What Does a Kratom High Feel Like?

What Does a Kratom High Feel Like?

Although it's becoming increasingly popular in the United States and all around the world, kratom is still shrouded with an aura of mystery, especially when it comes to its effects, the "kratom high," and the way it interacts with our minds and bodies. There are many conflicting opinions regarding the effects of kratom, with many people inaccurately comparing it to other psychoactive substances, which can stigmatize the use of kratom and prevent the plant from being used in the intended way.

While it is true that taking kratom at overly high doses and too frequently can lead its users to develop a habit, it should be made clear that intoxication isn't really the main selling point of kratom -- at its best, it is a dietary supplement that helps users substitute other substances, such as coffee, get over certain addictions, and improve their lifestyles in general. With that said, a "kratom high" is a real thing, as it does make you feel slightly different than usual, especially during your first few times.

If you're wondering what using kratom feels like, how dosage affects the way you're feeling, and how to best utilize the power of kratom to your benefit, you've come to the right place. This article will answer all of those questions, and more!

Does Kratom Get You High?

To answer this question, first, we need to define what "high" even means in this particular context. After all, if we consider any substance that alters your psychological state to induce a certain high, then by that definition, coffee, cigarettes, and even tea are all products that get people high. At higher doses, coffee also induces certain physical side effects, such as jitters, shaking, and anxiety. However, this is not reason enough for classifying it as a controlled substance.

The situation of kratom is analogous to coffee in many aspects. Certain strains of this plant grant kratom users stimulant-like effects, resulting in increased energy levels and higher productivity at work. Its abuse might also ramp up these effects to unhealthy levels. On the other hand, this is only true for white vein kratom, with other strains being much more sedative in their nature, ideal for users who want to improve their sleep hygiene or relieve discomfort. In these cases, taking too much kratom can produce effects similar to opiates, minus the crippling addiction.

Seeing as its psychoactive properties are stronger than those of coffee or nicotine, it can be said that kratom does, in fact, get you high. We need to emphasize, however, that the kratom high, when used responsibly, is not as strong as the one you get from illegal drugs, which would make the classification of mitrogyna speciosa in the same rank as opiates or hallucinogens unfair. It simply has a lot more in common with widely available substances used daily by hundreds of millions of people, such as coffee or tobacco.

What Does Kratom Feel Like?

Now that we've established that kratom can get you high, we can get into the thick of it. What does kratom make you feel like? A straightforward answer to this question is impossible, as there are so many strains of the kratom plant and even more variations of each particular strain. Therefore, the kratom high will differ from strain to strain. So will their strength and duration.

We can, however, establish a few of the effects that users most commonly associate with kratom exposure, regardless of their preferred strain. The main three effects of kratom that frequent users report are euphoric, stimulant, and relaxing. Below, we'll dive deeper into these effects, how exactly kratom is capable of inducing them, and what strains you should look into in order to feel them.

Euphoric Effects

Feelings of general euphoria and happiness can be caused by all four main kratom types, that is white vein, yellow vein, green vein, and red vein kratom. White vein kratom, often used for brewing teas as a substitute for coffee, does elevate your mood, but it also energizes you significantly. This means that it works best when taken in the mornings after you've had your breakfast and before you head off to work.

When it comes to the other stains of kratom, the feelings of happiness they generate do not go hand-in-hand with raised energy levels. These strains are more of a sedative nature, and they are more suited for afternoon or evening usage. If you take red, yellow, or green kratom, you might find yourself unable to maintain high productivity levels.

Stimulant Effects

White vein kratom users report high energy levels and the urge to be productive after taking kratom. These stimulant-like effects of kratom are highly sought-after by people who find themselves over-reliant on coffee to be able to work long hours. White kratom can be a good substitute for caffeine, but as always, it is important to remember about moderation. Take too much of it, and your euphoria and energy will shoot through the roof, but you might end up unable to focus on a single task for an extended period of time, nullifying the intended effect.

Relaxing Effects

The sedative strains of kratom bind with the opioid receptors in our brains, therefore exerting effects similar to poppy-based substances, such as morphine or oxycontin. However, contrary to the drugs we just mentioned, its potential for developing an addiction is much lower. Kratom use is also much less taxing on your body, making it a much safer substance overall. If you're having trouble falling asleep or are experiencing discomfort after a long day at work, kratom can provide you with the relaxation you crave.

