Kratom is taking the nation by storm, offering a federally legal way to find relief from all kinds of daily complaints, while being a completely natural product. Found in Southeast Asia, kratom refers to the dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, and within these leaves, you’ll find a variety of alkaloids renowned for their therapeutic properties. But, if you’ve never used kratom before, you’re gonna need to have a clear idea of the basic guidelines (do’s and don’ts) to enjoy it safely, effectively, and responsibly.
Kratom Do’s and Don’ts
Basically, with just about any substance we’ve never taken before, we want to have a good idea of what to expect from it and how to use it properly to avoid any unwanted side effects. Because of that, we want to offer a list of tips for getting the most out of your experience.
5 Basic Do’s
Do: Know How Different Veins and Veins Work
Kratom comes in 3 types of veins: green, red, and white, determined by the color of the vein in the leaf. Each vein is associated with its own distinctive effects, based on the composition of alkaloids in the product. Red vein strains are very potent, and more associated with pain relief. Green vein strains are known for their sedative qualities, while white vein strains are euphoric and energy-boosting.
Most of us have a specific goal in mind when taking kratom, so knowing your veins and strains will help you zero in on the best product for your specific needs. Luckily, you can find this information quite easily online, since kratom has become so popular that there are a number of educational resources.
Do: Read Up on it Beforehand
It’s important to know what you’re getting into as you embark on your kratom journey, as a beginner. Kratom is generally regarded as safe, when used properly and responsibly. Of course, there’s always a risk of side effects, and it’s important to know what those side effects are ahead of time, so that you can avoid them as much as possible. It’s also helpful to know about things like dosing guidelines, what benefits you can derive, and whether or not it can be mixed with something else that you take on a daily basis. The more you know about kratom, the more you can finetune your experience to match your goals.
Do: Make Sure You Look for Indicators of Quality and Safety
Like so many natural products, kratom exists in a fairly unregulated industry. What this means is that consumers can buy and take it at their own risk, as there’s no governing body overseeing how it’s produced and sold. Fortunately, you can find quality indicators that give you all the assurance that you need to avoid unsafe, fake, or generally low-quality products. Most importantly, look for third-party lab reports on a company’s website, to be sure that you’re getting a product that’s undergone extensive, unbiased testing through a licensed facility. This way, you can know right away whether or not you’re buying something that lives up to your standards for quality.
Also, try to find information on a company’s website about where they get their kratom from, as it’s best if they’re buying directly from reputable farmers in Southeast Asia who have experience harvesting this plant. Of course, reviews are helpful as well.
Do: Understand How Each Delivery Method Works
Kratom comes in all kinds of delivery methods, and each one can affect you differently, and change your experience. You can find liquid shots, which act quickly and powerfully, as well as tinctures, capsules, and gummies, all of which are longer-lasting but may take longer before becoming active, and in fact, may not be as powerful in terms of effects. Knowing what each delivery method brings to the table tells you what’s in store in terms of the duration of the effectiveness and how strong the kratom will feel.
Remember, the most potent products – liquid shots – can be too strong for some beginners, especially since they’re typically sold in very high concentrations compared to other products.
Do: Follow the Directions
Kratom products should all come with labels that offer clear directions about how to take the product – particularly when it comes to dosage, and how much you can take within a 24-hour period. Please follow these directions carefully in order to be safe when it comes to the amount you take.
5 Basic Don’ts
Don’t: Buy Kratom from Shady Sources
Naturally, you want to avoid any sketchy retailers when looking for top-quality kratom. For example, a convenience store probably isn’t your best source, since convenience stores aren’t exactly known for committing to the highest quality standards with the products they carry in general.
We also strictly urge that you don’t buy kratom from random people on the internet, who don’t have a license to sell this kind of product. Stick to reputable brands like Topps Kratom, and you’ll be good to go. Overall, reputable online sources are always ideal, as they specialize in kratom, and have much more at stake when it comes to the quality and safety of the products they carry.
Don’t: Take More Than Recommended
One thing that’s super important is getting the dosage right. Taking too much kratom can lead to ill effects that may potentially be harmful, like effects related to the kidneys and/or liver. Please follow the dosing directions on the product label to be safe, and only adjust your dosage in small increments over time should you develop a tolerance. The bottom line is that it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially with a substance that you can overdose on.
Don’t: Store it Improperly
Kratom will degrade if it’s not being stored properly, making your purchase effectively useless within a shorter period of time than you can actually finish it. Keep your kratom in a dark, dry, and cool place, as heat, light, and humidity can all cause those alkaloids to start degrading. Make sure the container is airtight, so that oxygen doesn’t cause these compounds to oxidize and break down. A closet, cabinet, or drawer is a great place for storing your kratom stash.
Don’t: Drive or Act Irresponsibly After Taking It
Kratom is intoxicating, and that means that daily tasks like driving or operating heavy equipment can be dangerous due to impairment. Please be responsibly with your kratom, and don’t store it in an area where children or pets can access it, as that can cause real, serious harm. While many people can function just fine on kratom, high doses can impact those with a low tolerance, making certain activities potentially dangerous.
Don’t: Take Kratom if You’re on Medications, Until You Speak to a Doctor
If you are on medication, make sure to talk to your doctor before incorporating kratom into your routine – even if it’s an over-the-counter drug that seems harmless. Kratom is metabolized through the same channels as many common medications, and besides that, its sedative properties may be dangerous to combine with other drugs.
In particular, any drug that metabolizes via CYP3A4, an enzyme that breaks down many popular prescription medications, can be dangerous to mix with kratom, as this creates the potential for elevated levels of both substances in the bloodstream. Your doctor can give you more info.
Follow These Rules for an Effective and Safe Kratom Routine
Kratom is not inherently dangerous when used properly, but like many substances, it does come with risks. Besides that, there’s always the risk of being disappointed with the results if you don’t know what you’re doing as a total newbie. At Topps Kratom, you can enjoy the assurance that you’re only buying lab-tested products from a reputable brand, along with clear dosing directions to avoid taking too much.