TL;DR: Finding the right kratom dosage is crucial for achieving desired effects safely. This guide covers the basics of kratom, how dosage impacts effects, and tips for responsible use. Always follow manufacturer guidelines, start slow, and prioritize the lowest effective dose.
Main Points:
- What is Kratom? Derived from the mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia, with traditional and recreational uses.
- Active Ingredients: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, affecting users differently based on dosage.
- Kratom Products: Available as leaves, powders, teas, capsules, shots, edibles, and more.
- Legality: Federally legal in the U.S. but restricted in some states.
- Dosage Tips: Follow manufacturer recommendations, start slow, track effects, and aim for the lowest effective dose.
Kratom has steadily gained attention over the past several years for its recreational effects. While not scientifically proven, some users have anecdotally reported health benefits from kratom as well.
If you’re interested in trying out kratom, you’re probably wondering how to find the right kratom dosage for your needs. Where should you start?
Keep reading to learn more about kratom itself, determining an effective dosage of kratom, and much more.
What is Kratom? Important Facts & Info
The substance we commonly call kratom comes from the leaves of a specific type of tree, the mitragyna speciosa. This evergreen tree is part of the coffee family (the same botanical family as the coffee plant) and is native to Southeast Asia.
Kratom use has its roots in traditional medicine in certain countries in that area of the world. Kratom leaves and various products and preparations made from them were and are used to treat common issues like muscle pain and coughs.
Kratom has also been used in these areas as a performance enhancer for workers in various industries, especially in roles requiring long hours or strenuous labor. Additionally, kratom has been a popular recreational substance in certain countries where it’s a native plant.
In recent decades, kratom’s use in recreational settings and for possible health benefits has spread around the world, including the US.
Active Ingredients of Kratom & Effects
The scientific journal Biochemistry Research International explains that preparations of kratom contain a variety of chemicals with psychoactive effects. However, the two major psychoactive chemicals found in kratom leaves are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These chemicals are alkaloids, a wide-ranging group that all have certain effects on humans and animals.
Kratom is unusual compared to many other psychoactive substances in that it has different effects based on dosage. Smaller dosages of kratom appear to have energizing and uplifting effects, while larger doses appear to have more relaxing and sedating effects.
That’s important to keep in mind for our next section, where we’ll share a kratom dosage guide. The ideal dosage of kratom will change depending on the effects you’re looking for, as it has dose-dependent effects.
How is Kratom Used? Understanding Kratom Products
Kratom’s most basic form is the fresh leaves themselves, which are chewed to feel their effects. Kratom teas are another traditional preparation also used in other parts of the world. In the US and across much of the globe, kratom powder is the most common form of this substance.
Kratom powder may be loose and added to beverages or chased with a drink of liquid. Kratom powder is also frequently divided by doses and placed into capsules. Many other kratom products are available as well, from tablets to gels, shots, edibles, kratom beverages, and more.
Legality of Kratom
Kratom is legal on the federal level and in the vast majority of US states. Many states and some towns and cities have rules restricting various aspects of kratom sales, like age limits, labeling laws, and testing requirements. Kratom products that align with those regulations can be legally sold.
A report from the Congressional Research Service explains that there were just six states where kratom was illegal as of late 2023: Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
However, four of those states (Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin) have pending legislation or recently had legislation in their state legislatures to legalize and regulate kratom.
Kratom Capsule Dosage, Kratom Powder Dosage & More: A Guide
Kratom dosing is simple in certain ways and complex in others. One of the most complex factors involved is the sheer range of kratom products available.
Many have different dosing suggestions, so it’s incredibly important to pay attention to the recommended dose provided by each manufacturer for each product. Don’t assume that a safe or effective dose is the same from one product to the next, especially across product categories (i.e. a kratom shot versus a capsule of kratom powder).
A related factor is that not all strains of kratom are the same, as various conditions affect the potency of the active chemicals in kratom leaves. That’s another reason to carefully follow manufacturer recommendations.
We don’t want to share firm dosage numbers in milligrams or other measurements for these reasons. There’s too much variation between product categories and even products within the same category to say a certain dosage will always be safe or effective.
So, what’s simple about figuring out the capsule kratom dosage or the dosage of any kratom product? The fact that reputable manufacturers (including all of the suppliers that we partner with at Delta 8 Resellers) share kratom dosage guides on their packaging.
Our kratom dosing guide boils down to a few simple recommendations that apply across all product categories:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Taking too high of a kratom dosage can lead to unwanted and potentially serious side effects, just like nearly any other recreational substance. Make sure you don’t exceed the recommendation.
- Start slow. For those without much kratom experience, we recommend an extra level of care. Take less than the recommended dose the first few times you try kratom. You can always take the other half if you want stronger effects, but you can’t easily reduce your dosage after consuming it.
- Remember how a dose makes you feel. Keep in mind that smaller doses have energizing effects, and larger doses have sedating effects. Pay attention to how a dose affects you to better understand how your body interacts with kratom.
- Aim for the lowest possible effective dose. Find what works for you and reduce the risk of side effects by not exceeding that kratom dosage.
Kratom You Can Count On
Delta 8 Resellers is proud to offer a wide variety of kratom powder, tablets, shots, and more from leading brands in the kratom industry. We exclusively partner with the best brands to make sure you and all of our customers only get the best kratom available.