Kratom is the product resulting from drying the leaves of the southeastern Asian kratom tree (Mitragyna speciosa). Plenty of people are using kratom to relieve many conditions and health issues. But establishing a right kratom dosage is crucial to avoid side effects. In this post, you’ll learn how to measure kratom correctly.
Factors to Consider
Just like it happens with other herbal products or substances, to know how to measure kratom correctly can be complex and even a bit tricky due to a series of factors:
- Kratom quality, which can vary among the different kratom vendors.
- Kratom strains and varieties. There are three different kratom strains, plus different sub-types depending on the place of origin. Each kratom variety will produce different effects.
- The intake method. Kratom can be brewed into a tea, added to food or consumed in capsules. Each intake or preparation method can also vary the effects kratom will arise.
- Kratom extracts or enhanced products. Kratom can be processed to produce kratom extracts or resins, which will result in more potent products. Kratom extracts can also be blended with raw kratom in order to create enhanced kratom products, which are also stronger than regular raw kratom.
- The individual’s tolerance. The level of tolerance or sensitivity to kratom will vary among individuals, depending on many factors like the dosage or how often he or she consumes kratom.
All these factors will impact the dose of kratom you will need, and because of them, it is very important to be conservative when experimenting with kratom dosages.
Kratom Dosages in Grams
So, how to measure kratom exactly? Kratom needs to be measured in grams, and this is something that many new users of kratom find odd. This happens because not everybody is used to measuring in grams. Instead, many people use spoons as a measurement reference.
But can we convert spoons into grams? No, converting spoons into grams is not a good idea and can be very inaccurate. This happens because a gram is a measurement of weight, while spoons (either tablespoons or teaspoons) measure volume.
Two different substances can have a different weight but a similar volume or vice versa. For instance, one gram of sugar would be the equivalent to 1/4 of a teaspoon, whereas one gram of salt would correspond to 1/6 of a teaspoon. In this case, we would have a similar weight (one gram) but different volumes (teaspoons). The same happens with kratom. Establishing how many grams of kratom are contained in a teaspoon or a tablespoon can be imprecise, as you are trying to measure the weight by evaluating the volume.
Generally speaking, we can consider the following equivalences between kratom tablespoons/teaspoons and its weight in grams:
- One level teaspoon = 2.5 – 3 grams of kratom
- One level tablespoon = 7.5 – 9 grams of kratom
Keep in mind that these measurements are general equivalences, which may vary depending on several factors, such as:
The consistency of the kratom powder
The finer the grind, the heavier by volume the weight. On the other hand, a coarse grind will mean there will be more “air” space between particles, so the powder will be lighter by volume.
The moisture kratom might have acquired
Keeping kratom in good storage conditions is critical not only to keep kratom fresh for longer but also to ensure the accurateness of its weight. When kratom absorbs moisture due to a poor storage, not only will it lose its properties, it will also be heavier. This happens because the moisture (humidity) adds “water weight” to the kratom, which increases its weight. Mind though that this does not mean that you are consuming more kratom: the amount of kratom will be the same, the extra weight will come from the moisture caused by bad storage conditions. Storing kratom in an air-tight container will help you to keep it fresh and to avoid moisture.
The contents of the powder
Whether the kratom powder is pure leaf powder, leaf and stem, or it is an extract or a blend will also impact on the weight.
Kratom strain and variety
The weight of kratom will also vary depending on the strain and variety used.
Grams per Spoon Depending on the Different Kratom Strains
How many grams a teaspoon or a tablespoon will contain, may dramatically vary depending on the kratom strain or variety you are using. Below you will find an approximate guide with the equivalence teaspoon/tablespoon – grams for the different kratom strains and varieties.
White or Red Indo Kratom Powder
- One level teaspoon = 2.2 grams of kratom
- One level tablespoon = 6.6 grams of kratom
Green Malay Kratom Powder
- One level teaspoon = 2.4 grams of kratom
- One level tablespoon = 7.2 grams of kratom
Maeng Da Kratom Powder
- One level teaspoon = 2.5 grams of kratom
- One level tablespoon = 7.5 grams of kratom
Bali Kratom Powder
- One level teaspoon = 2.3 grams of kratom
- One level tablespoon = 6.9 grams of kratom
You can also use measuring spoons instead of tea or tablespoons. Measuring spoons are deeper than regular kitchen spoons. They also include a number for the volume and for the weight they contain. These spoons are more accurate than regular kitchen spoons. But take into account that even so, the volume is not equivalent to the weight. That means the weight indicated in the spoons is still an approximation. If you use a measuring spoon to calculate your kratom dosage, you will probably need to wipe off the excess powder.
The Correct Way to Measure Kratom
First, you will need a kitchen scale that measures in grams. You can use either a digital or a manual scale. In any case, both are very easy to find. And you can buy them either online or at your local office supply store. Plus they are incredibly cheap: you can find kitchen scales from less than $5.
If you are using a manual scale, make sure you have zeroed before weighing the kratom. To zero the scale, just twist the knob until the needle aligns with the zero. Some manual scales are not very well balanced and you may need to perform this operation every time you weigh kratom. It is a very simple process, though, but remember to always check that the needle is aligned with the zero prior to using it.
Place the kratom powder onto the scale and adjust the amount by adding or removing a bit of powder until you achieve the desired quantity. As explained before, it is very important to keep kratom in good storage conditions not only to maintain its freshness but to prevent an “extra” weight from the moisture which kratom might have acquired.
If you have kratom capsules and need to know the exact amount of kratom powder contained in each capsule, you will need to remove the powder from one capsule and then weigh it. Thus, you will be able to know the exact quantity of kratom powder that each capsule contains, which will allow you to know how many capsules you need for your desired dosage.
How to Establish the Right Kratom Dosage
Measuring kratom is not the only factor to take into consideration in order to establish your ideal kratom dose. Other factors are:
- Your tolerance level
- The kratom strain and variety
- The quality
- The intake method
- Whether you are taking kratom with an empty stomach
It is recommended to be conservative with the dosage. If you are not sure about which dose you should use, start with a low kratom dose. Then wait between 45 to 60 effects to determine the full effects. If the effects are too mild or not noticeable, you can then consider taking an additional dose.
