Like any other plant, kratom has its own peculiarities that you should know about before using it. First of all, you should know that although kratom is a natural herb, it doesn’t come without risks. That’s why it is important to learn how to use it properly to avoid any undesired effects. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on what to do and what to avoid when using kratom.
What to Do and What to Avoid When Using Kratom?
Determining what to do and what to avoid when using kratom has a lot to do with common sense. However, if you are new to kratom you might be confused by the huge amount of contradictory information available online. So, there are some measures that you can take to make sure that you are always doing the right thing. So, let’s see some tips below.
What to do when using kratom?
To make sure that you are using kratom the right way, you should consider the following tips:
Always research first
Although this might seem an obvious thing to do, you would be amazed by the huge number of people who don’t do any research before buying kratom or any other product. Researching a product should be the first step before making any purchase, especially if you are shopping for new products intended for consumption.
Although kratom has become very popular in recent times, it is still very unknown to the majority of the population. So, finding reliable kratom information can become a hard task. For this reason, it is recommended to visit various blogs, vendors, and forums before making a purchase decision.
Choose the right type
If you have been using kratom for a long time, you should know already that there are many kratom types with different properties. But if you are new to the plant, you have surely asked yourself the following questions: what is the right type for me?
Answering this question is not always easy, that’s why it’s important to follow the above tip and research before buying. However, it could happen that you do your due diligence and research a lot and still buy a strain that doesn’t work for you. So, how can you determine the right type for you?
First, you should understand the difference between kratom types. If you are a regular reader of our blog, you already know that the white types are more euphoric and energizing, the red varieties are more relaxing and soothing, and the green types are typically in between the other two. So, keeping this in mind will help you narrow the search down. Many vendors offer variety packs of each kratom color so you can try a few and determine which one works better for you. Also, you can request samples from your vendor to try new strains. This will surely help you find the best kratom strain.
Always measure your dose
Measuring your dose is something that you must always do before using kratom. As you may know, regardless of the type, different kratom doses have different effects. In fact, not measuring your dosage can result in the opposite effect that you were looking for.
So, keep this in mind: kratom tends to be more relaxing and calming at higher doses, while more euphoric and energizing at lower doses. Determining the right dose is not always easy, as every individual reacts to the plant differently. However, a dose under 2-3 grams is considered low, and the dosage of 6-7 grams is high. It is not recommended going above 8 grams, as this is a very high dose.
Although there is no general rule to dosing kratom, it is always recommended to start on the lower dose possible and build up from there until you find what works for you. But mind that this process may take a few days.
Choose the right method of ingestion
The right method of kratom consumption is ingestion. It is believed that the active ingredients of the plant are better absorbed by the system by ingesting it. But there are various methods that you can use to ingest kratom. All of these methods can be equally effective, but not all of them are suitable for everyone. Let’s see them below:
- Ingesting the powder directly: this is the so-called “toss n’ wash”. Although many individuals prefer this way of using the plant, it is not recommended for everybody. The reason for this is that kratom has a very bad taste and ingesting the powder in this fashion can make you gag or even vomit.
- Drinking kratom tea is another very popular way to ingest kratom. Additionally, by mixing your kratom powder with hot water can help you get rid of contaminants that might be present in the plant.
- Chewing kratom leaves is the traditional way to ingest kratom. This is, in fact, the method that people in Sough East Asia used to consume the plant. However, finding fresh kratom leaves in the US seems an impossible task.
- Taking kratom capsules is another popular way to ingest kratom. However, if you choose to use this method, we recommend that you make your own capsules or simply use oblate disks. This way, you’ll be able to properly measure your dose.
Look for the right vendor
Finding the right vendor will help you avoid problems such as getting adulterated, contaminated or bad quality kratom. So, to find the right vendor we recommend that you take the following measures:
- Look for vendors opinions in blogs
- Ask in forums
- Look for reviews in dedicated sites, such as Yelp or Trustpilot
- Have a look at the vendor’s site: does it look professional to you?
- Review the vendor’s policies: do they have a return policy? Do they offer free samples?
- Pay attention to the contacting methods: do they have an email and phone number where you can reach them?
What to avoid when using kratom?
Now that you know what to do when using kratom, let’s find out what to avoid having a safe experience with the plant.
Avoid buying cheap kratom
Although it might seem appealing, buying cheap kratom can result in a very bad experience. Kratom is a native tree from the rainforest of South East Asia and needs the climate of those regions to be able to fully grow and develop. For this reason, it is not possible to grow kratom locally. So, all the kratom that we find in the market is imported from those areas.
On the other hand, the FDA and other governmental agencies have the plant under scrutiny these days. As a result, many kratom shipments are blocked in the customs, so vendors might have to wait for months until their shipment is released.
This will give you an idea of why kratom is not a cheap plant. So, be suspicious of prices that seem too low.
Don’t trust miracle claims
Kratom is a natural plant with many properties but it doesn’t do miracles. So, don’t trust claims that seem too sensationalist. Although kratom can help you ease many ailments and allow you to have a better quality of life, it won’t cure or treat any disease.
So, keep in mind that kratom is an aid, not a cure. Consequently, you should always follow up with your doctor and never skip your routine health check-ups.
Don’t mix kratom with other substances
The use of potentiators might seem appealing to many individuals who want to get more for less. But using potentiating substances along with kratom may result in unwanted or even dangerous effects. Like any other natural (or synthetic) substances, kratom may have interactions when used together with certain medications or foods, such as grapefruit.
Although there is not enough research on this subject, common sense tells us that, since kratom shouldn’t be used with SSRI medications or together with painkillers. Moreover, you should not mix kratom with any medications to avoid any risks.
Avoid funny consumption methods
If you search for kratom on the internet, you’ll probably find people who are asking if kratom can be smoked, snorted or even shot. You should never trust claims that say that kratom can be used in any of those fashions. Mitragyna Speciosa should not be used as a recreational drug, and, consequently, it should never be mixed with any illegal substances. This could result in very dangerous effects.
Additionally, as we already mentioned, kratom’s alkaloids are believed to be better absorbed by the system when it’s ingested. So, trying other methods may not only be harmful, but also ineffective.
Finally, to know what to do and what to avoid when using kratom. use your common sense and don’t do anything that seems odd. Most times, by using common sense you will avoid many dangerous situations!
