Kats Botanicals provides Kratom resources for every level of interest and experience, including our Kratom first-time users! If you’re a Kratom newbie with tons of questions, let’s get you off to a more confident and pleasant start with this fascinating, day-altering botanical. Today, we’re tackling common questions for new Kratom users and outlining how to take it for the first time. We’ll also point you in the right direction for support, next steps, and guides that pertain to every part of your Kratom journey.
WHY SHOULD I TAKE KRATOM?
If you’re considering Kratom use for the first time, then you’ve likely heard something good about the botanical that appeals to you. Though we love our Kratom word-of-mouth community, what’s true for some may not be your experience. It can be a little different for everyone – support, relief, clarity, optimism, upbeat energy, support sleep, etc. That seems like a lot of different things…and it is. Kratom has versatile results and there are myriad Kratom products to choose from. It’s like choose-your-journey wellness!
WHAT IS KRATOM? IS KRATOM RIGHT FOR ME?
Botanical wellness supplements like Ashwagandha, CBD, Shilajit, and Kratom, are all derived from plants. Some botanicals like cannabis and caffeine, for example, are psychoactive, meaning they contain active compounds that can change the way you feel, alter your mood, or in some cases, intoxicate you. Kratom comes from one of these types of plants.
Kratom is made from the dried, crushed leaves of the Kratom tree, Mitragyna speciosa, a fascinating and diverse tree that grows in Southeast Asia. The active compounds in Kratom are called alkaloids, which work via the same types of pathways in the body as analgesics. There are many strains due to where the trees grow and how they are processed post-harvest.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS FROM KRATOM USE VS POTENTIAL CONS
Let’s look at some of the Kratom pros & cons. The pros can be overwhelmingly positive, but knowing the flipside helps you use Kratom mindfully, and tailor your doses, especially if you plan to use Kratom regularly.
KRATOM PROS
- Versatile botanical with a wide array of potential benefits like relaxation, calmness, energy, motivation, social ease, comfort and relief, increased well-being and positivity, and even post-workout recovery.
- Fairly affordable
- Widely available and comes in a ton of different options; potency, form, and strain.
KRATOM CONS
As much as we love Kratom’s potential for elevating our well-being, there are some side effects and other downsides to discuss. You may not experience the downsides unless you take too much Kratom at once, but it still helps to be mindful of them.
- Dry mouth
- Feeling out of sorts or sedated
- Upset stomach or gastrointestinal discomfort
- Feeling anxious or excitable, nervous, or otherwise uncomfortable
- May be habit forming
Also, Kratom isn’t for everyone. Consider avoiding Kratom (or getting your doctor’s advice on it) if:
- You are under the age for approved Kratom use in your area
- You take medications that may not work with Kratom
- You drink alcohol regularly or to excess
- You use drugs
- Your liver and/or kidneys aren’t healthy
Kratom Tips: The best way to enjoy the potential benefits of Kratom is to determine if Kratom is right for you; then take Kratom right. Shop smart, buy AKA-approved, and never exceed doses.
KRATOM VEINS VS KRATOM STRAINS
If you’ve decided enough is enough and you’re ready for some relief, and Kratom sounds like it may work for you, then step one is to get a good product to try. You’ll pick a Kratom vendor, a Kratom vein, and strain to try, and decide which form of Kratom you’d prefer:
Kratom Tip: Liquid Kratom Shots are available but not recommended for first-time Kratom users.
KRATOM VENDOR
This one’s easy – Kats Botanicals! Online, easy and discreet, fast shipping, and top-rated, clean, lab-tested Kratom you can trust. Always. We are approved by the highest Kratom advocate in the country, the American Kratom Association, and we use 100% cGMP processing. That’s the best it gets!
KRATOM VEINS
Here at Kats Botanicals we source our Kratom leaf from a selection of areas throughout Indonesia which provide us with a variety of veins and strains. Veins refer to the coloring of the powders: Red, Green, White, and in some cases Gold or Yellow. These vein colorings tell you whether the Kratom product leans toward invigorating, clarifying, or relaxing. (Huge generalizations there, but let’s keep this simple.)
KRATOM EFFECTS BY VEIN
Red Vein Kratom – If you think in terms of Kratom veins being a spectrum, most relaxing on one end and most invigorating on the other, the Red Veins are the ones closest to the relaxation end of the spectrum. Many prefer this vein for relief and calm.
White Vein Kratom – White Veins are at the most invigorating end of the spectrum. Many prefer this vein for get-up-and-go.
Green Vein Kratom – Green Veins are slightly right of center, leaning towards invigorating but falling between the Reds and Whites. Many prefer this vein for clarity & well-being.
Yellow Vein Kratom – While a single-vein Kratom is best for beginners, Yellow Vein combines White Vein with a little Red Vein for a “calm energy” feel. It’s recommended to begin with low doses of any Maeng Da Kratom, which is naturally strong.
KRATOM STRAINS
Then there are the strains. Think of this as the “type” of Kratom. The vibe. Red Veins grown in separate areas of the jungle, or on different islands, will have different alkaloid profiles, which can affect how they make you feel. They also smell and taste a little differently based on the terpene makeup of a particular strain. As you get to know Kratom, the different strains are appealing because you can sample strains to discover the strains you love. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Kratom vein and Kratom strain selection. Compare the effects of each and choose the perfect one for you!
Kratom Strain Comparison Guide
KRATOM EFFECTS BY STRAIN
There are a great many Kratom strains. Here are a few that appeal to newbies.
