Frequently Asked Questions

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Kratom powder is made from crushed leaves of the Kratom plant (Mitragyna Speciosa). Kratom is native to Southeast Asia. It occurs naturally on several islands in Indonesia (primarily Borneo, Hulu Kapuas, and Ketapang). It also grows in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Upwards of 100% of the kratom in the USA comes from Indonesia. At this time, Kratom is banned in Malaysia and was banned in Thailand (due to the government realizing it would interfere with their opium trade and the money that brings so they shut it down until now), it is now legal again! Kratom has been used for over 1,500 years in these regions of the world where they pick and chew the leaves for many reasons, not the least of which is, promotion of energy for working, relief from the weight of the world, increased mental clarity, and much more. In the USA, most kratom is sold in powdered form (either in capsules or bulk powder.) This is created by drying the leaves, grinding them to a fine powder, and then packaging it in bundles and shipping to the USA. Proper Kratom is pure plant leaves and nothing else. 100% pure - Lab Tested - Free from additives or fillers.

There has never been a certified proven death of kratom overdose anywhere in the world. That does not include adulterated products (such as Krypton which was a mix of Kratom and O-DSMT, a tramadol analogue which caused 9 deaths linked to overdose from the tramadol.)

There is only 1 or 2 deaths in the US in the last 10 years that are possibly linked to Kratom. There is simply not enough data from these emergency room doctors’ notes to determine the cause of death. They appeared to have only Kratom in their systems at time of death. But what is not identified is if they had previous health issues, were on other medications that may have had a contraindication with Kratom, or many other possibilities.

Kratom is currently legal Federally in the United States but there are some states and local jurisdictions that have banned or restricted its use. It is illegal in the following States: Arkansas, Alabama, Wisconsin, Indiana, Vermont, and Rhode Island. It is also banned in Sarasota County in Florida, San Diego, CA, There are a few counties/cities that have banned it across the country but only a handful.

Currently, there is an Import alert on Kratom which makes importing the product particularly difficult. It grants Customs and Border Protection the authority to seize any shipment containing kratom for any reason whatsoever. It’s still 100% legal to import into the US minus the 5 states that have banned it as of 2020, but massive shipments have been seized and destroyed for no good reason resulting in losses in the millions of dollars to those companies doing the importing.

(updated October, 2022 - Subject to change)

Laughing Lion is one of only a few kratom manufacturers in the entire country who are cGMP Qualified! This means we are inspected and certified to follow the strictest guidelines for our cleanroom, material handling, testing, PPE / Safety equipment, and record keeping. This allows us to continue selling our products and provide many products to smaller vendors who will no longer be able to produce kratom once the KCPA passes in their respective states. Colorado has passed the KCPA and it goes into effect July 1 2023

At this time, we believe that Kratom is generally safe in the USA federally. The DEA is the only national authority that can ban kratom in the country as a whole. And they have decided that they will not ban kratom unless the current studies that are being sponsored and conducted result in a statement that Kratom has no medicinal benefits.

HOWEVER: There is a significant threat at the local level as recent sentencing of an Arkansas man to 10 years in prison for possession of Kratom is disgusting miscarriage of justice! New local bans continue to be introduced and greedy lawyers are preying on families grieving the loss of their loved one by influencing them to believe that Kratom caused the deaths when there is zero proof of this.

But in good news, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has granted the University of Florida, over 10 million dollars to study Kratom over the next 5 years! Specifically, one study is for studying the two primary alkaloids in Kratom, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (which we now know is a metabolite and is not present in the fresh leaf) and its effects and uses in humans. And the second, is to study the plant as a whole and potentially move towards human testing.

Kratom, Mitragyna Speciosa, is a single species of tree. Growing 25-100’ tall or more and fast growing at that. Our own indoor grow has seen 6 feet of growth in 8 months! There are no “Red Kratom Trees” or “White Kratom Trees”.

Green Vein Kratom is the mature leaves of the tree picked and dried indoors or in shade.

White Vein Kratom is smaller, immature leaves that are picked prior to full growth.

Red Vein Kratom is mature leaves that are dried in the sun causing them to turn darker into a red/brown color or dried indoors retaining a more green color to the powder but retaining the same properties.

