alkaloids

The Best Kratom Products For A Life On The Go

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Do you live an active lifestyle that frequently puts you on the road? Do you also enjoy Kratom? Well, then we have some products for you.

No more worrying about carrying messy Kratom powder or measuring the right serving size of Kratom. There are better ways to enjoy your Kratom when you’re not at home.

In this blog post, we will be looking at a few of our best options.

Kratom Shots & Extracts

Kratom shots and extracts are not only convenient but also come in compact bottles that are easy to store and carry. They provide a quick and efficient way to incorporate Kratom into your busy lifestyle. When it comes to their composition, it’s essential to understand the distinctions between Kratom shots and extracts.

Kratom shots typically contain Kratom extract as their primary ingredient, combined with other components commonly found in energy drinks. Essentially, Kratom shots are like energy drinks with the added benefit of a serving of Kratom.

On the other hand, Kratom extracts are highly concentrated forms of Kratom. They deliver the highest serving size possible and are renowned for their concentration. You can easily incorporate a small amount of Kratom extract into your preferred beverages, such as coffee, tea, or juice, or even add it to various food items like brownies, salads, and desserts.

Kratom Tablets, Capsules, & Softgels

Capsules, tablets, and softgels of Kratom are notably convenient and user-friendly, topping the list of easy-to-use options. Their portability makes them a perfect companion, no matter where you’re heading. When the mood strikes, you can simply slip one or two into your mouth discreetly.

Nonetheless, it’s important to ensure that the elements composing the capsules, tablets, or softgels, such as the capsule shells or gel materials, do not raise concerns. For example, Kraken Kratom takes pride in its commitment to use 100% vegan components, which are devoid of any preservatives, gelatin, wheat, starch, or animal derivatives in the manufacturing of its Kratom products.

Kratom Tea Bags

For enthusiasts of tea, Kratom tea bags from Left Coast Kratom offer the perfect fusion of convenience and discretion. These user-friendly tea bags make for an ideal companion for on-the-move Kratom users. Simply add them to hot water, let it infuse for a while, and voila – your Kratom tea is ready to savor.

Much like traditional tea bags, these ones are packed with finely crushed Kratom leaves. Most manufacturers explicitly state the alkaloid content per tea bag on their product labels, enabling an informed choice. Additionally, Kratom tea bags typically come in larger quantities, making them a cost-effective option for bulk purchases. For instance, Left Coast Kratom guarantees a dozen tea bags in each package, irrespective of the strain you opt for.

Kratom Gummies

Gummies have an irresistible charm that appeals to all – be it children, adults, or the elderly. Recognizing this universal love for gummies, the Kratom industry didn’t waste any time in presenting Kratom-infused gummies. These gummies, radiant and bursting with flavor, have revolutionized the Kratom experience.

These gummies are endowed with a measured quantity of potent Kratom extract. To ensure clarity for their customers, vendors generally specify the extract concentration or alkaloid content present in their gummies, enabling users to accurately gauge the ideal serving size.

Left Coast Kratom, a renowned name in the industry, brings to the table Kratom gummies in an enticing array of flavors and colors – including raspberry, orange, and key lime. The all-natural formulation of Left Coast Kratom gummies comprises corn syrup, sugar, water, pectin, citric acid, Kratom extract, and natural flavors and colors. These gummies are free from any artificial preservatives, thereby aligning with the company’s commitment to quality and natural ingredients.

Kratom Honey Sticks

In an industry known for creative and innovative consumption methods, Kratom honey sticks offered by Left Coast Kratom stand out as a clever invention. Essentially, these are honey-infused Kratom teas, stylishly encapsulated within convenient plastic sticks. But their practicality extends far beyond this. Kratom honey sticks not only ensure portability of your Kratom, they also enable discreet consumption. After all, who would give a second glance to someone casually enjoying their honey stick?

Each Kratom honey stick is accompanied by detailed information on its alkaloid content. These handy sticks go beyond convenience and extend to versatility as well. They can be incorporated into your tea, juice, or any other sweet beverage, giving it a delightful Kratom twist.

