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Best Kratom Advice: 3 Tips For Beginners

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Are you feeling nervous about trying Kratom for the first time? Did you have a good experience with Kratom and are now ready to learn more about this awesome botanical?

When you’re just learning about something as vast and undocumented as Kratom, it can be hard to know what to do first. Should you buy kratom in bulk? Do you need to buy from specific sites to be safe from legal issues? Is Kratom safe to use long term?

You’ll likely have all of these questions – and more – in your head as you move into the “research” phase of your new discovery.

Left Coast Kratom knows how important it is that new Kratom consumers get good information, so we’ve put together this blog as part of our larger advocacy program which aims to create more reliable sources of information about Kratom. We’ll share our three top tips for new Kratom users today!

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Lesson #1: Balanced Consumption Is Everything

The most important thing that you will need to figure out about Kratom is the right serving size for your needs. Notice that we didn’t say that we need to tell you what the best serving size is. That’s because we simply can’t tell you what you should be taking!

The only way for you to find the proper serving for your body and your needs is to start with a small amount of Kratom and then gradually increase it. When you’re new to Kratom, we recommend following this serving size schedule to find your sweet spot:

  • • Start with ½ the recommended serving of that particular strain
  • • Try that for one week
  • • Increase the amount used gradually, usually by ¼ serving amounts
  • • If you see negative side effects, go back a level
  • • If you get the effects you are looking for, stop! That is your perfect serving size!

Finding the right balance of your servings is going to be the trickiest part of using Kratom long term because your body will eventually build up a tolerance, so you’ll need to be mindful about ensuring that you don’t overdo it.

Avoiding Tolerance

One thing that we can recommend to help you to avoid too high of a tolerance level is to limit your serving size. If you usually consume the same amount every single day, trying using that amount only a few times a week.

On the other days, abstain from Kratom altogether or use a very small amount instead.

By varying the amount of Kratom that you use, your body will be less likely to build up a tolerance that comes from the repeated use of the same exact amount of Kratom. Be smart about how much Kratom you are using, and vary the amount so that your body will not get stuck relying on a specific amount of Kratom.

Lesson #2: Don’t Over Do It

When new users don’t get the effects that they were expecting right away, many will make the mistake of doubling their serving size or increasing it by a similarly large amount right away in hopes of seeing some more obvious effects.

This is not the right choice, and doing this is very likely to cause you more grief than anything else!

Remember that both you and your body are still new to Kratom, and it can take some time to get that perfect strain and serving size combination down. Overdoing it is not going to help you get relief, and instead will cause any number of unwelcome side effects. 

Very high amounts of Kratom cause fewer positive effects than very low amounts of Kratom. Remember this as you are adjusting and balancing your serving size during your learning process. Everyone’s body is different, so it is important that you pay close attention to how you react to different changes so that you can find your perfect serving schedule.

Lesson #3: Get Creative!

Finally, enjoy your journey with Kratom! Regardless of what type of effects you are hoping to get from Kratom, there are a number of different ways to reach that goal.

After finding one strain that you like, don’t simply stick to using that same strain for the rest of forever. If you do that, you’ll not only be more likely to develop a tolerance, but you’ll never know if there is a strain out there that works better for you than what you are currently using.

There are a few different things that you can change, but we recommend trying different strains of Kratom while also trying different ways of preparing it.

Change It Up!

Do you usually use Kratom powder directly? Why not try a tea or capsule delivery method instead? Changing to a different type of preparation can help you to have a different experience with the exact same Kratom product, and you might even find that teas or capsules help you to avoid any negative side effects more than your current consumption method.

On the topic of strains, try getting a sample pack and trying each strain in the pack for a week at a time! You’ll be able to notice the different effects by doing this, and then you’ll have a better idea of what you are hoping to get from your perfect strain in the future.

Kratom: A Whole World To Explore

As you can probably see by now, there is a lot to the world of Kratom that you might not have even been aware of before you started reading these tips today. And that’s part of the joy and excitement!

