Kratom comes in many shapes and sizes. Browsing the market, you’ll see all sorts of different products to choose from. You can get powders, capsules, extracts, tinctures, edibles, vapes, and even more. Each product will have its own array of benefits and conveniences, but the two most popular forms of Kratom are powder and extracts. It’s up to you to decide which option will work best for your needs, even if it’s a combination of both! Unfortunately, without the proper knowledge, it can be really tricky to decide. But don’t worry, your friends at Happy Hippo are here to help!
Within this article, we are going to be comparing and contrasting Kratom extract vs Kratom powder. We’ll be talking about the benefits, uses, and side-effects of each method.
To read more about each product individually, you can visit our more comprehensive articles on Kratom extract and Kratom powder in our blog.
What are the Benefits of Kratom?
Before we dive in, we think it’s important to briefly talk about Kratom’s amazing benefits.
Kratom comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa tree that grows natively in various regions of Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which is the same family of plants as coffee! Kratom contains around 40 active alkaloids, including Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine, which are the two most abundant. It is claimed that the active alkaloids are what create the effects of Kratom. As the alkaloid profiles differ, so will the effects.
Kratom provides a wide array of effects depending on the strain you choose. Here are some of the effects you can expect:
- Energy
- Motivation
- Relaxation
- Pro-Social Attitude
- Mental Focus
- Relief of Physical Discomfort
- Elevated Happiness
- Restful Sleep
Kratom Powder - What You Need To Know
Kratom powder is the most common form of Kratom. Happy Hippo carries over 30 different kinds of Kratom powder! Let’s briefly talk about the process of making Kratom Powder.
Kratom farmers are very familiar with the lifespan of the trees and use special methods to determine when they’re prime and ready for harvest. Once the Kratom leaves are carefully harvested from the tree, they are gently rinsed and set aside to dry. Farmers will wait until the leaves are completely dry before grinding them down into a very fine chalk-like consistency. The result is a beautiful, fluffy, green powder!
Afterwards, it is packaged in large sanitary containers and stored for distribution. Dried plant material (if stored properly) can last for several years! From there, the powder is used for all sorts of things. Most people like making Kratom Tea with it, but you can also put it in capsules and take it that way.
How to Use or Take Kratom Powder
Kratom powder can be consumed in a few different ways. Let’s take a look at the most common ways people use it.
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Kratom Tea - Generally, people use Kratom powder to make tea. To do this, you simply combine water and your desired amount of Kratom powder, then stir vigorously until the mixture is combined. You don’t want to steep it and remove the plant matter like normal tea. Consuming ALL of the plant matter will help it resonate at peak potential. Kratom powder is not very water soluble due to the chalky texture. Your best bet is to use warm (not boiling) water to help it dissolve thoroughly.
- It’s important to note that Kratom is an herbal botanical and it has a rather bitter taste that some people find unpleasant. To help with the taste, you can add a sweetener of choice (honey, agave, etc)
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Kratom Capsules - Capsules are a convenient way to take Kratom powder, while helping you avoid the bitter taste! Capsules contain a measured amount of Kratom powder encapsulated in a pill-like form. Simply swallow a few followed by some water and you’re good to go!
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Toss and Wash - We typically don’t recommend this method, but it’s extremely popular in the Kratom community. It’s similar to taking capsules… just without the actual capsule casing. Essentially, you put your serving of dry Kratom powder directly into your mouth and immediately swallow it down with a beverage.
This method can be hard on the stomach. Plus, choking down dry powder is very unpleasant. Instead, just mix the Kratom powder in water first. It’s safer and much easier to swallow.
How Much Kratom Powder Should I Take?
We strongly advise starting at a 1-2 gram serving size and working your way up from there. Increase by ½ gram increments until you find your “sweet spot”.
Strong Suggestion: Do Not "Eyeball" Your Serving Size.
1 TEASPOON MEASURING GUIDE:
- 1.0 level Teaspoon = 2.00 Grams
- → 0.5 level Teaspoon = 1.00 Gram
- → 0.25 level Teaspoon = 0.50 Grams
- → 1/8th level Teaspoon = 0.25 Grams
Compared to Kratom extracts, Kratom powder has a lower overall potency, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be cautious. A lot of people claim that Kratom powder provides a longer-lasting and more satisfying experience. Taking too large of a serving could cause temporary adverse effects, especially with Happy Hippo’s high-quality Kratom products.
Our general rule of thumb is - Kratom is not a “more is better” kind of thing. Especially if you want to avoid building a Kratom Tolerance.
