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Kratom Alkaloids and Their Effects

November 24, 2020 by Speciosa Guide 4 Comments

Kratom provides diverse effects and benefits which is one of its most astonishing features. This is due to kratom alkaloids, natural chemical compounds present in Mitragyna speciosa leaves.

Users report feeling differently after using different strains and strain varieties. And even different doses of the same strain can have one experience distinct effects. This occurs due to the different alkaloids that are present in the kratom leaves as well as their concentration in each individual strain.

While many kratom lovers know that alkaloids are beneficial and responsible for kratom effects, most don’t know their specifics and they actually work.

What Are Alkaloids?

Just like any other living organism, plants contain natural chemicals. In plants these plant chemicals also known as phytochemicals.

There are different kinds of phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and many more. Alkaloids are one of them.

Alkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen-containing molecules in plants and fungi. Scientists hypothesize that they protect plants from insects and animals. However, it’s not entirely clear what the purpose of alkaloids in plants is.

What we do know is that they have powerful medicinal as well as other properties, even in small quantities. They have unique effects on the human body and provide diverse effects and health benefits.

Alkaloids can treat pain, inflammation, immune disorders, and even more. Nonetheless, some can also be toxic.

Because of this, alkaloids are popular in conventional medicine and other industries. Some of the popular alkaloids the effects of which you may be familiar with are:

caffeine – alkaloid with stimulant properties found in coffee and cocoa beans and tea plant leaves,
ephedrine – it’s a stimulant used in asthma medication and to prevent blood pressure drop during anesthesia,
quinine – alkaloid used in malaria medication,
morphine – the primary alkaloid in the opium poppy with strong analgesic properties,
nicotine – stimulant alkaloid present in tobacco.

The Main Types of Kratom Alkaloids

It’s believed that kratom’s leaves have at least 25 different alkaloids. Other hypothesize there are at least 40 or even more. But, there have only been limited scientific studies on kratom thus far to confirm the exact number.

While there are many different alkaloids in kratom, two of the most powerful ones are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Both of these alkaloids are different in terms of the benefits that they provide. But, they both are responsible for pain relief as well as opioid withdrawal relieving effects.

The variety and amount of kratom alkaloids both depend on various factors. These can be the type of strain, the maturity of the leaves, where and in what conditions it grows, how it is harvested, and more.

For example, younger kratom leaves have a higher mitragynine concentration and the amount lowers as the leaves mature. The opposite is true about 7-hydroxymitragynine. Young leaves have less 7-hydroxymitragynine and the amount increases as the leaves mature.

So, the younger leaves tend to have pale green veins and stems. As the amount of mitragynine lowers and that of 7-hydroxymitragynine increases, the stems and veins gradually turn green and then red. As a result, all three – red, green, and white vein leaves can be present on the same tree and mature in a similar way to how bell peppers do, turning from green to yellow and then red.

Factors such as the amount of sunlight can also affect the concentration of the alkaloids. For instance, leaves that develop during the rainier and less sunny periods of the year tend to be white or green-veined.

This change in alkaloid concentration does not only affect the appearance of the leaves but also the effects that they produce.

Mitragynine and Its Effects

Mitragynine is the most abundant of all alkaloids in the kratom leaves, making up around 60% or more of the total content of kratom alkaloids. It is primarily responsible for the stimulant effects of kratom. That’s why it is found in higher amounts in green-vein and white-vein strains.

Mitragynine’s stimulating effects are much smoother and much more stable than those of other stimulating substances, such as caffeine.

Yet, stimulation is not the only benefit of this alkaloid. It has a variety of different properties.

Mitragynine effects slightly vary from person to person. It mostly depends on their sensitivity towards kratom. Nonetheless, its overall effects are quite consistent. A few of them are:

Anti-malarial
Anti-tussive (relieving or stopping cough altogether)
Anti-diarrheal
Stimulation
Pain relief

While mitragynine provides pain-relieving properties, they are lower than those of 7-hydroxymitragynine.

