Do you know how to start taking Kratom? A careful, informed approach ensures a positive experience with this powerful herbal substance. You’re in the right place to learn about dosing and much more.

Notorious for its dose dependence, the effects of Kratom differ according to the amount consumed. You can make it stimulating, euphoria-inducing or sedating. It’s all about manipulating the quantities you ingest.

Dosing depends primarily on the strain, your inbuilt tolerance, and your size and metabolism. Knowing this in advance helps you avoid side effects and makes Kratom as wellness-boosting as possible.

Join us to learn how to take Kratom as a beginner. We discuss dosages, frequency, effects and helpful tips for first-timers.

How much Kratom should you take at first?

There’s no one-size-fits-all dose of Kratom for beginners. Your optimal starting amount depends on your metabolism, innate tolerance and product potency. While we can’t offer a definitive answer, we can share some helpful guidelines.

The typical dosing rules for Kratom are:

• Microdose: under two grams
• Low dose: 2–4 grams
• Medium dose: 4–6 grams
• High dose: 6–8 grams

For most people, it’s not advisable to take more than eight grams per session. This dose only suits experienced users with higher tolerance seeking powerful pain relief and sedation.

What about beginners? It’s best to start low and increase your dose slowly. That way, you can track your reaction and stop before you overdo it.

Most people can safely start with 2–4 grams of Kratom. Err on the side of caution and use less if you’re petite or prone to intoxication. Wait for 20–30 minutes and take another gram if you’re not feeling it.

Expert tip: start with a beginner-friendly strain, like Bali or Sumatra. Those working with powerhouses like Horn or Maeng Da might start with a single gram.

We can get more specific and involve your weight in the equation. As a rule, a stimulating Kratom dose is 0.025 grams per pound of body weight. Pain-killing and sedative amounts are 0.04 grams per pound.

How long does Kratom take to work?

Kratom has an onset time of 10–45 minutes. The precise time depends on several interconnected factors:

• Size and metabolism. People with faster metabolisms (due to youth or muscle mass) feel the effects sooner. Taking Kratom on an empty stomach also facilitates the onset. Having a big meal beforehand can push the time to the 90-minute mark.
• Dose. The amount of Kratom doesn’t only determine the effects but also when they kick in. Higher doses lead to a quicker, more intense onset.
• Strain. Different types of Kratom vary in strength and effects. Potent varieties like Maeng Da kick in sooner than mellow ones like Sumatra.
• Consumption method. Extracts and tinctures contain concentrated alkaloids, acting the fastest. Capsules, powders, and teas take longer to induce effects.

The effects last 4–6 hours. They’re longer if you take more or have a slow metabolism and low tolerance. Overindulgence causes a hangover and a harsher comedown.

How often can you take Kratom?

The effects of Kratom last 4–6 hours, but the substance stays in your system longer. So, taking it too often increases your risk of side effects.

Kratom’s half-life is 24 hours. It takes a full day for your body to digest, absorb and excrete it. It’s ideal to take one dose per day to give yourself time to process the previous one. People who need it more often should stick to 12-hour gaps between doses.

Consuming Kratom too often makes you develop a tolerance. Eventually, you start needing more to reach the desired state. Consider breaks between bouts of usage to let your body reset. Use potentiators to intensify the effects instead of raising the dose.

What Kratom effects can you expect?

Enthusiasts take Kratom for its pain-relieving, anxiety-reducing and uplifting effects. But you don’t get everything in each dose. Instead, the herb shifts from stimulating to relaxing with every additional gram.

Here’s what effects Kratom has according to the dose:

• A microdose has a mildly stimulating effect with a slight energy increase. It leaves you awake, alert and clear-headed.
• A low dose has a stimulant effect, boosting cognition and energy levels. Users compare it to having two cups of coffee, minus the caffeine jitters. You may experience a nootropic effect, too.
• A moderate dose has a relaxing and euphoric effect. It’s slightly intoxicating, leaving you hazy, giggly and with lowered inhibitions. It’s accompanied by pain relief and physical calm.
• A high dose always has sedating effects. It blocks the opioid receptors, numbing your perception of pain. Your mood becomes euphoric and hazy and you feel sleepy minutes after consumption.

