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Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical deciduous and evergreen tree within the coffee family.
It is native to Southeast Asia, where its leaves are often used for medicinal properties. Normally, the leaves are chewed to uplift mood and treat health problems, since it is known to be psychoactive.
In small dosages, it has a stimulating effect and may be used as a nootropic. In larger dosages, Kratom leaves are consider to have a sedative effect and can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
This plant was first formally described by the Dutch colonial botanist Pieter Korthals. Kratom trees grow to a height between 40 and 100 feet and can be either evergreen or deciduous depending upon the climate and environment in which it is grown. Despite being indigenous to Thailand, it is illegal to grow here (a ban which was originally put into place because it cut into the government’s tax revenue from opium distribution).
There are over 40 different compounds within Kratom extract, and many of these ingredients are quite active. Many of these are types of alkaloids such as mitraphylline and 7-hydroxymitragynine (which most people believe to be the primarily active ingredient). There are even a number of yohimbe alkaloids.
Kratom Effects:
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One of the primary mechanisms of action for this supplement is by acting as an opioid receptor agonist like morphine. This is perhaps also why it has been used in the management of chronic pain.
In effect, it works very similarly to opium (and is often used as a substitute for this drug), albeit at a lower level of potency and addictiveness. Many people suffering from opium dependence are treated successfully with this herbal product.
Although there little data on how Kratom works, researchers have identified several alkaloids thought to have a number of effects on the brain.
This supplement has been used by the indigenous people of Southeast Asia to treat conditions ranging from diarrhea to sexual dysfunction. It is chewed, smoked, or brewed into a tea. Kratom extract can be both an effective stimulant and depressant. Current research is scarce, but does continue.
Kratom Benefits:
In native populations especially, Kratom capsules have proven useful in treating opiate withdrawal and dependency. It is considered that Kratom effects are generally milder than that of most opiates (including opium). Of course, actual hard evidence and research on this is lacking; since this supplement is not detectable on traditional drug screenings, many physicians are not familiar with it.
There may also be a number of positive effects on the mind using Kratom. It is known for inducing a relaxed type of calm and not a stimulant drug-like feeling. Kratom powder can enhance the ability to get to sleep quicker, and then sleep more soundly, waking up feeling rested.
Kratom is also able to cause euphoria and feelings of happiness and it large amounts may be intoxicating. In addition to this, it is thought to increase motivation and productivity as well as stamina and strength.
Kratom pills are also reported to have a number of sexual benefits. It may boost libido and desire for sexual activity as well as generally enhancing sexual performance. In several countries, Kratom is used for treating pain and anxiety. It may even help in controlling depression and the symptoms of withdrawal to certain drugs (especially opium). It may also be used as a sedative when taking in a low and controlled dose.
Kratom Dosage:
There is no official recommended daily dosage for Kratom. This is because it has yet to go through the kind of rigorous regulatory process required to establish such a value. The next best evidence to look at is to compare studies and user reports to for general guidelines based on experiences.
Please keep in mind that this only leads to approximate usage instructions, and you should always start out by taking the lowest effective dose.
The acceptable range seems to be anywhere from 1 to 50 grams per day of Kratom. This will depend upon whether you are getting this supplement in a powdered, tea, or other formulation.
You should look into the concentration and purity information provided by the supplier from whom you are buying this product. They will be able to give you a better idea of an accepted usage practice. Generally, anything from 1-5 grams will be stimulant-like and fairly mild.
At 5 to 15 grams, most forms of Kratom will produce anxiolytic effects and may make you feel a bit “buzzed.” Between 16 to 25 grams can be highly sedating and will produce effects which some describe as too strong. Anything above this level is not recommended for inexperienced users.
Kratom Side Effects:
One of the distinct effects of this supplement is that you can feel very alert one moment, and then feel like falling asleep the next.
Therefore, it is not recommended to drive or operate hazardous equipment while using this supplement.
There are also some reports of Kratom addiction and withdrawal symptoms. For these reasons, it should be used sparingly and not on an everyday basis. Although it is possible to become habit-forming, this is not common when used responsibly.