Also, its effects can vary according to how large a dose is. Lower dosages generally provide more stimulating effects, while higher dosages result in less stimulating, but rather more pain-relieving and relaxing effects.

Due to its versatile nature, mitragynine still needs to be scientifically studied in more depth to understand the full breadth of its potential.

7-Hydroxymitragynine and Its Effects

7-hydroxymitragynine is the fourth most abundant alkaloid in kratom. It is more concentrated in sedating kratom types, such as red-vein strains. It is less versatile in terms of its properties and effects and is present in much lower amounts than mitragynine. However, it is a lot more potent than mitragynine.

In fact, it is the most potent alkaloid found in kratom.

Some experts believe 7-hydroxymitragynine may even be 30 times stronger than mitragynine. Studies have indicated that it is also 13 times stronger than morphine.

The most prominent effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine include:

Powerful pain-killing effects
Opiate withdrawal relief

Other Kratom Alkaloids

As we already know, kratom has a lot more than just these two alkaloids. Though there are numerous alkaloids present in its leaves, some of these need to be studied in more detail to know their full potential

Below, you’ll find a few of the important alkaloids that are inside kratom leaves. Although they appear in kratom in much smaller quantities, they are working together with each other to create the unique effects of kratom.

Ajmalicine is a muscle relaxant as well as an anticoagulant (a blood thinner that can prevent blood clots).
Ciliaphylline works as a sturdy analgesic.
Corynoxeine serves as a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Corynoxine helps dopamine move throughout the body.
Corynantheidine is an antagonist of the opiate receptors. It blocks opioid receptors from responding to opioids and endorphins. That can help with opioid addiction.
Epicatechin has numerous functions. It is an anti-leukemic alkaloid. In addition, it also has anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It also helps to prevent fat cells from clogging the arteries and controls blood sugar levels.
Paynantheine is a muscle relaxant.
Speciophylline has an anti-leukemic action.
Speciogynine gently releases the muscles.
Tetrahydroalstonine has an anti-adrenergic (can help with anxiety, heart disease, and high blood pressure) and hypoglycemic activity (can lower blood sugar).

Note that these are only a few of the alkaloids present in the leaves that we know more about.

Even though the effects and benefits of kratom can be life-changing, we may only be scratching the surface when it comes to understanding kratom’s full potential.

More Studies on Kratom Alkaloids

Sadly, scientific research on kratom is still quite limited at this time, preventing us from knowing the full potential of the herb.

Yet, more are being carried out.

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy is where Christopher McCurdy, the pioneer of kratom research works. He was the person to first uncover and perform studies on kratom in the United States.

NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) has awarded Mr. McCurdy and his team two grants to study kratom, its alkaloids, and their effects. They are worth $6.9 million and give the team seven total years for this research.

The team has already come up with some positive conclusions, suggesting that kratom could treat opioid withdrawal and addiction. While kratom users already verify that from personal experience, having scientific studies back that up could improve the general reputation of kratom and help keep it legal and accessible.

Common Misconceptions about Kratom Alkaloids

Much attention is drawn to the fact that kratom alkaloids hit the same receptors as opioids. That does not mean that the kratom alkaloids themselves are opioids. But rather that they target the same receptors that opioids do.

Opioid use comes with a dangerous side effect of affecting the user’s respiratory system. It slows down the breathing and can result in death, especially if used improperly and irresponsibly.

Kratom does not do that. It causes minimal respiratory depression that doesn’t endanger human life, and Mr. McCurdy’s team’s research has proven that.

As a matter of fact, kratom is actually an opioid antagonist. It can help to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms as well as overcome opioid addiction.

Chemically, the structure of alkaloids resembles that of psychedelic drugs. However, kratom users do not actually experience psychedelic effects.

Instead, they feel pain relief and euphoria among other effects and benefits. Ones that are already discussed above.

What kratom strains have you used and what effects have you experienced?

Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Kratom Dosage Tips and Warnings Every User Should Know

March 19, 2019 by Speciosa Guide 2 Comments

The correct kratom dosage for your specific needs is important so that you get the most out of your kratom use.

With most herbal supplements, you are recommended a specific amount. When you take kratom, however, things are a bit more complicated.

This is because each vein type or even individual strain may require a different amount. Moreover, each individual user’s body may also respond differently. As a result, two users may need a different kratom dose for the same strain.

Because of these reasons, kratom dosage may seem a complicated subject to many users, especially those new to kratom. Most users go through trial and error when finding their ideal kratom dosage.

Yet, with a few things in mind, you can make your kratom journey much smoother.

Basic Kratom Dosage

When you take herbal supplements, usually a smaller dose yields weaker results. On the other hand, a larger dose normally means stronger results.

It doesn’t work the same with kratom.

When taken in smaller amounts, kratom normally has stimulating effects. In larger amounts, it relieves pain.

Users can experience euphoria regardless of the dose that they take.

So, the most basic guidelines for kratom dosage are the following:

take 2-4 grams of kratom powder to achieve stimulating effects,
to relieve pain and achieve relaxing and stimulating effects, take 4-6 grams,
take 6-8 grams to relieve pain, relax, or have an easier time to go to sleep.

These kratom dosage guidelines can serve as a reference and can be a good place to start. Yet, there are several factors to consider before you measure and take your kratom dose.

These can vary from how experienced with kratom you are and how high your tolerance is to how fresh and strong the kratom that you’re taking is.

Kratom Dosage Tips

1. Always Start Small and Gradually Build Up Your Dose

Even if you are looking for pain-relieving results, we do not recommend starting off with a higher dose. You may end up taking a higher dose than what your body is ready for. This may result in you experiencing kratom side effects.

Instead, take things slowly when you first start off. Begin with a small dose such as 1-2 grams. Then, wait for 30-60 minutes and assess how you are feeling. If you have not achieved the desired effects, add another gram.

Repeat the process until you achieve the results that you want. Make sure to track how much you have added and what your ideal kratom dose is. This way you will know exactly how much you need to take next time.

3. Take Your Body’s Specific into Consideration

Not every body will respond to kratom in the same way. The dose that you will need will also depend on your height, weight, age, health, and diet.

For instance, people with lower body fat percentage such as athletes will generally require a lower dose. So, if that’s you, you may want to start with as little as 0.5 grams and gradually work up.

3. Leave Proper Intervals between Your Kratom Doses

It takes on average 24 hours for your body to flush kratom alkaloids. Because of that, we recommend that you take kratom at relatively the same time of the day.

This will ensure that your body does not create an alkaloid buildup which can result in kratom tolerance.

If you feel that you need to take kratom more frequently, you may want to look into rotating kratom strains. We discuss that below.

4. Rotate Strains

Rotating strains is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of taking the same strain every single day, you purchase a few different strains and take a different one every day.

This can help you keep your tolerance low because different strains will have slightly different alkaloid content and compositions.

Keep in mind though that the dose that you will need to take for each strain is likely to be different as well. So, we advise you to find your ideal kratom dose for each strain in the way that we described above.

Kratom Dosage Warnings

1. Watch Out for Developing Kratom Tolerance

If you are a more experienced kratom user, you may have started off with, for example, 4 grams. However, now, you need 8 to experience the same effects.

This certainly means that you have developed kratom tolerance. It’s not something that you want because that means that you will go through the same amount of powder in half of the time. As a result, you’ll need to spend twice as much as before and even more in the future if you do not lower your tolerance.

To avoid developing kratom tolerance, keep intervals between your kratom doses, rotate strains, and take days off. These will be days when you do not take any kratom at all.

If you have already developed tolerance, it’s best to take a break from kratom. Alternatively, you can also switch to a different kratom strain.

2. Don’t Treat Each Kratom Vein and Strain the Same Way

There are different kinds of kratom veins and strains. They have varying levels of alkaloid content and composition. As a result, each vein type and strain will require a different kratom dosage.