In Conclusion

In summary, Left Coast Kratom’s unwavering commitment to delivering convenient, mobile-friendly Kratom products truly sets them in a league of their own. Whether you are a bustling professional, a wanderlust-infused explorer, or simply someone who cherishes ease of use, Left Coast Kratom has your needs met. Thanks to our carefully dosed capsules and convenient shots, the benefits of Kratom can be yours to relish anytime, anywhere, without any compromise on quality.

Their meticulousness in sourcing premium Kratom leaves and adhering to stringent testing processes guarantees a consistent and dependable experience with each product. Embrace the convenience and reliability of Left Coast Kratom’s on-the-go options and take your Kratom journey to unexplored heights.

What is Kratom Resin & How Is It Made?

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If you thought Kratom was good, wait till you try Kratom resin. 

This special resin product is quickly growing in popularity. If you’re been wondering about: 

  • How to make it 
  • How to take it

…then this is probably the article for you. 

Keep reading to learn more about what Kratom resin is, what it does, and how you can make it yourself! 

Kratom 101

Kratom is a specific species of tropical evergreen tree (Mitragyna speciosa) that grows in Southeast Asia. 

While all Kratom products are produced from this single species, the range of earthy colors available for sale has everything to do with how the leaves are harvested and dried. Kratom is traditionally categorized based on the color of its leaves. 

Kratom resin is a more concentrated form of Kratom that isn’t for everybody. It requires both knowledge and effort to produce, and it’s far harder to find the right serving size than conventional Kratom products. For these reasons we recommend that new consumers stick with traditional Kratom powder. 

That disclaimer aside…let’s take a close look at the perfect product for Kratom connoisseurs: Kratom resin.

What is Kratom Resin?

Kratom resin is a type of Kratom extract. While there are several types of extracts, Kratom resin stands out. It’s thick, sticky, and dense. 

What is Kratom resin made of? It’s basically a processed, concentrated form of Kratom’s best alkaloids and other bioactive compounds. Since these compounds are what give Kratom its characteristic effects, Kratom resin is powerful. 

How to tell how concentrated your Kratom Resin is

The strength of Kratom resin is generally pretty difficult to quantify. Why? Because Kratom resin is usually made at home — and not many people have an analytical lab laying around nearby!

Instead of being measured in absolute amounts, Kratom resin is usually measured in multiples compared to its original form. You might see labels that say things like ‘8 x Kratom Resin’ (8 times more concentrated than the original) or ‘20 x Resin’ (20 times more concentrated than the original). And by “more concentrated” we mean more alkaloids. 

Here’s a real-life example. If a pound of Kratom powder goes into the making of 2 ounces of concentrated Kratom resin, the final product would be an ‘8 x Kratom Resin.’

How to use Kratom Resin

One of Kratom resin’s strongest points is its versatility. It can be taken in a variety of ways: orally, in juice, in capsules, or mixed with a favorite hot beverage. 

The heat of beverages like coffee or tea allows the Kratom resin to melt and fully dissolve. And because resin’s alkaloids have already been ‘activated’ by heat, you don’t need to take any time to heat or prepare resin-infused beverages! That’s another benefit of resin — it makes preparing Kratom simple and easy.  

How to make Kratom Resin (at home!)

Making Kratom resin at home might sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite easy. 

Once you’ve gone through the production process once or twice you’ll probably feel comfortable enough to set things on autopilot. 

Kratom resin ingredients list:

  • ➡ Premium Kratom Powder
  • ➡ Accurate kitchen scale
  • ➡ Lemon juice or lime juice
  • ➡ Water
  • ➡ Mixing bowl
  • ➡ Coffee filters/cheesecloth
  • ➡ Freezer, stove-top, and oven
  • ➡ Access to freezer, stovetop, and oven
  • ➡ Extra container (for the finished product)

How to make Kratom Resin (step-by-step)

Part I: Steep and Freeze

  1. 1.) Measure out a large quantity of Kratom powder on your kitchen scale.
  2. 2.) Note its weight — you’ll need this figure later. 
  3. 3.) Add the powder to your mixing bowl.
  4. 4.) Add water until the Kratom powder is completely covered.
  5. 5.) Mix the Kratom powder and water.
  6. 6.) Add your lemon/lime juice.
  7. 7.) Cover the mixture and let it steep.
  8. 8.) Leave the mixing bowl in the freezer overnight, allowing it to freeze.