People all have different experiences with Kratom not only because the substance itself interacts with bodies in different ways, but also because people can make choices about their strain, serving size, administration method, and more! Customize your experience so you can have the best one. All it takes is a little bit of your time!

3 Things To Know About Countries That Export Kratom

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When you’re learning about Kratom, it can be hard to get clear information about where it comes from, what it is, and what the legalities of it really are. Here at Left Coast Kratom, we devote a lot of time and resources to learning these ins and outs because of how confusing the world of Kratom currently is. And we’re happy to share that information with our beloved customers!

One thing a lot of people want to know more about is where Kratom is grown and exported from before it’s delivered to vendors here in the US.

Does Thai Kratom really come from Thailand? You’ve probably seen conflicting responses, and that’s mostly because there is so little information on the internet from these areas that can be used to clearly answer your questions.

Today, we’ll work to clarify three major points of confusion about countries that export Kratom. 

As your trusted Kratom vendor, we feel it is important for you to have a better understanding of the places where Kratom traditionally comes from, and this is our attempt to help you begin collecting that information!

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1: Kratom Is Illegal To Use In Many Places

Two of the places that people most often envision when they think of Kratom, Thailand and Malaysia, have strict laws about Kratom usage. While historically people have used Kratom in these areas for centuries, laws set up within the last 100 years have made it illegal to use Kratom in most circumstances.

Thailand has made Kratom a schedule 5 narcotic, so users can be heavily fined or jailed if they are caught with Kratom. Recently, however, there are some exceptions for those who are interested in Kratom for its medicinal potential, but you must be registered with the government and buy through approved vendors in order to truly follow these regulations.

In Malaysia, Kratom is included as a Dangerous Substance on their official lists, but there isn’t much active criminalization of Kratom at this time. There have been a few attempts by the government to further criminalize the use of Kratom, but a respect for the traditional and ritual uses of Kratom have prevented any of those acts from being passed.

And while Malaysia can still export some Kratom, Thailand currently cannot export it at all. For that reason, much of the exporting of Kratom is done from Indonesia.

In Indonesia, not as many people have historically used Kratom due to differing opinions about whether or not it is allowed under certain religious laws. It’s currently banned for use in Indonesia but legal to export out of the country. Vendors and advocacy groups in the United States are working hard to make sure Kratom export remains legal in Indonesia.

The key takeaway is this: While exporting countries may be allowed to sell Kratom in various forms and make a profit off of it under their countries’ regulations, that does not always mean that locals can consume Kratom themselves!

2: Most Strains Are Not Grown Where You Think They Are

Another interesting fact that many people do not realize about Kratom is that the name of the strain does not always indicate where that particular batch of Kratom was grown! Strain names are more likely to identify differences in alkaloid content and color than they are to indicate where the Kratom came from.

In fact, due to limitations by the governments of Thailand, Malaysia, and other areas where Kratom thrives, most Kratom today is grown in Indonesia. Specifically, the island regions of Borneo and Sumatra are two of the most prominent exporters of Kratom.

It can feel a bit misleading that the strain names do not match the exporting country, but remember that you are searching for a specific experience, not a specific country, when you are buying various Kratom strains. Strain names often represent the origin of that strain’s particular lineage, not necessarily where the specific tree was grown.

3: Kratom Is Not Used By Everybody

Kratom is used to some extent in all countries that export it. While it is illegal to use domestically in some of those countries, there are definitely still communities of people that choose to continue to use Kratom for various purposes and benefits.

Still, that doesn’t mean that everybody in these countries is using Kratom!

Even as someone who believes that Kratom has positive effects, it is unlikely that you would recommend every single person you know to use it. After all, there are specific reasons that you chose to take Kratom, and those reasons aren’t going to make sense for everyone. 

The same rule applies to countries that export Kratom.