Bentuangie (fermented red) is a standard red leaf that is first placed in large clear plastic bags and left in the sun to oxidize and ferment for days and then dried out in the sun once the desired color is reached. This oxidation results in a very dark brown/ruddy color that also changes the effects of the leaf and provides a much sweeter and earthier taste. However, due to the presence of mold in the fermentation process, we do not recommend or sell fermented reds.

Green Kratom is generally recognized for its well-balanced effects. Purported to promote mental clarity, mood lift, energy, and its best liked during the day.

White Kratom is generally recognized for its increased promotion of energy, mental focus, and a mild lift to the mood.

Red Kratom is generally recognized for its promotion of relaxation, calm, feelings of wellbeing, mood improvement, aiding with relief of the pain of difficult and stressful days. When anxiety, stress, and mental anguish occur, we often want to feel calmer and more centered. Red Kratom seems to help bring that sense of calm and wellbeing.

These colors are more important in terms of choosing kratom for use than the actual strains themselves. While there is only one tree species, there are many genotypes that have different alkaloid profiles similar to marijuana (weed) and these differences result in differing effects. However, most vendors use different strains or regions for the same strain names we all use. So it's beneficial to try different strains and blends from Laughing Lion Herbs to determine which are the best for your personal body/metabolism.

FDA DISCLAIMER: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

This product is not for use by or sale to persons under the age of 18. This product should be used only as directed on the label. It should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult with a physician before use if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications. A Doctor's advice should be sought before using this and any food or tea. All trademarks and copyrights are property of their respective owners and are not affiliated with nor do they endorse this product. By using this site, you agree to follow the Privacy Policy and all Terms & Conditions printed on this site. Void Where Prohibited by Law

Finding Your Dose

Kratom in its natural form is a fresh tree leaf. They often measure between 5” - 12” long and 3” - 6” wide.

Most kratom sold in the United States has been dried and ground into a powder. This powder is then made into capsules or sold in bulk bags and/or jars. There are also enhanced strains which have concentrated kratom extract mixed in as well, but for the purposes of this guide we are only discussing pure kratom leaf powder.

The most accurate way to measure your kratom is with a scale that is accurate to at least 0.1 grams. This will enable you to accurately identify the amount you are using versus the measuring spoon method.

The reasoning behind this is that kratom strains and powders can vary significantly in their weight. 1 level teaspoon of one strain may weigh as much as 25% more than another strain, depending on how settled it is at the time of measuring.

Quick Guide: 1 tsp = 2.5 grams powder

Finding your dose is quite possibly the most important part of starting kratom. Too little can result in no effect whatsoever, and too much can result in what we refer to as 'the wobbles' or nausea and vomiting as the body rejects the excess kratom.

The first question we always ask people is “Have you ever taken any type of opiate in the past?' because that is the easiest way to determine if you need to start low or a bit higher of a dose.

- IF YES: Did you take just a little and get a strong effect? If so, then start at Stage 1 dose level. If you took a little and had no effect, then maybe start at Stage 2 dose level. Did you take a large amount and had little or some effect but really didn’t last long? Then maybe carefully start at Stage 3 level.

- IF NO: Whenever you take any kind of medication or herbs do you tend to have a good effect from the recommended dosing, or do you get little to no effect? If you are the first, then start at Stage 1 dosing level. If you are the second, try Stage 2 dosing level.

Listen to your body. We find that for most, the morning dose lasts the longest, often not wearing off for 5-8 hours. However, after that, most have to take more every 3-4 hours. When you start to feel like you did before kratom, then it's probably time to take more.

TAKE AWAY: There is no 'right' or 'wrong' amount or number of doses per day. Listen to your body, and most importantly, your medical professional.

Dosing Levels 1 & 2

Note for those who are highly sensitive to medications: Follow the guide below, but start off with only 1-1 ½ grams (you will need a scale, or use a scant ½ teaspoon) using the same methods described below.

