How long does Kratom last?

Understanding the Timing of the Effects of Kratom

We live in a quick-fast world. News moves with more speed than the events seem to occur. Motorcycles roar in the distance, like a visage of a supercharged clock. Hell, the difference of a few seconds in our internet speeds is enough to drive us mad. Every day, we are reminded of the temporal reality which binds us so.

It stands to reason, then, that something that does not become known or felt instantly can cause confusion, consternation, even. Kratom does not activate immediately. When one wishes to use kratom, the main question in their mind is: how long does kratom take to kick in and how long does it last?

The Onset of Kratom

The first consideration is how the kratom is used. Powdered kratom can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to be fully felt. Factors such as the way your body senses the aroma can affect this time. But still, more variables exist when it comes to answering how long does kratom take to kick in?

The presence of kratom potentiates can also impact the onset and duration of kratom. Some users report that grapefruit not only increases the impact of kratom but the acidity of the fruit quickens its impact, as the enzymes are thought to increase the efficiency with which kratom is processed. The types of food consumed before kratom use can also impact the effects. Some users claim that greasy food can alter the duration or effects, though these mechanisms are not well understood. 

This is why it is commonly suggested to wait to use kratom until some time after the consumption of a full meal. A minority of users have reported mild discomfort if a large amount is used without eating something first, so I’d always advise taking a small snack 一 a piece of toast, or granola bar 一 if you are taking kratom early in the day. So, if you’re wondering how long kratom takes to kick in, you shouldn’t use kratom immediately after a large meal to best enjoy its effects. This can sometimes drastically alter the onset time of kratom, stretching it to hours. This can be bothersome as then some users feel it’s not working and use additional kratom, which can lead to an early bedtime.

Keeping in mind these factors, a first-time kratom user attempting to figure out their ideal amount of kratom should try a small amount and then wait for at least two hours if they feel that such a quantity is insufficient for their desired effects. Even when used regularly, sometimes the body has different priorities in the speed with which products can be processed. Every user will have to be patient in learning how long kratom takes to kick in, which can even vary with the strain, the time of day, and the aforementioned factors. This will ensure that the user can best learn about how their body reacts to kratom.

Kratom Duration

The duration that kratom lasts can vary widely. Some of the factors involved are the same as those affecting onset time, like time since the last meal. In general, a rule of thumb is that the faster effects are felt, the shorter the duration; but this is not always the case. Many users also report there being different stages to the effects of kratom. There is an early phase, where the onset of effects becomes apparent. This gives way to the full impact and then a tapering reduction of the effects, which with some strains, often coincides with falling asleep. If you’re wondering how long kratom takes to kick in and the effects that follow, you should know that the majority of users report that the effects do not ‘fall off a cliff’ or instigate a ‘crash’. Whereas some substances, like caffeine, leave a rebound effect of sorts 一 where the absence of the substance is noticed strongly once it is gone, especially if the root cause still exists, i.e fatigue with caffeine 一 kratom generally seems to taper off smoothly. 

This can make determining the exact duration of the effects difficult. And, considering the additional factors which impact kratom’s duration, it can be hard to precisely denote a time when the kratom ‘stops working’. Those who use kratom for its soothing aroma to ease physical discomfort may notice more acutely, as they may feel the return of pain, as these users report feeling such an effect from strains like Red-Vein Bali kratom. But, as a strain like Red Bali is also often reported to aid users in sleep, the onset of drowsiness may seem to prolong the effects of kratom. 

Potentiates also play a role. Some users have reported that watercress, for example, can prolong the duration of kratom’s effects, though the mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. Of course, the potentiate itself, if it is solid food, further impacts exactly how long kratom does take to kick in and the duration. And, of course, the strain itself has a significant impact on the temporal aspects of kratom use. As mentioned, red-vein strains can seem to last the longest due to their oft-noted transition to feeling sleepy. Alternatively, a white-vein strain may seem to have shorter effects as its similarities to coffee may leave a user looking for an energy boost notice the absence of said boost. This may leave them to conclude that white strains have a shorter duration. 

All of these combined with the unique individual physiology of the user can make for inexact estimations of the length and timing of kratom use. However, most users, after say a half dozen or so experiences between different strains used at different times of day, etc., can often begin to understand how kratom affects them. While articulating it can be difficult, most users quickly grasp how long kratom does take to kick in and the nuanced aspects of kratom use.

Time for Kratom

If the idea is to use kratom and feel its effects instantly, you may want to tap on the brakes. The body just simply doesn’t work like that. As with many herbal solutions, kratom use is at the behest of the human system. Patience and observation will guide you through. 

These factors will probably play a large part in which strain a user ends up favoring. In fact, some users may blend two strains for a custom experience. They may find a white-vein strain impacts them quickly while a red lasts deep into the night. Paired together, they may be perfectly suited to one individual’s expectations and desires. 

It’s important to remember not to get frustrated when figuring out the dosage and how long kratom takes to kick in. For a variety of reasons, I didn’t feel the initial impact of kratom I had used for nearly 3 hours. I used some more at about the 2:45 mark, thinking I hadn’t done enough, or that I hadn’t gotten a good strain. (In the old days, finding a consistent, quality source could be an adventure!) Just a few minutes later, the effects from the first use kicked in. The combination of two usages left me rather tired, and instead of going out with my friends, I ended up falling asleep in front of Netflix a few hours earlier than I had planned. Not exactly a disastrous scenario, true, but an alteration of plans due to my inexperience and impatience. I also had not kept good track of all the factors that can impact the onset and duration.

So How’s One to Handle This?

Be mindful. Consider all the factors involved. Keep track of the strains you use, how they’re different, what juice you drank in the morning, and how it may have impacted the white-vein but not the Maeng Da you used, and so forth.

It may seem like a lot to consider when determining how long it takes kratom to kick in, but you’ll figure it out. All good things come with time, as they say. To ensure you get a premium quality product, be sure to shop at a trusted vendor such as The Kratom Company.