In Thailand and Malaysia, for example, Kratom is largely used by laborers to make it easier to get through a long day of physical work. Additionally, Kratom is used in small, rural villages as a type of traditional ceremony item.

If you were to go to Bangkok and ask the first Thai person on the street if they use Kratom, their answer is more likely to be “no” than anything else.

It’s easy to assume that using Kratom is incredibly commonplace in its countries of origin, but the truth is that Kratom is still used in limited and specific ways there just as it is here. And that distinction is pretty important!

Kratom: Not So Simple

The process of vendors getting Kratom is not so simple, and that is a large part of why there has been so much confusion on the importing side of Kratom use. Where did it come from? What strain is it? How do we know if it’s a safe, clean product?

All of these questions only get more complicated when one has to consider the cultural and legal obligations that exporters have in their own countries, and that can make thinking about the entire Kratom industry a bit of an overwhelming headache!

Reputable vendors will take the time to gain knowledge about exporting countries, to call in experts on laws in each jurisdiction, and to develop strong relationships with trustworthy farmers in those areas. We look forward to industry advances that allow more companies learn about compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and how to track their products from seed to sale for the safety and comfort of our customers.

3 Tips For Kratom Veterans: How To Continue Using Kratom

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So you’ve discovered the world of Kratom. You’ve tried different strains, you’ve figured out how you like to take your Kratom, and it has become a pretty regular part of your life because of the benefits you feel the botanicals offers. 

Over time, however, you start to notice that the Kratom just doesn’t seem to have the same positive qualities as it did when you first started consuming. Why are you no longer noticing the same benefits? Why does it seem like you need to consume more Kratom?

Even as an experienced Kratom user, you may find yourself in a dilemma about how to continue using Kratom in a positive way. Today, we’re here to discuss three tips that can help you to continue using Kratom in effective and targeted ways.

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Tip #1: Spread Out Your Servings

If you are starting to notice that your Kratom serving doesn’t seem to have the same effects that it once did, you might be tempted to start double serving or taking more than one serving a day. Before you do that, however, it’s important that you take some time to analyze what is happening. 

Think about the following questions:

  • • How often do you take Kratom?
  • • How much Kratom do you take?
  • • Do you take more than one serving a day?
  • • Have you ever taken a break from Kratom?

Kratom can cause a tolerance if you consume the same amount every single day, and that tolerance built up by your body will cause you to feel less of the original effect of Kratom. In most cases, the only way to get rid of it is to take a break from Kratom. Then, spread out your servings. 

When you find yourself in this situation, this is what we recommend doing:

  1. • Reduce your intake to a quarter of your normal daily serving. Or, stop taking it altogether for at least one month, preferably two. The longer you can wait to take any Kratom at all, the faster your existing tolerance will break down.
  2. • When you start taking Kratom again, start with a very small serving, and pay close attention to the effects. If it seems like your tolerance is still there, try to extend you abstinence a bit longer to restore your baseline tolerance level.
  3. • Once you return to consuming Kratom for good, make sure that you are only taking one serving per day. Drinking one larger serving per day is better than taking multiple smaller servings when it comes to tolerance.
  4. • Another thing to change when you return to Kratom is how frequently you consume. Ideally, you would never overlap servings. This means that all of the alkaloids in the Kratom would be out of your system before you have more. 

Why does spacing out servings work to prevent tolerance form going up?

When you take Kratom very frequently, alkaloid levels will start to stabilize because they will always be present in your blood and nervous system. When this happens, the body will expect that level to exist at all times. When you take Kratom, it won’t cross this stable point, and you will feel little to no benefits. 

Spacing out small portions can help you to avoid this type of stabilization. When consuming in this way, every serving that you consume will be raising your alkaloid levels past baseline, and that will allow your body to truly feel the effects of Kratom. 

The Main Takeaway: Space your servings out more and reduce the size of each serving if possible to prevent tolerance from taking away the positive benefits of using Kratom regularly.

