Current policy allows kratom and products containing its alkaloids to be sold freely on the open market in the United States. People take it for a variety of reasons, and the resulting rise in its popularity has led to the creation of new types of extracted alkaloid products called kratom extracts.
Extraction Methods
The active ingredient inside of kratom is the alkaloids found within its leaves. Extractions take these alkaloids out of the leaves and concentrate them in some way. Several different extraction methods are popularly used, which results in different product types.
More Potent Kratom Products
The one aspect all kratom extract products have in common is their enhanced potency compared to standard raw kratom leaf that has been crushed and dried. While taking the extract may be different, they will all be far more potent than standard kratom claims.
The Different Types Of Kratom Extracts
There are four main types of kratom extracts that are popularly used today. Below we will go over each of the four main types of kratom extract products. While they all share similarities, there are key differences you should keep an eye out for and take notice of them.
Water-Based Extracts
Water-based extractions can utilize either pure water or a mixture of alcohol and water. It is a time-consuming process, but it creates highly concentrated kratom alkaloids. The water or alcohol and water mixture are brought to a boil, and raw kratom leaves are broken down inside.
Afterward, it is left alone for two weeks in a place that is cool and dry. The leftover after this process is the water-based kratom extract.
Resin Extracts
Resin extracts use a different technique to extract the alkaloids from the kratom leaves, but it creates an even more concentrated product. The final result is more solid than what you get with a water-based extraction. Since so little water remains in this after the processing is complete, the alkaloid concentration in resin products is the highest you will find in the market.
Kratom Tinctures
Tinctures are made similarly to tea and are consumed as a beverage. You can make these at home, or you can buy them premade. It is the least potent type of extraction method. The best thing about these is that they lack the signature bitter taste of kratom leaves.
Enhanced Leaf Kratom Extract
Some people enjoy handling raw kratom leaves but wish they could handle less of them. Enhanced leaf takes extracted kratom alkaloids and re-applies them to more kratom leaves. The result is a product that resembles a standard kratom leaf product but is more potent.
Enhanced leaf products will be designated with a number followed by an X. What this indicates is the total concentration of alkaloids in comparison to a non-enhanced leaf. Below are the four most basic levels you will find and their explanations.
- 10X: This signifies an enhanced leaf product with 10 times the normal concentration of kratom alkaloids.
- 15X: This signifies an enhanced leaf product with 15 times the normal concentration of kratom alkaloids.
- 25X: This signifies an enhanced leaf product with 25 times the normal concentration of kratom alkaloids.
- 50X: This signifies an enhanced leaf product with 50 times the normal concentration of kratom alkaloids
How Are Kratom Extracts Produced?
The American Kratom Association has established Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) to help bring standardization to the industry. The actual plant matter itself is most commonly farmed in southeastern Asia. Extracted products may be made overseas or domestically.
The American Kratom Association sets guidelines for the concentration standards that should be found in commercially available kratom. They precisely measure the concentration levels of kratom’s two primary psychoactive alkaloids.
#1- 7-hydroxymitragynine
7-hydroxymitragynine is an incredibly powerful natural pain reliever found within the leaves of the kratom plant. While it represents only 2% of the total alkaloid concentration found within the leaves of the plant, it is responsible for the majority of the effects it uses experience when ingesting kratom. Small fluctuations in the concentration of this alkaloid can lead to major differences in user experiences.
#2- Mitragynine
Mitragynine belongs to a family of alkaloids referred to as the end-all alkaloid family. It’s primarily an analgesic and adrenergic compounds that also displays some affinity for the brain’s serotonin receptors that could lead to some mild Psychoactive effects. It composes the majority of the alkaloid content found within the leaves of the kratom plant.
Should You Buy Cheap Kratom Extracts?
A word to the wise would caution you against trying to save money whenever you’re purchasing a lightly regulated herbal product for its psychoactive effects. While organizations have begun to regulate the industry and help hold producers accountable for their products, it is still a work in progress.
The best thing that anyone can do whenever they are trying to kratom out is to find a reputable and reliable vendor and stick to doing business with them. It is hard to get ripped off whenever you know that you can trust who you are working with.
To fully answer the question, no one should try to save money by buying cheap kratom products. While it may cost you a little more in terms of financial resources, your experience will be worth far more than you lose when you buy high-quality products.
