Kratom capsules have won the hearts of millions across the globe. But there is also a growing confusion on whether to swallow or chew kratom capsules. The answer is swallowing, of course!
As the rollercoaster year of the pandemic comes to an end, it taught us the significance of things we always take for granted – our loved ones, health, and hygiene. Part of this awareness comes to an incline towards more conscious eating. Hence, the latest trends are strongly geared towards the idea that what we eat directly impacts the body and its functioning.
In such circumstances, it was obvious for natural herbs like Kratom to thrive. Kratom products are bombarding the market scene in powders, capsules, tinctures, extracts, infused edibles, and more.
Out of all, Speciosa Capsules have stolen the limelight. And rightly so! They are King when it comes to convenience, impact, and potency. So, one fiery question crossing the minds of enthusiasts is whether to swallow or chew kratom capsules? What’s the best way to take them and turn an ordinary experience into an extraordinary one? Let’s have a detailed look!
What are Kratom Capsules?
In pharmaceutical terms, a capsule is an encapsulation technique whereby powdered, gel, or pellets of medication are enclosed inside a shell. This can be taken orally or in the form of a suppository.
Kratom Capsules are a processed version of powdered kratom leaves. These leaves come from a tropical evergreen tree of Kratom, scientifically called Mitragayna Speciosa, from Southeast Asia.
Capsules are one of the oldest and most popular standbys of the Kratom industry, wherein the dried leaves are finely ground into thin powder by state-of-the-art machinery and then filled into gelatin or vegetarian shells. They are easy to carry and consume and can be taken at any time of the day, any hour of the night to pump up the energy or mood.
An average Kratom capsule contains between 10 to 50 mg of Kratom, although the size, potency, and quality vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. According to the Orlando Clinical Research Centre, consumers will generally observe the effects 30 to 90 minutes after swallowing, with the peak impact occurring after 2 to 3 hours and lasting for 5 to 6 hours. If higher potency capsules are consumed in large doses, the effects may even last 12 hours.
The Benefits and Limitations of Kratom Capsules
As with any other supplement, Kratom capsules come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Below we have briefly discussed them.
Benefits
1) Portable & Discreet
When your schedule is packed to the brim, and it’s difficult to steal even a single moment for “me-time,” why not have Kratom on the go?
Capsules are one mini self-care package you can sneak around without judgmental and nosy peers even noticing.
It’s easy to pop it down when you’re riding to work, waiting in line, before a presentation, amidst a meeting, in a formal setting, any time on the run, or when you want to finish up your evening meal. Plus, the compact size allows you to cart them around discreetly in your purse, wallet, or pocket and enjoy it no matter where you are!
2) Ease Of Use
Of all the ways of consuming Kratom, nothing can beat the ease of swallowing a small capsule! And just in case those large pills give you a tough time swallowing, they are also usually smaller in size. Besides, they come in discreet waste-free packaging and won’t get you any strange looks even if you take them in a public setting.
3) Controlled Dosage
Another advantage of Kratom capsules is that the consumer can be aware of the exact amount they intake. Powder carries the additional burden of weighing the quantity, whereas, with oil, you can only roughly estimate the dosage by counting the drops. But no more guesswork! With capsules, you can take the supplements in a controlled manner. For example, 50 mg Kratom capsules will contain precisely 50 mg of Kratom, so taking it will help you keep an accurate track of how much you are ingesting.
4) Tasteless & Odorless
Most users prefer kratom capsules over other forms of supplements simply because of their tasteless and odorless characteristics. This works well for users who do not enjoy the distinct earthy or peppery taste of Kratom powder or teas. The coating completely masks the taste of the plant with no flavor of its own. So for individuals who are not big fans of its taste or worry about their breath going bad, these capsules are an absolute god-send.
5) Mess-free and less wastage
That’s another enticing feature of the capsule. The fixed standardized packaging offers precision in dosage which means there are no messes, no scattering of the powder, and hence no wastage involved.
6) Pro-Long Shelf-life
Want to enjoy the miracle herb for a longer period? Or want to take it on a long work trip or even an exotic foreign vacation? Good news your way! Capsules have the added benefit of being safely enjoyed for a long time without fear of going bad or stale. Thanks to their extended shelf-life.
Drawbacks
1) Unwanted Additives
Kratom capsules can sometimes contain harmful additives and artificial substances which users might unknowingly consume. This is because there is no appropriate method to check the ingredients unless you damage them. Hence, it is always advised to purchase capsules from reputable and trustworthy sellers.
2) Pricier
Perhaps one of the most legit demotivators of capsules is their high price range. They are much more expensive to purchase than Kratom, available in other forms such as powder.