Tip #2: Don’t Use One Variety Forever

When you’re just starting to use Kratom, most people will tell you that you should try out a lot of different strains to find out what you like the most. 

What many people forget to say is that you should continue to change up the type of Kratom you are using to prevent tolerance to any one particular strain from building up! 

Ideally, you should rotate between different strains and mixes of strains as much as possible. When you switch it up, the amount of and specific type of alkaloids in your body will not be consistent, so it will be harder for your body to build up any type of tolerance to the compounds in Kratom. 

Generally, we recommend that you have at least four different strains on hand to complete your strain rotation. By doing this, you’ll be able to avoid Kratom “burn out.” Burn out is when a particular strain no longer has any effects on you because of a high tolerance to that particular Kratom’s makeup.

The Takeaway: Be sure to have at least four different strains of Kratom on hand, and rotate between them as much as possible to reduce your chance of building up a tolerance to their particular alkaloid profiles.

Tip #3: Adjust To Balance

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there are some products that can help you to slow down any tolerance building up because of your Kratom usage. 

In particular, many consumers say that taking magnesium has helped to stop their tolerance from getting too high.

Magnesium is a natural NMDA substance. NMDA antagonists, as they are known, interfere at some of the binding sites for Kratom. These particular binding sites may be partially responsible for Kratom tolerance, so taking magnesium can prevent some of these effects. 

That being said, it’s important to remember that even too much of a good thing is too much. Taking an excessive amount of magnesium can cause you just as many problems as taking too much Kratom can, so be sure that you only take it in moderation.

Keep The Kratom Coming

Once you’ve incorporated Kratom into your life, you’ll likely want to keep a healthy positive relationship going with this botanical.

It is important, then, to remember that you can build up a tolerance to Kratom if you don’t consider the right ways to spread out your servings and rotate what type of Kratom you are using. By spacing out servings, changing varieties, and adding a small amount of magnesium to your diet, you can prevent yourself from being seriously affected by the tolerance!

Top 3 Ways To Take Kratom: Take Your Pick!

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There are a lot of wonderful things in this world. For many people, Kratom, also known as Mitragyna speciosa, has been a welcome addition to their daily routines.

While the reasons that people take Kratom vary as much as their professions, there is some commonality between them. All these people tend to favor one of these three top ways to take Kratom!

Whether you’re new to Kratom or simply curious about the different ways that it can be taken, today’s guide will help you learn more about the main techniques that are used to enjoy this wonderful botanical product.

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#1: All About That Tea!

The most common method of taking Kratom that you are likely to hear about when visiting online Kratom communities is Kratom tea. 

Kratom tea is fairly easy to make, and it is one of the most enjoyable ways of consuming Kratom. It can even be a little bit fun since making the tea allows you to take your personal taste preferences into consideration as well!

Kratom tea is most often made with Kratom leaves, but the powders that we will talk about in #2 below can also be used to make a type of tea if you are creative about it.

Pros

The real benefit of using the tea method is that you will not be eating the actual plant matter nearly as much as you do in the other delivery methods. What does this mean for you? This means that your stomach won’t be as likely to get upset. Ingesting plant matter can be a big cause of stomachaches, so the tea can help you avoid that.

Another bonus is that you can mix it up with your own flavors – adding sweeteners, honey, citrus, and more can help your tea taste better than straight Kratom would. Get rid of the some of the bitterness with your own special concoction!

Cons

The biggest drawback of this method is that it takes a good bit of time to make Kratom tea, so it’s not something that you can simply pick up and use. If you often find yourself short on time, you’ll probably prefer another method.

#2: Powders & Capsules

The next most popular method of consumption is to use powder and powder-filled capsules. 

Kratom powder is made from ground-up leaves or ground-up leaves and stems of the Kratom plant. This is likely the most efficient way of taking Kratom, and it is also one of the quickest methods.

The Kratom powder itself can be made into a tea, mixed into other foods, or simply put into a capsule to be taken as is. The decision about how to take the powder is up to you.