It is important to note, however, that kratom abuse is very much a real thing, and if you constantly up your dosage to higher-than-recommended levels, you may find yourself building up a high tolerance, which in turn leads to even higher dosage increases. This is a simple recipe for addiction, and we definitely don't recommend you going down that path.

How Long Does Kratom Take To Kick In?

The amount of time it takes for kratom to "kick in," or exert its effects on your body depends on a number of factors. The first one is your preferred form of kratom ingestion. In case of kratom capsules, they tend to get disgested in about 15 minutes, so you'll feel the effects after 15-60 minutes after ingestion. If you prefer to drink kratom tea, you'll feel the kratom effects kicking in even faster.

Another important factor to take into consideration is the time since your last meal. Generally speaking, if you take kratom shortly after a meal, the absorption of kratom into your bloodstream will be delayed. It is advised to take kratom between 30-45 minutes before having a meal, or 1.5-2 hours after eating. This will result in the best absorption rate of the substance. Bear in mind that you should never take kratom on an empty stomach, as it might make you feel nautious.

Finally, how much water you drink. A well-hydrated body is better-suited for the absorption of any substance, and kratom is no exception to this rule. Stick to the 2 liters per day rule, and your organism should have no trouble with absorbing kratom.

Tolerance

When talking about the absorption rate of kratom, it is impossible not to mention kratom tolerance. An overly high tolerance is something that many users struggle with, and it is a result of improper usage. If you're a complete kratom newbie, your starting dose should be around 1.5-2 grams. If you're well-hydrated and haven't eaten a large meal minutes before ingestion, it should be enough for you to feel the desired effects.

Once you're accustomed to the substance and its impact on your body, you can up the dosage by a bit in order to enhance the kratom effects. You should not, however, go beyond 8 grams, as that may result in unintended side effects. If you're starting to feel like even such a high dose doesn't really do anything for you, you should consider taking a tolerance break. After 1-2 weeks, your tolerance should be back to its normal levels, and a dose of 3-4 grams will be more than enough for the energizing or relaxing effects of kratom to kick in.

Kratom Addiction

Kratom is often used as a substitute for opiates, helping addicts get rid of their destructive habits. However, due to the fact that kratom's effects are very similar to those caused by opiates, it might be tempting so simply keep on using it and increasing the dosage, effectively swapping out one addiction for another. In order to avoid that, opioid addicts using kratom to mitigate their withdrawal effects should to so in a highly systematized, monitored manner. It could be helpful to have a trusted friend or family member keep tabs on the recovering addict's kratom use. Another good strategy is keeping a usage journal, where you jot down how much kratom you've taken each day, how it made you feel, and any other reflections you might have about the experience. Putting it all down on paper reduces the likelihood of impulsive consumption, keeping you from developing an addiction.

If you're not a recovering addict, then getting addicted to mitrogyna speciosa is much less of an issue. That is not to say it isn't impossible. When deciding to use kratom, it's important to know precisely why you're reaching out for the substance. Substituting coffee or reducing stress are perfectly viable reasons, but you should be wary of turning your kratom use into a recreational activity. Once you start taking it to merely "feel good," the risk of getting hooked becomes much greater.

The Bottom Line

The kratom "high" is undoubtedly a pleasant feeling, but it does not fall within the same category as the effects of illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine or MDMA. Kratom certainly has psychoactive effects on the body, but when used in modereation, these effects can prove to be beneficial. Keep tabs on your dosage and limit your kratom use to once or twice per day, and you will be fine. What most people get wrong is the fact that kratom is essentially a dietary supplement and not a recreational drug. This misunderstanding is the primary reason why people struggle with kratom dependence and high tolerance.

Hopefully, this article helped clear up some of the doubts and confusion you may have had about kratom. If you want to start introducing kratom to your diet, head over to Authentic Kratom. We only sell kratom of the highest quality, and our blog section has quite a lot of useful information about the various strains and recommended usage methods, allowing you to cater your kratom experience to your individual needs.