Some other potential side effects (normally only seen as a result of long-term use) include nervousness, skin darkening, constipation, aggression, nausea, loss of libido, dry mouth, vomiting, and prolonged sleeping.
Kratom Review:
Kratom is very widely used in the USA and is taken both for mood enhancing effects as well as for recreational purposes. It offers benefits for those looking to improve their libido, sexual prowess, or improve their sleep.
While it has sedative qualities in high doses, small doses of Kratom powder or extract are said to have a stimulant effect. This has spurred interest in using Kratom as a nootropic supplement.
However, there is significantly more research data behind using supplements such as Aniracetam or Sulbutiamine. If you are interested in finding an anxiolytic nootropic with cognitive enhancement properties, we would recommend investigating alternatives to Kratom as more suitable options for long-term use.
Article last updated on: March 14th, 2018 by Nootriment
7 Comments
I’m sorry but this is a horribly informed review and ought to be taken down to prevent risk to readers. As a long- term Kratom user who considers it a wonder herb for treatment of depression, anxiety, fatigue, low motivation, and insomnia your recommended dosages are way too high- for someone with no tolerance, a dose of 10 g is very likely to induce nausea and vomiting. Unless you work up to it a dose of 15 g would do the same to a daily user of ~30 g over 4+ years such as myself; 2 g could be considered nootropic but even that is a stretch and 5 g is about the threshold from stimulating to sedative. I find it is most effective in several smaller doses throughout the day for the relief of the aforementioned ailments. Furthermore it decreases libido, male sexual performance, and restfulness of sleep if taken immediately before sexual activity or bedtime. I have tried Kratom from numerous sources and am certain these generalizations hold true for any reputable vendor; I currently buy my highest quality Kratom directly from a Malaysian wholesaler. I have trusted your website for information regarding various nootropics but unfortunately I can’t do that anymore after reading this review.
Dear Gary,
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your concerns, but nothing in this article should be considered a recommendation of a dosage, nor is the goal of the article to recommend that new users start with a 10 g dosage. Certainly, new users will experience significantly stronger effects and in the case of all supplements, starting with the threshhold dosage is the best way to determine efficacy and individual sensitivity levels.
These dosages are based on the information provided in the well-respected Sage Wisdom guide to Kratom use. I am comfortable continuing to cite this resource: http://www.sagewisdom.org/kratomguide.html
I have to agree with many of Gary Sloan’s points, especially the one about 10+ g inducing nausea and vomiting in someone with no tolerance. As a matter of fact, for those that have done their kratom research, it is well known that alkaloid profiles vary between strains (slow, medium, fast, for instance) and each strain will have a unique effect that widely fluctuates depending on diet, weight, tendency towards anxiety, etc.
I would also add that Sage Wisdom (Daniel Siebert’s site) is in no way a reliable resource. With all due respect to Mr. Siebert, he is the world’s leading expert in Salvia Divinorum, NOT kratom. His site does trade in ethno-botanicals and kratom is one of the items offered for sale. His dosage recommendations, however, are off the wall and reflect, if anything, tolerances exhibited by long-term users if not chronic ones. The only other explanation for his dosage ranges are the extreme weakness of strains that he has used and / or offers.
I also find it inappropriate to include kratom in the nootropic category. Even in strains with a stimulating profile, it always has the “opiate glow” in the background and its potential to “motivate” is highly exaggerated, in my honest opinion. Fast strains such as Maeng Da are stimulating / motivating if you are into manual labor or tasks requiring low levels of cognitive complexity. Don’t expect kratom to be your ally, however, if you are engaged in highly cerebral activities. It is, after all, a mild opiate. I have yet to hear of any high successful CEOs or “movers and shakers” including kratom in their daily regime. Such types (in Silicon Valley, for instance) are much bigger fans of a well balanced nootropic stack centering around racetams and, occasionally, anxiolytics such as Aniracetam, Picamilon, and Phenibut (the latter of which is extremely powerful and potentially addicting).
