Kratom liquid extracts and tinctures are becoming popular ways of using this natural herbal supplement. Made by condensing the active alkaloids from the Mitragyna speciosa kratom leaf, these potent botanical extracts offer portability, and make precise dosing easier for some users. Finding your ideal dosage with concentrated kratom liquids does require some care and experimentation.
- Liquids represent a more concentrated form, so doses are measured out and administered precisely. It helps users better control the strength and effects.
- The concentrated extraction process is said to remove some of the harsher compound tastes, making kratom liquids more palatable and easier to swallow.
- Liquid extracts kick in faster than swallowing capsules, as they absorb immediately under the tongue. The effects may also last slightly longer.
- Tinctures and liquids travel well, making on-the-go kratom use convenient. They don’t require any preparation like brewing powders into tea.
- Some commercial extract processes claim to isolate and remove specific alkaloids from kratom to tailor effects. Independent research is still limited in this area.
Finding your minimum effective dose
does kratom get you high? When using any new kratom product including liquids, you must start low and slow with your dosage. Most guidelines suggest beginning with a half or full dropper, then gradually increasing the amount until you find your minimum effective dose where pleasant effects occur. This is key for two reasons – it reduces the risk of overdosing on super-potent kratom liquid, and it also saves you money in the long run if you use the smallest quantity that works. Ramping up your dosage slowly also enables you to pay close attention to the onset, peak, duration, and shift in effects.
Recommendations for established kratom users
If you already have experience with regular kratom powders and know the threshold dose that produces mild results for you, a rough rule of thumb is to start with half that amount when transitioning to a liquid extract. For example, if your go-to powder dosage is 5 grams, start with an extract dose of 2-3ml (or somewhere between half and a third of a dropper). This should produce roughly parallel effects, but you’ll still want to tread carefully and gauge your body’s reaction, as alkaloid concentrations vary markedly between products. Remember that liquid shots that promise 50x or 100x potency are at the end of the scale and must be used cautiously.
Paying attention to strains in liquids
Just as dried kratom leaf comes in different strains, which provide slightly different effects, you’ll also encounter things like Gold Reserve liquid, Maeng Da extract, Bali tincture, etc. It’s important to research what you’re using, as strains like Red Bali kratom are generally more sedative, while Maeng Da and Thai types provide energetic euphoria. Green and white vein kratom liquids land somewhere in the middle. This is why you should be conservative when switching between strains too, apart from potency differences. Start low with any new kratom liquid, whether it’s your first trial or an alternative strain you haven’t tested before in extract form. Finding the sweet spot with kratom liquids is an individual journey that proceeds through careful self-observation and controlled testing. Always listen and respond sensitively to your body’s signals along the way.
