Why Maeng Da Kratom Stands Out as the Premium Choice
Of all of the different kratom products on today’s market, few bring with them a sense of prestige like Maeng Da Kratom. “Maeng da” refers to a specific hybrid blend of different strains and veins, and it’s widely considered to be the purest, most effective, and highest-quality kratom you can get, not only by U.S. consumers but by those who are native to the region in which kratom is cultivated - Southeast Asia.
Maeng Da Kratom is sort of the top-shelf kratom form, and it’s more potent because the leaves of the plant undergo a more extensive drying process, which increases the amount of alkaloids that are responsible for the therapeutic and the psychoactive effects of the plant.
In our previous series on Maeng Da Kratom, we compared potency of different Maeng da strains to other varieties. Today, we’re thrilled to cover the top ways to consume this premium-grade kratom, in order to ensure that you can derive as many benefits from it as possible, while doing so safely.
From Tree to Table: How Commercial Maeng Da Kratom is Made
The kratom that we buy in stores (even in powdered form) has already undergone some level of preparation and has traveled quite far to get to our homes here in the United States. Kratom is the pulverized form of the leaves that grow on the Mitragyna speciosa tree that’s native to Southeast Asian countries. Related to the coffee plant, this evergreen tree produces leaves that’re extremely high in alkaloids that interact with the brain’s opioid receptors, producing powerful and potentially beneficial effects, along with psychoactive effects.
To produce commercially available kratom, farmers in these regions must harvest the leaves at the proper time. Now, there are three “veins” of kratom that you will find in stores, reflecting the color of the vein running through the leaf at the time of harvest: green, white, and red, from least to most potent. At each stage of development, there’s a unique composition and potency of these alkaloids, reflected in the vein color. So, a farmer will harvest the leaves depending on which vein they wish to collect and sell. Again, when it comes to Maeng Da Kratom, harvesters collect a blend of strains - also, Maeng Da Kratom comes in all 3 vein options.
Once the leaves have been harvested, they’re dried in a climate controlled environment, which both preserves them and enhances their inherent alkaloid content. Like we said, Maeng Da Kratom leaves are dried for a longer period of time to develop these alkaloids further, hence the high potency of this variation of kratom.
The dried leaves are typically pulverized at this point, to produce a water-soluble powder that is easy to sell by the gram/pound, and easy to formulate into other products. Alternatively, the whole leaves may be used to make kratom tea, which’s a relatively common consumption method in this region of the world.
Why Does the Consumption Method Matter?
There are different kinds of kratom products on the market, as you probably noticed by now. Almost all of them are ingestible, like teas, liquid shots, gummies, and capsules. The consumption method matters quite a lot, as it directly influences how these valuable kratom alkaloids absorb into the body to produce their effects.
Aside from the nuances between different product types like the ones we listed above, the general delivery method of ingestion is widely regarded as the best. This is because ingesting kratom affects how the liver processes these alkaloids before releasing them into the bloodstream. For the time being, there isn’t any real research investigating the validity of other delivery methods, such as smoking it or applying it topically, and it’s unlikely that these methods are as valuable in terms of efficacy as ingestion.
Fortunately, ingesting kratom is something that individuals have been doing for thousands of years, and so by now, we know that it can be a highly effective and relatively safe way to experience the properties of the plant for ourselves.
What are the Different Methods for Consumption of Maeng Da Kratom?
Let’s get a bit more specific now by covering the most common kratom product types, and explaining the differences between each one, both in terms of how they’re consumed, and how they affect the body.
Delivery Method #1: Kratom Tea
Making tea from the kratom leaves, either whole or pulverized, is the most traditional method for consumption, and clearly an effective one. It involves simply steeping the leaves in hot water, just like you’re making any other type of tea. The tea is sipped, and the water-soluble nature of the tea allows it to absorb relatively quickly into the system.
Delivery Method #2: Kratom Gummies
Kratom gummies are becoming very popular, as many people nowadays prefer to take their daily supplements and herbal products in gummy form, mainly because the taste and texture are more appealing than certain other types of products. Kratom gummies come with another advantage, which is that they’re super-easy from a dosing perspective. Each gummy contains an equal amount of kratom, so the user doesn’t need to count or measure anything out to maintain a consistent routine. Of course, kratom gummies can mask the bitter taste of kratom as well.
