Kratom is surging in popularity. As more and more people discover the way that this potent nootropic can benefit their lives, it’s becoming an important part of daily routines like its cousin, coffee.
But kratom is also something of an acquired taste, with many different ingestion methods that serve different taste preferences and use cases.
So the question is, what is the best way to take kratom powder?
This article covers the most common ways to take (and enjoy) kratom powder, leaves, tea, and more. From the most obvious to a bit more specialist methods, we’ll give you the low-down on what you need to know to find the best way to take kratom for your needs.
Proper Dosage: The Single Most Important Factor
No matter how you choose to take your kratom, finding the proper dosage and sticking to it precisely is the biggest factor to ensure you have a positive experience with the effects of kratom.
Kratom’s effects are dose-dependent, meaning that different size doses will offer different effects, which stack on top of the significant differences between strains.
- Low doses will generally be more uplifting and energizing.
- Moderate to high doses will generally be more relaxing and analgesic.
Once you’ve found the right dosage, sticking to it is important.
- Always measure your dose with a kitchen scale so you know exactly what you’re getting. Unless you’re using a pre-measured ingestion method like kratom capsules or pre-made kratom beverages, this is a key step.
- Resist the urge to raise your dose. If you find that your regular dose is no longer having the desired effect, try our guide to reducing kratom tolerance.
Most kratom users find their perfect dose after a bit of experimentation. If you’re still figuring it out, start small and slow, seeing how the effects of kratom make you feel at that volume. Adjust accordingly from there.
Different Kratom Methods, Finding the Best Way to Take Kratom
Everyone has different needs, and everyone enjoys a different part of the kratom experience.
Depending on your feelings about kratom’s taste, your preferred effects, and when and where you take kratom, different ingestion methods will be better or worse for your needs.
Here’s the low-down on some of the most useful, popular, and effective ways to take kratom powder.
Powdered Kratom
Strictly speaking, powdered kratom isn’t a way to take kratom. But it’s by far the most popular forms of kratom, and it’s worth reviewing a bit about why that’s so.
Part of what makes it so popular with kratom users is that powdered kratom can be used in virtually any ingestion method. Some methods might benefit more from another form, such as kratom tea being best with raw kratom leaves — but no other type of kratom offers quite the versatility of kratom powder.
Pros of powdered kratom:
- Extremely versatile; can be used in virtually any ingestion method (though some, like kratom tea, are best with other types of kratom)
Cons of powdered kratom:
- Requires measuring your own dose
- Has a strong, earthy and somewhat bitter taste that many users dislike
Taking Kratom With Food
Taking kratom with food is one of the less common methods, but it’s definitely worth your consideration.
Cooking with kratom takes almost no extra effort. You just add your dose to the dish you’re already cooking, then eat and enjoy as you would a normal meal!
This is a great way to partially cover the taste of kratom. But the downside? Well, you’re only partially covering it, and it may take a bit of trial and error to find a dish who’s flavor is enhanced, rather than diminished, by adding kratom.
Pros of cooking with kratom:
- Tends to cover the taste of kratom quite well
- Easy to fit into your routine, just add kratom to whatever you’re already cooking
Cons of cooking with kratom:
- Adding kratom may mess-up the flavor profile of your dish
Making Kratom Tea
Kratom tea is an absolute classic, with traditional uses stretching back centuries.
Kratom tea is easy to brew, covers kratom’s taste effectively, and allows large doses to be stored for later use with no further prep.
Making kratom tea is one of the best ways to take kratom if you’re looking for ease of use, flavor, and easy storage.
Pros of kratom tea:
- Quick to brew
- Covers the taste of kratom
- Easily customizable for taste preferences
- Can be brewed in large batches and stored for later use
Cons of kratom tea:
- Does require prep time
Kratom Shots
Kratom shots offer a number of compelling benefits. They require zero measurement. They not only cover kratom’s taste but make it delicious. They can be taken any time, anywhere, and can be stored for later use between doses.