Pros

Kratom powder can be used in a wide variety of ways, and that makes it very appealing for those who want to try to experiment with different ingestion methods. You can make tea, mix it into your smoothie, or take capsules.

Another benefit is that it is very easy and affordable to buy powdered Kratom in bulk, and storing it is easy as well. You can even make capsules yourself at home and save a lot of money by doing so.

Cons

Kratom powder can be messy! Even if you are very careful, there is a good chance that you’ll accidentally make a mess when you are trying to make your own capsules or just get your daily serving ready to go. That can be frustrating.

Another downside is that powdered Kratom contains a lot of plant matter, so you will need to be mindful of counteracting this as much as possible.

#3: Extracts

If you don’t want to deal with the taste of Kratom through powder or tea, using extracts might be a great choice for you. While they still have some flavor, they aren’t nearly as potent in terms of smell or taste.

Extracts are a distilled, concentrated version of extract. Typically labeled as Full Spectrum Kratom (or FST), this is one of the most convenient ways to take Kratom. The carrier oil or alcohol has been blended with alkaloids extracted from Kratom plants so that you can take just the alkaloids more directly without much of the plant itself.

You might also come across what are known as powdered extracts. While these can resemble powdered Kratom at first glance, they are actually a liquid extract that has had all of the liquid evaporated out of it, leaving behind only the powder.

Pros

The biggest benefit of this method of taking Kratom is convenience. It’s super easy to add a few drops to your drink, meal, water, or straight into your mouth! If you want a discreet and fast way to use Kratom, this is definitely going to be a good option for you.

Another bonus is that this type of extracts tends to have a higher concentration of alkaloids than other Kratom delivery methods, so you will need to use less product.

Cons

Kratom plants have a lot of benefits for your body beyond just the alkaloids that are known and used when making extractions. When you use an extract, you aren’t getting the complete Kratom matter. While this helps reduce some side effects, it may also decrease effectiveness for some people.

The Method Is Yours

In the end, you can use one or all of these methods in your own personal Kratom consumption! The method that you want to use will depend on your goals, needs, and style, so you should simply use our suggestions as guidance for what you want to do.

If none of these top methods appeal to you, there is one more way that you can take Kratom. You can try pre-made Kratom tablets or gum. These are usually less affordable than the other methods of Kratom consumption discussed today, but they can be a good choice in some situations.

Why Left Coast Kratom Thinks The Kratom Consumer Protection Act Matters!

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Have you heard of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act before?

If not, it’s time for you to learn more about the interesting laws regarding Kratom that are going into effect around the USA. At this time, the legal status of Kratom in the US is under constant strain. Due to conflicting messages and exaggerated claims, many people have been falsely convinced that Kratom is not safe.

We, however, now that Kratom can be a safe product to keep on the market as long as companies that sell it are kept in check. For that reason, we know that policies like the Kratom Consumer Protection Act are so important.

Today, we’d love to share with you more about this act, which states have adopted and implemented this law, and how you can join up with advocacy efforts to ensure that Kratom consumers like you are able to legally and safely continue to enjoy Kratom for years to come!

All About The Consumer Protection Act

Let’s start by learning about what the Kratom Consumer Protection Act actually is! Before you can understand why we need it and where it is already in place, understanding just what the act says will give you a great base understanding of the issues that Kratom vendors and consumers are facing.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act was originally created and proposed by the American Kratom Association. Their goal in creating this piece of model legislation was to set up a precedent for the types of guidelines that should exist in the Kratom industry.

Specifically, the act was created to help ensure that consumers can legally and safely buy Kratom. In addition to regulating the sale of Kratom, the model bill is meant to regulate the quality of Kratom as well to prevent any dangerous or adulterated Kratom from ever reaching the market.

As mentioned, the document that AKA created is known as a piece of model legislation. This means that is a set of guidelines that they suggest states pass, but the individual Kratom Protection Acts that are being passed in some states all have their own specific terms. Generally, however, they follow the model that was presented first by AKA.