3) Delayed Impact
If you want to experience the effects of Kratom fast, capsules are not the best bet. This is because gel capsules have to be digested before being absorbed into your body and making their way to your bloodstream. Some capsules also have a ‘delayed-release mechanism,’ which is absorbed in the intestine and not the stomach. While this helps avoid nausea or reflux, it can lead to delayed impact and is not ideal for individuals who prefer effects immediately after consumption.
4) Lack of Availability
Unfortunately, there is a lack of authentic Kratom capsule sellers in the market. The capsule manufacturing process requires a lot of labor and attention, so most sellers prefer stocking Kratom in powder form.
5) Limited Strains
Capsules are available in limited, and the most popular of Mitragyna strains only. So, if you go around searching for a capsule for a rare or less in-demand strain, then it’s possible you may not find it at all.
6) Reduced Potency
Do you know only about 10% to 20% of the Kratom taken orally is absorbed into the bloodstream, which considerably lowers potency?
Another drawback that puts consumers off Kratom capsules is their lower potency than Kratom powder or oil. This is because after your stomach digests the capsule, it passes through the liver, where it is filtered off.
The Best Way to Take Kratom Capsules: Chewing or Swallowing?
By default, Capsules are intended to be swallowed. It is strictly not advised to break open, crush, chew or consume them in any other form unless recommended by a medical professional, in which case you must follow all their instructions carefully. This is because some capsules can be harmful to your body when crushed or chewed.
Reasons to Swallow Capsules
- As mentioned earlier, capsules are built with a special coating, without which their contents might incur harm to your stomach lining.
- Also, the efficacy of the contents may be affected if released in acidic stomach conditions without the special coating.
- Capsules are designed to release the medicine into your bloodstream after being digested slowly. If you directly chew kratom capsules or break them open, you might unknowingly overdose.
- The contents may also be bitter and taste highly unpleasant if you chew kratom capsules in the raw form.
Dosage Instructions
As for dosage, it is good practice to introduce Kratom into your diet in small quantities and then increase it gradually if it works well. For capsules, always check for the recommended dose mentioned on the label.
Generally, manufacturers recommend no more than 2 to 3 capsules per day. If you’ve just started using Kratom, begin with only two and start taking three if you wish for a more substantial effect.
P.S. Some adventurous peeps love snorting the capsules. i.e., crushing the capsules and then inhaling them. However, the practice is severely detrimental to your health and may pose long-term health risks.
Alternatives Options to Chew Kratom Capsules
So what if you can’t chew Kratom capsules? There are plenty of other drooling ways to munch on this exquisite goodness:
1) Gummies
The delectable, divine, and delicious Kratom gummies are a popular alternative to capsules and powder. Bursting with fresh fruity notes, they are produced from a gelling agent such as gelatin, added sweeteners and flavorings.
Gummies are absorbed into the mouth lining directly as you suck or chew on them. They have the added advantage of being stronger than capsules in terms of impact with up to 80% bioavailability. This allows users to reap the maximum possible effects of Kratom while enjoying the heavenly treat!
2) Kratom Desserts & Snacks
Kratom can take more forms, flavors, and varieties than you can ever imagine.
Yes, it can be infused into many baked goods such as brownies, cookies, and more. All you need to do is mix Kratom powder with dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking powder and follow the rest of the baking instructions as usual.
3) Kratom Condiments
You can even make Kratom-infused sauces such as honey mustard, peri-peri, pizza sauce, steak sauce and so on! Prepare them as per the recipe, and add crushed Kratom near the end when the sauce is cooking. You can then drizzle it all over your meal and enjoy the heavenly taste of both Kratom and the delicious food in one go.
Final Remarks
Capsules are one powerful stuff. They help you perform your best, spark your creativity, allow you to feel at peace, calm your nerves, and alleviate all physical discomfort. It is no surprise why they are such a huge hit.
However, they are not the best of options when it comes to chewing. Unfortunately, one inherent issue with capsules, like other orally ingested products, is their low bioavailability as our liver filters out a significant portion.
If you are craving to chew some kratom goody, then the great part is; the world of Kratom chewable and edibles go a lot deeper. From gummies, cookies, crackers, and snacks. You name it! You can chew them thoroughly to your heart’s content until they fully dissolve in the mouth.
Still not sure to add capsules in your daily regimen? Aren’t you already consuming multivitamins and other supplements of any sort? Well, Kratom capsules are no different! Taking them is easy and doesn’t disrupt your day-to-day activity, making them all the more convenient.
Jennifer Kurtz is a founder of KratomGuides.com and studied medicine at the New Jersey School of Medicine (Rutgers). She is passionate about developing her knowledge of Kratom, and nutritional supplements. In addition to attending medical webinars and conferences, she loves to write research-based articles for magazines, healthcare professionals, and medical agencies. Jennifer is always looking to develop her knowledge for the Kratom through scientific researches and frequently asked questions of customers looking to buy kratom from reliable sources.