So, if you are rotating or switching strains, you will likely need a different dosage for each of them.

It may be a good idea for you to keep a log where you track exactly how much you need of each strain. This will not only ensure that you take the right dose but will also help you keep an eye on your tolerance levels.

What Happens If You Take the Wrong Dose?

You’ll find much information online of anti-kratom advocates claiming that kratom is a deadly drug. They often say that you risk your life by taking too much kratom.

In actuality, any natural substance can reach toxic levels. It’s been scientifically proven that you need an extremely high dose for kratom to become dangerous. And it’s unrealistic for a kratom user to consume such a high amount of it.

Yet, if you take a larger amount than you need you may experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting which can make your kratom experience rather unpleasant that day.

Are you a new kratom user or an experienced one? Which kratom dosage tip do you find the most useful? Are there any tips that you can add to our list?

5 Kratom Tea Recipes You Should Try

January 8, 2019 by Speciosa Guide 2 Comments

There are many ways in which you can take kratom. Yet, kratom tea remains one of the most popular ones. It’s relatively easy to make, and, if done correctly, can potentiate the benefits of kratom alkaloids.

The most popular way of making kratom tea is by boiling water and simmering kratom in it for about 20 minutes. However, powder offered by some vendors may not taste as well. Or you may even get bored from drinking the same tea every time. Therefore, we will describe 5 kratom tea recipes to spice up your kratom journey.

5 Kratom Tea Recipes

1. Kratom Lemon Honey Tea Recipe

This is the simplest way of enhancing the effects of kratom and changing its favor. It’s also one of the most popular kratom tea recipes. Lemon (and other citrus fruits) is one of the most popular ways to enhance kratom tea effects.

Lemon is rich in vitamin C. Therefore, it helps strengthen the immune system. It also has strong antibacterial properties and can protect against different infections. When taken with warm water, lemon juice can help the body maintain a normal PH level.

Honey, however, can sweeten the tea and make it more pleasurable to take. Raw organic honey also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. As a matter of fact, it can even be used for healing wounds.

Yet, note that not all store-bought honey will be the same. It’s best to look for raw and organic varieties to reap all the benefits.

To make kratom lemon honey tea, you will need:

the dose of kratom powder that you normally take,
½ liter of water
half a lemon,
honey to taste.

How to make kratom tea with honey and lemon:

Fill your pot with water and bring it to boil.
Lower down the heat so that the water simmers rather than boils.
Stir in kratom powder and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add lemon juice and honey and simmer for a few more minutes. Some sources will advise you to add lemon and honey at the beginning. We do, however, suggest adding it at the end as exposure to hot water can destroy the beneficial properties of both lemon and honey.
Remove your tea from the heat and strain it.

2. Kratom Masala Chai Recipe

If you’d like to spice up your daily dose of kratom and enhance kratom tea effects, you can do so by making kratom masala tea. Masala chai is an Indian type of sweetened tea with milk and Indian herbs and spices that has become popular in the west. Traditionally, it is made with black tea.

For this kratom recipe, you will need:

the dose of kratom powder that you normally take,
a quarter liter of water,
a quarter liter of milk (you can use any non-dairy milk if you prefer),
half a teaspoon of ginger powder (or shredded ginger),
half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder,
a quarter teaspoon of star anise powder,
a quarter teaspoon clove powder,
a pinch of nutmeg,
1-2 teaspoons of honey or another kratom sweetener.

You can either make the spice mixture every time you prepare your kratom masala chai, or you can mix it in advance and use a teaspoon and a half or two teaspoons every time you need it. If you choose to do the latter, combine the spices and herbs using the proportions above. Feel free to modify the proportions according to taste.

The process of how to make kratom tea with spices is as follows:

Combine spices and herbs with water and bring it to boil.
Add milk and bring it to boil. You should keep an eye on your mixture as milk can boil over. You can make a mess and waste some of the ingredients.
Reduce the heat so that the mixture simmers.
Add kratom powder and simmer the mixture for about 15-20 minutes.
Add honey during the last couple of minutes to ensure that it melts properly.
Remove your tea from the heat and strain.

