The fact you’re reading this right now either means you’re a potential customer or part of the two million American Kratom users already. Either way, from Southeast Asia to the world, Kratom’s popularity is ever growing. Thanks to the experimental folks always on the search for the next big thing in the world of health and recreation.
With Kratom, your choice of product form is endless. The popular ones include Kratom capsules, softgels, powder, and extracts. But what to choose? Which type of Kratom is worth the buck?
We’re laying down, side by side, the striking features between two of the most popular Kratom form choices - powder and capsule.
What is Kratom Powder?
Characteristics
You guessed it right. Kratom powder is exactly how you imagined - crushed Kratom leaves in fine-powder form. With a light to dark greenish color, Kratom powder easily mixes with all sorts of beverages and edibles. People infuse it in smoothies with a sweetener (to offset the bitter taste), DIY capsules, or straight-up taken with water. Kratom powder is versatile like that.
Kratom powder was created for convenience sake. Because Kratom leaves easily decompose, shipping internationally isn’t possible. So Kratom leaves were sun-dried and crushed to powder form, effectively lengthening shelf-life while still upholding its quality state.
Potency
Potency is the amount of substance required for the effects to happen. In industry terms, potency is often referred to as “concentration.”
Kratom in itself is potent enough to get a bodily response. Reports even tout its strength, comparing it to some of the strongest painkillers.
But commercial Kratom has evolved into several forms that there’s no such thing as “universal Kratom potency.” Add to that the unique formulations each Kratom brands adapt for their products. It has become a challenge to know which Kratom form is more potent. Is the capsule form stronger than powder?
Kratom powder, in theory, is equal in potency with its capsule counterpart. Why? Essentially, the inside of a Kratom capsule is, more often than not, Kratom in powder or extract form.
Since different brands have their own way of formulating Kratom powder (some add supplementing ingredients that may increase or decrease Kratom potency), it’s pretty useless by now to objectively compare potency between kratom powder and Kratom capsules.
What’s more apt to differentiate, instead, is the rate of onset effects. Reports say Kratom powder acts quicker than Kratom capsules.
If you want your Kratom powder to be even more potent than it is already, try the method of “potentiating.”
A potentiator is an ingredient or method used to amp up Kratom powder’s potency. As a result, you may need to use less Kratom powder. Some of the common Kratom potentiators are grapefruit, citrus fruits, cayenne powder, turmeric, and more.
It’s important to note that potentiating is a technique, it has exact ingredient proportions, and instructions to follow. Simply adding grapefruit to your Kratom juice won’t make the cut and, at times, dangerous.
Serving Size
Unlike capsules which are pre-packed into the perfect serving size, you have the freedom to add or lessen the amount of Kratom in Kratom powder. You’re more likely to get an accurate serving size tailor fit to your body and needs with Kratom powder. However, while the powder offers flexibility when it comes to serving sizes, it’s easy to make a mistake in the beginning.
Also, Kratom powder is not the most convenient when traveling. You’ll need certain tools like a measuring scale at tow always.
Pros of Kratom Powder:
- Kratom powder has a long shelf life
- Kratom is versatile. Consumers mix it with just about anything (water, beverage, edibles, etc.)
- Kratom powder is said to act quicker than capsules
- Get more serving size freedom
Cons of Kratom Powder:
- Kratom powder may spill during mixing or by simply consuming it. It can be a hassle during travels or if you’re someone that's always on-the-go
- You need extra tools like scales to get an accurate serving size
- Kratom powder when taken raw (without sweetener) tastes bitter
What is a Kratom Capsule?
Characteristics
A Kratom capsule is essentially a pre-measured amount of fine-powder form Kratom placed inside a type of capsule.
A Kratom capsule is often made of a soft and thin gelatin shell that houses pre-measured Kratom powder. Kratom capsules are easy to swallow and virtually tasteless, thanks to the gelatin coating. The best Kratom capsules keep your Kratom undiluted and pure, thanks to the protective layer of the shell. It’s also kind of smart too as the gelatin coating of the capsule is designed to dissolve quickly once it is ingested – leading to a faster absorption of the full serving of Kratom.
Potency
A Kratom capsule, in essence, is used as a delivery system to the body. While it has been mentioned that Kratom powder alone acts quicker than capsules, these capsules step up in one aspect: ease of use.
Likewise, compared to other methods of taking Kratom, such as brewing Kratom tea, the potency of Kratom inside a capsule will stay unaltered. The protective gelatin shell keeps the pre-measured serving untouched until such time that it is dissolved after ingestion.