Delivery Method #3: Kratom Capsules
Kratom capsules are also pretty popular, and even have the same advantage as gummies in that each individual capsule contains an equal dose of kratom. Capsules, of course, are simple to consume, and can be a good choice for those who are very turned off by the taste of kratom, preferring to swallow rather than chew or sip it to avoid as little contact with the taste buds as possible.
Delivery Method #4: Kratom Beverages
You might come across kratom beverages on the market, such as flavored seltzers, sodas, and the like, which come in bottles or cans and are sipped.
Delivery Method #5: Kratom Shots
Kratom shots are easily the most potent and fast-acting kratom product you can get on the market today. They’re like beverages, but super concentrated into small “shots” that are meant to be drunk fast. They absorb within minutes, and the high potency combined with the fact that the product is liquid allows for the strongest effects that you can get out of any product. Keep in mind that kratom shots typically come in above-average strengths, so you’ll want to read the strength on the bottle’s label to be sure that the dose is right for you.
Working with Kratom Powder
Of course, you can also buy kratom in powder form, which is sorta the foundation of all of the products above (aside from the fact that some manufacturers today use more advanced extraction methods that produce a liquid concentrate of certain kratom alkaloids). If you want to go the route of buying kratom powder, let’s discuss the different ways that you might decide to prepare it for consumption. Buying kratom powder can be a more cost-effective way to maintain a routine, as the powder costs less per gram than kratom that’s been formulated into other products.
In fact, when it comes to using kratom powder, you have a few options in terms of preparation. So, let’s go over the most common ways to use kratom powder for effective consumption.
Method #1: Preparing a Kratom Tea
The most common and traditional, as we said earlier, is kratom tea. If you’re going to use the powder to make a tea, you’ll need to weigh out the proper number of grams (we’ll get into the specifics on dosing a bit later) to make sure you’re taking the right amount per cup. You can put the loose powder into an empty tea bag, or you can use a French press - it’s up to you. Make sure to stir the kratom well so that it fully dissolves. You can also add honey, lemon, or another flavoring to balance out the kratom’s bitter taste.
Method #2: Preparing a Kratom Drink/Smoothie
Instead of making kratom tea, you can simply blend the kratom into a drink or a smoothie. We recommend using a blender either way, since this can prevent the kratom from clumping in the cold liquid. Again, weigh out the desired number of grams to make sure you’re getting the right dose.
Method #3: Creating a Kratom Capsule
Kratom capsules are surprisingly easy to make, since you can buy empty gel caps and fill them with kratom powder. Now, this can be a bit tedious and messy, so we recommend making batches of capsules to save time. Make sure to weigh out each portion carefully, and also use the right instruments to transfer the kratom powder into each capsule before closing it securely.
Method #4: Crafting Kratom Edibles
You can also use kratom powder as an ingredient for edibles, whether they be brownies, gummies, or what have you. In this case, you’d want to be extra mindful of dosing, multiplying the ideal dose per serving (by the gram) by the number of portions that will be in the recipe. For instance, if you’re making kratom cookies, and the recipe calls for 12 cookies while you want each one to have 3 grams of kratom, you’ll need to put 36 grams of kratom powder in the recipe.
Method #5: Producing Kratom Extract
There are various ways to make a liquid kratom extract, if you want to make, say, a tincture or a topical. You can blend the kratom with another water-soluble, nonperishable liquid, or something of that nature.
Your Kratom Dosage Guide
Dosing is an extremely important part of preparing kratom for consumption. Before we jump right into that though, there are several things you should consider:
- Tolerance/Experience: Your history of kratom use and your personal tolerance, which are often related, will play a role in the amount that’s right for you. If you’re an inexperienced user, for instance, you will want to start with a below-average dose to see how it affects you, as you’ll likely be very sensitive to the effects as a beginner. Longtime kratom users will likely want to take a bit higher of a dose to get the results that they’re used to.
- Needs/Goals: The reason why you’re taking kratom will determine how much you should take. For example, someone seeking out a little help with focus and alertness may want a low dose, while someone who is hoping to address debilitating pain might benefit from a stronger serving.
