It is a challenging question for hundreds of individuals who use kratom, to determine the accurate dose.
The impact of kratom varies from person to person depending on age, height, sex, body mass, general tolerance, and others.
Figuring out the appropriate kratom dose is a crucial factor to get the most from this natural remedy which has been in use for a thousand years.
People have been utilizing kratom for numerous medical benefits and positive effects on the mind, body, and soul.
The first kratom dose results in benefits which help in relieving anxiety, pleasant feeling, lower the blood pressure, boosts up the energy level and maintains the relaxed state of the body.
Before we jump onto the topic what is kratom for those who have no idea about it and are new to it?
It is a leafy tree and is termed as Mitragyna Speciosa. It is a tall tree which grows 3-20 meters and found mainly in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo, Thailand).
Native people have been using kratom leaves for centuries. It is used as a sedative at high doses, stimulating at a low dose and euphoric effects. Kratom is considered as opioids which acts on the same receptors as opiates.
There are three different strains of kratom, i.e., red, green or white.
Red strains are more sedative and have analgesic properties, and green kratom strains are less sleepy with mood uplifting properties.
However, white kratom strains are more stimulating and boost productivity.
There are different methods of ingesting kratom such as:
- Toss and wash in which the required amount of kratom is swallowed and then drink water on it.
- Prepare kratom tea
- Stir kratom in any juice example grapefruit or orange juice
- Mix kratom powder in a food
- Consume kratom capsules
Method To Use Kratom
Traditionally, the natives used to chew raw leaves for the fresh alkaloids to take action. In this way, only the central vein which is also called “midrib” is peeled off. In a similar way, dry leaves are also useful. It is preferable to grind the dried leaves for ease in usage.
A comparatively popular way to ingest Kratom is by making a fine powder of it. A user can measure and eat this powder and swallow with water or any liquid. If the bitter taste of Kratom is a problem, it is better to use it with flavored milk or any sweet drink such as fruit juice.
One can also smoke Kratom but it is not advisable. Dry Kratom, leaves or powder are helpful in tea form which is a method without any hassle.
The most advanced form of Kratom in capsule form, which is by far the most practical. It is just like a regular supplement with fine powder in it.
Step by Step Guide For Kratom Consumption
The kratom powder dosage for starters is usually 2 to 3 grams. If the powder is high quality, it might hit at 3 to 5 grams. A complete guide for using a particular Kratom powder is mentioned below:
- Step One
Consume 2 to 3 grams of Kratom powder, preferably on an empty stomach. Within 20 minutes, effects will start occurring. - Step Two
Assess these effects for 30 to 40 minutes. If they are too mild, consider taking an additional dose of 1 to 2 grams. - Step Three
After taking a booster dose, wait for another half an hour and assess the results again. Usually, the effects of Kratom after a booster dose are sufficient. - Step Four
If the effects are still not fully expressed, try taking a dose of 0.5 to 2 grams according to the degree of effects already felt by the body. - Step Five
Two booster doses are enough even for a person with tolerance to observe the expected results. Now, wait and enjoy the effects for the next four to five hours. - Step Six
After the effects wear off after 5 hours, repeat the process as and when required. For avoiding tolerance, it is important to rotate strains on a regular basis.
Uses of Kratom
Following are the indications of kratom use:
- It helps in making the symptoms manageable in individuals with opioid withdrawal.
- Kratom aids in reducing drinking habits.
- Kratom acts as a painkiller, helps in treating diarrhoea.
- Kratom acts in treating arthritis, fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome.
- Kratom helps in treating chronic pain where pharmaceutical medicines do not work or are unavailable.
- Kratom helps in mood uplifting, more extended sex drive, increased sociability and productivity.
- Kratom acts as a perfect relief for patients who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Accurate Kratom Dosages
Kratom doses vary between individuals and strains. For most people 3 grams is a perfect dose, if it does not work, you change the strain or increase the dose.
Kratom works without tolerance for many individuals between 2-6 grams of dosage. You can limit your addictive potential without increasing the body’s tolerance and consuming kratom 2-3 times a week.
The experts advise beginning with a small dose,i.e., around 1 gram. If you know that your body is sensitive and tends to respond quickly, then start with 0.5 grams of dosage.
Kratom is said to have slow effects in the body; you need to wait for 45-50 minutes to feel the effects of kratom before you take the further dose.
You can add 0.5 grams of kratom to your beginning dose, if you are not happy with the results and again wait for 45 minutes.
Repeat till you achieve the desired results. If you have repeated 2 to 3 times, then try back the next day with kratom dose of around 3 grams.
Bear in mind that start slowly and gradually with small kratom dose. Listen and understand your body’s response.
You can always add more kratom dose but can’t start with less dose again. An overdose of kratom is not recommended as it results in nausea and wobbles.
