Kratom is a new age every day herbal solution. It is a tree from Southeast Asia which is now available in many derived forms. As the popularity of Kratom is increasing, the demand for new products is also high. It leads to formulating easily to use, highly powerful products such as Kratom extracts. For the new users, it will be something new.
Kratom or Mitragyna speciosa is available in many forms such as resins, tinctures, oils, etc. All these forms are basically Kratom extracts. The names of these products have a number mentioned with “x” which shows its potency. For example, 5x, 10x, 15x, 50x, and so on. The Kratom extracts are way more powerful and certainly expensive for the right reasons.
How is Kratom Extract Made?
Kratom extract is a subsequent product of Kratom. They are made by crushing and grinding the leaves. This material is sent for boiling and later on the water evaporates. It leaves behind a thick and alkaloid dense material which is a Kratom extract.
This extract has way more alkaloids than regular Kratom leaves and powder. This extract can be shaped into anything such as resin, liquid tincture, or oil for further use.
The key to make Kratom extract is to ensure a maximum amount of alkaloids to sustain. These active bio-compounds include Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynin and Mitraphylline, three vital compounds of Mitragyna speciosa. There are a lot of other alkaloids too but these three make the maximum part. An extract which has a maximum number of alkaloids is called “Full Spectrum Kratom” or “Full Kratom Tincture”.
Types of Kratom Extracts
Kratom extracts have three main types which are as follows.
- Water Based Extracts
When the boiling process of the leaves has water as its solvent, the extract is called water-based extract. This water is later on evaporated from the paste which leaves a dark and dense extract behind. It is a mild level product which is available in 5x, 10x, 15x, etc. Most of the Kratom user describes water-based extracts as best.
- Liquid Extracts
The liquid extract is the same as the tincture. It is not as effective as the water-based extract. The reason is that making a soluble product is never that much high in alkaloids as the dry products are.
- Resin Extracts
One of the most liked extract forms is resin. It has broad benefits to offer. Resin has both polar and non-polar solvents in its formulation. Most of the times, they induce a rich feeling of sedation in the user.
- UEI Extract
UEI Extracts are of the most superior type of Kratom extracts. When a whole leaf is used in the process to refine the Kratom, the extract is called UEI extract. It is a tie taking, long and expensive process which needs special equipment. For this reason, it is not as common as other extracts. It is the best thing to try for withdrawal symptoms.
How to Understand Extract Grading?
Grading Kratom products is a method to evaluate their work potency. The general grades which are common are 1x, 5x, 10x, 15x, and so on. They are even available in higher versions such as 50x. This grading is vendor-specific most of the time.
What most of the people don’t know is that this “x” doesn’t mean potency. If an extract is 5x it doesn’t mean that it is 5 times more strong. This multiplication shows concentration per volume. There is no as such a standard alkaloid content among different Kratom strains. Also, the extraction doesn’t have a universal parameter to follow. So the 50x will not be necessarily powerful than 15x.
Higher Grade vs. Lower Grade Extract
In the case of Kratom extracts, higher doesn’t mean better. The extract multiplication factors are a different thing. It is average for Kratom leaf of 1% alkaloid to mix with more than 25 chemicals. The grade 20x of an extract will denote 20% active ingredient in the form of alkaloids and the rest 80% is common to plant material.
The Full-Spectrum Extracts and Benefits
A common thing these days is to watch a 50x and 100x extract on any Kratom vendor website. It may catch the attention for a while but it needs proper understanding if someone truly needs it or not. A high-grade Kratom may not be suitable for everyone.
The Kratom is a beneficial plant but high amounts as 100% are not necessarily required by everyone. A 100x extract means that the extract has 100% alkaloids in it. This is usually called “Full Spectrum Kratom”. Unfortunately, this full spectrum Kratom will no more powerful than 20x extract because the purification process loses so many alkaloids.
Which Extract is Best?
The most important thing to look before buying any Kratom product is your personal requirement. Some strains are very popular but they don’t fulfill the purpose for which you need them. The same is the case with extracts. The extracts usually have information about the leaf which it has. It will tell a new user what is he going to buy. Some extracts are very low graded which may not be suitable for you.