The main points that most of the Protection Acts include are as follows:

  • • Define what Kratom is
  • • Require specific labeling of Kratom products by all sellers
  • • Prevent the sale of Kratom products that are known to be dangerous
  • • Ensure that the Department of Agriculture and Food in each state will create and enforce safety standards for the production and sale of Kratom

The overarching goal of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act is to ensure that consumers are not put at risk, physically or legally, by buying Kratom. 

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Why We Need A Protection Act

You might be wondering why an act like this is possible and why we, a business, would want more regulation.

The simple fact is that the free-for-all state of the Kratom industry was causing more harm than good. While it might be nice in some instances to be able to sell anything that you want in any way, doing that is not great for the consumer or for the stability of the industry.

A lot of the general public views Kratom as a dangerous and out-of-control substance, and that is because of unsafe Kratom that has been sold to consumers. These unsafe and adulterated products put people at risk. 

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we never want to see something like that happen to our customers. While we do our best to keep our products safe, we believe that the entire industry needs a set of guidelines and rules to follow to ensure that consumers are safe no matter which vendor they decide to buy from.

AKA’s Work: Where Protection Has Been Passed

As mentioned previously, AKA has been working very hard on their plan to have Kratom Consumer Protection Acts passed in every state in the US. While they aren’t yet to that point, there are a number of states where some variation of the original model act has been implemented.

Utah

Utah was the first state to pass a law about Kratom! The law passed on March 26, 2019, and it outlines very specific protections for consumers. Overall, the final bill in Utah reads very similar to the one created by AKA.

Georgia

On April 27th, 2019, Georgia passed its version of the Consumer Protection Act. This specific version differs a little bit from that of AKA, but it was adapted in the state very quickly.

Arizona

Their AKA-inspired Consumer Protection Act for Kratom users was passed onMay 1st, 2019. 

Oregon

Oregon has yet to pass the bill completely, but it has been approved by the state senate judiciary. Once the house votes on the bill, we believe it will be passed!

Nevada

Nevada became the 4th state in the US to pass a Kratom Consumer Protection Act not long ago!

Mississippi, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

There is legislation in the works in all of these states to help protect Kratom consumers. While AKA is fighting potential Kratom bans in Mississippi and Ohio, the work they are doing in Pennsylvania and Louisana is looking to have more positive outcomes in terms of a Consumer Protection Act at this time.

Your State?

If you didn’t see your state’s name on this list yet, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t some type of work being done to protect Kratom’s status and consumers in your area. Check out the updates page on AKA’s website and their advocacy toolkit to find the best ways to get involved in protecting the future of Kratom in this country!

The KCPA Really Matters

Kratom is at a precarious turning point in America. The FDA has taken a strong anti-Kratom position due to the lack of strong scientific evidence to prove that Kratom is a safe botanical. One of the best ways that this can be combated is through the KCPA, and that is why we want everyone to do their part in supporting it!

Kratom Lab Testing: Why You Should Care If It’s Being Done

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As we go about our daily lives, there are a lot of different things that get tested before we use them. Cars and buses go through rigorous safety tests before they can hit the roads. Facilities that process produce must ensure their safety, and restaurants have to pass regular cleanliness tests to be permitted to serve food.

Testing products that we are eating is one of the most important things that we rely on companies to do. When we buy something at a store, we feel safe. We trust that the item has been handled appropriately, and we feel that it is safe to eat.

Why would we feel any differently about Kratom?

Like other substances that are ingested, Kratom is going into your body and can thus have very serious effects on your body. While uncontaminated Kratom is unlikely to cause any big problems, contaminated Kratom can cause serious shock and illness.

So what can be done about this?

Kratom vendors, makers, and middle-men can ensure that Kratom is being tested properly before it makes its way into the hands of consumers. We’re going to discuss how the testing process should happen and why it’s so important that it does happen!

