The Blog

Traditional Dosage

Dosage has been a key factor for those looking for specific effects. By dosing too low, the medicinal capabilities are nulled, while dosing too high can often lead to relatively harmless, but potentially unpleasant side-effects, such as the “wobbles” and minor nausea. To learn about kratom dosage, refer below.

Average Dosage by Grams

• Mild – 1 to 2 grams
• Moderate – 2-4.5 grams
• High – 4.5 – 8 grams

Average Dosage by Teaspoon

• Mild – .5  to .9 tsp
• Moderate – 1 to 2 tsp
• High – 2 to 3.5 tsp

It should be noted that due to varying potency between strains and plants, this estimate is in no way standardized, instead it an estimate based on historical and experiential reports. Doses at the the “high” end of the spectrum are also much more likely to cause side-effects, depending upon the strain.

Enhanced Leaf

Enhanced leaf has become the go-to choice of many extract users due to it’s high potency and lack of side effects. Enhanced leaf is used by taking a highly potent kratom extract, dissolving it in a solution, soaking kratom leaves/powder in this solution and letting it dry. When done correctly, this method can create a highly potent leaf.

One of the most popular enhanced leaf blends of our era is known as Ultra Enhanced Indo otherwise known as UEI.

Pros:

• Very potent when done well
• Lack of side-effects per potency
• Typically well-rounded
• Highly effective for pain

Cons:

• Rapid development of tolerance
• Relatively high price

Kratom Tinctures

Unlike the other forms of extracts, kratom tinctures can vary in their method of extraction and their potency; because of this, buying them from an disreputable source can leave one disappointed. On the other hand, when they are done well, they can be quite potent.

Pros:

• Ease of Use
• Fast-acting
• Convenience of storage

Cons:

• Typically expensive
• Variable Potency
• Rarely provide a full-spectrum of effects
• Rapid development of tolerance

Extract Guide

While typically not as well-rounded as the plain leaf in effects, kratom extracts can certainly serve a purpose for those with chronic pain or other debilitating conditions in which the plain leaf will not suffice.

There are a large variety of different types of extracts with varying effects, based upon both the method of extraction as well as the base plant material used to make them. Read below to learn about these different extract types.

Water-Based Extracts

Water-based kratom extracts are by far the most common variety. As the name implies, the extract is performed by:  dissolving a portion of alkaloids into water, straining the powder, and evaporating the water. This process leaves a  brownish, more alkaloid-concentrated version of the plain leaf behind.

Water extracts are commonly referred to with an ‘x’ (e.g. 10x, 25x), which implies how much plain leaf material was used to create the same weight of resulting extract. Sadly, these figures are nearly always incorrect due to vendor dishonesty.

Pros:

• More alkaloid-concentrated than plain leaf
• Can be used in addition to plain leaf to potentiate effects
• Relatively side-effect free in comparison to resin and full-spectrum extracts
• More stimulating than the plain-leaf base material
• Ability to dissolve in water

Cons:

• Must be taken in conjunction with some plain leaf for best effects
• Not a well-rounded extract in terms of effects (less pain-killing effect and sedation)
• High price per potency
• Can increase tolerance rapidly

Kratom Resin Extracts

In comparison to water-based extractions, kratom resin extractions have a much more well-rounded profile of effects. These extracts are typically performed by extracting kratom with both a polar solvent and a non-polar solvent; a simple example of this would be water and ethanol. Like the water extract, the powder is strained and the alkaloid saturated non-polar/polar solvent is left to dry.

Pros:

• Full-spectrum of effects
• Ease of use
• Easy storage
• High potency per weight

Cons:

• More expensive than plain leaf
• Side-effects to potency ratio comparable to plain leaf
• Temperature sensitive (melts in minor heat)

Vein Types: Effects & Analysis

Something unique to this plant, in comparison to many other medicinal plants, is the distinct differences of vein color which result from breeding and growth conditions. These different vein colors often correspond to very reliable differences in effects and can provide strong clues as to what to expect from a given strain.

However, there are some minor exceptions, especially when dealing with strains with a less balanced alkaloid profile such as Thai, or Borneo/Indo strains which on the whole provide a more polarized kratom experience (being more stimulating or sedating, respectively).

White Vein Kratom

Despite the lower amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine found in white vein strains, this vein type should not be treated lightly. White vein kratom has a very strong following, and many have found it very effective for conditions such as lack of focus/energy.

Of all the vein types, white vein shows the most potential as a nootropic (cognition enhancing) substance. Many have found that using this vein type first thing in the morning to be a great substitute for coffee due to it’s “clean” effects on alertness and focus.

Pain Relief: 1/3

Energy: 3/3

Vein Types: Effects & Analysis

Something unique to this plant, in comparison to many other medicinal plants, is the distinct differences of vein color which result from breeding and growth conditions. These different vein colors often correspond to very reliable differences in effects and can provide strong clues as to what to expect from a given strain.

However, there are some minor exceptions, especially when dealing with strains with a less balanced alkaloid profile such as Thai, or Borneo/Indo strains which on the whole provide a more polarized kratom experience (being more stimulating or sedating, respectively).

White Vein Kratom

Despite the lower amount of 7-hydroxymitragynine found in white vein strains, this vein type should not be treated lightly. White vein kratom has a very strong following, and many have found it very effective for conditions such as lack of focus/energy.

Of all the vein types, white vein shows the most potential as a nootropic (cognition enhancing) substance. Many have found that using this vein type first thing in the morning to be a great substitute for coffee due to it’s “clean” effects on alertness and focus.

Pain Relief: 1/3

Energy: 3/3

Moderate Strains

Many prefer a moderate strain as their daily go-to, due to its potent, yet smooth, effects. Currently, one of the most common moderate strains is Green Malaysian; however, it is good to remember that the interplay between strains, vein types, breeding and growing conditions can make an characteristically sedating or stimulating strain moderate.

Green Malaysian

Green Malaysian has long been known as one of the longest-lasting strains due to leaf cell-wall density.

Some have remarked on this strain’s unique nootropic effects, which many have found to increase mental endurance, allowing longer focus. Interestingly, due to the quality of these effects, they are often only noticed in retrospect due to the strain’s characteristically smooth and even-keel effects.

Stimulation: 4-6 / 10

Pain Relief: 6 – 8 / 10

Mood: 7 – 8.5 / 10