Kratom FAQ

So, what exactly is Kratom?

Kratom is a naturally-occurring plant indigenous to Southeast Asia that humans have been using for hundreds of years as a natural supplement to alleviate a wide variety of ailments. Kratom's scientific name is Mitragyna speciosa, and is actually a member of the coffee family!

It is the leaves of this plant that cause the physical and psychoactive effects associated with Kratom. Historically, people have been known to chew the leaves or use them to make tea. Nowadays, Kratom is more frequently consumed by drying and crushing the leaves into a fine powder form and ingesting the powder directly, or in a capsule.

What are the different kinds of Kratom?

Kratom, similarly to Cannabis, has different strains ( or "Veins") that affect our bodies differently. The 3 main Kratom Veins are Green, White, and Red, and can be differentiated by the color of the veins in the plants' leaves - hence, the different "Veins." Kratom can also be categorized into groups based on what geographic region the plant originated from. Some examples of these are Bali, Thai, Vietnam, etc.

The different effects of these Veins can usually be generalized as follows:

• Green - Green strains of Kratom typically offer a euphoric and uplifting mood boost that can help with symptoms of Anxiety and Depression. It has also been known to provide a slight energizing sensation, perfect for helping the consumer feel focused and motivated.

• White - White Kratom is widely used for its stimulating properties. This strain is great for those who typically feel lethargic and tired throughout the day, or for those looking for a more energized workout. Additionally, White Vein Kratom can help focus the busy minds of those with ADHD/ADD.

• Red - Of the 3 main Kratom Veins, Red is most commonly used for its relaxing, sedative properties, as the effects of this strain most closely mirror the effects of prescription opiates. Because of this, many people will use Red Vein Kratom to wean themselves off of more detrimental substances like Heroin or other highly addictive painkillers. Red Veins are also a good option for those dealing with Insomnia or with high levels of pain/chronic pain.

How does Kratom work?

The effects of Kratom can be attributed to two main active compounds found in the plant: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These two compounds act as Opioid Agonists - interacting with different Opioid Receptors in our brains to produce feelings of sedation, pleasure, decreased pain, or increased stimulation depending on the vein and size of the dose. 

This may sound concerning at first, but it's important to note that there are many common substances that interact with our Opioid receptors in the same way that Kratom does. Coffee and other caffeinated drinks interact with our opioid receptors in this way, as well as some cheeses!

How do I properly dose Kratom?

Dosing with Kratom can sometimes feel overwhelming, as there are quite a number of factors that go into choosing the proper dose size for the consumer. Is the consumer a new Kratom user? What kind of effect is the consumer looking to get from the Kratom? What vein of Kratom is the consumer interested in?

Here is a quick guide to dosing sizes:

Small/Low Dose (Beginner's Dose) - To start out, it is recommended that the consumer only take 0.5 to 2 grams of Kratom at a time. Kratom capsules typically contain around 0.5 grams, so a Small or Beginner's dose would be about 1 - 4 capsules.

It is important to note that regardless of the Kratoms' vein, smaller doses will often feel more stimulating!

Medium Dose - A medium dose of Kratom consists of about 5 - 9 capsules or 2.5 to 4.5 grams. If taking small doses of Kratom does not quite give you the desired effect, you can up your intake to a medium dose. Keep in mind that increasing the size of your dose can decrease the stimulating effects of the Kratom.

Large/High Dose - A high dose of Kratom can range from 10 - 15 or 20 capsules depending on the tolerance of the user and desired effect of the Kratom. It is not recommended for consumers to regularly take high doses of Kratom.

**It is important to note that regardless of the Kratom's vein, larger doses will often

feel more sedating!**

Is Kratom Safe to use?

The short answer to this question is: Yes! Kratom is a safe, natural supplement. However, just like many other supplements and natural remedies, there is always the chance for abuse.

Similarly to caffeine, Kratom can be habit-forming if taken regularly, and because of the opiate-like nature of the plant, many people will overuse kratom recreationally, and find themselves feeling groggy or even nauseous without it.

In addition, by taking a regular dose of Kratom every day, the body will eventually start to build up a tolerance to that strain, and you may find yourself needing to increase your daily dose.

To combat tolerance-building or habit-formation, take regular tolerance breaks from your Kratom, or try switching Kratom veins every few weeks to give your body a break from your regular vein.