One of the most common questions we get is how to drink kratom, which is known for its unique properties, health benefits, and varied uses.
While there is no ‘right’ way to enjoy kratom, understanding the different approaches can enhance your experience. From the simple toss-and-wash method to more complex methods, our guide will explore the different ways of taking kratom in detail.
How to Drink Kratom Powder?
Kratom powder is the most common form of the herb and can be consumed in the following ways:
Toss and Wash
The toss-and-wash method is one of the quickest and easiest ways to take kratom powder. To begin, measure out the desired amount of kratom powder. We recommend that you start with a small dose, around 2–3 grams.
Place the powder in your mouth and swish it around to coat your tongue. Avoid inhaling, as this can cause coughing.
Next, take a swig of water, juice, or other beverage and swirl it around your mouth to mix with the powder. The liquid helps break down the powder.
Then, swallow the mixture and chase it with more liquid to help get all the powder down.
Mixing with Liquids
Adding kratom to a liquid like juice, water, or milk is an excellent way of introducing it into your system without having to deal with its bitter taste.
Fruit juices, especially citric ones, can help mask the taste. As for water or milk, consider adding some honey and sugar to make the experience more pleasant, particularly if you are new to Kratom use.
Whip Up Some Kratom Tea
Kratom powder can be brewed into tea, allowing for an easy way to consume kratom.
To make kratom tea, start by measuring out your desired dose of kratom powder. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a cup with the kratom powder and let it steep for at least 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the hot water to extract the alkaloids from the kratom powder.
You can also steep kratom in a tea infuser or reusable tea bag for easier straining. Place the kratom powder into the infuser and let it steep in simmering water for 15+ minutes. The tea infuser or bag can then be removed easily after steeping.
Make a Kratom Smoothie
One popular way to consume kratom powder is to mix it into a delicious smoothie. The naturally sweet flavors and texture of smoothie ingredients can help mask the taste and grittiness of the kratom.
When making a kratom smoothie, you’ll want to use ingredients that complement the earthy, bitter flavor of the powder. Some good options include:
- Fruits like banana, mango, pineapple, peach, strawberry, or blueberry. The sweetness can help balance out the bitterness.
- Greek yogurt provides creaminess as well as a tanginess that counters the earthy kratom.
- Milk, nut milk, or a non-dairy milk like coconut milk can add richness and help blend the kratom powder.
- Honey, maple syrup, dates, or other natural sweeteners can boost the sweetness to mask the kratom.
- Vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or nutmeg can provide depth of flavor.
Other Ways You Can Take Kratom
There are a few other methods of consuming kratom, including:
Kratom Extracts
Kratom extract is a concentrated form of kratom. It’s more potent than regular kratom powder. The extract is made by boiling the kratom leaves and then condensing the mixture to create a high-potency product. Remember, when using kratom extract, it is important to adjust your dosage due to its increased potency.
Kratom Capsules
With capsules, you can avoid the bitter taste of kratom powder. Generally, there are two options for taking kratom capsules: you can either buy premade ones or fill your own.
Filling your own capsules allows you to carefully control the kratom dose. You can purchase empty gelatin or vegetarian capsules and fill them with your desired amount of kratom powder.
However, bear in mind that this can be time-consuming. And it also requires purchasing encapsulation supplies like a capsule filler and empty capsules.
Alternatively, you can choose to buy pre-made kratom capsules from a reputable vendor like Kratom Exchange.
We offer a range of strains, including Bali Kratom capsules, and each pill contains 500 mg of the extract in its purest form. The capsules are gelatin-free, so they’re easy to digest, and they don’t contain any additives or fillers.
Kratom Tinctures
Kratom tinctures are a concentrated form of kratom in liquid form. To use this, you simply place a few drops under your tongue. This is a quick and easy method to consume kratom. However, because it’s concentrated, it’s often more potent than traditional kratom powder.
Fresh Kratom Leaves
You can chew fresh kratom leaves if you can stand their bitter taste. However, this is not a popular method of consumption since it can be hard to get fresh kratom leaves unless you live in an area where they grow.
Enhancing Your Kratom Experience
Now that you are familiar with the different ways to take kratom, let’s explore some methods to enhance its effects and make your experience more enjoyable.
- Taking kratom on an empty stomach – Avoiding food for several hours before dosing kratom can help increase its effects. Food in the digestive tract can partly absorb kratom and slow its absorption.
- Grapefruit juice – Drinking grapefruit juice about 30 minutes before taking kratom can prolong its effects. Grapefruit juice inhibits certain enzymes that metabolize kratom.
- Turmeric – Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can potentially intensify and extend kratom when taken shortly before dosing. Turmeric may boost kratom by influencing opioid receptors.
- Cayenne pepper or black pepper – The pepper alkaloid piperine can inhibit rapid metabolization of kratom, making its effects last longer. Adding a dash of pepper to kratom tea or capsules may help.
- Ginger – Taking ginger as a tea or eating it raw before taking kratom can help with absorption and reduce nausea, which is a side effect of kratom.
- Valerian root – Some users find combining valerian and kratom increases sedation. However, valerian may dull the energetic effects that some prefer from kratom.
While increasing the strength of kratom can enhance its effects, it also comes with risks. Boosting its potency makes it difficult to control the dosage, increasing your risk of experiencing severe side effects.
So, it’s a good idea to figure out the right amount of kratom to take on its own before trying to make it stronger.
Also, if you’re new to using kratom or if you’re already taking a high dose, it’s best to avoid trying to make it stronger.
Safety and Side Effects
When taking kratom, it is important to practice safety and be aware of potential side effects. Kratom is generally safe when used responsibly at regular doses, but there are some risks to be aware of, and these include:
Nausea
A common side effect of kratom, especially at higher doses, is nausea. Taking kratom on an empty stomach, using potent strains, or taking too much can increase nausea. Staying hydrated and lying down can help relieve nausea. If it persists, lowering one’s dose is recommended.
Risks of High Doses
Taking too much kratom can lead to more severe side effects like sedation, dizziness, vomiting, and even seizures in extreme cases. It’s important to follow dosage guidelines, start low, and increase slowly as needed. Exceeding 15 grams is not recommended.
Dehydration
Kratom acts as a diuretic, so it can cause dehydration. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids when taking kratom to avoid dehydration and side effects like headaches, constipation, dizziness, and urinary problems.
Addiction and Dependence
Though kratom is not an opiate, it does interact with similar receptors in the brain and can lead to addiction and dependence if used frequently and at high doses. To reduce the risk, avoid long-term, continuous use and take regular breaks. If you develop a tolerance or strong cravings, consider seeking professional help to manage your kratom consumption.
Drug Interactions
Kratom may interact with other medications and substances, increasing the risk of side effects or adverse reactions. Speak with a healthcare professional if you are taking any prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements before using kratom.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
The use of kratom by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals is not recommended. Its effects on the developing fetus and infant are not well studied, and it may pose a potential risk. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or nursing before considering kratom use.
Quality and Purity
To ensure safety, it’s essential to purchase kratom from reputable sources. Inferior quality or contaminated kratom can increase the risk of side effects or exposure to harmful substances. Do your research and choose a trustworthy vendor.
Final Thoughts
Kratom is a unique herb that has many potential benefits. But it’s also possible to experience adverse reactions if you do not use it properly or if you take too much of it. As with any medication, talk to your doctor before using kratom, and always follow the dosing instructions carefully.