The Most Popular Ways to Take Kratom

According to the Journal of Preventative Medicine, between 10-15 million individuals in the US alone enjoy kratom. This natural botanical, revered for its purported health benefits, comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, an evergreen native to Southeast Asia and part of the coffee family.

Given its rise in popularity both stateside and abroad, many users, from first-timers to regulars, often wonder what the most popular ways to take kratom are.

With little literature in mainstream scientific journals and clinical studies, it can be difficult to sus out what ways are best to take kratom and whether or not one is better than the other for their goals.

The Kratom Connection created this guide to clear the air, covering the most popular ways to take kratom and which method may be better suited for particular goals.

But remember, we’re not doctors, so always consult your physician prior to beginning any type of new supplemental regimen.

The Most Popular Ways to Take Kratom: an overview

Powdered kratom
Kratom with food
Making kratom tea
Kratom capsules
‘Toss and Wash’ or ‘shotgun’ method
Oblate discs and kratom

Methods of Taking Kratom You Should Avoid

Smoking
Injection
Suppositories
Snorting
Inhaling

1. How to Take Kratom Powder – is this the best way?

Finding freshly dried kratom leaves is a challenge in many parts of the world. As such, the majority of kratom on the market comes in powder form.

This powder is most commonly mixed into a non-alcoholic beverage of choice. But be warned, kratom is notoriously bitter. As such, we suggest taking it with something sweet such as fruit juice or a fruit juice smoothie to balance out the palate.

For those who can tolerate the bitterness, or who don’t mind plugging their nose and chugging, kratom can also be mixed with plain old tap water.

Be advised, taking kratom on an empty stomach may cause a bit of discomfort for some. For those who experience issues, taking kratom with food or having a snack prior may be the best option.

2. Best Ways to Take Kratom with Food

Recipes using kratom abound online, with the dish used largely up to personal preference. However, due to its earthy and bitter taste, one of the most popular foods to mix kratom with are chocolate dishes.

When taking kratom with food, you may notice it takes longer for it to ‘kick in’. This is due to the sluggish digestive process, metabolizing kratom’s active alkaloids to elicit a physiological response.

3. How to Make Kratom Tea: a time-honored favorite

Ingesting kratom as a tea is one of the oldest and most traditional ways to enjoy the wonderful benefits this botanical has to offer. Teas can mellow out the bitterness, complement the earthy undertones, aid in digestion, and improve relaxation.

Learn more about how to make delectable kratom tea.

4. Kratom Capsules or Pills

For those seeking convenience, reliable dosing, and discretion, kratom capsules are a favored mode of ingestion. These capsules look much like any supplement, and can easily be taken discretely even when on the go. Others find the precision dosing a welcomed benefit vs. having to measure it out themselves.

5. How to ‘Toss and Wash’ Kratom or ‘Shotgun’ your Kratom

Less common, although popular among regular users, is the ‘toss and wash’ or ‘shotgun’ method. This is a method often used in the supplement world (bodybuilders, etc.) who need to ‘wash down’ unpleasant-tasting supplement powders fast.

It’s quick, easy, and gets the job done (for those who can tolerate it). Measure out your kratom dose, pour your favorite beverage into a big glass, toss the powder in your mouth (don’t breath in or swallow), take a big gulp of your drink, before swallowing swish it around in your mouth to mix the kratom with the beverage, then swallow.

That’s all there is to it.

6. Kratom and Oblate Discs

Here we’ll cover another less commonly used method of ingesting kratom. Oblate discs are a type of ‘edible film’ similar to the look and feel of wax paper. They are made from vegetable starch and sometimes used in Japanese dishes to wrap sushi and other food items.

Those who use oblate discs to take kratom, measure out the dose and place it on the center of the disk. They then fold the disc inwards on itself repeatedly, forming a cylindrical shape with the kratom tightly enclosed in the middle. They then swallow the disc much in the same way you would swallow a capsule. The key here is to make sure your disc isn’t so large it’ll get stuck in your throat.

Final Thoughts on the ‘Best Way to Take Kratom’

One of the wonderful things about kratom is its versatility. The botanical can be easily and reliably ingested in several ways, each producing the desired effect.

As to which is the best way for you, that’s a personal decision and one that you may need to experiment a bit with in order to find the most appropriate method for your needs and goals.