Kratom Extract - What You Need To Know
Kratom Extract is more concentrated than regular plain leaf powder, and the resonation is totally different. Kratom Extracts are created by taking Kratom powder and doing an extraction process to isolate the alkaloids in the plant.* In extract form, the alkaloids become far more potent, and even a small amount of extract can be 5-10 times stronger than an identical amount of Kratom powder.
*For more information about the extraction process, check out our article dedicated solely to Kratom extracts!
Kratom extracts can be found in both liquid and powder forms. Liquid Kratom extracts have a higher absorption rate than powder and it tends to take effect quicker. Some vendors even use liquid extracts to make edibles or softgels.
However, not all Kratom extracts are created equal. Some extraction methods only capture the Mitragynine alkaloid, leaving the rest of the active alkaloids behind. When the excess alkaloids are absent, the resonation is different because you aren’t receiving the full alkaloid profile of the plant. Most of Kratom’s relaxation properties are absent with extracts. This leaves some people feeling like there’s “something missing” when using certain Kratom extracts.
Moral of the story: Be cognizant of what you purchase, and if you’re an avid Kratom user, make sure the Kratom extract you receive is labeled “Full-Spectrum Extract” or you may be left feeling underwhelmed.
Understanding the Potency Ratio of Kratom Extract
Oftentimes, Kratom extract products will display a ratio expressing its potency. The ratios usually say 2:1 or 3:1.
It’s important to know what those ratios mean because it’s essentially telling you how potent the extract is in relation to 1 gram of regular Kratom powder. “2:1” means the extract is twice as potent as a single gram of Kratom powder. 3:1 would mean it’s 3x as potent, and so on.
However, these notations can be inconsistent amongst different vendors. Some will use “2x” or “5x” instead of the ratio, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate true potency. Technically, it’s an indicator of how many grams of Kratom powder used to create the extract.
If you’re ever confused about the potency ratios on a product you purchased, we recommend asking the vendor.
How Much Kratom Extract Should I Take?
Due to the high potency and fast-acting nature of Kratom extracts, you should always follow the recommended serving size displayed on the packaging label. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you take extracts regularly, they may contribute to an overall build-up of Kratom tolerance. So, remember to be mindful and try to use Kratom extracts in moderation.
How to Use or Take Kratom Extract
Let’s briefly go over how to use Happy Hippo’s Kratom extracts.
These shots are ready to drink straight from the bottle. Simply gulp down about ½ the bottle and the effects should follow shortly after! We offer the Kratom Energy Shots in a variety of fruity flavors.
Again, depending on your personal serving size, you’ll want to take 1 or 2 soft gels to feel the desired effects.
When To Use Extract vs Powder
Deciding when to use powder and when to use extract is based off of your personal preferences. For the most part, we’ve noticed that people tend to use Kratom powder regularly at home and use Kratom extracts for days when they’re on-the-go. Extracts are much more travel friendly and discreet than powder.
In situations where you need relaxation and discomfort relief, Kratom powder is superior. Kratom extracts are known for their stimulating nature. As we mentioned earlier, they lack the full-alkaloid profile of plain leaf powder, so, you won’t get any of the more comforting properties that Kratom powder can offer. Knowing this, some people like to use extracts for an energy boost during the day, and use certain powder strains to unwind in the evening.
Are Kratom Extracts More Expensive Than Kratom Powder?
Short answer - yes. Kratom extracts are typically more expensive than powder.
You can get a 1oz bag of Kratom powder for around $7-$10, while extract products can range from $10-$30 per product. Typically with powder, you’re getting a larger quantity for a fraction of the price.
For example, Happy Hippo’s Liquid Kratom Extract is priced at $15 for a 12mL bottle and a 1oz bag of Magic Hippo (Red Sumatra) is $10.99. Since the powder is a larger quantity, you’ll get WAY more uses out of a 1oz bag than 1 bottle of extract. All in all, it’s solely dependent on the type of experience you’re looking for.
Is Kratom Extract Better Than Kratom Powder?
Honestly, that’s up for you to decide! Both products have their pros and cons, but it ultimately depends on the situation and what you’re looking to get out of the experience.
Let’s do a quick comparison breakdown…
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Where To Buy Kratom Online
Happy Hippo has the best Kratom products EVER!
With 25+ strains of high-quality Kratom powder, as well as several amazing extract products, you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for YOU.
Our Kratom products are lab-tested, sterilized, and evaluated in-house by our experienced Hippo Staff members. We use our expertise to evaluate and develop accurate descriptions so that our customers know exactly what to expect when trying our products.
However, if you don’t know where to start, we can help with that too. Try taking our Kratom Newbie Quiz to find out which strains best match your wants and needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
*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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