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Kratom Dosage Guide — How Much Kratom Should I Take?

What’s the dose of kratom? It’s a simple question with a long, complex answer.

Written by Wade Paul
Medically reviewed by Dr. Devin Carlson
Last Updated 10 months ago

Dr. Devin Carlson

Chief Medical Reviewer For Kratom.org

Wade Paul

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Wade Paul is the founder and editor-in-chief at Kratom.org.

In general, the dose of kratom is between 2 and 8 grams. 

  • Anything lower than 2 grams is considered a microdose.
  • Anything between 2 and 6 is a Low dose.
  • Anything over 6 is a high dose.
  • Anything higher than 8 is a heavy dose.

People who are more sensitive or want the energizing benefits of kratom take a low dose. People seeking pain relief opt for a high dose. Avoid heavy doses.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the nuances of kratom dosage.

What’s the Dose of Kratom?

The dose of kratom can vary from one person to another.

The optimal dose depends on three key factors:

  • Your size & weight
  • The primary effects you’re looking to get from kratom (stimulating or relaxing)
  • How often do you use kratom (tolerance)

These are the main three factors, but there are others that can further change how a given dose of kratom will affect you individually — such as your metabolic rate, whether you’ve eaten or not before the dose, and what strain of kratom you’re using.

In general, kratom can be broken down into two doses:

  1. Stimulating kratom doses — this involves lower doses of around 0.025 grams/pound of bodyweight.
  2. Sedative or painkilling kratom dose — this involves a higher dose of around 0.04 grams/pound of bodyweight.

When using kratom for the first time, it’s best to start with a lower dose than you think you’ll need and increase slowly with each consecutive dose until you get the desired set of effects.

With that said, here’s a quick reference chart to find the ideal dose for you based on your weight and the general set of effects you’re looking for.

Kratom Dosage Calculator

Bodyweight:
What benefits are you aiming for?

Caution: Measuring kratom by volume is less accurate than weight. Use a scale.

Best Kratom Dose For Pain

Kratom is useful for managing pain at all dosages, but the strongest pain relief comes from larger amounts. It also helps to look for strains with the most mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, alkaloids that bind to the kappa, delta, and mu-opioid receptors to suppress pain sensitivity throughout the body.

In fact, kratom is considered an atypical opioid because of its unique effects. It’s safer than opioids and unlikely to cause an overdose, making it ideal for pain relief.

Common dosages for varying levels of pain:

  • For mild pain — 2–4 grams
  • For moderate pain — 3–5 grams
  • Severe pain — 5 grams or more

It’s best to start with a lower dose first. Increase gradually until you get the relief you’re looking for. There’s no point taking more than you need. The higher dose you take, the more chances there are of side effects.

Bali Kratom is a potent strain for chronic pain relief due to the high content of alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine. This alkaloid offers the most potent anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and muscle-relaxing effects.

Bali Kratom is available in white, green, and red strains.

It’s the best option for pain related to fibromyalgia, arthritis, rheumatism, burns, cuts, bone fractures, headache, stomach ache, and muscle strain.

Best Kratom Dose For Energy & Focus

Kratom is great for boosting energy and sharpening focus. The ideal dose for the focus-enhancing benefits is usually much lower than the doses used for pain or sleep.

Most people find a small 2–4 gram dose is more than enough to provide nootropic benefits. Some people even use microdoses consisting of just 1 gram of raw powder for enhancing focus, creativity, mental endurance, and acuity.

Be cautious not to take too much kratom here.

If you accidentally take too much, it can have the opposite effect and make it even harder to remain focused. Start with a low dose, and increase gradually once you get a feel for how your body reacts.

When it comes to energy and focus, white-veined kratom is the best option.

Lower doses of kratom are also great for facilitating a desire to socialize with friends, similar to alcohol. It elicits feelings of euphoria, talkativeness, and an overall pleasant mood, without the harmful health effects of alcohol.

Best Kratom Dose For Opiate Withdrawal

Stronger doses of kratom are useful for weaning people off opiate drugs. Many of the plant’s alkaloids bind to the same opiate receptors and can be used to help eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.