If you use sugar instead of honey, you can add it together with the milk.

Don’t skimp on the sweetener. You can add even more as masala chai tends to taste better when it’s sweet. Avoid burning the milk as that can too destroy the taste of your tea.

3. Kratom Mint Tea Recipe

Mint tea has multiple health benefits that can be very useful in combination with kratom tea effects.

It can ease and speed up digestion as well as regulate the cholesterol levels. Peppermint, in particular, can also relieve pain caused by gas and bloating. Spearmint, however, can regulate hormones and lower blood sugar. It may also aid in reducing stress.

Whenever you are making herbal teas, it’s best to use actual leaves instead of teabags. Teabags usually contain fannings (or dust) though some companies do offer whole-leaf tea.

For this kratom tea recipe, you will need:

your dose of kratom,
half a liter of water,
approximately a teaspoon of mint leaves (you can use a teabag instead if you prefer),
honey or another sweetener to taste,
½ lemon (optional if you like the taste and would like to enhance kratom tea effects).

How to make kratom tea with mint:

Bring water to boil.
Turn down the heat and let the water simmer.
Toss in your kratom and mint.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add honey and lemon and simmer for a few more minutes.
Remove from the heat and strain.

You may come across a green tea and mint mix. You can use that too. However, keep in mind that green tea has caffeine in it and can have stimulant effects. So, you may need to adjust your kratom dose to make sure that you do not get jitters or experience other side effects.

It also would be best not to take green tea with slow strains such as Red Bali Kratom or in the evening. Otherwise, you may disturb your sleep.

We’ve covered the question of kratom and caffeine in another post. So, check it out if you’d like to learn more about how kratom and caffeine interact.

4. Kratom Chamomile Tea Recipe

Chamomile is another herb packed with loads of antioxidants and with lots of health benefits. It is most commonly used to improve sleep and digestion. But it may also regulate your blood sugar and protect you against certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Chamomile is best to use with the slow strains as it may help you relax. Since it soothes your stomach, it may also help you if you are experiencing digestive issues after taking kratom.

As mentioned above, we always recommend using the actual herb (flowers in this case) instead of teabags.

For this kratom tea recipe you will need:

your dose of kratom,
1 or 1 ½ teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers or 1 chamomile tea teabag,
½ liter of water,
honey or another sweetener to taste.

How to make kratom tea with chamomile:

Bring the water to boil and lower down the heat so that it simmers.
Add kratom powder and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, add chamomile flowers to a pot.
Turn of the heat and strain kratom tea.
Add strained kratom tea to the pot with chamomile flowers.
Steep for 5-7 minutes.
Add honey or another sweetener to taste if you’d like to sweeten your tea.

If our suggested dose of chamomile isn’t enough and you’d like a stronger taste of it, add more flowers rather than leave your tea steeping for longer. Herbal teas tend to turn bitter if left steeping for a longer time. In combination with the natural taste of kratom that may not be as pleasant.

Note that some people may be allergic to chamomile. So, if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums, it may be best to avoid chamomile.

5. Kratom Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate kratom tea isn’t one of the most popular kratom tea recipes, but it definitely has many benefits that make it worth trying.

Yerba mate is a popular South American beverage. It contains approximately a third of caffeine as the same amount of coffee along with other chemicals with stimulant effects.

There are people who like it as a substitute for coffee. It can improve focus and physical performance. It can also boost your immune system, regulate blood sugar, and may even help you lose weight. In addition to its stimulant effects, it is rich in antioxidants. Even more than green tea.

Traditionally, yerba mate is made in a gourd and drunk from a special straw called bombilla. But you can use a French press if that’s more convenient for you.

Since yerba mate contains caffeine, you may want to lower your dose. Especially if you’re taking it for stimulant kratom tea effects.

