage room would be best, but if you don’t have one, there’s no need to worry. You can also store kratom in a cupboard.

Choose one that does not get sunlight during certain parts of the day. Don’t store kratom near ovens, heating systems, dryers, or similar devices that may cause the temperature to rise and drop quickly.

Some users like to store kratom in the fridge. If you choose to do so, make sure it’s in an airtight container. This way air or moisture won’t damage it and it will also not be affected by strong smells.

6. Label the Purchase Date on Kratom Containers

Once you store kratom in an airtight container of your choice, place a label with a purchase date on it. That will help you remember when exactly you bought it and have a better idea of how long it’ll last.

Can You Store Kratom Tea?

If you are busy, you may be interested in brewing kratom tea beforehand and storing it for later use. That is possible too.

You can store prepared kratom tea for up to a week before it starts going bad. Some kratom users even freeze it. If you decide to store kratom tea, brew it first. Then, transfer your tea to airtight containers.

Make sure to use plastic ones if you want to freeze it and leave a fifth of the container empty. That is because liquids expand when frozen and a tightly filled glass container can explode.

Watch Out for Signs of Deterioration

Once you have properly stored all your kratom, check it for signs of deterioration as you use it. These can be mold, a paler color, or a weaker scent. If you notice any of those, it may be a good idea to buy a new batch instead. Though, when mold starts forming, it’s best to immediately discard the entire amounts of the container.

How do you store kratom? How long do you usually store it for? And what’s your favorite storage method?