Online surveys involving kratom use suggest kratom is effective for alleviating or mitigating the withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid addiction [1]. Kratom is reported to ameliorate cravings to use pain medications, help recovering addicts maintain a level of mood, support a higher level of productivity, and promote a greater sense of well-being.

The dose used for warding off opiate withdrawal highly depends on the individual. Most people using kratom for this application will need a higher dose — usually around 5 grams or more — to offset withdrawal symptoms.

As we usually recommend, it’s best to start with a lower dose of the herb and gradually increase it. Most people start with 2 grams and wait about 45 minutes to see how they feel. If they’re still feeling withdrawal symptoms, another 2 grams are taken. This is repeated until you find the dose that works for you. Don’t exceed 8 grams of raw powder unless under medical guidance and supervision.

This should always be done with medical guidance, with the ultimate goal of quitting kratom as well once you’re no longer hooked on the prescription pain pills. Kratom is reported to be much easier to quit than prescription pain meds.

Never combine kratom with opioids or other medications. Kratom interacts with many substances, so always talk to your doctor first.

Related: How To Quit Kratom

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) leaves, powder and capsules isolated in white background.

Best Kratom Dose For Anxiety

Kratom is popular for supporting mental and physical symptoms of anxiety.

As with any reason for using kratom, the effective dose for one person could be very different than the effective dose for another.

When it comes to managing anxiety, higher doses are usually preferred. The lower dosage range can be too stimulating and lead to an increase in anxiety symptoms. However, taking too much can also increase anxiety as a result of the side effects like the kratom wobble.

Therefore, getting the dose right when it comes to managing anxiety is important.

The most common dose for anxiety is around 3 or 4 grams of powder. If you find this dose isn’t strong enough after about 45 minutes, take another booster dose of 1 gram per hour until you find the results you’re looking for.

Best Kratom Dose For Depression

All doses of kratom have euphoric effects that can improve mood and depression. Some people find the stimulating effects further enhance mood and depression, while others like the relaxing or sedative qualities.

Here are the most common doses people use for managing depressive symptoms with kratom:

  • Mild depression — 1–2 grams
  • Moderate depression — 2–4 grams
  • Severe depression — 4 or more grams (seek medical advice)

Borneo and Bali strains of kratom are the most popular for managing depression, but any strain should work as well.

Maeng Da, Thai, and Malay strains are popular among people who like the more energetic and stimulating effects.

Also see: What Are the Signs of Depression?

Kratom leaf and flower.

Kratom Dosage Chart

Your Weight in PoundsYour Weight in KGStimulating DoseRelaxing & Painkilling Dose
80 lbs36.3 kg2.0 grams3.5 grams
100 lbs45.4 kg2.5 grams4.0 grams
120 lbs54.4 kg3.0 grams5.0 grams
140 lbs63.5 kg3.5 grams5.5 grams
160 lbs72.6 kg4.0 grams5.5 grams
180 lbs81.6 kg4.5 grams6.5 grams
200 lbs90.7 kg5.0 grams8.0 grams
220 lbs99.8 kg5.5 grams9.0 grams
240 lbs108.9 kg6.0 grams9.5 grams
260 lbs117.9 kg6.5 grams10.5 grams
280 lbs127 kg7.0 grams11.0 grams
300 lbs136.1 kg7.5 grams12.0 grams

How To Measure Your Kratom Dosage

The best way to measure your dose of kratom is by weight using a small scale. You can buy scales on Amazon or at your local head shop for very cheap — usually around $20 or less. You can also pick up a food scale at Walmart or other big box stores.

Often, the dose is discussed in terms of volume (such as teaspoons or tablespoons), but this is the less accurate way of measuring your dose. The problem is that some kratom powders have a different level of grind to them, which can affect the amount of powder that fits in a particular volume.

For example, a teaspoon of kratom works out to roughly 2.3-2.7 grams. However, a fine ground kratom is heavier because the smaller particles allow it to pack more tightly into the same space and could weigh up to 3.5 grams.