It is difficult to find the right sweet spot for your body as every individual reacts differently to each kratom strain and dose.
Find out the correct kratom dose by subtracting or adding 0.5 grams of kratom to the initial 1 gram kratom dose.
General Kratom Dosage Guidelines
Follow this general guideline for kratom dosages:
- Mild or stimulant effects: 2-4 grams
- Moderate, stimulant or sedative effects: 4-6 grams
- Sturdy, analgesic or sedative effects: 6-8 grams
- Powerful, analgesic or sedative effects: 8 grams or above (not recommended)
These guidelines are not a result of scientific research to prove their clinical significance. There is very less research work on Kratom itself. All the effects and dosage information is mostly based on user reviews. These dosage recommendations are not 100% accurate. They may follow an up or down for different users.
Duration and Onset of Kratom
It takes around 20-60 minutes to start producing the results. These kratom effects last for 4-6 hours depending on an individual and different kratom strains. Kratom capsules might take longer than this for the desired results.
How to Measure Ketum Dosage?
The best way to measure Kratom powder is through a scale. Each dose of Kratom is measured in grams so ideally, the balance should be spacious to facilitate this amount. Using an electronic or digital scale is more beneficial. It’s a one-time purchase product which lasts for long.
If the budget is short, one can even use the kitchen balance. However, the accuracy is higher with a digital scale. Even a spoon can work to put the powder on the scale. One teaspoon fills almost 2 grams powder in it.
There are approximately 3 level teaspoons in a tablespoon. So each spoon will be roughly 6-7 grams of Kratom powder. This is a moderate dose which needs more accuracy for determination of effects. Weighing dry leaves is a little tricky because they are hard and scatter everywhere.
5 Important Tips to Get Correct Kratom Dosage
Follow these 5 simple tips to get the maximum results with correct kratom dosage:
1) Stay hydrated
Kratom results in dehydration, so it is significant to keep yourself hydrated and drink s much water as possible.
If you feel light-headedness, it means you have taken a high dose, but if you follow the above-mentioned guidelines, then it indicates that you need to drink water. Bear in mind that you need to drink extra water while on kratom.
2) Empty stomach
Kratom should be taken on an empty stomach especially at beginner’s stage. At later steps, you can experiment kratom with a full stomach after the consumption of food.
A partially complete or full stomach needs a high kratom dose for achieving the desired results.
3) Every Kratom strain needs a different dose
It is essential to follow the above-mentioned guidelines whenever you are trying a new kratom strain for the first time.
Each kratom strain has different sweet spots for every individual. Faster strains provide you with quick results, so you need to start off with the small kratom dose.
4) Maintain a log
Keep notes about your first experience with varying kratom strains and also mention the dose and timings of the kratom dose and others.
Even jot down about your feelings and thoughts which you feel while on kratom use.
It helps you identify the build on every experience you had with different kratom strains. These experiences with kratom get better with time.
5) Start with the small dose
Remember that less kratom dose is more and even more in some circumstances. As soon as you increase the kratom dosage, it will stop providing the same effects.
Increased kratom dosage will result in increased tolerance,i.e., it leads to reverse impact. Minimal kratom dose is better to obtain positive results.
It is recommended to take kratom once or twice a week so that your body does not get used to it.
The kratom strains should be used on special occasions to avoid addiction and tolerance in the body.
Side Effects of Kratom Overdosing
The extra amount of kratom results in nausea and wobbles. The wobbles are defined as a phenomenon which occurs due to high doses of kratom with a high concentration of alkaloids in a specific kratom strain.
If you have taken high doses of kratom, then eat light foods such as opt for carbs rather than fatty foods.
Lie down and chew Ginger specifically Chimes Ginger Chews which helps in relieving nausea. If it is overpowering, then you might need to vomit, as it makes you feel better after that.
Other side effects with kratom include a headache, pupillary constriction or tiny pupils, tremors, facial flushing or blushing, addictive potential, and constipation.
However, the most common side effects with kratom are a headache and nausea, if you have consumed a large dose or did not take enough water.
The significant side effects occur due to dehydration and can be corrected by drinking more water.
You can relieve constipation with the help of Magnesium Citrate. Other than that kratom results in hiccups and itchiness.
Final Thoughts on Kratom Dosage
Hopefully, this article will provide a summary of the essential points and tips on how to manage the correct dose of kratom.
The dosage of Kratom plays an important role to get the most appropriate effects. For example, if one needs the painkilling effects, it will only work in a higher dose.
If a user just needs motivation and stamina, a low dose is preferable. So it’s the Kratom strain and then the dosage which determines the fate of Kratom on a user.
Experimenting between strains and keeping the dosage moderate reduces the risks of Kratom by 50-80%. This safe user practises will let the user enjoy the benefits of Kratom at maximum, without the fear of being a health risk.
Consult your doctor before the consumption of kratom to avoid any severe effects.