The only real downside is that your ability to customize dosage will be somewhat imprecise — you can only really do it by sipping rather than guzzling the shot.
But for my vote, kratom shots are absolutely one of the best ways to take kratom.
Pros of kratom shots:
- Pre-measured dosage
- Delicious taste
- Easy to take virtually any time, anywhere
Cons of kratom shots:
- Can only customize dosage by “sipping” rather than drinking whole beverage
Kratom Capsules
Kratom capsules offer three main benefits: they completely cover kratom’s taste, they don’t require you to measure your dose, and they allow you to take kratom anywhere you want without attracting any attention.
The only real downside with kratom capsules (and it’s a minor one) is that you can’t customize your dose outside of taking full multiples of the individual capsule.
Pros of kratom capsules:
- Completely covers kratom’s taste
- No need to measure dosage
- Can take these at the office, gym, wherever, without raising eyebrows
Cons of kratom capsules:
- Can only customize dosage by taking multiples of the pre-measured capsule dose
Toss and Wash
“Toss and wash” is one of the weirder-sounding methods, but it’s actually quite straight forward. You simply take your desired amount of powdered kratom, place it onto your tongue, then “wash” it down by swallowing it with a big gulp of water or juice.
The toss and wash is useful mainly because it is so low-tech. You don’t require any tools, you don’t need to pay extra for gel capsules, you just… well, toss it and wash it!
But the downsides are real. You’re putting raw kratom on your tongue, so the taste is as strong as it’ll ever be. And, if you’ve ever seen the cinnamon challenge, that could be an issue here, too.
Pros of toss and wash:
- Quick, easy
- Does not require special equipment
Cons of toss and wash:
- Does not meaningfully cover kratom’s taste
- Can cause “clumpage” while holding powder in your mouth
- “Cinnamon challenge” vibes if you mess it up
Oblate Discs
Oblate discs are an uncommon way to take kratom, but they’re definitely one of the best ways to take kratom if you’re looking for a zero-taste option.
Oblate discs are essentially a DIY alternative to kratom capsules. You wrap your dose in a thin, non-toxic gelatin sheet, wrap it up, and swallow it the same way you would take a kratom capsule.
Oblate discs require a bit more effort than kratom capsules, but the upside is that you can customize your dose more freely.
Pros of oblate discs:
- Completely covers kratom’s taste
- Everything that’s good about kratom capsules, plus added benefit of customized dosing
Cons of oblate discs:
- Have to purchase oblate discs (but they’re cheap)
- Have to measure your own dose
The Best Way to Take Kratom, In Closing
So what is the best way to take kratom? Hard to say, as they each have their pros and cons.
Different users will find several of these options more to their liking than others, and only you can determine which is the best way to take kratom for your needs.
To recap, here are the most common
- Powdered: Very versatile, but requires measuring for each dose. Great for bitter lovers and drinks alike!
- Taking Kratom with Food: Masks the taste of kratom products, but may change the flavor of your dish. A delicious alternative to kratom-infused drinks.
- Making Kratom Tea: A classic method. Requires a bit of extra prep, but can be stored for later use. Traditional, delicious, and made exactly how you like it!
- Kratom Shots: Extremely convenient, portable, and pre-measured. Doesn’t allow for customizing dose (except by sipping). Quick and delicious like never before.
- Easy-to-Take Capsules: Simple, convenient. Can only customize dose in multiples of the capsule size. No frills, as advertised kratom doses!
- Toss and Wash: Partially covers the taste of kratom with no-cost, low tech. May result in clumpage. A unique way to take kratom powder.
- Oblate Discs: Cheap, easy, completely covers the taste of kratom. A measure-it-yourself alternative to kratom capsules. One of the most innovative kratom ingestion methods we’ve seen,
There isn’t one best way to take kratom because everyone is different and has different needs.
However, we recommend that you try a variety of kratom preparations in order to find what works best for you! Maybe your ideal kratom dose is somewhere on this list. You’ll never know until you try!