Bali Kratom – Comes in several of the veins. Bali Kratom is known for its chill vibes and is very popular with first-time Kratom users.
Malay Kratom – Malay Kratom is known for its smoothness. This appeals to first-time users who are concerned about the bitterness of Kratom powders.
Bentuangie Kratom – Bentuangie Kratom is usually Red Vein and is a good calming selection for first-time Kratom users.
Remember: The veins describe the effects; the strains further shape your experience with nuanced flavor, texture, and distinct region-influenced effects.
UNDERSTANDING KRATOM DOSAGE
To get the benefits of Kratom that you want, it is important to understand dose-dependency. This means that regardless of the vein and strain of Kratom that you select, how you consume Kratom will highly affect your Kratom experience. For Kratom, less is more! If you like your experience and want to get more of it, understand that taking a higher dose may simply make you tired. Kratom tends to be more motivating at regular or lower doses, but taking more than the recommended dosage could bring out the sedating properties Kratom has at higher doses.
Furthermore, when dosing is too high you may experience urges for Kratom between doses. This is a good indicator that the dose or potency is too high for you. Take regular breaks from Kratom if this happens. People who take Kratom report more positive experiences when they note how they feel after taking Kratom and use this mindful knowledge to shape their dosing schedule.
Kratom Tip: Refer to the dosing recommendations on your product and do not exceed these. Here’s a comprehensive guide on Kratom Dosage.
HOW DO I TAKE KRATOM – FIRST TIME?
Choose a Kratom consumption method based on the type of product you’ve selected to try, and on your personal preferences. The first time you try a dose of Kratom you will take a smaller dose and pay special care to how the effects of Kratom make you feel. Kratom may kick in quicker if you have a fast metabolism or if you take it on an empty stomach.
Since Kratom is related to the coffee plant, its effects can be similar to that of caffeine. Keep this in mind if you consume caffeine along with your Kratom doses. Avoid alcohol while taking Kratom.
KRATOM METHODS OF CONSUMPTION
Kratom Powders – There are three main ways to consume Kratom powders: Toss and Wash, Kratom Tea, and Kratom Recipes. For each method, measure your dose precisely to get consistent results. Effects last 4-6 hours.
Kratom Capsules – Swallow capsules with a glass of water; with or without food. Effects last 4-6 hours.
Kratom Gummies – Chew gummy dose and chase with water or juice; with or without food. Effects last 4-6 hours.
Store all your Kratom products in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children or pets. Also, make sure Kratom is legal for you to carry to the places you go.
HOW MUCH KRATOM – FIRST TIME?
Read the dosing instructions on your product first to determine the amount of Kratom recommended. Then you’ll take half that (or less) as a first-time Kratom user.
- Begin your first Kratom dose at half the recommended amount or lower.
- Take your Kratom dose by your preferred method.
- Acute Kratom effects kick in as the product metabolizes, but can be within the half hour.
- Note how the dose makes you feel at regular intervals.
Typical Kratom dose for first time: For Kats Botanicals’ products, this means approximately 1.2 grams (half teaspoon) or less of the powders, 1-2 capsules, or 1/2 gummy.
MINDFUL KRATOM TRIAL
For your first time taking Kratom, do so at home where you can note how the dose affects you. Here are some common first-time issues and what you can do if your first Kratom dose made you feel…
Totally grossed-out due to the bitterness:
Yes, Kratom has a taste that can be off-putting. While some enjoy this earthiness, not everyone does. If it’s too bitter, try using juice instead of water, or adding some agave, honey, or sugar to sweeten the experience. Almond milk (or even chocolate almond milk) or coconut milk may have the texture and sweetness you need to improve the experience. Or, switch to capsules next time!
Nauseous:
- Drink water.
- Sprinkle Ginger powder in your water as this can help calm your tummy.
- Reduce your dose for the next time.
- Take your dose with a small snack or meal.
Too tired or sedated:
- Drink water.
- Eat food with your dose.
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you feel more like yourself.
- For your next dose: Reduce the dose and/or switch from Red to a Green or White.
Too energized:
- Drink water and avoid caffeine.
- Eat food with your dose.
- Consider a Melatonin + Magnesium right before bed.
- For your next dose: Reduce the dose and/or switch from White to Green or Red.
Anxious or Restless:
- Drink water and avoid caffeine.
- Consider taking CBD.
- Eat food with your dose.
- For your next dose: Reduce the dose and/or switch from White or Green to Red.
THE FIRST KRATOM DOSE FELT WONDERFUL!
Perfect! Then you know to continue at the lower dose and work your way up to the recommended dose (if you need that much.) You’ll learn more as you go along your Kratom journey and we are here to help. We welcome you to the Kats family where we treasure the use of Kratom at all experience levels.
We hope your first Kratom dose measures up to everything you desire. But if it doesn’t, it’s ok to change course, select a new strain, or dose down while you’re figuring it out. Many of us started using Kratom without many resources to tap into – we went it alone! Taking any new botanical supplement can present you with many questions, but Kratom is in a category all its own. From the wide array of Kratom benefits to the nuances of different strains of Kratom; there’s a lot to learn, especially for new Kratom users. These resources should help:
Follow the American Kratom Association
Join the Kats Botanicals fam!
NOTE: It is essential to follow all label directions closely and adhere to the serving suggestions. For more information, see our Ideal Kratom Dosage Guide for general suggested use. Do not take more than recommended without first consulting a medical professional. These guidelines are not definitive, as individual responses may differ. These products are intended for responsible adult use only. May be habit-forming and lead to dependency. Not intended for long-term use.