Part 2: Boil and Simmer

  1. 1.) Bring water to a boil, then dump the frozen mixture into the boiling water.
  2. 2.) Add additional lemon or lime juice to the water.
  3. 3.) Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer.
  4. 4.) Once about 1/4 of the liquid has evaporated, remove the mixture from heat.
  5. 5.) Once cool, strain the mixture and place it back in your mixing bowl. At this point, you should have a wettish powder suspended in some liquid.

Part 3: Bake at Low Temp

  1. 1.) Set your oven at 175 degrees Fahrenheit and wait until it’s preheated.
  2. 2.) Place the saucepan mixture into a small oven-friendly dish and put in the oven.
  3. 3.) After about 30 minutes, you should be left with a concentrated Kratom resin. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  4. 4.) Transfer your Kratom resin into a new container and measure its weight.
  5. 5.) Compare the weight of your original Kratom powder with the weight of your final product to get an idea of the concentration.
  6. 6.) Enjoy your premium quality, homemade Kratom resin!

If making your own Kratom resin sounds like too much work, check out our Kratom extract products. We have a variety of different extracts to choose from, all with their own unique composition and alkaloid profile.

Click here to shop Kratom extract products today!

Understanding Kratom: Kratom Alkaloids Explained

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Natural substances like kratom have an effect on the body because of their chemical composition. Kratom itself is made up of many chemical components. When those components are released in the body, they bind and interact with human physiology in different ways.

While only a few kratom alkaloids are well known even among veteran consumers, kratom is actually made up of more than 40 alkaloids – and counting! What are these kratom alkaloids, and what types of effects are they being studied for?

Learning more about these alkaloids can help you better understand the myriad of ways kratom may be further developed and used. Let’s take a closer look!

What Are Kratom Alkaloids?

Alkaloids are a type of naturally-occurring compounds found in many plants. These compounds contain at least one nitrogen atom. These compounds bind readily with receptors in the human body; they cause physiological effects because of this binding. Common alkaloids include caffeine and morphine. The impacts of alkaloids vary widely.

Kratom is a natural plant, and kratom leaves have a variety of alkaloids in them. In fact, more than forty different alkaloids have been found in kratom. Many of these alkaloids have specific physiological effects on the body. Those alkaloids are being studied in more detail to find out what types of benefits might be found.

The specific alkaloid concentration in kratom leaves can vary from tree to tree, strain to strain.  For that reason, additional research of the individual components is even more critical. Once the individual alkaloids are better understood, the potential effects of various alkaloid combinations can be studied in more detail as well.

Kratom Alkaloids Explained

Now that you know what alkaloids are, let’s cover kratom’s alkaloids and alkaloid composition of this plant in more detail.

What We Know

The alkaloid content of kratom leaves varies from plant to plant, tree to tree, and location to location. There is no guarantee of the exact breakdown of alkaloids in any kratom leaf because many things affect the alkaloid composition:

  • Harvesting time and frequency
  • Weather patterns
  • Soil composition
  • When leaves are harvested
  • Dry season length
  • Strain
  • Geographic location
  • Age of leaves

As teams studied kratom leaves in the 1970s and 1980s, they found that the alkaloid concentration varied in many ways. They began to compare samples and found that the above factors, as well as many others, changed what alkaloids were most prevalent in the leaves.

Despite the fact that more than 40 alkaloids have been identified in kratom leaves, only two of those alkaloids (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) are given credit for the effects of kratom. That’s because they occur in the greatest concentrations. Mitragynine usually makes up around 60% of the alkaloid content of kratom leaves on average.

As kratom is studied in more detail in upcoming years, we can expect to find out more about the variances in alkaloids in terms of effects and growth patterns for the kratom plants.

Meet The Alkaloids

Though more research still needs to be done about these substances, there are some alkaloids that have been studied after being found in kratom.

