Kratom Guides

How to Tell If Your Kratom Has Gone Bad

Kratom is famous for having a short shelf life — most batches will only last for about three months. Using spoiled products can lead to severe consequences and may even land you in the hospital if you’re not careful.

This article will show you how to detect kratom gone bad and explain some of the side effects it can have. We’ll also talk about correct storage practices so that you can extend your products’ shelf life. So keep on reading to find out all you need to know.

Written by Wade Paul
Last Updated 2 years ago

Wade Paul

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

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

Has My Kratom Gone Bad?

Detecting spoiled kratom is crucial to avoiding bad experiences with the herb. While it may not be as apparent as other compounds, there are a few ways to realize if your product has gone bad.

Spoiled kratom will usually present at least one of these signs:

  • Loss of color
  • Loss of smell
  • Freeze burns
  • Spottable signs of decay

The number one thing to check for is mold. It usually grows on kratom when you store it in damp places and can lead to dire consequences depending on how old it is. You can tell if something is moldy due to green and white spots over the surface.

If you spot any of these signs, throw it away immediately, including all kratom inside the same container since it’s all contaminated.

We recommend not taking any risks with spoiled kratom, as it could make you sick. If you’re slightly doubting, discard it and buy a new batch from a trusted seller.

Risks of Using Spoiled Kratom

Depending on how spoiled your kratom is, it could lead to different consequences. At a minimum, ruined products cause a lack of potency.

However, spoiled kratom increases the chance of side effects, especially those related to the stomach. Vomiting, nausea, and dizziness are some consequences of taking spoiled kratom.

While these aspects may not seem as risky, remember that using spoiled kratom could land you in an emergency room. Because of this, we advise not taking any risks — if you suspect a batch has gone bad, throw it away.

When to See a Doctor

If you believe the kratom you last used was spoiled, you should go to the doctor. Don’t wait until you have severe side effects — instead, go to the hospital to clear any doubts.

Another telltale sign that you’ve used ruined kratom is consistent side effects such as vomiting. While it’s not uncommon to feel bad during a kratom experience, go to the doctor if the symptoms persist for too long.

Kratom & How to Store It

Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, is a plant from Southeast Asia rising in popularity in the US despite being used for centuries as traditional medicine. Thanks to its fantastic therapeutic benefits, it’s estimated that over three million people use it nationwide.

Among the various medicinal properties of this herb, you’ll find that it has anxiolytic, analgesic, and nootropic effects. Besides, it can help you relieve some stress after long and tedious days.

However, some people can’t fully reap these benefits due to poor storage practices. Kratom is known to degrade quickly in bad conditions, losing strength in the process.

Correctly storing kratom is crucial to the experience, as it will allow you to extend its shelf life and enjoy its full potency. Plus, kratom in good conditions leads to fewer side effects such as nausea.

To store kratom properly, do the following:

  • Keep it in an airtight container — a mason jar will isolate your kratom from environmental variables. Of course, you can use other containers, but make sure that the lid seals tightly.
  • Place it away from sunlight — UV light can damage your kratom in days. An easy and sure way to avoid it is to place your container in a drawer or cupboard.
  • Divide it into smaller bags — if you use it regularly, try to divide your kratom into smaller doses. This will keep you from exposing all of your kratom when you need to take some out.

On the other hand, avoid the following:

  • Letting your kratom breathe — excess oxygen can also damage your kratom. Plus, exposing it to fresh air could lead to contamination.
  • Keeping it in humid places — while mason jars are airtight, it’s better not to take any risks. Placing your container in a dry place will avoid humidity getting to your kratom.
  • Putting it in a cigar humidor — surprisingly, some new users choose to keep their kratom in cigar humidors. However, this can damage your kratom as much as sunlight or humidity.

Still, the most important thing to keep in mind is that your kratom comes from a reputable vendor. Shady sellers will usually sell you old products that will only last you for a couple of weeks.

Online vendors like Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom keep their kratom in the right conditions. Plus, they are unparalleled when it comes to quality and customer service.

How Long Does Kratom Last?

In normal conditions, kratom generally lasts for about three months.

As we’ve already mentioned, kratom is known to spoil rather quickly. Veterans usually estimate that it lasts for about three months from when it was harvested.

Naturally, this causes a problem with retail vendors — they may be keeping spoiled kratom without knowing. This is one of the reasons we recommend buying online, as top sellers on the internet will usually have a better understanding of the herb.

However, if kept in prime conditions, kratom can have a shelf life of up to a year. Like we’ve already said, you should store it in an airtight container isolated from environmental variables.

Some veterans choose instead to brew all of their kratom into tea. This allows you to freeze it, effectively keeping it in one of the best conditions possible. Plus, you can divide it into smaller cups to only dethaw a single dose when necessary.

The key to figuring out if you’re properly storing your kratom is to gauge how efficient its effects are. Despite the different strains, there are a few general guidelines as to the effect profile of this herb.

Kratom in prime condition should:

On the other hand, spoiled kratom will usually be less potent and may even cause serious side effects. Still, if you’re a beginner, you may not recognize these signs right away.

Conclusion: How to Tell If Your Kratom Has Gone Bad

Spoiled kratom will lose its smell and color and sometimes have visible signs of decay and mold. If you have any doubts about a particular batch, it’s best to discard it completely, as it could lead to severe side effects.

The best way to prevent ruined kratom is to buy from reputable sellers such as Kona Kratom. They will always provide you with fresh batches, which can last up to a year when paired with good storage.

Further Reading