Kratom powder comes from the dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. This tree is indigenous to Southeast Asia, where kratom has been used for hundreds of years. From various strains and sources to raw leaf and extracts, there are a lot of different types of kratom powder and potential uses. Fortunately, we can help you go from complete novice to knowledgeable kratom consumer in no time. Here’s what you need to know.
Uses for Kratom Powder
Although kratom has been used for hundreds of years, researchers have only seriously begun to study its effects and mechanisms of action in the last few decades. Currently, researchers have found more than 40 alkaloids in the kratom plant, with still more likely to be discovered. Individual differences in both kratom products and human physiology also make it difficult to conduct studies that yield conclusive results.
The fact that some kratom alkaloids are known to bind to one of the body’s opioid receptors is one of the big reasons kratom is actively being studied, even though it’s not currently approved to treat any specific medical condition.
Kratom powder is still commonly used for a quick energy boost, to enhance one’s mood, and to improve focus and mental clarity. Especially when compared to liquids and capsules, kratom powder is commonly added to some type of beverage, like a cup of tea or smoothie, to mask the naturally bitter taste. Incredibly versatile, this is a popular method for taking kratom.
Possible Effects of Kratom Powder
When used responsibly, kratom powder is often described as energizing or invigorating. But when used in a way that is not intended, kratom can create an unpleasant experience.
While far from a comprehensive list, unwanted short-term effects may include:
- Dry mouth
- Constipation/dehydration
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
Likewise, kratom’s long-term effects are poorly understood, but some possibilities include:
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Skin changes (i.e. itching, sweating, hyperpigmentation)
- Sleep problems (i.e. insomnia)
Many potential long-term effects of kratom are still being investigated. Most of the studies conducted on kratom’s long term effects have been based on heavy, long-term kratom users in Thailand and Malaysia.
It’s important to remember these unwanted effects are rare when using kratom in a responsible way. Moreover, well-respected medical organizations like John Hopkins Medicine that have looked at the scientific literature have started to push back on the early fearmongering about kratom’s potential harm.
Reducing the Risk of Unwanted Effects
More than just mitigating the risk of unwanted effects from actual kratom powder, you need to be on the lookout for products that have not been properly tested and analyzed. Though rare, some batches of kratom can be contaminated with bacterial growth or even intentionally adulterated with other active ingredients or synthetic compounds. It’s imperative that you get your kratom powder from a source like MIT45 that conducts rigorous, third-party lab testing and publishes the results through a Certificate of Analysis.
Assuming you’re getting safe, high-quality kratom, the biggest factor to minimize unwanted effects is getting the right serving size. Simply put, kratom tends to provide a mild, pleasant energy boost in smaller amounts but can cause an unpleasant experience with nauseating effects in larger amounts.
Due to differences in individual physiology, first-time kratom users should follow this simple rule: Start low and go slow. In other words, take the smallest amount that might be reasonably expected to produce an effect and then gradually increase your serving size until you begin to experience the desired effect.
Suggested Serving Sizes: Raw Leaf vs Extracts
That said, even experienced kratom users can unexpectedly run into a bad experience if they’re not careful about reading product information. Not all kratom powder is created equal. But while many brands focus on misleading claims about differences between kratom strains, the most important distinction is the difference in strength between powder extracts and raw leaf powder.
Take our collection of powder-filled kratom capsules, for example. Our Black Label Capsules use powder extract with about 40 times the mitragynine concentration of our raw leaf powder. So even though there’s a lot more powder in our raw leaf capsules, there’s still about 4-5 times the total amount mitragynine in one of our powder extract capsules.
Understanding Kratom Powder Strains
Once you start shopping for kratom powder, you’ll quickly find dozens of varieties based on different kratom strains. While there may be minor differences between various kratom strains, differences based on regional sources (like Green Malay or White Borneo) are especially dubious. Our commitment to providing honest and accurate information about kratom is a big reason we only sell white, green, and red vein kratom powder. Check out our following resource to learn more of the truth about different kratom strains.
Ready to start getting your kratom powder from MIT45? Save some money on your kratom purchase by taking advantage of our loyalty, subscription, and discount programs.
References
Stevens CJ. Kratom: Is It Safe? Healthline.com. Published June 2020.
Ellis CR, Racz R, Kruhlak NL, Kim MT, Zakharov AV, Southall N, Hawkins EG, Burkhart K, Strauss DG, Stavitskaya L. Evaluating kratom alkaloids using PHASE. PLoS One. Published March 2020. PMID: 32126112; PMCID: PMC7053747.
Konkel L. Kratom: A Look at the Risks and Possible Effects Related to Taking the Herbal Product. Everyday Health. Published July 2018.
Lautieri A, Editorial Staff. Kratom Short-Term, Long-Term, Effects, and Addiction Treatment. DrugAbuse.com. Updated February 2023.
Garcia-Romeu A, Cox D, Dunn K, Griffiths R, Smith K. Natural Herb Kratom May Have Therapeutic Effects And Relatively Low Potential For Abuse Or Harm, According To A User Survey. John Hopkins Medicine. Published February 2020.