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Testing Kratom

All in all, it is relatively easy for a company to have their Kratom tested. They have to hire a third-party service to take samples of various product batches and then analyze those samples to ensure that there are no contaminants.

When talking in the world of Kratom, we usually call qualified testing labs accredited labs.

All About Accredited Labs

What makes a lab an accredited lab? Simply put, an accredited lab has passed a set of exams to ensure that they are following the right methodology when performing ISO/IEC tests at their facilities.

Testing at an accredited lab is essential because other labs might not do the test the right way, or they might not be legally allowed to certify the results of the exams.

GMP Standards In The World Of Kratom

GMP Standards, also known as Good Manufacturing Practices, are a part of most manufacturing industries. These rules are created (often at the national level) and monitored to ensure that the items being produced are safe for consumers to use.

For Kratom, there is no national governing body that regulates the production and processing of Kratom. As such, there have been cases of contaminated Kratom making it to the market and causing users to get ill.

To prevent the spread of those type of issues, the American Kratom Association created a set of Good Manufacturing Practices, based on the FDA’s GMP standards, for Kratom vendors and makers to follow.

As a GMP qualified vendor, we are confident that our products are safely made and processed. Gaining recognition as a qualified vendor in this program is very special to us because we know that we are doing everything that we can to ensure our customer’s safety when choosing to use Kratom!

Our Testing

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we like to be confident that we are going to be selling the best possible Kratom to our customers.

As such, we’ve implemented a number of safety protocols to align with AKA’s GMP standards:

  • Test for pathogens in our facilities
  • Ensure proper sanitation techniques
  • Screen suppliers thoroughly
  • Have complete tests done more regularly
  • Use more than one third-party testing lab

By doing all of these things, we are ensuring that our products are properly stored, maintained, and created before they get to you.

Possible Kratom Contaminants

You may be curious about what type of contaminants can be found in Kratom. While there are a wide variety of potential cross-contamination issues, the main areas that are focused on when testing Kratom include the following:

  • • Pathogens:
    Coliforms, mold, yeast, salmonella
  • • Heavy metals:
    Lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, arsenic

Those are the most common problems found in batches created and processed by dishonest Kratom sellers that are trying to make a quick buck. These sellers don’t worry about safety practices, and that allows their product to be contaminated with dangerous growth like mold or yeast.

Kratom Testing: What Is Tested For

When an accredited lab carries out a test on Kratom, there is a specific set of things that they will look for.

The test will include all of the following:

  • • Ensure the product is actually Kratom
  • • Ensure that there are no microbials in the substance
  • • Check heavy metal concentrations
  • • Check for any contamination
  • • Ensure the alkaloids present are real, not synthetic
  • • Confirm the presence and percentages of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the two most common alkaloids found in Kratom
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How You Can Be Confident In Your Purchase

When you’re planning on trying a new Kratom store or you simply want to restock on your favorite product, it’s important that you check that all the vendors you like to use have up-to-date testing procedures and practices.

Most qualified GMP vendors will have that information clearly and proudly listed on their website. After all, it’s quite a feat to be accepted into AKA’s program!

If you cannot find any clear information about testing on a vendor’s website, reach out to their customer service contact and find out about their testing policy. It will only take you a couple of hours to get the information that you need, and you will be able to feel safer and more confident in your purchase!

Taking Kratom Is Serious

Here at Left Coast Kratom, we love Kratom! We know that it can have a lot of benefits for different people, and we love that we get to be a part of making that connection.

That being said, we are also fully aware that Kratom is a very serious substance. When used incorrectly or contaminated at the source without a customer’s knowledge, Kratom can be dangerous.

That is why we want to reiterate one last time how important it is for you to make sure that you are only buying fully vetted, properly tested Kratom. When you take Kratom that has not been tested, you’re taking a risk that isn’t worth taking.

Lab testing is important; ask your favorite vendors to join AKA’s compliance program to help ensure the safety of Kratom users across the country!