If you’re into alternative medicine, you’ve likely tried kratom supplements or come across posts heaping praises on these products. However, what many kratom users forget to say is that the herb’s efficacy depends primarily on the dosages consumed.
But does kratom have ideal serving portions? And what could possibly go wrong if you ignore the dosage recommendations?
Read on for a conclusive answer to those questions.
What Is The Ideal Kratom Dosage?
There’s no such thing as a standard dosage when it comes to kratom consumption. While the herb produces similar therapeutic effects in most people, each user has their ideal dosage.
The primary reason kratom dosage varies from one user to another is that many drug enforcement agencies haven’t endorsed the herb yet.
Despite its well-documented pharmacological applications, kratom is also a brain stimulant. The herb’s euphoria-inducing properties explain why many regulators are reserved about legalizing it.
Note that kratom is federally legal in both the United States and Canada. However, neither Health Canada nor the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has authorized it. So, it’s technically illegal for vendors to make definitive medical claims or purport to issue dosage recommendations.
Fortunately, seasoned kratom users have come up with consensus dosages. Most studies investigating the herb’s healing properties also involved administering specific amounts, which might be construed by many as ideal dosages.
But for new users struggling with kratom dosing, the most important thing is to understand that actual serving portions depend on numerous factors.
Factors Determining Kratom Dosage
1. Potency
Potency denotes the strength or concentration of a compound, usually a drug, in a product containing that substance.
Kratom potency is measured in grams and may be expressed as a fraction or percentage of a product’s total ingredients.
Kratom’s concentration in a product directly affects how much of the herb to consume. The higher the strength, the lower your dosages should be.
For instance, one capsule may contain 1 gram of kratom and another 0.5 grams. As a new user, it would be prudent to consume a whole 0.5-gram kratom capsule or half of the 1-gram capsule.
2. Experience Level
Different kratom users have varied experience levels.
Many people who hail from kratom’s native range in Southeast Asia have probably been exposed to the plant since their childhood. That’s in contrast to Western users, where the herb has recently gained significant attention.
Seasoned kratom users can comfortably consume higher doses than their new and inexperienced counterparts.
Here’s a guide to help you determine your kratom experience levels:
- Microdose (less than 2 grams daily) – Suitable for intolerant users
- Low Dosage (2 – 6 grams daily) – Ideal for new users
- High Dosage (6 – 8 grams daily) – Perfect for intermediate users
- Heavy Dosage (Higher than 8 grams daily) – Strictly for seasoned users
Note that the above recommendation makes perfect sense if the doses are uniformly distributed throughout the day. The conventional wisdom is to split your daily kratom dosage into two portions (for morning and evening use) or three portions (for morning, afternoon, and evening use).
3. Reasons for Using Kratom
Kratom may help in treating numerous ailments. Most users take it for pain management. The herb relieves pain by desensitizing the pain-signaling opioid receptors in the brain.
Some people also consume kratom for inflammation. Extracts from the plant attenuate inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory markers, such as cytokines.
Stress relief is another noteworthy kratom use. One study found that self-medicating with kratom may relieve various anxiety symptoms among users.
Kratom may also treat fatigue, insomnia, and even certain skin conditions. Interestingly, kratom doses depend on the conditions you’re using it for. A 0.025 grams/pound of body weight is generally effective for physical and mental stimulation. For severe pain and inflammation, you can consume doses as high as 0.04 grams per pound of body weight.
4. Body Size and Weight
This is a no-brainer. Children and people with smaller body sizes or weight are safer with lower kratom dosages than adults and big-bodied users.
The consensus weight-dependent dosage is 0.02 – 0.04 grams of kratom per pound of body weight. However, the actual serving portions will depend on other factors.
The logic is that kratom travels a shorter distance from the delivery site to the bloodstream for children and small-bodied users. Therefore, administering higher doses could have devastating consequences. So, where a 100-pound adult may comfortably take 4 grams of kratom in a single dosage, a child weighing 30 pounds might be safer with just 1 gram.
That said, avoid administering kratom to babies and infants. At least not before consulting your pediatrician. The term “children” here should be construed as users aged at least 10 years.
5. Metabolic Rate
Individual metabolism also determines how much kratom to dose.
A high metabolic rate means the body breaks down kratom alkaloids fast enough. Therefore, the herb enters the bloodstream much sooner.
On the other hand, a slow metabolic rate implies that kratom doesn’t absorb fast enough into the bloodstream. Much remains in the body and may be expelled alongside other toxins.
Users with fast metabolism are better off with smaller kratom dosages. This helps to minimize potential adverse reactions.
6. Delivery Method
How you administer kratom dictates the serving portions, too. Kratom edibles, such as capsules, have a longer onset time and lower absorption rate. That’s in comparison to inhalable kratom products like vape oils.
Therefore, you may require slightly higher doses of kratom capsules to experience the same effects as when vaping the herb.
What Happens When I Exceed The Dosage Guidelines?
Kratom is one of the safest medicinal plants. However, exceeding the dosage recommendations can trigger nasty side effects. Negative reactions to the herb can be mild or chronic, depending on the duration of usage.
For short-term overdose, you can expect short-lasting symptoms like dry mouth, headache, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, and mood changes.
Chronic side effects tend to be more severe. They include hypertension, heart palpitations, erectile dysfunction (ED), inappetence, weight loss, psychosis, and liver damage.
Long-term kratom users may further experience mild withdrawal symptoms while trying to quit the herb. Headache, muscle ache, anxiety, and drowsiness are common withdrawal symptoms associated with the Asian plant.
Another danger of ignoring kratom’s dosage recommendations is that the herb may not work for you.
Summary
Kratom has no standard dosage. If you’re new to this therapeutic herb, the trick is to start with the smallest serving amounts possible. You can build momentum slowly until you hit your sweet spot.’ Remember to increase your kratom doses marginally for optimal effects or reduce them to minimize any adverse reactions.