No more fussing about carefully counting the grams on a scale or finding a drink to mix the powder with. With Kratom capsules, the potency will always be what you want it to be.
Serving Size
Compared to Kratom powder where you have to carefully measure a serving, Kratom capsule is pre-measured and ready to be consumed any time. Once you’ve figured out the right serving size for you, it’s just a matter of consuming them!
A Kratom capsule is also super discrete and easier to travel around with compared to lugging around a bag of powder. Imagine a public setting like inside the office or at the airport and you have to measure out a serving of Kratom powder. With capsules, just count out how many Kratom capsules on your hand like one, two, three and you’re done.
Storing capsules in your bag or luggage is easier too! Since it’s a pre-measured serving, you can simply count the amount of capsules needed, put them in a small pouch or container, and then stash them. The powder on the other hand, well… you can put them in a small container too but, God forbid, imagine the mess if it pops open.
How much Kratom is in a capsule?
Unfortunately, there is no standard Kratom serving per capsule. The serving size largely depends on the discretion of the manufacturer. Most Kratom brands with a 00-size capsule hold roughly 750 mg of kratom powder. Larger capsules like 000 can hold as high as 1 gram of Kratom.
How many Kratom Capsules should one take?
The number of Kratom capsules you take depends on the effects you want to achieve. The usual safe serving size range for Kratom users is between 1 gram to 12 grams. 1 gram to 12 grams means taking anything between 1 and 16 capsules for the 00 capsules or 1–12 capsules for the 000 capsules.
Pros:
- Easy to swallow
- Tasteless
- Pre-measured serving, consistent potency
- Discrete and easy to use
- Kratom capsules keeps your Kratom undiluted and free from contamination
- The capsule’s gelatin coating dissolves quickly once ingested – leading to faster Kratom absorption
Cons:
- Can be pricier vs powder
- Lesser freedom when it comes to serving sizes
| Kratom Powder | Kratom Capsules | |
| Characteristics | Crushed Kratom leaves in fine-powder form. Easily mixes with all sorts of beverages and edibles. | A pre-measured about of fine-powder Kratom placed inside a gelatin (or non-gelatin) shell. |
| Potency | Reports say that Kratom powder acts quicker. | Potency stays unaltered. The serving size stayed untouched until it dissolves during ingestion. |
| Serving Size |
Powder offers more flexibility when it comes to serving sizes. Add or lessen the amount of Kratom to adjust serving size accordingly. |
Pre-measured serving and always consistent in potency. |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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Which Is Worth Your Money?
Both! While both Kratom powder and capsules have their advantages and disadvantages, these aren’t dealbreakers. Rather, these are two options to choose from in moments that you might need Kratom in powder or capsule form.
Are you a frequent traveler or always on the go? Try out the capsules. Want to go super precise and experiment around? Why not go for the powder!
Heck, the more adventurous among you might even try and experiment making their own capsules using Kratom powder.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re getting Kratom powder or capsules, you’re not really missing out on the benefits of Kratom - it’s just a matter of preference or lifestyle! But, if it’s ease of use you’re looking for then that’s definitely the capsule. For the freedom of use, well that’s the powdered Kratom for you!
Did you know that Happy Hippo has a comprehensive Kratom capsule line in various strains? Yep, they’re hot and ready for you here.
Why is Happy Hippo the best place to buy Kratom?
- We are proudly certified by the (AKA) American Kratom Association
- We strictly abide by GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) in all of our facilities
- Our Kratom is lab-tested for heavy metals and other contaminants (Ask to see our lab results!)
- All of our Kratom is pre-sterilized at 170 degrees (enough heat to kill pathogens but not disrupt the alkaloid profile)
- All of our Kratom products are neatly packaged and clearly labeled
- 100% ALL NATURAL KRATOM - no additives or inferior botanical fillers necessary
- Our Kratom is visibly different - it looks and smells fresh. Trust me, you’ll notice the difference.
- We specialize in high-quality Kratom products, but we also have superb alternative botanicals (Kava, Kanna, Akuamma, and more!)
Disclaimer: Kratom remains unregulated by the FDA, the authors of this text would like you to note that although this article contains many points regarding the use of Kratom, they should only serve as a piece of information - not medical advice.
Kratom is not intended to cure, diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or condition.
Make sure to speak to a physician if you have questions before using Kratom.
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