Mitragynine

The most prevalent alkaloid in most kratom leaves, mitragynine, is partially responsible for many of kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for many common uses, which can be fairly easily researched. As the primary kratom alkaloid, it is one of the two alkaloids that has its content percentage detailed on kratom packaging. 

7-hydroxymitragynine

The other kratom alkaloid that is typically acknowledged by kratom vendors is 7-hydroxymitragynine. While the amount of this alkaloid is substantially smaller than that of mitragynine, it is also a significant player in kratom’s active effects. It has been studied for its unique effects and receptor binding in particular.

The Phyllines

The naming of alkaloids is typically based on the original plant family that those alkaloids come from. A number of alkaloids found in kratom are named with the -phylline base. Mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, speciophylline, rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, and ciliaphylline are all found in kratom.

These alkaloids are likely to be studied for their potential beneficial actions, and we hope to learn more soon about how they interact with functions of the human body.

Paynantheine and Speciogynine

After mitragynine, paynantheine and speciogynine make up for the largest percentage of alkaloids in kratom leaves. These two alkaloids have been compared to similar alkaloids with and it may be assumed that their qualities are similar. It is possible that these alkaloids contribute to some benefits of kratom, but more research is needed.

Corynoxine A and B

Found in other natural plant products as well, these alkaloids interact with important receptors in the human body. This means that they may affect the binding of body chemicals in some way. These alkaloids, like many others, are found in concentrations of far less than 1% in most leaves.

Why Is It Important To Know About These Alkaloids?

Simply put: we need to put more resources into studying them!

Kratom research has been progressing at a very slow pace for the last few years. Among other reasons, that is because of the complicated laws surrounding the possession, use, and classification of kratom. Funding kratom research is difficult whenever there are no laws clearly protecting its status.

As laws become clearer and kratom earns a more protected status in the US, we can expect to see more research about kratom and how it can affect the body. In particular, a lot of that research is likely to focus on the individual alkaloids found in kratom and their effects.

Scientists, in particular, are very interested in kratom’s potential effects. However, more research needs to be done on kratom’s alkaloids.

The Future Of Kratom

Kratom as a whole plant and food product will continue to be studied, but we can also expect to see more and more branch-off studies of individual components. Often, it is easier to understand the effects of the broad plant if we studied individual chemical components first.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are being studied more than other alkaloids at this time, but that is going to change as kratom becomes more heavily researched. We’re excited to find out what is discovered about every facet of kratom!

11 Great Gifts For Kratom Lovers!

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Are you getting excited about the upcoming holiday season? Or are you already dreading trying to figure out which gifts are going to be the best options for your loved ones? Here at Left Coast Kratom, we’re feeling a little of both.

It’s normal to get stressed about finding the right gift for someone special to you. If you’re special someone or one of your friends happens to be a kratom user, we’re here to help you. We’ve gathered up a list of some of our favorite kratom-related products so that you can get them a gift that they’ll know how to use and enjoy!

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#1 Flavored Syrups

Kratom tea is often bitter and hard to drink. To make it tastier, many kratom users like to mix other flavor components into their tea. Flavored syrups, like those that are made to flavor coffee or cocktails, are a great choice. Choose a few flavors and get them something delicious!

One of the coolest things about buying them a unique gift like this one is that the syrups can be used for tons of different things. Flavoring coffee, tea, ice cream, water, juice, wine, and more. If you want to buy your friend a gift that doesn’t feel restricting, this is a fantastic option.

#2 Kitchen Scale

Most kratom consumers need to measure out their servings very accurately to ensure that they’re taking the right amount. However, many may not want to splurge on the cost of a kitchen scale that will be able to measure such small weights. They might consider it to be a luxury that they don’t need to indulge in.

A kitchen scale is a thoughtful gift for those that use kratom, and it can also be used for other tasks (like baking) around the home as well. Why not give a gift that gives more than once?

#3 Tea Bags

There are a lot of different ways to prepare kratom tea, and each of those ways requires a different set of tools. Try to find out how your friend or loved one prepares their kratom tea so that you can find out what tools might be useful for them.

Tea bags are a fairly common way to prepare kratom, especially if the user likes to use kratom leaves instead of powder. Like more traditional tea leaves, kratom leaves are put into tea bags and brewed.