What about dosing for specific therapeutic uses?

Those seeking the mental effects without physical stimulation could stick to microdoses. Alternatively, up to two grams will do the trick.

Most users find 2–4 grams enough to get energized and combat fatigue and brain fog. Similar amounts should temporarily clear depression symptoms.

Kratom is suitable for managing pain at all doses. Start with four grams and take another if there’s no relief after 30–45 minutes. Continue gram-by-gram until you find your fit. The same rule applies to folks looking to reduce anxiety.

Potential side effects

Kratom induces some side effects, especially when taken in larger doses. They’re typically harmless and short-lived, clearing as the substance leaves your bloodstream. Still, it’s helpful to be prepared.

Short-term adverse reactions reported by users include:

• Agitation and a rapid pulse
• Drowsiness and disorientation
• Constipation and nausea
• Itching and excessive sweating

These reactions are much less likely if you track your dose and use high-quality products. They should disappear within minutes to hours, rarely lasting beyond the Kratom effects.

What about the long-term risks of Kratom use? Research is still in its infancy, so we don’t have much to go off of. According to existing studies, the potential risks include:

• Insomnia
• Liver toxicity
• Dependence
• Tolerance to opioids
• Skin darkening on the face

Long-run reactions occur in users who regularly consume high doses. Keep your habit sparse and consult a physician if you have a propensity for these conditions.

Older and obese people should avoid Kratom or take it slowly, as age and body fat slow down metabolism. Folks with renal problems or liver disease shouldn’t take it, as it might be unsafe.

How do you take Kratom?

Kratom products come in four types: dried leaves, powder, capsules and extracts. Some are better for novices because they let you pinpoint the ideal amount.

Let’s explore.

You boil dry leaves to make Kratom tea. You might also chew them raw, but the experience isn’t appetizing.

Kratom tea is a traditional, enjoyable consumption method. You can sweeten the drink to taste and take it hot or cold, according to your preference. Dosing is challenging with this technique, so take it sip by sip until you feel the buzz.

We grind dried leaves to make Kratom powder. You consume it directly by toss-and-washing or mix it into water, juice or a smoothie. Just don’t blend it with hot liquids since heat damages the alkaloids.

Taking Kratom powder is easy and efficient. The substance is metabolized quickly, reaching your blood and inducing its effects. Plus, using a spoon is a straightforward way to approximate your dose.

Kratom capsules consist of a single gram of powder packed into a digestible film. They’re the most convenient and easy-to-dose method. Plus, they let you bypass the flavor.

Capsules are similar to powder, dissolving quickly in your stomach. We recommend them to newbies because they allow the consumption of one-gram increments.

Kratom extracts are concentrated alkaloids in tiny ampules. They’re more bioavailable than powders and capsules, with fast-acting effects. They may be too intense for beginners, though.

Measuring Kratom powder

Dosing is simple with capsules: all you need to do is count them, and you get the grams. Extracts arrive in ampules with precise amounts of active compounds. But what about powder?

We already mentioned spoons as one measuring method. Roughly, a teaspoon fits 2–3 grams of the substance. The precise amount depends on the grind, as fine powders have more weight per volume.

For greater accuracy, purchase a small scale with gram measurements. They’re available in big box stores, head shops and Amazon. Does every time sound like a bother? Check the first spoonful from a new bag, then use the spoon method.

How do you store Kratom?

Proper Kratom storage ensures your product stays fresh and potent for longer. It lets you buy in bulk, save money, and keep a long-lasting stash.

When kept at room temperature, Kratom lasts around three months. Its active compounds deteriorate past that point, and it drops in potency. The flavor fades and mold sometimes develops on the surface.

Shelter Kratom from light, heat and moisture to extend its lifespan to over a year.

Keep your product in an airtight, opaque glass jar for the best results. To go a step further, separate it into doses and place each into a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. Leave the container somewhere cool, dry, and dark. Add silica bags if you live in a humid region.

Where can you buy Kratom?

Kratom is available in health stores, head shops, and gas stations across many states. Still, unless you live in a location with an active KCPA, you can’t guarantee its safety. And subpar products are the number one cause of adverse reactions.

That’s why it’s better to buy Kratom online.