
Fresh green Kratom leaf (Mitragyna speciosa) with kratom powder capsule isolated on wooden table background. Top view. Flat lay.
Kratom powder vs Capsules – Which should you use?
Kratom contains alkaloids that interact with the brain’s opioid receptors and other pathways in the body. The two most common ways to take kratom are in powder form or capsules.
How kratom powder works?
Kratom powder is made by drying and grinding the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa kratom tree. This results in a fine green powder that contains the active alkaloids.
- Toss and Wash – This involves measuring out the kratom powder dosage, putting it in your mouth, and washing it down with a drink. This method gets the powder into your system quickly but difficult for some due to the bitter, earthy taste.
- Mix with Food or Drink – You hide the taste by mixing your kratom powder dose into foods like yogurt, smoothies, protein shakes, or even applesauce. You also mix it with orange juice or another flavorful drink. It may take slightly longer to feel the effects since food slows digestion.
- Brew Powder Tea – Steeping the kratom powder in hot water makes a bitter tea. It tastes better with lemon, honey, or spices. Feel the full effects after an hour.
Pros of kratom powder
- Works faster since it absorbs quickly into the bloodstream, especially on an empty stomach. The effects typically last between 10-15 minutes.
- More economical than capsules
- Offers versatility in consumption methods – mix into drinks or food items
- Can precisely measure doses
How kratom capsules work?
Kratom capsules contain powdered dried kratom leaf matter inside a dissolvable capsule shell. The capsules mask the taste of the powder and are easier to ingest than the powder itself.
- Swallow Capsules – Simply drink water and swallow the capsules whole, just like any other pill.
- Mix Capsule Contents into Drink or Food – Open capsules to mix contents into a food or drink to consume. However, this defeats the purpose of using capsules to avoid the taste.
Pros of kratom capsules
- Easy to swallow
- No unpleasant taste
- Portable and discreet
- Avoid risks of inhaling powder
- Doses are premeasured
Potency differences between powder and capsules
Since kratom capsules must first dissolve in the digestive tract to release the powder, there is often a delay before the effects are felt. The powder absorbs faster since it is already broken down. For this reason, kratom powder is usually considered more potent. The effects come on faster and stronger. However, when the capsules fully dissolve and digest, the effects are ultimately the same at equal doses. For example, 5 grams of powder produces the same effects as 5 grams worth of capsules – the capsules just take longer to reach maximum effect. So capsules are less convenient than powder if needing a rapid boost.
Dosage guidelines
Finding the optimal kratom dosage takes some experimentation since it’s dependent on the individual. Always start low with dosages to assess tolerance. Recommended starter doses are:
Kratom Powder Dosage
- 1 to 3 grams for mild effects
- 3 to 5 grams for moderate effects
- Over 5 grams for strong effects
Kratom Capsules Dosage
- 2 to 6 capsules for mild effects
- 6 to 10 capsules for moderate effects
- Over 10 capsules for strong effects
These dosing guidelines assume standard kratom capsules contain approximately 500 milligrams of powdered leaf matter per capsule. Therefore, 5 grams of powder would be equivalent to 10 capsules. Start low to find the sweet spot dose where desired effects are achieved without side effects like nausea or dizziness. Effects last for several hours, so space out subsequent doses accordingly.