Tea bags are thus a great inexpensive gift. They can be bought in bulk, and they’re something that will definitely be useful down the line for your giftee!

#4 Capsules

Another common way to consume kratom is to take the powder in a pill. By taking kratom this way, the tough-to-swallow taste of kratom tea can be completely avoided without needing to mask it with flavors, syrups, and sweeteners.

While capsules can be bought pre-filled, it can be very expensive, and there is no way to modify the amount of kratom when those capsules are used. 

You can help your friend save some money and customize their kratom experience ever further by purchasing them some empty capsules in bulk. The capsules can be easily filled with any type or amount of kratom, and then used with ease.

#5 Capsule Machine

Similar to #4, you could also splurge a bit more and get your friend a capsule machine. This simple gadget is something that most people won’t buy for themselves, but using it makes it much easier to fill capsules yourself rather than needing to do it by hand. Take a look and see if it is something that your friend would like.

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#6 Tea Infuser

If your friend brews their own kratom tea, you could opt to get them a kratom tea infuser rather than tea bags. Tea infusers that are made to deal with leaves and powders both would be a great choice. Typically, this type of infuser has a much finer mesh so that the power doesn’t need to be strained out of the final product.

#7 Donation

Does your friend support any organizations that are fighting for the legalization of kratom, such as the American Kratom Association? If they are passionate about an organization, you might consider making a donation in their name as a gift.

#8 Books

There is a lot to be learned about kratom, and most users don’t even know all of the basics yet! Shop around for a book that would interest your friend about the kratom community if they are the type that likes to read a book now and then.

#9 Specialty Tea Bags

Specialty tea bags are a good option for friends that you know use kratom, but you aren’t quite sure how they prepare their own tea. This type of tea bag can be used to flavor kratom tea by mixing tea concentrate with brewed tea from one of these bags, so the mix of the two is a great way to enjoy the tea.

If, however, your friend doesn’t love using flavors in their kratom tea, they’ll still be able to enjoy this specialty tea as a standalone drink. By purchasing something like this that can be used regardless of whether or not kratom is involved.

#10 Personalized Cup or Mug

Who doesn’t love to have a great cup or mug to use to enjoy their favorite drink? Why not get your friend something that features one of their favorite things or is personalized to be just for them?

There are a lot of great options when it comes to buying themed or personalized drinking vessels today. No matter what you dream up, you can easily have it made and shipped out at an affordable price. Why not give it a try?

#11 Clothes

Finally, think about getting your friend some kratom-themed apparel. It might seem a bit silly at first, but, usually, people that are into kratom are really excited about it. By giving them some apparel that they can wear out-and-about, they can connect with other kratom lovers with ease.

How Are Kratom Extracts Made?

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If you’ve browsed our line of kratom and kratom-based products here at Left Coast Kratom, you’ve probably noticed that we sell a lot of items that we call kratom extracts. In fact, these are some of the most popular things in our store.

For many browsing customers, however, they do not fully understand what kratom extracts are or how they compare to the other kratom leaves and powders that we sell. Even those that use extracts might not be able to clearly tell you what the differences are.

It’s your right to know more about extracts and where they come from, and we want to make finding that knowledge easier than it has ever been before. Today’s guide will make that dream a reality!

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What Are Kratom Extracts?

Kratom extracts are a specific type of kratom product in which a larger volume of kratom powder is concentrated. The final product, known as a kratom extract, is a higher-alkaloid serving of kratom. The final alkaloid concentration depends on which type of kratom was used for the original extraction and the method of extraction used.

Why Do People Use Kratom Extracts?

There are a lot of different reasons why some people choose to use kratom extracts rather than other types of kratom products.

For some, using kratom extracts means that they can use smaller servings. Smaller servings sizes are easier to take, travel with, store, and may even be more affordable depending on what type of extract they are going to be using. Overall, these people usually applaud the convenience of kratom extracts. 

On the other hand, some use kratom extracts when they want to change up their routine. Kratom lovers know that changing up your schedule regularly prevents any type of singe strain resistance. Additionally, kratom extracts can be mixed into your serving schedule on days when you need extra effects.