For this kratom tea recipe, you will need:

kratom powder,
1/3 or ½ cup of yerba mate,
½ liter of water,
sweetener to taste,
cat’s claw (optional if you would like to potentiate kratom tea effects)
lime (optional if you like the taste and would like to strengthen kratom tea effects).

The process of this kratom tea recipe is the following:

Place yerba mate, cat’s claw, and kratom powder in a French press.
Add a splash of cold water to moisten the yerba mate leaves.
Boil the water.
Pour hot, but not boiling water over the mixture and let it steep for 5 minutes.
Strain your tea.
Add lime juice and sweetener to taste.

If you’d like to try something other than kratom tea, here are also 5 kratom smoothie recipes.

Have you tried any of these kratom tea recipes? Which one would you like to try?

If you know any other kratom tea recipes that are worth trying, share them with us in the comments below!

Kratom Duration & Half-Life: How Long Does Kratom Last?

December 25, 2018 by Speciosa Guide 2 Comments

While you may have an easy time answering how long the effects of coffee last, it’s not as easy to say it when it comes to kratom. Even though both come from the same plant family.

The reason for that is the numerous kratom alkaloids and their different half-lives and effects on the body. Because of that kratom half-life and duration can drastically differ between different strains.

There are also other factors such as your age that may influence how long kratom lasts.

To understand kratom half-life and duration, let’s first look at how kratom works.

How Does Kratom Work?

There are over 40 different active components in kratom, and many yet need to be studied and even identified. However, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are two of the most prominent kratom alkaloids that are responsible for most of the kratom’s effects.

Mitragynine is the most prominent of the alkaloids in kratom. It’s responsible for kratom’s stimulating and pain killing effects. That’s why it’s more abundant in the green vein and white vein strains. Taken in smaller doses mitragynine is stimulating, while in larger doses it’s more relaxing.

7-hydroxymitragynine is primarily sedating and analgesic. Therefore, it’s most abundant in red vein stains. It’s pain-relieving effects are stronger than those of mitragynine and even morphine.

Kratom alkaloids bind with the opioid receptors in the brain. This is one of the reasons for the arguments against kratom. Yet, kratom does not work in the same way as opioids and does not cause respiratory depression that can result in death.

What Is Kratom Half-Life?

Half-life is a term used to describe the length of time that the effects of any substance diminish by half. That is when one can feel the strongest effects of that substance.

Kratom-half life depends on the half-life of each of its alkaloids. And since their concentration varies in different types of kratom, the half-life of different strains will vary as well.

It’s been determined that the half-life of mitragynine is 3.85 +/- 1 hour. This signifies that it takes approximately 4-5 hours for the effects of mitragynine to wear off by half.

In the meantime, the half-life of 7-hydroxymitragynine is 2.5 +/- 0.7 hours. This means that the effects of 7-hydroxymitragynine diminish by half in about 2.5-3 hours. This is one of the main reasons why kratom users prefer to take 7-hydroxymitragynine-rich strains in smaller doses several times a day.

The Duration of Different Kratom Veins and Strains

It takes about 10-15 minutes on average for kratom to take effects. It may be longer for some strains or if you take kratom capsules. The effects will also kick in sooner if you take kratom on an empty stomach. After a meal, it may take up to an hour.

However, be careful about taking kratom on an empty stomach. Your body may not take it as well, especially if you are new to kratom.

The peak of the effects is generally reached 1.5 or 2.5 hours after taking kratom.

Typically, some green vein strains can last the longest (up to 8 hours). The duration of red vein strains is about 6 hours. Meanwhile, white vein strains last for the shortest period of time – around 4 hours.

But, don’t strictly rely on these numbers. Keep in mind that the effects will vary from strain to strain as well as based on the specifics of your body.

Kratom Duration: How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System?

While kratom half-life and effects will last for approximately 4-8 hours, this does not mean that kratom will have left your system this quickly. Kratom alkaloids still remain in your body even when you no longer feel their effects.

On average it takes about 24 hours for your body to flush out most of the kratom alkaloids. Yet, according to different studies in can take up to 5 or 6 days for your body to completely eliminate.

