How to Take Kratom: The Complete Guide | Kratom Monkey

My name is Andrew, and this is your complete Kratom Monkey guide to taking kratom. I will cover absolutely everything, from well-known consumption methods to the more obscure ones. I am a firm believer in experimenting with different product types. You will never be 100% sure which is best for you until you have tried everything! We have lots to cover and no time to waste. So, let's get started!

Kratom powder is a best-selling kratom product type. Made by finely grinding dried Mitragyna speciosa leaves, kratom powder is versatile and typically provides a fast onset of effects.

Pretty much every kratom strain on the market is sold in powder form. Whether you like White Maeng Da or Red Riau, there is a kratom powder product for you. Let’s learn how to use them. 

The toss-and-wash approach is quick and easy, if a little messy - and works just like it sounds! You toss the powder into your mouth before washing it down with water or a drink of your choice.

The toss-and-wash method exposes you to kratom’s bitter flavor, so it is not universally liked. You can learn to grin and bear it or take the sting out of the taste by using fruit juice or adding sweetener to the water. 

For best effects, measure a precise kratom powder dosage first, preferably with a measuring spoon. While your serving size may vary by a few milligrams each time, this will help ensure consistent kratom experiences.

Kratom-infused tea has stood the test of time, having been brewed in Southeast Asian countries for centuries. And you can brew your own alkaloid-rich concoctions with finely-ground kratom powder. You will need the following:

• Kratom powder (a strain - or strains! - of your choice)
• Optional: a potentiator (e.g., cayenne pepper, grapefruit juice, turmeric)
• Optional: sweetener
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Heat source (i.e., a stove or hob)
• Strainer or coffee filter (or an alternative to strain the alkaloid-infused tea)

And this is my preferred way to brew it:

1. Add 1 ½ cups of water to the saucepan and bring to a simmer
2. Stir in the kratom powder (4 to 5 grams for a moderate effect)
3. Optional: stir in the potentiator
4. Simmer the brew for 15 minutes - keep stirring to stop the powder from clumping!
5. Strain the kratom tea into a mug using your preferred method. Pour slowly!
6. Stir sweetener into the tea, if desired. You could use sugar, stevia, or honey.
7. Enjoy your home-brewed kratom tea! 

Would you like to drink kratom tea but don’t want to (or cannot) go to all that effort? Kratom tea bags are your friend! Some brands sell prepared kratom tea bags, but you can purchase empty disposable tea bags and manually fill them with powder.

So, what do I mean by instant kratom tea? Rather than brewing with a saucepan and straining the tea, you can simply drop a kratom tea bag into a mug of hot water. The mitragynine will steadily seep into the brew while the powder stays sealed in the tea bag.

This makes kratom tea bags ideal for discreet and on-the-go use. Soak the tea bag in hot water for 10 minutes for optimum effects, add sweetener if necessary, and drink! 

While less common, the option of using kratom powder to make tinctures and edibles is available to you. This is more for enthusiasts who enjoy creating unique kratom concoctions than for the average user.

Perhaps you cannot find a brand that sells your preferred strain in tincture form. Or maybe you would like a tincture that combines the benefits of two or more types of kratom.

How about sweet kratom ice cream or kratom-infused chocolate brownies? You might struggle to find these products readymade, but you can make them with powder!

Want to enjoy kratom without the taste? Choose capsules! With consistently equal dosages and no flavor, kratom caps if you need a travel-friendly, discreet, and mess-free way of taking Mitragyna speciosa.

That said, most kratom brands use 00 or 0-size hard shell capsules. And since you may require five grams of kratom or more per serving, this can mean swallowing several caps at a time, something that not everybody finds easy.

I recommend consuming kratom capsules with plenty of water to help them go down. Or you could swallow them with a kratom potentiator like grapefruit juice. Take your time, and if you still find capsules too awkward to manage, consider an alternative.

While similar to capsules, kratom tablets are a distinct product type with nuanced differences. Unlike caps, tablets have some natural kratom flavor, as they are made by pressing the kratom together rather than sealing it within a shell.

Notably, many people find kratom tablets easier to swallow than capsules since they are smaller and less bulky. Even so, I suggest swilling them down with water for a comfortable experience. 

Not a fan of powder or capsules? Maybe liquid kratom shots will be more to your liking! Made with natural kratom alkaloids and delicious flavorings to mask the herby taste, you might find them a more enjoyable way of taking Mitragyna speciosa.

As the product name suggests, you just need to swig your shot! Kratom shots are often very potent and produce a shorter-lived but more intense experience. The alkaloids reach your stomach all at once and are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream, hence why they work so quickly.

The product label should state the amount of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG) in the shot (and per serving). Typically, kratom liquid shot products are single-use or contain two servings - check this before consumption to avoid overdosing! 

These products are relatively new and provide an intriguing way of taking kratom. Unlike traditional kratom powder, this instant powder is flavored and can be dissolved into beverages for immediate drinking. Kratomade has perfected the art of the instant kratom powder drink.

Instant powder products come in a sachet and contain a stated amount of mitragynine. Good brands estimate how potent the sachet is relative to kratom powder. For reference, Kratomade’s instant powder products contain two servings per sachet (100mg total mitragynine).

Instant kratom-infused powder drinks are incredibly easy and discreet to use. Tip the powder into your beverage (I recommend 8oz of water per ½ sachet), stir, and drink up! The mitragynine should start hitting you within minutes! 