- Sensitivity to Side Effects: If you’re particularly sensitive to certain side effects like drowsiness or upset stomach, this may affect how high of a dose you want to take.
- Strain/Vein: Different strains and veins have different potency levels and effects. Maeng da strains come in red, white, and green veins, with red being the most potent.
- Time of Day: The time of day during which you take kratom may have an impact. For example, if you’re taking kratom before work to help with energy levels, you might want to curb your dosage to avoid intoxication while you’re on the clock.
- Other Substances in Your System: If you have other substances in your system like alcohol or certain prescription medications, you’ll need to talk to your doctor before using kratom, as these substances may influence how kratom absorbs and behaves in the body.
Now, let’s talk about dosing amounts according to the most general dosing guidelines, as Kratom is dosed by the gram:
- Microdose: Considered to be anything below 1 gram. Microdosing may be beneficial to those seeking out extremely subtle benefits related to mood and focus levels.
- Low Dose: Typically, 1-3 grams, and this is also a good dose for anyone who’s at a beginner level. You can get effects, but they won’t be so strong that you feel really high, nor will they necessarily wipe out high pain levels. 1-3 grams can also bring out the more stimulating side of kratom.
- Medium Dose: Usually 3-5 grams, which may offer therapeutic effects that are good enough for a lot of daily users. 3-5 grams can help with mood, focus, and physical discomfort levels.
- Large Dose: The max point, 5-8 grams is considered a high dose, and generally the amount that people take when they’re seeking out powerful, long-lasting relief throughout the day. Keep in mind that the psychoactive effects can also be quite strong, and in some cases, you may experience sedative-like effects with such a high dose. This dose is not recommended for beginners.
Other Common FAQs About Maeng Da Kratom Preparation and Consumption
Even after all that, you might still have some question. That’s totally fine, since we would like to cover some FAQs about the preparation and consumption of Maeng Da Kratom; to kinda tie everything we learned earlier together and provide a bit more detail that can help you get the most out of your routine.
What Happens if I Take Too Much Kratom at Once?
Kratom isn’t a substance that you want to take in excess, as there are side effects that might occur. Extremely high doses of kratom can also be dangerous. For more personalized dosing guidance, you can talk to your medical care provider.
Will I Build a Tolerance to Kratom’s Effects?
Most people do develop a tolerance gradually after repeated kratom use. You can adjust your dosage incrementally if need be but try to avoid taking more than the recommended amount each day according to the product’s label.
Do Strain and Vein Make a Difference?
Yes, the strain and vein of kratom will make a difference when it comes to how you feel, and how much you should take. If you’re taking Maeng da kratom, please follow the directions on the label for the best results.
How Many Times a Day Can I Take Kratom?
Most people find that taking kratom 2-3 times a day is the most that they need to maintain positive effects throughout their daily routines. It’s important to be careful not to take too much kratom in a 24-hour period. While anecdotally, we’ve heard of people taking up to 100 grams each day, these people have likely developed a high tolerance to the effects, and you can take far less than that and still benefit.
Are There Consumption Methods That Could Be Harmful?
We do not recommend smoking the kratom leaves, as this method has yet to be tested, and may be harmful to the respiratory and/or nervous systems.
Are Any Kratom Product Types Illegal?
While some states have outlawed kratom, no particular kratom product is banned in areas where kratom remains legal.
Find the Maeng Da Kratom Consumption Method That Works for You
At the end of the day, Maeng Da Kratom is an incredibly versatile product that can be consumed in all kinds of ways, and it can be highly effective in various forms of ingestion. We do ultimately recommend that you pay close attention to the dosage that you’re taking to be on the safe side, and to make sure that you’re taking enough to get the results you’re looking for. Maeng Da Kratom’s effects usually begin within 15-30 minutes after consumption and can last for 4-6 hours, depending on the dosage and individual metabolism. Anyways, if you’re ready to explore different Maeng Da Kratom consumption methods, then come check out our collection at K-Tropix, where you’ll find only lab-tested, pure kratom in all kinds of exciting product forms. Also, look for our next blog in the series on "Side Effects and Safety Concerns of Maeng Da Kratom”.