How Are Kratom Extracts Made?

As mentioned above, kratom extracts are made by taking a larger volume of kratom powder and then making it more concentrated. How exactly is it made to be more concentrated at a smaller volume?

Generally speaking, there are three main extraction methods that are used to create the final kratom extract that you might buy from a kratom vendor like us. Depending on which extraction method is used, the final product will have different potencies. Let’s take a closer look to see why.

Resin: The Most Expensive (And Rare)

The most expensive and rare way to extract kratom is to make a kratom resin extract. This technique is quite difficult as well as money intensive, so you don’t often see this product on the market. 

Resin is created through a process in which the kratom powder is steeped, frozen, evaporated, simmered, and evaporated again. This repetitive process is actually faster to create than most water-based extracts, but it can be difficult to get the process right.

Generally, the process could go something like this:

  1. 1. A small amount of water and lemon juice are added to kratom powder. Just enough to cover the powder is used, the product steeps for 12 hours, and then the mixture is frozen.
  2. 2. The frozen block of kratom is added to boiling water with more lemon juice. Once ¼ of the water has evaporated, it is removed from the heat, cooled, and strained.
  3. 3. Let the strained mixture evaporate until its volume reduces by half.
  4. 4. Simmer the powder with lemon juice one or two more times, repeating the same filtration process again.
  5. 5. The remaining liquid is placed into an oven-safe container and heated at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until nearly all remaining water is evaporated. The remaining kratom will be a thick kratom resin extract.

Water Extractions: Labor Intensive, But Effective

Another way that kratom extracts are made is through simple soaking and evaporation. After adding raw leaves to water and citric acid, the mixture can be shaken thoroughly. Then, allow it to steep for up to two weeks. After that time is up, the mixture should be strained and reduced by half through evaporation.

The final product will be a slightly thick liquid, and it can be stored in amber bottles for regular use as a tincture. Many manufacturers add glycerin to these liquids to help stabilize the acidity in them.

Kratom Extract Powders

Kratom extract powders are made using a similar extraction method to the resin method above. Essentially, a large amount of kratom powder is put through a boiling process with lemon juice and regular straining. Once the extraction has occurred as fully as possible, the liquid is put into a spray bottle.

The concentrated liquid is sprayed and allowed to crystallize. As the final water evaporates out of the crystallized patches, only kratom extract powder will be left behind.

Are These The Only Methods?

These are not the only ways that kratom extraction methods can be made, but methods that follow procedures similar to these have been the most effective in keeping a high ratio of alkaloid to powder in these concentrated substances.

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How Does Enhanced Kratom Compare To Kratom Extracts?

When browsing kratom extracts, you may have seen something known as enhanced kratom up for sale as well. These extracts have higher amounts of alkaloids per gram. This higher potency is achieved in a number of different ways.

Storing Your Extracts

Some customers have asked us what the best way to store their extracts is. After all, you don’t want to risk any product degradation after spending more on a high-quality extract! 

The best storage method is going to depend on what type of extract it is:

  • • Liquid extracts: dark glass bottles stored away from the light; keep tightly sealed to prevent evaporation
  • • Powders: airtight container in dark cabinet, preferably in a cool part of the house 
  • • All extracts: away from light, strong smells, and hot spots in the house

Good Manufacturing Practices Matter: Why We Take GMP Seriously

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In every industry, there is an expected standard for safety, manufacturing, and consumer knowledge. For food products, for example, manufacturers must meet health codes and label all products properly before the consumer ever sees them.

In the kratom industry, however, such standards are still being established. Without strict regulation or rules due to the precarious legal status of kratom in some states, some vendors and producers are not being monitored in any way. This leaves consumers at risk, and that’s not okay.

The American Kratom Association has stepped up to the plate to create the GMP Compliance Program, also known as Good Manufacturing Practices. These industry standards are meant to protect kratom consumers, and we can’t wait to see them take effect on a larger scale.

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Introducing The American Kratom Association

Before we get into the specifics of how good manufacturing practices make a difference, let’s introduce some information that you should know about the American Kratom Association. Also known as AKA, this association has committed itself to ensure that kratom consumers and vendors are legally protected.

