The best way to use kratom powder depends on the individual. Each method has advantages, so experiment to find what works best for you.
Using kratom can have energizing and relaxing properties. Proper preparation and dosing optimizes benefits and safety. This guide provides my personal insights on ideal strains, administration, dosage, timing, and more to optimize your kratom experience. Follow these best practices for safe, effective kratom use.
What is the best way to take kratom?
One of the great aspects of kratom is that it can be taken in various ways to suit individual preferences. Different administration methods have their own advantages, so experiment to find what works best for you.
Toss and Wash with Kratom Powder
The simplest and most cost-effective method is the classic “toss and wash” technique. Measure out your desired amount of kratom powder and pour it directly onto your tongue. Quickly wash it down with water, juice, or another beverage.
The kratom powder can be quite bitter and earthy-tasting. Many find the flavor unpleasant. Chasing it with something flavored like orange juice can help mask the taste. You’ll feel the effects kick in within 10-15 minutes using this method.
Toss and wash is quick, straightforward, and avoids any loss of potency from processing. However, the taste can be a drawback for some.
Use Edible Films
My personal favorite method for taking kratom is with edible films, also known as oblate discs. These films are made from thin potato starch and have been in Japan for hundreds of years, they are great because they are designed to hold multiples more than any capsule size, while also being easier to use and swallow.
Edible films allows for precise control over your dosage, as well as customizable kratom mixes. You can measure out your desired amounts as well as mix and match different strains to find your personal ideal mix.
Edible films are also A major advantage of films is they completely mask the bitter taste of kratom. There is no need to toss and wash powder or choke down a bitter tea. I also personally find that edible films kick in faster than capsules.
The films come in different shapes like small circles, rectangles, and folded cones. The shape you prefer is just a matter of personal choice.
For me, the combination of portability, accurate dosing, and zero unpleasant taste makes films the ideal method of taking kratom. Once I tried films, I never went back to the mess and bitterness of powder. I highly recommend giving kratom films a try!
Take Kratom Capsules
For those who dislike the taste, kratom caps will do the trick. You can either purchase prefilled capsules or fill kratom powder into gelatin or vegetable capsules manually. Swallow the capsules with water and effects will begin in around 15-30 minutes, depending on stomach contents.
Capsules are portable, measurable, and easy to take. You avoid the gritty texture and bitter flavor. However, capsules are generally more expensive, especially if you don’t make them yourself. Purchasing empty capsules and a capsule machine allows you to encapsulate kratom for a cheaper price.
I personally started my Kratom journey with capsules, but eventually graduated to oblate discs s for the more custom dosage and mixing experience.
Brew Kratom Tea
Brewing kratom powder or crushed kratom leaves into tea is a traditional method. The hot water extracts the alkaloids, creating a convenient drink. Adding honey, sugar, or stevia can significantly improve the bitter, grassy flavor.
Kratom tea often kicks in very quickly, sometimes as fast as 5-7 minutes. The effects don’t seem to last quite as long as other methods, so you may need to brew another cup to cover a full dose period.
While convenient, easy, and fast-acting, making tea can be somewhat time consuming compared to toss and wash or capsules.
If you are interested in learning how to make some good tasting Kratom tea, try this out.
Take Concentrated Kratom Extracts
Through specialized extraction methods, kratom can be processed into highly concentrated extracts and tinctures. These contain a large percentage of active alkaloids in a small dose.
You’ll only need around 1-5 grams of a quality extract, compared to 5-10 grams of conventional kratom powder. This makes extracts convenient and easy to take. They provide rapid effects since the alkaloids don’t need to be filtered out by digestion.
The Kratom extract shots from Kraken Kratom are really potent and effective. I tried the ZENITH NANO 250 LIQUID KRATOM EXTRACT, and it was pretty good but it ran me nearly $20 for a singular shot!
However, the major downside to extracts is that its expensive. Start from $17 for just 0.5 fl oz of extract, compared to $15 for 56 grams of any Kratom Powder. They also elevate your tolerance faster with regular use.
I would recommend them occasionally for special occasions, and not for daily dosing.
Enjoy Kratom Edibles
For a tasty treat, kratom extract can be added to foods and candies like kratom gummies, kratom chocolate, kratom honey and more. The kratom seamlessly blends into the other ingredients.
Edibles disguise the natural bitterness. They’re fun and convenient to take. However, digestion of food delays the onset of effects, which may take 45-60 minutes to fully feel.
While edibles can be great for special occasions, the delayed effects and higher cost make them less practical for regular use. They can provide a nice change of pace from time to time.
I personally have used kratom honey sticks in both tea as well as just eating them straight up.