Kratom can still show on different tests even days after taking it. For instance, blood tests can detect it for 3-4 days while urine tests – for up to 7 days.

This is why kratom tolerance can develop after regular kratom use. To avoid it, we advise taking days off, alternating kratom strains, or taking longer breaks. Doing so can help make sure that the body does not create alkaloid buildup and you do not need to up your dose to feel the same effects.

If you notice that the same dose no longer works for you, it may be a good idea to make some changes in how you take kratom.

Factors that Influence How Long Kratom Effects Last

Kratom alkaloid half-life is not the only factor that affects kratom duration and half-life. There are other factors that also can influence it.

Genetics

Not each body is made the same way. You may have enzymes and other genetic factors that may make you capable of processing kratom faster.

Age

Older people generally have a slower elimination system. That happens due to a slower kidney function and other age-related changes in the body.

Because of that, older people will need longer for alkaloids to leave their system. That happens not only with kratom but any other substance, such as herbal supplements and medication.

Body Composition

We’ve observed that people will lower body fat percentage, for instance, athletes may be more sensitive to kratom. They may need a smaller dose and may start feeling kratom effects sooner.

Another factor to consider is that mitragynine is fat-soluble. This means that it can be absorbed by your body fat and stay in your system longer. If you have less body fat, kratom cannot be stored in your fat and your body will be able to flush it sooner.

Diet

You already know that kratom effects set in sooner if you take it on an empty stomach. The type of food that you eat and how much water you drink can affect kratom half-life and duration as well.

If you take kratom with a fatty meal, the fat in your food can help absorb kratom faster. Thus you’ll experience the effects sooner as well.

Your water intake will determine how long kratom alkaloids stay in your body. The more water you drink, the sooner you’ll be able to flush out kratom through your urine.

Can You Extend Kratom Duration and Half-Life?

There are different kratom potentiators that can make kratom effects stronger and longer. Some of these include citrus fruits and turmeric. Also, make sure that you store kratom properly so that it retains its potency.

Which kratom strain are you taking? How long is it’s duration and half-life?

How to Make Kratom Tea

November 23, 2018 by Speciosa Guide Leave a Comment

One of the reasons why kratom is so popular is because there are different ways of taking it. People add kratom to their protein shakes, smoothies, or yogurt, follow the Toss and Wash method, and they also take kratom capsules.

But it’s also very popular to take kratom in tea form. In fact, kratom is primarily used in tea form, as this method is still number one among the majority of kratom consumers. Kratom tea is also very popular in Southeast Asia, where a lot of people also consume kratom by chewing the leaves.

Why Kratom Tea Is Popular

The reason for this is quite simple. For the vast majority of people, tea is the easiest way to take kratom. Also, kratom in tea form tastes much better. But most importantly, kratom tea retains all of its medical properties and isn’t acidic.

The Benefits of Kratom Tea

If we compare other forms of kratom, such as powder and liquid, there are some really unique benefits of consuming kratom in tea form. And the reason for this lies in its alkaloids.

Heat can act as a kratom potentiator. The alkaloids found in kratom leaves get released much easier if you expose them to heat. That’s why making kratom tea actually enhances the release of alkaloids. And when you drink the tea, it will reach your bloodstream a lot faster. Thus, the effects will be felt sooner.

Yet, you need to be careful about using too much heat as that can cause alkaloids to lose their properties. But, rest assured, we tackle this point later on when we describe the process of how to make kratom tea!

Here are the top five benefits of consuming kratom in tea form.

1. Kratom Tea Boosts Your Energy and Stimulates Your Mind and Body

Kratom tea will invigorate your body and clarify your mind. When you’re sleepy or feeling too tired for ordinary tasks and activities, have some kratom tea.

You will be surprised how quickly the effects are felt. For many users, kratom tea is a much better pick-me-up than coffee.

2. It Puts You in a Good Mood

Consuming kratom tea enables your body to release endorphins and create a feeling of joy and happiness. Your anxiety levels will drop and you will feel more relaxed and at ease.

