Kratom is a natural substance derived from Mitragyna speciosa, a tropical tree native to southeast Asia, where it has traditionally been used as a form of plant medicine. Historically, kratom users have chewed, smoked, or enjoyed tea brewed from the plant’s glossy green leaves. 

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These days, there are many kratom products on the market, from more traditional powders made from the crushed-up leaf, to concentrated extract products like tablets and shots. 

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If you’re new to kratom, or if you’re switching to a new type of kratom product, you may wonder about potency and how to pick the right product and dosage for your tolerance level and desired effects. Let’s explore the difference between powdered kratom leaf and kratom extract, and how to evaluate kratom products for potency.

Kratom Powder Versus Extract

Kratom powder is made from the dried leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa plant. When consuming kratom powder, you’re ingesting all the natural plant material for a full spectrum kratom experience. Powder takes a little longer to kick in, since your body has to first work to digest the plant matter.

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In kratom extract, the compounds have already been separated from the plant stuff, making them more “bioavailable” and easier to absorb into the bloodstream. During the extraction process, typically the dried leaves are soaked in a solvent, allowing the alkaloids to dissolve. Then, the plant material is filtered and the solvent is evaporated away to leave the crude kratom extract.

Effects of Kratom

Kratom is somewhat unique in that it delivers stimulating effects at low doses and sedative effects at higher doses. The active compounds in kratom interact with mu-opioid receptors in the brain. Though effects vary according to factors like metabolism and individual tolerance, you may be able to expect effects like these:

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• Euphoria
• Sociability
• Boosted Mood
• Increased Alertness
• Relaxation
• Sedation
• Pain Relief

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Mitragynine is the most abundant active alkaloid in kratom, and when evaluating a product for potency, it helps to know how much mitragynine is present.

Potency Guide

While the mitragynine content in powder and capsules is generally .5-2%, the amount of the alkaloid present in extract products can vary widely across brands and products. Some products (powders and capsules) provide serving sizes in grams, while others (tablets and shots) include total milligrams. This can be confusing, but luckily there’s a simple way to determine the concentration of mitragynine in any product.

To find the mitragynine concentration in a product, you can multiply the number of milligrams of extract by the stated mitragynine percentage. Let’s look at a couple examples.

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If a kratom powder, made from dried leaves, has a mitragynine concentration of 2%, a 1 gram serving size of powder would contain 20mg of mitragynine. Start by converting 1 gram to milligrams = 1000 mg.

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Equation: 1000 mg X .02 = 20mg per 1 gram serving size

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Let’s compare that to an extract. MIT45’s Super K Extra Strong Kratom Shots contain 1200mg of kratom extract with a 30% concentration of mitragynine.

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Equation: 1200 mg X .30 = 360mg of mitragynine per bottle

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The serving size for this product is 6 servings per bottle, meaning there is 60mg of mitragynine per serving, which is considered a moderate dose.

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Dosage Recommendations

So, how much should you take? Here is a rundown of what effects are produced at which dosages, based on consumption of kratom leaf powder. Based on this information, you can also check extract products for mitragynine concentration in milligrams, and compare that number to anticipate the consequent effects of a single serving of extract. 

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However, keep in mind that extracts work faster and hit harder than powdered kratom leaf. Always check individual products for serving size recommendations. 

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You can also check a product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA), a lab test that will show which alkaloids are present in the product and at what amounts. Check out our blog on How to Read a COA for Kratom for more information.

Explore Kratom Products at Green Dragon Kratom

From powders to kratom shots and much more, we have the internet’s best selection of kratom products. Pick the potency that’s right for you, whether it’s a lower-dose powder for stimulant effects or a high-potency tablet for fast relief. Discover great deals, and contact our customer service team with any questions about how to select the right potency for your needs.