Kratom tinctures are alcohol-based oils infused with alkaloid-rich Mitragyna speciosa extract. Potent, discreet, and travel-friendly, kratom-infused tinctures are suited to seasoned users.

Reputable manufacturers state the tincture's alkaloid content and indicate how much mitragynine and 7-HMG are delivered per serving (one full dropper).

Administer the kratom tincture under your tongue for fast-acting sublingual effects. Mix with food or drink for a lengthier but less intense experience.

The high-proof alcohol in the tincture may leave a burning sensation in your mouth. I recommend having a glass of water on hand to keep you cool. 

Kratom edibles are among the simplest Mitragyna speciosa products to use. Gummies and candies contain flavorings to spare you from kratom’s bitter taste and are easier to swallow than capsules.

Read the product label before use to determine the edible strength and recommended serving size. Follow the guidelines, savor your kratom-infused edible, and wait for the effects to kick in. Infused edibles are associated with a gradual and long-lasting experience.

Brands like Blate Papes sell edible films and pouches. These are excellent for getting kratom powder into your system without having to suffer the herb's flavor or swallow capsules.

I recommend making the squares on a clean and dry surface. Use the measuring spoon to add the powder to the square, grab the edges to make a pouch, and seal it by dipping it in water. Ensure the pouch goes down effortlessly by swallowing with water.

Cone-shaped pouches are even easier by design. Measure your kratom dosage, fill the pouch with powder, tie off the end, and swallow with water!

Be careful not to pack too much powder into your edible square or pouch. This can create a choking hazard if the film splits during swallowing.

Taking kratom extracts demands extra care due to their significantly increased potency. I don’t recommend extract powder and capsules for novices, but they are excellent if seeking something more intense.

Otherwise, the same consumption considerations apply with extracts as for regular kratom powder and capsules. Keep a close eye on your dosage and you shouldn’t experience issues. 

Kratom is often described as having biphasic effects. Essentially, this means your experience can differ depending on how much you take. Low dosages are associated with energizing effects, while larger amounts may put you at ease and even make you euphoric.

Throw in the unique traits of red, white, green, gold, and yellow vein kratom strains, and you can quickly become confused about how much to take.

I advocate following any dosage advice provided by the manufacturer of your product. If you aren’t given any, here’s a rough guideline of what to expect from different serving sizes:

• Below 2 grams: very mild effects
• 2 to 4 grams: mild effects
• 4 to 6 grams: moderate effects
• 6 to 9 grams: intense effects
• 9 grams or more: very intense effects 

Now you have a choice to make! Some kratom products have clear advantages over others in certain areas, while others are closely matched. Here are a few things to consider when deciding which kratom product and consumption method to choose.

Take total control over your dosage with kratom powder. Whether you want 1 gram or 10, you can get it with loose powder. The same applies to kratom capsules, although standard strength capsules are less appropriate for high dosages given how many you need to swallow.

For intense effects, consider kratom extracts and other high-potency products such as liquid kratom shots and kratom tinctures. 

The less complex the manufacturing process, the cheaper the finished product. That is why kratom powder is typically better for value for money than kratom capsules.

So, if you want maximum affordability, kratom powder is your best option. Powder also presents you with several ways of taking kratom.

Perhaps you find the flavor of kratom so offensive that it threatens to put you off the herb altogether. If so, I recommend flavorless kratom capsules, tasty kratom edibles, and even instant kratom powder drinks.

Or you could get creative and invest in edible films to go with your kratom powder. This will eliminate the flavor while enabling you to pair multiple kratom strains and blend in potentiators.

Some kratom products are more suited to on-the-go use than others. If you want a fast, efficient, and travel-friendly kratom solution, here are some options to consider:

• Kratom capsules
• Kratom edibles
• Instant kratom powder drinks
• Kratom shots
• Kratom tablets
• Kratom tea bags
• Kratom tinctures

Unfortunately, every kratom strain and product type presents a risk of side effects. These include but are not limited to…

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Hallucinations (rare)
• Increased urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures (rare)
• Sweating

Click here for more information on the short and long-term side effects associated with kratom use.

But there is no need to worry! Take sensible precautions, and you can reduce - albeit not eliminate - kratom side effects. Here are my safety tips for taking kratom.

Choose third-party tested products: Third-party lab-tested kratom products are more likely to be genuine and free from contaminants and adulterants. It follows that pure kratom products are less prone to causing adverse effects.

Follow instructions: Brands provide usage instructions for a reason! Just because you take one company’s products in a certain way doesn’t mean you should do the same with another’s. Always follow a product’s directions for use and be skeptical if these are not provided.

Don’t mix substances: Kratom works best when taken alone. Don’t be tempted to mix your dose with alcohol or cannabis. And if consuming an energizing white vein kratom strain, be wary about drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages.

Even taking kratom alongside prescription medication can cause issues. Consult a medical professional if you have concerns.

Keep hydrated: Kratom is a diuretic substance that saps the body of fluids, which can lead to dehydration and headaches. But that makes headaches one of the more easily avoidable side effects - remember to drink plenty of water after taking kratom, and you should be fine.

Thanks for checking out this complete Kratom Monkey guide on how to take kratom. Hopefully, you are now well-informed about the different kratom products for sale and have a better idea of which are best suited to you. Good luck and have a safe and enjoyable time with kratom!