So always keep in mind why do you want a Kratom extract and search for a relevant product. For example, for pain control and management, a full spectrum extract of Indo or Bali Kratom is a good choice to make. For stimulation, there is nothing better working than the water based extract of Maeng Da or Thai. So always research on the strains and check the details before confirming the online order.
How are these Extracts Useful?
For the new users, it is better to try with low grades. The experienced Kratom users have more options to try because of their past experience. There are several things to know while anyone prepares for using a Kratom extract. Some of these must-knows are as following.
- Select a suitable strain
The first and foremost thing is to know what do you need a Kratom to do for you. As per a user’s requirement, the selection of an appropriate strain is essential to make. All the information on Kratom strains is easily available online. So, make up your mind on which Kratom strain is in the search list.
- Determine the right dosage for you
When there is a suitable extract in front of the user, the next thing to know is “how much” extract to use. This factor is different for the beginners and experienced. The best way to find an accurate dosage is to start with a low dose and gradually increase it. There comes a point which gives the best of the best effects. That is the right dosage which is user specific. It may not be same for all.
Don’t follow random advice from anyone blindly. The dose which is good for him may not be equally helpful for you. Since all bodies and their systems are different, the reaction of the body to certain elements i.e. Kratom is also different.
- Make a dosage cycle
Dosage cycling is a process which means how often does a body need Kratom intake. A proper cycling helps to get the most desirable effects at the right time.
For example, taking a powerful extract on alternate days, instead of daily use will make the effects more strongly. It will further reduce the risk of tolerance which many people believe is a side effect of Kratom. The user body will have a balanced sensitivity level which means no side effects will ever show up.
- Fix a time for Kratom intake
The regular Kratom consumers understand the importance of “time” in Kratom experience. Almost every user can tell that the effects of Kratom are best to achieve on an empty stomach. Therefore, using any Kratom product in the morning, 30-40 minutes before breakfast is the best idea. 30-40 minutes is the average time which Kratom takes to activate itself inside the user body.
When someone takes it after a heavy meal, the effects are delayed for over 60 minutes which is undesirable. That is the reason to take Kratom on an empty stomach. Take a light breakfast or meal after it.
Do not use extracts more than three times a week or two days consecutively. It increases the chances of addiction as extracts are more powerful than leaves, powders, and capsules.
How to Use Extracts Daily?
Kratom extracts are more bitter in taste than the Kratom leaves. They have a distinct fragrance which many people don’t like. In such cases, the best way to use an extract is to add it to a recipe. Any flavor juice or drink will work.
The most popular choice to mix it is orange juice, chocolate, and fruit smoothies and herbal teas. Kratom extracts are a part of recipes too such as cookies, puddings, and salads. Anything which a user prefers is fine, all of them work equally good.
The majority of the people believe that extracts work best with a plain leaf or plain leaf powder. It shows a synergy between these two which makes certainly better results.
The Dosage Conversion from Powder to Extract
Kratom needs dosage accuracy in every form. For the users who have experience with powder and capsules but not with extracts, the dosage conversion is real-time math. In general, 5 grams of Kratom powder has the same effects as that of 0.33 g of a 15x extract.
As described earlier, a 25x dosage doesn’t mean 25 times stronger. So these conversions are not highly accurate. It is just a matter of estimation. For more details take help from online conversion charts.
Why are Kratom Extracts Expensive?
Kratom extract is usually more expensive than all other products. Many of the Kratom vendors explain this high price as an adjustment for the manufacturing cost. The regular Kratom products like powder and capsule use basic manufacturing and packing machinery. Whereas the extracts need specific tools to make the product and then pack it individually as per grade.
All of this takes so much time, effort, and utensils involved. This gives an explanation for the elevated market price of Kratom extracts. However, for the high price problem, many people are against using the extracts
Side Effects and Precautions
Kratom extracts are quiet powerful than the actual Kratom powder. For the sensitive people and new consumers, it may induce some side effects such as;
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Nausea
- Difficulty in thinking
- Laziness
- Fatigue
The chances of these side effects are very less. To avoid developing tolerance, these extracts need proper dosage, timing, and cycle to follow. Following all the up listed points reduces the risk of an insignificant Kratom experience.