3. It Eases Kratom Ingestion

If you’re experiencing abdominal cramps or other problems due to ingestion, kratom tea can help a lot. It serves as a natural remedy, bringing your body back to balance and restring your metabolism.

4. Kratom Tea Reduces Certain Kinds of Pain

Compared to other ways of intaking kratom (such as Toss and Wash), kratom tea is not the best solution for all kinds of pain relief. That’s because it doesn’t give you the strongest of effects.

However, it definitely does have beneficial effects, especially if you’re suffering from a slight cold, headache, or menstrual aches. Consuming kratom tea on a regular basis can definitely help your body feel a lot better.

5. Kratom Tea Improves Your Complexion

If you’re suffering from dry skin, kratom tea can aid you with that too. Consuming kratom tea will help your body balance its pH level and, as a result of this, your skin will be less dry.

Also, your skin will recuperate much faster if it’s sun-damaged. Kratom improves your circulation which, in turn, makes your complexion fresher.

How to Make Kratom Tea

Making tea from kratom is really simple and practically anyone can do it.

There’s just one problem here. In general, people tend to not invest enough time in the preparation process. That’s why many people simply put kratom in a pot with water and boil everything together. However, that is not the best approach to how to make kratom tea.

We strongly advise you not to do this, because it will most likely lessen the beneficial qualities of the alkaloids. Heat is definitely good to bring them out, but too much heat can achieve the opposite effect.

Depending on how long you keep the heat up, it probably won’t destroy them altogether, but it will definitely “numb them down”. And then, the effects of the tea you get won’t differ much from any other tea.

So, make sure to set aside some time to make kratom tea. Approximately 20-30 minutes to prepare it and some more to drink it. It will make sure you’ll get stronger effects as well as make sure your tea doesn’t taste bad.

The best way is to fill your pot with water and once the water starts boiling, let it simmer, but not boil. Then you can add kratom to it and the simmering water will allow it to release alkaloids. Here are the exact steps of the procedure:

Fill your pot with water and let it simmer.
Measure the amount of kratom that you are going to use with a sensitive scale.
When the water reaches a boiling point, turn the heat down so that the water simmers.
Add the pre-measured kratom powder and let the kratom tea simmer for another 10 minutes.
Once the mixture turns deep yellow or dark orange, remove your pot from the heat.
Use a strainer to separate the residue from the tea liquid.
Add some lemon and some sweetener if you’d like so.

There are

As you see, the whole procedure is fairly simple and easy to do. Once your kratom tea is ready, you can add a sweetener or cinnamon, to reduce the bitter taste. It will be more pleasant to drink it when flavored. There are various kratom sweeteners that you can choose from. Some, like raw honey, can also provide you with additional health benefits.

Also, before you start heating the water (or even once the tea is ready), add some lemon juice to it. This will keep the kratom alkaloids intact because of the lemon’s acidity. Lemon and other citrus fruits act as kratom potentiators, too. It’s not a necessary requirement, but it does help a lot.

Enjoy your tea and wait for about thirty minutes to feel the first effects. This is the average time kratom tea needs to kick in. Though, some strains of kratom may take a shorter or a longer time.

Conclusion

A lot of kratom users have said that, although kratom tea is great, it doesn’t give the best effects for reducing pain. It’s great when it comes to stimulation and relaxation, but pain relief is not what it’s best for. Of course, this may differ from person to person. Therefore, it’s best if you try and see for yourself.

Nevertheless, make sure that you know when and why you’re using kratom tea. If what you need is strong pain relief, it may not give you the best results. In that case, you may want to use a different method.

But if you want to enhance your mood and get an energy boost, kratom tea is excellent and it can easily become your method of choice.

You can also check out our 5 kratom tea recipes and 5 kratom smoothie recipes.

Have you ever taken kratom tea? How do you like it? Do you have your own approach of how to make kratom tea? What effects do you experience after taking it?