If you really can’t get access to a scale, measuring your dose by volume will still work — just keep in mind it’s not going to give you the most accurate dose. Just make sure you remain consistent when measuring by volume. Use level scoops instead of heaped scoops, and try to always use the same measuring spoons for your kratom if you can. Packing the powder versus filling the spoon loosely will also alter the amount.

I usually just keep a tablespoon in my bag of kratom, so I always use the same one. Whenever I get a new bag of kratom, I weigh the first dose to see how close it is to my normal dose. Almost always, I find the weight is going to be a little bit off from one bag to another.

Kratom Volume to Weight Kratom Conversions

📏 Volume MeasurementCoarse-Grind KratomFine Grind Kratom
1 Teaspoon0.9 grams1.3 grams
1 Tablespoon2.7 grams3.5 grams

How Kratom Feels According to Dose

As I’ve mentioned several times throughout this article, the dose of kratom has a major impact on the experience itself. Take a little, and you’ll feel like you’ve just drunk two cups of coffee.

Take a lot, and you’ll feel sedated and lazy.

If you take too much, you’ll feel dizzy and nauseous.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the different dosage tiers for kratom and how they feel for most people. Keep in mind your experience may differ as there are a lot of different variables that can affect how a particular dose of kratom feels from one person to another.

Kratom leaves, powder, capsules and extract.

Kratom Doses & Their Effects

⚖️ Dose Level🍃 Kratom (grams)🌈 Effects
MicrodoseMild stimulating effect. It tends to make users feel more energetic and motivated but with little to no chance of side effects.Mild stimulating effect. It tends to make users feel more energetic and motivated, but with little to no chance of side effects.
Low Dose2–6 gramsStimulating effects. You’ll feel as if you just drank 1–2 coffees.
High Dose6–8 gramsThis dose is almost always sedative. It causes a feeling of euphoria and mild drunkenness. It can be quite a pleasant feeling but tends to kill energy and motivation to do work.
Heavy Dose8 grams or higherThis is a powerful sedative and analgesic dose. This dose is much more likely to cause side effects like the kratom wobble and should only be used by people with experience.

How Long Does Kratom Last?

The effects of kratom usually last about 56 hours.

When taken on an empty stomach, the onset of effects is typically felt within 3040 minutes.

If you had a large or fatty meal before using kratom, the effects would take longer to appear but also tend to stick around a bit longer. It can take up to 90 minutes to feel the full effects of kratom if using it on a full stomach.

Related: How Long Does Kratom Stay In the System?

What Happens If I Take Too Much Kratom?

Kratom rarely causes any side effects as long as it’s used conservatively and is unlikely to cause an overdose, even in large amounts.

Side effects become much more common with people who are taking doses that are higher than they need. This is why it helps to be patient when using kratom for the first time until you get a feel for the dose that provides the effects you want, but nothing more.

Taking heroic doses of kratom just “to make sure” isn’t wise. It usually results in a particular set of side effects called the kratom wobbles. This syndrome involves three core side effects — dizziness, loss of muscle coordination, and nausea. It’s quite unpleasant and worth trying to avoid if you can.

The side effects of kratom may include:

One of the most underreported side effects of kratom is dehydration. It’s common for people to experience side effects and blame the kratom itself when they really just need to drink some water. Dehydration shares many of the same symptoms as taking too much kratom — including dizziness, headaches, poor concentration, and fatigue.

Tip
Tip

Drink eight glasses of water before taking kratom to reduce the chances of certain side-effects.

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Young man with hand on the chin, thinking, questoning.

Summary: What’s the Best Dose of Kratom?

The standard dosage range for kratom is between 2 and 7 grams.

The 2–5 dosage range is usually used for the stimulating and energizing effects — while the 5–8 gram dosage range provides more sedative qualities instead. The middle range (3–5 grams) could go either way, depending on how sensitive you are to the plant and how much body mass you carry.

Some people also choose to microdose kratom to provide more subtle but consistent stimulating effects. This dose is used much like a nootropic or as a caffeine alternative.

It’s wise to start with a lower dose of kratom first to see how it affects your body individually. You can increase the dose by 1 or 2 grams every hour until you find what works best for your body.

References

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