
Kratom is an incredible plant that offers a wide variety of benefits. If you’re interested in using kratom, you may be wondering whether you should take kratom pills or kratom powder. Both options offer their own unique benefits, so it really depends on your personal preferences. Read on to learn all about kratom pills vs. powder so you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.
What’s the Difference?
Before we discuss the benefits of both options, it’s important to note that both kratom pills and kratom powder contain the exact same ingredients. They both consist of kratom leaves from the mitragyna speciosa tree that grows mainly throughout Southeastern Asia, and both contain the same alkaloids –– Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine –– that cause kratom’s effects.
With that in mind, kratom pills vs. powder comes down to your preferred method of ingesting that powder. Regardless of which option you choose, you can still have your choice of red, green, or white kratom varieties, sourced from different locations. Each kratom strain has its own unique profile as far as effects go, so you should be able to find your preferred strain in capsule or powder form.
The Benefits of Kratom Pills
The main reason why people take kratom capsules is for the convenience. When you have your kratom powder in pill form, you can simply swallow it at your leisure just like any other vitamin or supplement. Kratom pills are discrete and portable, making it easy for you to carry them with you wherever you go. They’re also pre-weighed, so you know exactly how much you’re taking at a time.
The other reason why people who are wondering about kratom pills vs. powder may opt for pills is because they mask the taste of the powder. Kratom leaves have a bitter taste that some users find unappealing. Kratom capsules make it possible to dose kratom without ever tasting the powder. If you’re sensitive to bitter tastes and dry, powdery textures, capsules are probably the best choice.
The Benefits of Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is ideal for users who like to vary their doses. Taking just a small amount of kratom can provide a subtle, clean energy boost, which may not be possible if you’re taking larger capsules. If you have a scale, you can simply measure out your exact preferred dose so you can really hone in on your ideal effects.
Another reason why some people prefer kratom powder over kratom pills is that you can blend different strains together. While you can take two different pills, you may end up going over your preferred dose. Blending powders is another way to customize the effects to your liking. For example, if you really like Red Bali kratom, but find that it’s too relaxing, you can add a white or green strain to balance it out.
Another reason why powder may win the kratom pills vs. powder decision is because you can blend it into beverages and smoothies. This is especially useful for people who already take protein shakes or other blended drinks, as they can simply weigh out their kratom dose and blend it in. You can also use the ‘toss and wash’ method, which simply means pouring the powder in your mouth and washing it down with your beverage of choice.
Kratom powder can also be brewed into a tea, which often provides stronger effects. Kratom powder also tends to kick in faster than kratom pills as you don’t have to wait for the capsule to be absorbed by your body.
What Is Kratom Extract?
Some vendors offer kratom extract and strains enhanced with kratom extract. Extract is a concentrated form of kratom that’s significantly stronger than typical kratom pills or powder. The kratom leaves are usually boiled down, eliminating the plant matter and leaving only a resin made up of the active kratom alkaloids that cause effects.
With that in mind, it’s important that you adjust your dose accordingly. For example, if you take a 8X kratom extract, you would want to take 1/8 of your usual dose. You can also add just a small amount of extract to your usual dose for more powerful effects. There are also ‘enhanced strains’ that contain a pre-blended mix of extract and traditional powder.
Taking Powder and Pills Together
There’s nothing wrong with blending kratom powder with capsules, as long as you pay attention to your dosage. For example, if you’re taking 1-gram capsules, you would want to measure out your powdered dose to roughly 1 gram (or more or less depending on how much you normally take. Always pay attention to your dose, regardless of which format you choose.
How to Dose Kratom
Because every kratom user has their own unique body chemistry and tolerance, there’s no exact ideal dose. 1-2 grams is the typical dose for new users, although many people experience effects taking just .5 grams. 3-4 grams tends to be the highest dose for kratom pills or powder –– after that, the effects become less pronounced, and may even cause negative side effects.
If it’s your first time taking kratom, start with a low dose and then pay attention to the effects. In most cases, low doses are more stimulating and higher doses become more sedating. However, those effects may vary depending on which type of strain you take.
How to Choose the Right Strain
Now that you have a better idea on how to choose between kratom pills vs. powder, you can select an ideal strain for your needs. This may require some trial and error to find the best possible strain for you, but you can use the kratom leaves’ vein colors to make an educated decision.
Red vein kratom tends to be the most sedating option. It’s great for when you just want to unwind after a long day. It also has the strongest analgesic properties, so it’s perfect for users who are hoping to alleviate chronic pain. Many kratom enthusiasts find that taking red vein kratom pills or powder helps them to reduce or even stop their dependence on pharmaceutical painkillers and other narcotics.
White vein kratom tends to be the most stimulating out of all of the kratom varieties. It’s perfect for users who want to replace their morning coffee with a cleaner, jitter-free energy boost. White vein kratom may still offer sedation and analgesia in higher doses, but it’s typically on the faster end of the spectrum.
Green vein kratom sits somewhere between red and white vein varieties. It’s the most versatile option, and it’s often the first choice for those who are just getting started. Green vein kratom pills and powders often provide a pleasant euphoria, and they’re great for relieving social anxiety.
Is All Kratom the Same?
The answer is absolutely not! Far more important than choosing between kratom pills vs. powder is choosing a reputable vendor. Kratom quality varies widely, so you want to seek out vendors who sell potent, safe products that are tested. While you may be able to find discounted kratom products on the internet, the risk of receiving a product with additives or other unsafe ingredients simply isn’t worth it. In the world of kratom, you get what you pay for.