Often, people take kratom for the energy boost it provides. It also helps them focus on their work or tasks at hand.
However, more research is needed to substantiate these claims. It’s important to note that kratom is not regulated and may be contaminated with other substances like opioids.
How to Take Kratom
Depending on whom you ask, kratom is either a dangerous drug with no medical use and severe side effects or a safe and effective pain reliever and mood booster. While the benefits of kratom are real, it’s important to take the drug responsibly and speak with your doctor before beginning a new supplement. Regardless of what you decide to do, be sure to start small and slowly increase your dose. Also, don’t drive or operate machinery after taking kratom and inform a friend or family member that you are using it so they can check on you.
In a recent study, kratom was found to help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety among some users. However, the same study also found that the effects of kratom vary by individual and depend on the dosage. While 2 grams is a common starting point, it may require more or less than this for some people depending on body chemistry and weight.
There are several ways to take kratom, including brewed tea and capsules. Brewing kratom tea is the traditional method and is delicious and customizable to your liking. However, it can take 10-20 minutes to make, and the bitter taste of raw kratom powder can be difficult to mask with sweeteners. Capsules are convenient and easy to swallow, but they can be costly and limit customization. Snorting or smoking kratom is also not recommended as it can cause negative long-term side effects.
Dosage
There are a variety of factors that determine the dose of kratom. These factors include your size, the primary effect you want (energizing or relaxing), and how often you take it. A low dose may cause drowsiness, while a high dose can have stimulating effects. The amount you use will also determine how long the effects last.
When you start with a low dosage, the most common way to take kratom is as a tea. However, you can also take it as a powder or capsule. Some people find that kratom is best for them in an edible form, such as a smoothie or a fruit juice. This allows them to customize their experience by incorporating other ingredients.
The dosage of kratom is different for everyone, but the recommended range is around 2 grams. This amount is enough to produce a wide range of effects, but it will be mainly the lower level ones. For example, red and green veins can give you a mental boost, while making you energetic and clearheaded. This makes them popular among people who have a busy lifestyle.
Many people also take kratom for pain relief. This is because the alkaloids in kratom bind to the same receptors as opiate drugs and help alleviate pain. People who suffer from chronic pain can benefit from kratom, but they should talk to their doctor first before taking it.
Side Effects
While kratom has been touted as an alternative to opioid painkillers, it is actually an addictive drug. And like other drugs, kratom can have severe and dangerous side effects, including overdose. It is important to talk to your doctor before taking kratom, especially if you have other health conditions or take medications. You may be able to find the same relief from natural pain relievers, which are less likely to cause side effects.
If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, your doctor may prescribe medications to address those symptoms instead of recommending kratom. And if you are using kratom to manage opioid withdrawal, you should seek treatment for that addiction immediately.
Aside from the risks of toxicity and withdrawal, kratom can also cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, jitteriness and increased anxiety. It can also amplify the effects of other substances, such as Xanax. This is why it’s important to only use kratom in carefully controlled and monitored circumstances.
In addition, snorting or smoking kratom increases the speed at which it is absorbed in your bloodstream. This can lead to faster and more intense effects and may even damage your nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. It can also make it harder to measure your dosage. To reduce the risk of overdose, smoke only small amounts at a time and avoid snorting powder.
Tolerance
When kratom is taken regularly for extended periods of time, it may require larger servings to produce the same effects. This is because the body becomes used to having the alkaloids present and begins requiring them at higher levels to feel its benefits. This is similar to the tolerance that can build up to opioids and can make quitting difficult.
The compounds in kratom leaves, including mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine, interact with receptor systems in the brain to produce reported effects such as pain management, mood enhancement, anxiety reduction and energy boosts. When used in large doses, kratom can also act like an opioid and can cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, vomiting and stomach upset.
Tolerance to kratom can be managed by taking regular breaks, using different strains of kratom and spreading out your use throughout the day. It can also be reverted by taking a longer break from kratom and then reintroducing it with small servings. A good way to monitor your tolerance is by keeping track of how many hits you get each time you take a certain strain. A series of misses over a period of time could indicate that you are approaching the “it doesn’t work anymore” phase. Practicing sweet spot adherence and a committed rotation will help prevent this from happening to most people. How to use kratom