When trying to find your ideal kratom dosage, you might come across general guidelines such as the following:
- Mild Dosage: 1 to 2 grams
- Moderate Dosage: 2 to 4.5 grams
- High Dosage: 4.5 to 8 grams
These recommendations can be a good starting point. However, they rarely tell the whole story. Read on for a complete guide on dosing. We teach you how to find the right amount based on your desired effects and preferred form of consumption.
Kratom Dosage by Effects
When it comes to dosage, there is no set in stone standard. Navigating the correct dosing to achieve your desired side effects can be a bit of an experiment. It all depends on factors like the strain you take, your age, weight, height, and your body’s tolerance.
One of the most important factors to consider, however, is your desired effects. Different amounts of kratom emphasize the plant’s unique properties. For instance, lower amounts tend to be energizing, while higher doses tend to be sedating.
Ready to determine your dosage by desired effects? See below for a complete breakdown of the proper amounts for common effects users seek out.
Pain
Both green and red vein strains are ideal for pain. Users claim that they can provide pain relief without side effects such as fatigue or brain fog. The dosage you take for pain depends on the vein color and the symptoms you want to manage.
For chronic pain, taking between 4 and 8 grams of a red vein can significantly relieve pain. This amount may also have a sedating effect, depending on the strain you take, so be sure to look into a strain’s side effects.
If you opt for the mood-enhancing green vein, you will need a higher dose for total relief. Between 7 and 8 grams can considerably alleviate your aches and pains.
Opiate Withdrawal
With an opiate withdrawal, you’ll want to start your dosage immediately after stopping opiate use. This route is the best way to avoid uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. The plant’s effects are active for 5 to 6 hours, so you’ll need to take additional doses throughout the day to prevent withdrawal symptoms from appearing.
Between 2-4 grams is the ideal starting point, but dosing may vary depending on the opiate in your system and your genetic makeup. After taking 2 to 4 grams, wait 30 minutes to see how your body reacts. If you haven’t started to feel effects, increase your dosage 1 gram at a time. Wait an additional 30 minutes to note the results. You should continue to take your dosage every 5 to 6 hours.
Energy & Focus
The best part about taking kratom for energy and focus is that you don’t need to take as much. Almost any strain can provide stimulating effects in lower amounts. Larger quantities, on the other hand, will sedate you.
Related article: Kratom strains for energy and focus
If you’re looking for significant energy and focus, green and white strains are what you need. It’s best to start with 3 grams when looking to boost your energy and concentration. You can increase your intake to around 5 grams. This amount can provide a euphoric, concentrated feeling inside your body and mind. You’ll feel more motivated and able to take on the day.
If you go much higher, you’ll risk sedative effects. The sedative effects are perfect for relaxation and tranquility but not so much for energy, so it’s best to keep your dosage between 3-5 grams max.
Anxiety
Managing your anxiety with this natural supplement is useful and accessible. Red and green strains are excellent for this purpose. The dosage is also in the low range, with 2 grams being a good starting point.
People looking to relieve anxiety tend to take between 2-5 grams every 6 hours, up to three times a day. However, some find that even one daily dose first thing in the morning benefits them for the entire day. Dosing for anxiety leads to a euphoric boost, muscle relaxation, and mental clarity. As with all dosage recommendations, results vary between individuals, and experimenting (safely) is essential.
Related article: Kratom strains for anxiety
Whatever effects you’re looking for, we recommend starting with the lowest dose and taking things slowly. Some people like to log their results in journals, recording the exact amount they took and how their body responds.
Most recommendations suggest starting with 2 grams regardless of the effects you want to experience. You can increase by 0.5 grams at a time while figuring out what works. Average dosing sits pretty between 3 and 6 grams. If you have adverse side effects (like an upset stomach or vomiting), it’s safe to say your dose is too high.
In addition to adverse side effects, excessive doses can lead to tolerance. Tolerance can diminish how powerful the benefits are and how long the plant works for you.
Kratom Dosage by Forms
The plant comes in several forms, the most popular being powder and capsules. But extracts have recently seen a surge in interest lately due to their sheer potency. When looking at different forms, it’s essential to know their dosing variations, or else you run the risk of taking too much or too little.
Powder
Kratom in powder form, the most common form of this plant, requires you to measure in grams. It’s essentially the measurements we’ve been discussing, as it’s how most users take their kratom. You can measure by the gram using a digital kitchen scale:
- Mild Dosage: 1 to 2 grams
- Moderate Dosage: 2 to 4.5 grams
- High Dosage: 4.5 to 8 grams
Or break it down into a teaspoon measurement:
- Mild Dosage: 0.5 to 0.9 tsp
- Moderate Dosage: 1 to 2 tsp
- High Dosage: 2 to 3.5 tsp
Take caution when measuring out your dosage in teaspoons. You can do it safely, but you run a higher risk of miscalculating your dose if you’re not careful.
Capsules
Kratom capsules follow the same size chart as other kinds of capsules on the market. The standard gelatin capsules all have a size number, from #000 to #3. Most commonly, kratom capsules come in sizes between #000 and #0. Each number correlates to the amount of powder inside.