Stage 1: Start with 3 grams (approx. 1 level teaspoon). Use the guide below on how to consume. It’s always best to start with an empty stomach for the most accurate measure of effects, however it is not required. Some may experience mild stomach discomfort with dosing on an empty stomach. To avoid, take with food, wait for 45 minutes and see if you can measure any effects.There is a definite sensation to the effects of kratom. The effect of a proper dose should be noticeable and pleasant. If you do not feel these effects within 45 minutes, we recommend adding ¼-½ level teaspoon of powder and waiting another 30-45 minutes. If the effects are not felt after that, wait for at least 2-3 hours and start again at 1 ½ level teaspoons or as high as 2 level teaspoons. (Note that 2 tsp is only if you felt zero effects from the previous attempt) If this does not succeed, move to Stage 2.

Stage 2: Start with 5-6 grams (2 level teaspoons) using the guide below on how to consume. It’s always best to start with an empty stomach for the most accurate measure of effects, however it is not required. Some may experience mild discomfort when dosing on an empty stomach. To avoid, take with food. Wait for 45 minutes and see if you can measure any effects. There is a definite sensation to kratom effects. The effect of a proper dose should be noticeable and pleasant. If you do not feel these effects within 45 minutes, we recommend adding ½ - 1 level teaspoon additional powder and waiting another 30-45 min. If the effects are still not felt, wait at least 2-3 hours and start again at 2 ½ level teaspoons or as high as 3 level teaspoons. (Note that 3 level teaspoons is only if you felt zero effects from the previous attempt) If this does not succeed, move to Stage 3.

Dosing Level 3

Stage 3: (Note this level should only be tried if Stage 2 was unsuccessful. Taking too much kratom can be very unpleasant.) Start with 8-10 grams (3 ½ - 4 level teaspoons) using the guide below on how to consume. It’s always best to start with an empty stomach for the most accurate measure of effects, however it is not required. Wait for 45 minutes and see if you can measure any effects. There is a definite sensation to kratom effects. The effect of a proper dose should be noticeable and pleasant. If you do not feel these effects within 45 minutes, then recommend adding ½ - 1 level teaspoon additional powder and waiting another 30-45 min. If the effects are still not felt, wait at least 2-3 hours and start again at 1-2 level teaspoons higher than previously used. If this does not succeed, you may want to try a different strain or continue the same process of adding a bit more and trying again. Remember, there is no “WRONG' amount. Your body will tell you when it’s right. In the last 6 years I’ve only encountered a handful of people who didn’t have absolutely incredible results that they say, improved their lives. Be patient, and if you have questions, please let us know!

There are many misconceptions about kratom on the internet. The anecdotal evidence so far indicates there is not necessarily too much kratom for someone to use, unless your body tells you otherwise. Your body can indicate this by presenting symptoms that are uncomfortable at the least, and may result in symptoms similar to food poisoning (nausea and vomiting). This is one feature of the plant that discourages abuse.

Kratom is not “one size fits all'. Doses can vary from as little as 1g up to 25g. There doesn’t seem to be a correlation to body size, weight, height, or gender. It is far more related to your body’s ability to utilize herbs and other substances in general, as well as your metabolism.

Find what works for you and stick with it. Be aware that kratom strains vary in potency, so we recommend using only vendors who lab test their kratom and print the Mitragynine content on their packaging as a reference point. Also, we recommend only using GMP vendors as they have established standards in their manufacturing processes to help protect you from contaminants. However, GMP does not mean the kratom is of good quality, as the leaf can be clean and safe but still have low potency.

A huge factor in selecting your source of kratom is finding out how pure the kratom you are purchasing is, and if the vendor has a Fair Trade Agreement in place to prevent abuse to the farmers producing the product.

NOTE: All of these instructions are general guidelines and are not medical advice.

ALWAYS CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR PRIOR TO USING KRATOM.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Kratom is intended for ADULT USE ONLY (21+ in some states, 18+ in others)

Sold without Medical Claims

We support the American Kratom Association who is our amazing Kratom Advocacy non-profit group. It is because of their hard work, and the power of the millions of people who use Kratom daily (currently estimated to be over 18 million in the US!) They are currently working on bringing a Bill to states across the country called the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. This bill, when passed in a state, prevents kratom manufacturers from doing shady things with the product. It requires a minimum purchase age of 18 (21 in some states), requires that manufacturers use cGMP standards and be qualified by GMP auditors yearly (more about that later), and requires very specific safety protocols and testing of each and every bag of Kratom made and sold in that state. Support them or learn more at https://americankratom.org