This means that the nonprofit organization wears a lot of different hats while working, but the main goals that they have set out to accomplish are as follows:

  • • Support customers
  • • Educate politicians, vendors, and consumers
  • • Amplify the voices of kratom lovers everywhere
  • • Raise global awareness of safe and practical kratom information
  • • Protect natural kratom resources

The work that we have seen American Kratom Association do is absolutely amazing. They make a real difference in the way that people can use and access Kratom. For example, they’ve spent a lot of time in the last three years helping to pass legal regulations and protections for kratom consumption in various states.

Our Involvement With AKA

We find that the work the American Kratom Association is doing is essential. Inspired by their mission and messages, we’ve taken a lot of time to ensure that we are doing our part to educate our consumers.

These blog posts, for example, are just one way that we are trying to make information about kratom, how it is used, and what is going on behind-the-scenes in the industry more accessible to anyone who is curious. We hope that consumers like you find these pieces to be useful for your own educational purposes.

Another way that we are keeping up with AKA’s practices is by joining their GMP program. GMP, which stands for Good Manufacturing Practices, are generally standard practices used in specific industries to ensure that all products that make it to consumers are safe and legal. 

These standards did not officially exist in the kratom industry, so AKA has set out to change that. Since AKA created its GMP program, many vendors have taken the time to improve their practices and follow the new industry standard. Some states have even adopted a variation of the GMP rules as official legal regulatory guidelines for kratom in that state.

GMP: Good Manufacturing Practices

What exactly are the Good Manufacturing Practices that the American Kratom Association asks of any vendors who want to be recognized as GMP-compliant? By understanding what these measures are, you’ll gain a better idea of the industry.

The GMP Program

Kratom products are sold as food products, so the only legal requirements placed on them by the federal government are the basic rules set by the FDA. The American Kratom Associate researched what needed to be done for manufacturing, labeling, and verification requirements that go above and beyond what the FDA has in place.

Specifically, the vendors that want to be GMP-compliant must pay attention to the following:

  • • Annual 3rd party audit to ensure all procedures are being followed
  • • Proper personnel training
  • • Clean, sanitary, and functioning equipment
  • • Random sampling for pathogens or contamination
  • • Proper procedures for all aspects of receiving and monitoring supplies
  • • Proper recordkeeping
  • • Manufacturing records according to the AKA’s outline
  • • Keeping thorough batch records
  • • Appropriate quality control standards
  • • Establish and follow a reporting system for any discovered problems
  • • Proper labeling and advertising

The complete guidelines laid out by AKA are thorough, and the yearly audit completed by a third-party carefully ensures that the vendor is following them. If a vendor misses their audit period, they will have to improve their standards and reapply in the future for AKA to consider their reinitiation into the program.

What We’re Doing

We’ve posted before about our efforts to follow these standards. While we are officially recognized by AKA as a GMP-qualified vendor, we are still constantly striving to improve our manufacturing practices.

A few things that we are always doing include:

  • • Finding new ways to test for potential pathogens
  • • Revamping our sanitation controls and procedures
  • • Screening our supplier and products
  • • Testing more accurately
  • • Testing more comprehensively

Everything that AKA suggests that we do, we do our best to implement as quickly and effectively as possible. AKA has done a lot of work to figure out what needs to be done to maintain the safety of kratom, and we appreciate that. The very least that we can do is make sure that we follow their great example!

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Why You Should Care About Quality Control

You might be wondering why we think you care about quality control, and the answer is pretty simple. You should care!

When you use kratom, the product can have some very real effects on your life and body. If you were to be sold contaminated kratom or something that isn’t what it says it is, wouldn’t you be upset? By supporting companies that have good manufacturing practices in place or only buying from those that are AKA GMP compliant, you are protecting yourself.

That’s not the only reason to care about GMP-compliance, either. There have been a few instances of contaminated kratom causing problems for users in the past, and we want to avoid repeating those situations at all costs.

Vendor-focused programs like the GMP programs help to ensure that consumers are protected at the legal level as well. If there are no contamination incidents, such incidents cannot be used to change the laws about kratom. And that is key to protecting the future of the kratom industry!