Proper Dosing Guidelines For Kratom Extracts
Proper dosages are an important part of safely using kratom. While it is uncommon for users to experience life-threatening effects from overdosing on kratom, it is still highly unpleasant to go through. The difficulty when ingesting kratom extractions is that their dosage guidelines are different than when you are handling raw kratom leaves.
Different Methods Of Preparation And Ingestion
If you are working with a reputable manufacturer, then the product you have should contain instructions on how to dose it. We recommend that you strictly adhere to the instructions included with the product you have purchased for the best results. If you are unable to locate any instructions, you can try to stick with a raw leaf equivalency chart. Any product that contains extracted kratom alkaloid content consumes the following amount of extracted product for the desired result.
- Small: Consume the equivalent of 1 to 3 g of dried kratom leaf
- Medium: Consume the equivalent of 3 to 5 g of dried kratom leaf
- Large: Consume the equivalent of 5 to 7 g of dried kratom leaf
Advantages And Disadvantages
When considering whether to switch from kratom leaf to kratom extract, take the following advantages and disadvantages into mind before making a final decision. Each individual will have a different result because things are not always favored the same between multiple people.
Advantages
There are two primary advantages to using kratom extract products over using regular kratom leaf products.
- When you take kratom extract, you avoid the majority of the bitter and accurate flavors associated with kratom leaf. Many users are unable to get over this taste and never enjoy the kratom experience, so extracts represent a good workaround for them.
- The other benefit is that you can take less of the product for the same result. If you have been taking kratom for quite a while, you will likely have developed some tolerance. Switching to extract is an excellent way to maintain the same effects for an extended time without consuming substantial quantities of kratom leaves.
Disadvantages
There are a couple of disadvantages to consider when taking kratom extract products. If you are the type of person who has discipline or self-control issues, you may not want to try this out.
- Kratom leaf itself is an addictive product, although it is not too risky. The extract is even riskier than regular raw leaf and especially so for individuals who have self-control issues.
- It is also easier to make a mistake when measuring out a dose if you are using kratom extract. Because the products are far more concentrated, what looks like a small difference to the naked eye could make you feel sick instead of happy.
Where To Buy The Best Kratom Extracts Online
Alkaloid content is the primary determinant of the quality of kratom products. You can find a ton of places that claim to have high alkaloid content products, but you cannot always trust a vendor. Below are our five topics for the best kratom extract products from reputable vendors.
#1- Mitragyna Speciosa – Gold Reserve Kratom Extract
This is a resin-based extract from their private reserve collection containing their highest quality kratom. If you are looking for a kratom extract product with the highest concentration of both of the plant’s primary alkaloids, look no further. Be careful when you measure out your doses with this extract because it is potent.
#2- Kraken Platinum Tea Tablets
Do you enjoy drinking tea? Would you like to enjoy your favorite tea with a little bit of an extra kick? If you answered yes to these questions that you are going to love these kratom tablets. Just drop them in your tea, and they will dissolve right away and fusing your beverage with the plant’s beautiful alkaloids.
#3- Private Reserve Liquid Kratom Extract
Liquid extracts are perfect for people that favor portable solutions. Take a small dropper full underneath your tongue any time of the day, and you will have a great experience. Just be careful that you do not take more than intended because it is powerful.
#4- 50x Extract Kratom
This enhanced leaf kratom contains over 50 times the normal concentration of alkaloid content found in the leaves of the kratom plant. It is a perfect solution for people that have found they need to take an excessive amount of plant matter for enjoyable effects when working with raw leaves.
#5- Ultra Borneo
Here is another enhanced leaf extract product that features the famed Borneo strain of kratom. Popular in Southeast Asia among migrant workers for its ability to extend your stamina for strenuous activity, this highly potent extract is sure to knock your socks off.
Final Words:
Kratom extracts are a mixed bag when it comes to popular opinion. Some people will tell you to stay away from them because of the inherent risks associated with their use. While it is certainly possible for there to be unintended side effects from using kratom extracts ultimately, the risks are mostly overstated.
As long as you monitor where you are sourcing your kratom products from you should not need to worry about anything. You do need to be cautious when taking kratom extracts because they are more potent than raw leaves. Follow the proper dosing guidelines, and you will not develop any problems.
If you are interested in trying out some of the best kratom extract products, look at the list of products we included in this article. Each of these was hand-selected for its quality and the reliability of the vendors that are offering them. You cannot go wrong with any of them.
