Is Measuring Kratom Necessary?
Yes, correctly measuring your kratom is necessary.
Accurately measuring your dose is critical if you want to avoid the numerous undesirable side effects. First of all, kratom’s effects vary according to how much you ingest. Take too much, and you may achieve the opposite effect of the one you desired.
We suggest you calculate your dosage cautiously depending on the desired effect if you use kratom powder. For that purpose, you should always use a digital precision scale. Measuring kratom powder by spoon, hand, or eyeballing is potentially dangerous.
For example, if you need to study and want to obtain nootropic and energizing effects to keep you focused, you should use low doses. If you weigh it poorly, you might get a sedative effect, ideal for pain relief but not beneficial for engaging in challenging tasks.
Furthermore, taking the proper dosage prevents side effects. Keep in mind that kratom is a very fibrous substance, and taking too much all at once will make you feel nauseous. If you keep taking it, you will vomit and not feel its benefits.
As a general guideline, you should never use a high dose of kratom by yourself, let alone without precisely measuring it.
Measuring Kratom Without a Scale
First, the most crucial aspect is getting the dosage right, depending on the strain you use and the effect you are looking for. Later in this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the ideal dosage, but an average dose weighs between 2 and 5 grams.
Measuring spoons are helpful for measuring the dosage when you don’t have a scale, but this is wildly inaccurate. Still, the consensus indicates that a well-measured teaspoon has a capacity of between 2 to 3 grams.
Using teaspoons to measure accurately is not a matter of just heaping up a teaspoon. The most commonly used method is “leveling,” which means sliding the back of a knife along the edge of the spoon. This will remove excess kratom to measure a teaspoon evenly. However, be careful not to pack it, as this also changes the amount.
It is advisable to use two to four teaspoons of leveled kratom powder for larger doses. Using more than four teaspoons is a terrible idea, as is using a tablespoon. Measured evenly, one tablespoon of kratom powder might weigh between 7 to 8 grams.
Moreover, the most accurate way to measure your dosage without a scale is by using capsules, which contain a uniform amount of kratom powder. As a result, you can count how many of them you usually take to calculate your dosage reliably.
An average kratom capsule contains about 500 mg of kratom powder, so it’s a relatively standardized measuring method. Many enthusiasts even make their own capsules, something relatively easy and inexpensive to do.
For this purpose, the size of the capsules is crucial:
- Capsule “0”: 250-500 mg
- Capsule “00:” 500-750 mg
- Capsule “000:” 750-1000 mg
If you fill your capsules by pushing the powder and compacting it, the dose may be higher. Conversely, finely pouring the powder may result in lower quantities. To avoid inconsistencies, try to fill the capsules as evenly as possible.
Other users do not need a scale because they prefer different intake methods, such as kratom tinctures. However, this method is inadvisable for beginners, as the risk of over-ingestion is much higher and tends to be more potent than powder.
Potential Side Effects of Kratom
Kratom is a safe medicinal plant, but just because it is natural does not mean it is risk-free. This herb can have side effects, and you should be aware of them to use kratom responsibly. Further below, you’ll find some of kratom’s most common side effects.
Anxiety
Many people turn to kratom to help with anxiety, yet some users have found that this herb can also trigger anxiety as a side effect. This is due to the accumulation of alkaloid antagonists, possibly from extended use over time.
Kratom contains over forty known alkaloids, which can be either agonists or antagonists. Agonists stimulate specific systems in the body and produce desirable effects. On the other hand, antagonists activate the same systems in reverse, causing unpleasant sensations.
The effects of antagonists are not very potent but last longer than agonists. Therefore, if you use a lot of kratom or use it frequently, antagonist accumulation increases. Fortunately, these side effects disappear in a matter of hours or days.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are other common side effects of kratom. Generally, vomiting usually signals that you have taken too much kratom. However, this herb can also cause nausea due to its high fiber content.
Despite what some users may advise, taking kratom on an empty stomach to enhance and accelerate its effect is a terrible idea. Ideally, take your dose on a full stomach to avoid nausea and vomiting.
