Kratom stands out as a **100% natural wellness gem**. You’ll **adore** the loads of benefits this **plant miracle** provides, and **savor** its unique botanical effects.
If you’ve been a fan of Kratom for any period of time, you may have found yourself searching for different, or even better, ways to experience this herb. You may have even been searching for something with a bit more of a ‘kick’ to it.
If so, then your search may have led you to what’s known as ‘enhanced Kratom’. If you’ve come across this product, either in person or online, you likely have a few questions about what it is, whether or not its safe, and whether or not its worth checking out.
We’re here to clear the air, shedding light on the innovative (and potent) Kratom product known as ‘enhanced Kratom’. Turns out, there’s more to it than you may have thought.
What Is Enhanced Kratom?
Although ‘more’ isn’t always a better thing, its human nature to push limits and test new and innovative ways of using products to see if they can help us achieve our goals. Taking an already good thing (Kratom), and finding ways to ‘enhance’ it, is what this guide is all about.
Enhanced Kratom is a broad term to describe Kratom that has been concentrated, or that has had its alkaloids extracted from the whole plant matter typically used to make Kratom powder. The goal of enhanced Kratom is to enhance the product’s potency, and strength and/or duration of its effects. This is typically achieved by increasing the concentration of its naturally occurring alkaloids.
For example, imagine for a moment that you drink matcha tea. Matcha is comprised of whole crushed tea leaves, consumed when mixed in hot water. Similarly, Kratom is made from the whole ground leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, and consumed in teas, drinks, food items, or even in capsule form.
Now, let’s say you wanted to have a more potent matcha. You could extract the raw matcha powder for specific compounds, such as caffeine or EGCG, creating a concentrate that was higher in potency.
The same can be done with Kratom.
How is Kratom ‘Enhanced’?
With a goal of producing a product that is more potent and powerful than any regular Kratom powder or strain, enhanced Kratom typically starts by using a base of one of the plant’s strongest strains.
Popular Veins for Making Enhanced Kratom Include:
- Red Maeng Da
- Green Maeng Da
- White Maeng Da
These strains are harvested at a point where the leaves are naturally at their peak in alkaloid concentration. From there, they undergo a specialized drying process aimed at increasing the potency of the alkaloids.
The Hidden Dangers with “Enhanced Kratom
Once dried, the leaves are ground whole into a fine, consistent powder.
At this stage there are two ways to ‘enhance’ Kratom powder naturally:
- Making an extract or concentrate
- Adding isolated alkaloids or concentrate to the fresh Kratom Powder
Enhanced Kratom May Also Mean:
- Made synthetically in a lab
- Adulterated with other chemicals or compounds in an effort to enhance effects
Although both natural and synthetic means of ‘enhancing’ Kratom may produce ‘enhanced’ effects, the latter is dangerous and ill-advised. This is why purchasing Kratom from a trusted and reliable manufacturer who has their raw materials lab tested is so important. You want a vendor who’s Kratom is independently tested for purity, toxins, heavy metals and other impurities.
Natural Kratom Extracts and Concentrates: Enhancement the Natural Way
If you’re going to partake in enhanced Kratom, the best way to do so would be with Kratom that has been enhanced naturally.
What is Kratom Extract?
Kratom extract is a concentrated form of Kratom powder. It is made either directly from whole leaves or from the Kratom powder itself. The goal of the extraction process is to pull out the powder’s naturally occurring alkaloids, filtering out all other plant material and leaving you with a highly concentrated (and potent) product. Extraction of alkaloids can be achieved in several ways, including boiling down the powder and straining the reduction, or extracted using alcohols. The resulting Kratom extract can be sold as a paste, powder, or suspended in oil or alcohol.
Why People Use Enhanced Kratom: Isn’t Kratom Powerful Enough as is?
As you may have already experienced, Kratom is a powerful plant product that stands up well on its own for a wide variety of uses. Those seeking a more potent effect typically seek out more potent strains as a first line of exploration.
Strains such as Maeng Da are notably powerful and are typically more than enough for the average consumer. However, some prefer the use of enhanced Kratom due to the smaller dose sizes necessary, or who appreciate the ability to take a small 30mL vial on the go with them for use when not at home.
In other cases, consumers build up a tolerance due to frequent or overuse and need something stronger to elicit the same effects. If you find that you have developed a tolerance that surpasses the effects of the strongest natural strains, it may be time to gently ween yourself back down to a more reasonable dose, giving your body time to re-establish a new baseline.
After all, overuse of anything, from caffeine to chocolate is never a good thing.
Related: Natural Ways to Potentiate Kratom’s Effects
The Bottom Line On Enhanced Kratom
Although ‘enhanced’ sounds better, that isn’t always the case. Enhanced Kratom is much more potent and should be approached with caution, especially for those with little experience with this plant. For those who understand how to use it responsibly, finding a product made naturally, and free from additives or other chemicals is a must.
Outside of those two warnings, however, enhanced Kratom in the form