- #000 = 1 gram
- #00 = .735 mg
- #0 = .5 mg
The #0 or .5 mg capsules seem like the norm, as it allows for a steadier dosing increase when needed. The amount of .5 mg capsules to take follows this general guideline:
- Mild Dosage: 5-7 capsules
- Moderate Dosage: 8–11 capsules
- Strong Dosage: 12-16 capsules
Users love capsules for their convenience and lack of flavor. It’s also much easier to measure out your dose when it’s pre-packed by a reputable source.
Extract
Extracts are a highly concentrated form of kratom, with users celebrating them for their efficiency and potency. The three variations of extracts are as follows:
- Powder (extract powder is not the same as raw kratom powder, but you can consume it in the same way — just at a lower dose)
- Tinctures/Liquid
- Resin
Due to their potency, extracts require precise measuring. You’ll need to be very careful (especially if you’re just starting or have a low tolerance). Knowing your typical dosage helps when figuring out how much of an extract to take. It’s very easy to take too much if you’re not cautious.
You’ll see their labels on packaging for these products have a number followed by the letter x (i.e., 5x, 10x, 15x, etc.). It indicates how many grams of raw kratom went into one gram of the extract. A few examples of conversion is as follows:
- 1 gram of 10x kratom extract = 10 grams of raw powder
- 2 grams of 5x kratom extract = 10 grams of raw powder
- 1 gram of 15x kratom extract = 15 grams of raw powder
As you can see, a little goes a long way. Examine your packaging thoroughly for recommendations on an extract dosage. You will need a lot less of this stuff than the plant in its raw form. With tinctures, a dropper will accompany your product, which makes measuring easier. It would help if you also considered using a digital scale as it’s the best way to measure out extract doses.
Best Kratom Vendors to Buy From
Because of the oversaturated market and lack of industry regulation, you need to be careful when buying kratom. Not every vendor is going to line their shelves with top-quality products from vetted farms.
Most users suggest staying away from head shops and gas station products due to the lack of specialization. Instead, you’ll want to go with reputable online shops.
Trustworthy online vendors are those whose sole focus is kratom. They should be transparent about their products and offer excellent customer service. They should also be members of the American Kratom Association, conduct independent testing, etc.
To make your search for a vendor a little easier, we’ve reviewed the top three. Check them out below to determine which is best for you:
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom specializes in Southeast Asian strains, carrying everything from Borneo to White Horn. You’re almost sure to find what you need here. And thanks to the most affordable pricing in the industry, you don’t have to worry about going over budget.
Kona Kratom’s prices might be low, but it’s not a “cheap” vendor as it always prioritizes quality. The supplier works with top growers throughout Southeast Asia to bring you some of the best strains in the world. And like all of our recommendations, Kona Kratom is an active member of the AKA and sends all products for third-party testing. Shop the wide selection today for affordable, high-quality strains.
Key Points
- Affordable pricing
- Works with top growers throughout Southeast Asia
- An active member of the AKA
- Sends all products in for third-party testing
- Wide selection
Star Kratom
Star Kratom is the perfect choice for first-time users. Thanks to a fantastic money-back guarantee on all products, you have plenty of room to shop around and experiment. Purchase multiple strains at once if you’d like. If you’re unsatisfied with any of your buys, you’ll receive a refund with absolutely zero hassle. This policy is particularly beneficial for those still navigating their dosage.
Even though this vendor offers a generous satisfaction guarantee, we don’t think you’ll need it. Star Kratom is full of high-quality products at competitive pricing. Its AKA approval and use of third-party testing ensure you can trust their claims. Best of all, you’ll get your order fast thanks to quick delivery times. Choose this lesser-known, family-owned vendor today.
Key Points
- Money-back guarantee
- Wide selection of high-quality products
- AKA approval
- Use of third-party testing
- Quick delivery times
VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom is perfect if you’re looking for the best products on the market. The vendor specializes exclusively in premium strains, meaning you won’t find anything less than 100% A-grade kratom. This purity results in even the smallest doses yielding powerful effects.
Of course, like all of our recommendations, VIP Kratom is AKA-approved and conducts third-party testing. So, you can rest knowing that all of its products are as potent as the label says. Another nice perk of VIP Kratom is that it carries rare and exotic strains you won’t find anywhere else. For the highest quality products available, shop VIP Kratom today.
Key Points
- 100% A-grade kratom
- AKA-approved
- Conducts third-party testing
- Rare and exotic strains available
- A slightly smaller selection
Conclusion — Find Your Perfect Kratom Dosage
Many users think finding their ideal dose is confusing. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Although there are no set standards for dosing, general guidelines can help you experiment and settle on the perfect amount.
Start slow, and pay close attention to how your system responds to your intake. You can keep a written log containing strain, dosage amount, and what benefits or side effects you experienced.
To further ensure you have a safe experience, buy products from reputable vendors. Shopping with our recommendations — Star Kratom, VIP Kratom, and Kona Kratom — will help you find the ideal dose by giving you access to pure, reliable products.