If you prepare kratom tea, you can add some ginger to it. Ginger helps you avoid nausea and masks the unpleasant taste. Eating a healthy meal before ingesting kratom is also an excellent idea, and staying hydrated will help you digest the fiber more efficiently.
Depression
Many patients choose kratom for its effectiveness in coping with depressive symptoms. However, some factors could cause you to feel depressed as a side effect.
Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the primary alkaloids in kratom, interact with the opioid system. But in addition to this, they stimulate serotonin and dopamine receptors.
Therefore, this stimulation could cause these systems not to detect the neurotransmitters that your body naturally emits. This is difficult to predict, as each person is unique, as is their brain chemistry.
High Blood Pressure & Palpitations
Kratom is a tree belonging to the Rubiaceae family, a close relative to coffee, and its use can cause similar side effects, such as high blood pressure. This is especially true with predominantly stimulant strains, such as white or green-veined strains.
This herb contains alkaloids that interact with the adrenergic system, managing your fight-or-flight response. Therefore, you may experience a rise in blood pressure or palpitations as a side effect. But there are some tips you can try to revert the situation.
Try lying down in a quiet place with a comfortable temperature. Then, drink some water, as dehydration can raise your blood pressure.
Constipation
Kratom’s interaction with the body’s opioid receptors produces some of the most sought-after effects, such as pain relief. However, it also causes a decrease in gastrointestinal movements. As a result, you may experience constipation as a side effect.
Most commonly, constipation is the result of using kratom too frequently. However, some users report experiencing this side effect with as little as one use. In addition to reducing your dosage, there are other steps you can take to alleviate this uncomfortable side effect.
The best ally of kratom is a healthy diet, one that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Incorporating fiber into your diet is essential, as kratom’s hard fiber is difficult to digest. Another integral part of your routine will be hydration to ensure the proper functioning of your intestines.
Diarrhea
Although not very common, some users experience diarrhea as a side effect. Mostly, it is due to spoiled or contaminated kratom. To avoid this, you should buy tested kratom from reputable sellers.
As we have seen, the opposite effect, constipation, is more common. Less frequently, diarrhea may be a physical symptom of acute withdrawal. In this case, find comfort in knowing that this does not last long.
Proper Dosage of Kratom
A standard kratom dosage ranges from 2 to 7 grams. You can take 2 to 5 grams for stimulating effects and between 5 and 8 grams for relaxation and pain relief.
Some users take an average dose of between 3 to 5 grams to experience mixed effects, mainly depending on tolerance levels and strain. You can also use microdoses of kratom as an alternative to caffeine.
Starting with a lower dose of kratom is vital, as you can gradually increase the amount. This is crucial when you don’t have the exact measurement that only a scale provides. You can increase the dosage by one gram at a time until you find the desired effect.
How long you should wait to repeat doses of kratom will depend on how often you use it and what effects you want to achieve. If you use kratom daily for chronic pain, you should wait about 12 hours before another dose.
If you expect stimulant effects, waiting about 6 hours between doses will avoid potential side effects. Lastly, if you want to use this herb to help with opiate withdrawal, you should wait as long as you can without feeling sick. Only use kratom to cope with symptoms.
Remember that kratom powder takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to set in. If you ingest kratom tea, capsules, or edibles based on this herb, the effects can kick in anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.
Moreover, if you want the effects to last longer or be more potent, you can boost your kratom with potentiators or by freezing it. Some online vendors also sell herbal boosting solutions. Furthermore, taking a tolerance break may be a reasonable option to make the effects longer-lasting.
Conclusion: How to Measure Kratom Without a Scale
It is possible to take kratom if you do not have a scale on hand, although we in no way recommend it. Your health and safety are essential and should be your number one priority when using this herb.
Before taking kratom, you should know of its potential side effects. This plant is beneficial, but the only way to keep it legal is to use it responsibly. For this purpose, we recommend you measure your doses correctly with a scale in the future.