As far as kratom dosage is concerned, I get stimulating effects with 250-500mg of high quality fast strains and already at 1g, I’m nodding off from profound sedative effects. And I am a 6’2″, 200 lbs healthy male. Please keep this in mind. The author of this article should re-think his sources and any readers should always temper any opinions they find online with a healthy helping of good research and common sense. If you are new to this plant, start with no more than 500mg, regardless of strain, to test the waters. As a matter of fact, I used Sage Wisdom’s dosing advice my first time around with a slow strain and ended up having a full blown panic attack with labored breathing and chest pains. Please keep this in mind when experimenting. If you need 3+ g to feel something from kratom, you are definitely using a poor source. 3g should be strong for ANY first-time user. Good health to you and stay safe!
Hi Satori,
Are you using Kratom extracts or standard Kratom powder? Dosages in this article are based on standard powder made by crushing and grinding the raw leaves, as opposed to enhanced products that process the leaves to extract active compounds. In my experience, effects are negligible from 500 mg of Kratom powder, though 500 mg of Kratom extract will produce effects. I just want to clarify what source you are using.
Your reccomendation for a sedative dosage is way too high. Unless your kratom is leeched of alkaloids 8-10 will do just fine. A quality sedative strain of kratom ( red vein ) has me nodding off at the suggested dosage or lower. I have been consuming kratom for over 2 1/2 years.
Recommended dosages are a bit too high in my opinion. The sweet spot for most people is around 5 grams. Higher dosages are obviously more notorious for sedation. Not a bad article overall though.
I have been experimenting with kratom due to the fact that I have arthritis, high blood pressure, and a very hard time getting to sleep from the arthritis pain (it gets worse at night when my body is starting to relax) not to mention the stress and anxiety I have because every doctor I have gone to told me that I can’t use the OTC pain relievers anymore because the tylenol is tearing up my liver, the nsaids and ibuprophen elevate my b.p. to extremely dangerous levels no to mention that they are eating up my stomach lining. They will not give me anything because they are afraid of me getting addicted to a medication that I will need for the rest of my life….(makes a whole lot of sence!) The blood pressure meds. are dangerous calcium channel blockers ( I have problems with my bones so they block the calcium in my blood at the cellular level which is also known to be carcinogenic) and they give me beta blockers… both make me extremely dizzy and like there is someone in my body and it’s not me.
I have been taking kratom for the past 3 months I started out with these 20x capsules. I thought that kratom was a farce I got absolutely no results from these pills which I started at 2 pills = 1 gram, then a few hours later 4 pills =2 gram..etc….
Then I started really doing research and trial and error and found that kratom needs to be taken as a whole, it seems that the chain of alkaloids are dependent on each other to function. I purchased 10 grams of Red Bali powder, put it in #00 gel caps. at 1/2 gram per pill, and started out with a 3 gram dose, I felt some relief. I then took 4 grams the following night….. well it brought me to the ideal dose for me is 7 grams at night and 4 grams in the morning. I get the pain relief and the sedation effect and I haven’t had a more restful night since I can remember. In the morning as soon as I wake up I take my 4 grams and I get the happy energetic feeling along with the benefits of the pain relief ! I also quit taking those miserable meds. for my b,p,, it has been staying closer to 120/80 than with those horrible prescription pills. I do not get the dizzy spells or feel that I’m about to black-out. I switch strains of kratom daily in order to prevent a tolerance (it seems to be working, I don’t need more to get the relief I desire and it’s 3 months!)
So this is a wonder herb, I would refrain from calling it a drug because Uncle Sam and the big Pharmaceutical business are already trying to find ways to make people like me suffer at their hand in the name of money. And you idiots who are looking for a high from kratom, well your looking in the wrong place!!! Yeah I get a high from kratom, not a drug induced stupor, but a happy euphoria from not being in agonizing constant pain, Now that is a real high! So go ahead and take some real high doses of it, and I hope you puke your brains out (if you have any), because that is all that happens when you abuse kratom. Please quit labeling it as a “legal high”….. there is no such thing, If you want to get high smoke pot! That is another herb God gave us that has a lot more uses than just recreation and it took this ignorant bunch of geniuses 200 years to figure out what people have known for centuries, so don’t ruin this one. Let’s be smarter than those educated idiots and don’t give those bastards any reason to outlaw something so harmless and valuable.