Doses: Typical Kratom doses vary widely depending on such factors as potency and of the user. Strong Kratom has been marketed as "Premium Kratom" and it is often effective at a range of 3 to 5 grams of leaf material. Some new users can notice the effects with as little as 2 grams while experienced users might feel comfortable taking up to 10 grams of potent Kratom. Weaker Kratom has been sold under such titles as extra strength and commercial grade Kratom. Some low quality kratom does need more than 10 grams for a dose. In rare cases, extremely low quality kratom can have a dose of 20 grams or more. Such doses mostly come with nausea. A cause for low quality can be that Kratom loses potency over time. Since Premium Kratom potency can vary so widely, it is recommended that new users take smaller doses and work up to decrease the risk of nausea. Large amount of commercial Kratom is known for giving powerful hangovers if large doses are attempted.
Kratom is sometimes extracted and sold as well. Crude extracts can be effective at small doses such as 1 gram. Some users even claim some extract is effective at doses under a gram. Like Kratom itself, extracts can also vary widely in potency depending on methods of extracting and potency of Kratom used. Some cheaper extracts have been found to be effective around the 12 gram range.
How to use Kratom: There are many ways of consuming Kratom, but the most common method outside Asia is by boiling dried Kratom, straining, and drinking the tea. The resulting liquid can be boiled down to produce extract, which can be stored for longer periods of time. Extract can also be reboiled or consumed by swallowing. Though eaten extract takes longer to take effect, and is not as powerful, the effects can be noticed for a longer time.
Recreational Use of Kratom: Though Kratom is not a well known substance outside SouthEast Asia; it has been sold for its effects around the world, mainly via internet vendors. By affecting the Delta receptors much like do, Kratom provides a calm and relaxing euphoria mirroring that of . Kratom appears to affect the brain in much the same way do, but yet it does not cause the retched caused by regular use. A is built, however, requiring more material to achieve the same effects. It is recommended that users do not use Kratom more than twice a week, so a is not built. has also been noted. This means that a user can consume Kratom and build a for both Kratom and . This could pose a problem for doctors prescribing pain medication to someone after regular Kratom use.
Medicinal Use of Kratom: Kratom has been used in South-East Asia for conditions such as diarrhea. Due to its pain killing properties, Kratom has also been used by some to treat pain. Some research has been done with regards to painkilling potential, but neither Kratom nor its alkaloids have been utilized in modern medicine. Mitragynine has less analgesic effects than morphine, but it does not cause significant dependence, making it potentially useful in treating minor to moderate pain. Generally there is a high amount of mitragynine in the Kratom plant, making it practical to extract. 7-hydrohydroxymitragynine has been shown to have much stronger analgesic effects than , but it is less abundant in the Kratom plant. It might not be practical to extract this alkaloid from the Kratom plant, but if mitragynine can be converted into 7hydrohydroxymitragynine, it might emerge as a replacement for modern medication.
Effects of Kratom: Kratom affects the mind and body much like . Physical effects include constriction of pupils, constipation, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, analgesia, nausea and, in high doses, a hangover can occur. Mental effects include euphoria, stimulation, sedation, feelings of warmth, and in some cases, depression. As with all substances, effects can very widely from person to person. When taken as a tea, Kratom effects can be noticed in about 20 minutes. Generally, a feeling of stimulation and relaxation is noted, as well as a growing feeling of euphoria. Many become more sociable, and want to engage in conversation. In time, the stimulation fades and a strong is noticed. This effect can be overpowering, and many will lay down and try to sleep. This can result in the waking dream state often times achieved by .