mitragynine

How Do We Make Kratom Extracts?

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Kratom is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia that has grown in popularity due to its potential health benefits. The active compounds in kratom, known as alkaloids, are responsible for these effects, and are the focus of much research. In this article, we will explore how kratom extracts are made, and how their alkaloid content can differ from that of whole kratom leaves.

What Are Kratom Extracts?

Kratom extract is a concentrated form of the alkaloids found in the leaves of the Mitragyna Speciosa tree, more commonly known as Kratom. Kratom extracts come in two forms: either a liquid or a powder. Extracts are produced using a variety of methods, allowing manufacturers to create a variety of different Kratom products popular among consumers.

Extraction Process

Kratom extraction involves the use of solvents to extract the alkaloids from the raw kratom material. Common solvents used in kratom extraction are ethanol, acetone, and water. During this process, the alkaloids are dissolved into the solvent, and the resulting mixture is then filtered and purified to remove any impurities. The final product is a concentrated extract, which is typically either a liquid or a powder.

Kratom extracts can vary significantly in terms of their alkaloid content. To ensure consistent alkaloid content, high-quality extracts are produced using analytical methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This allows manufacturers to quantify the alkaloid content of the extract and ensure it meets their desired standards. Moreover, this process helps manufacturers create extracts with specific ratios of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. As a result, researchers can use these extracts to study the interactions of the two alkaloids and the potential medical benefits they can provide.

How Do You Take Kratom Extract?

The most common way to consume Kratom extract is to dissolve it in water and drink it as a tea. Alternatively, some people dissolve kratom extract in alcohol or juice. It is important to note that kratom extract is much more concentrated than traditional kratom powder, so it is important to be mindful of dosing when taking kratom extract. To prevent adverse reactions, it is best to start with a very small dose and wait at least an hour to determine how the extract affects you before increasing the dose.

The Different Types Of Kratom Extracts

Liquid Kratom Extracts (Kratom Shots)

Kratom shots are liquid Kratom extracts that contain concentrated levels of alkaloids. They provide a quick and convenient way to experience the effects of Kratom without having to prepare and consume large amounts of the raw leaves.

Powdered Kratom Extracts

Powdered Kratom extracts are made by extracting the alkaloids from raw Kratom material using solvents, then filtering and purifying the resulting mixture. The final product is a concentrated powder that contains all of the alkaloids Kratom is known for.

Kratom Tablets & Softgels

Kratom tablets and softgels are an easy and convenient way to take Kratom, as they contain pre-measured amounts of concentrated alkaloids. These tablets and softgels offer a consistent experience, with varying concentrations of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine depending on the strain.

Kratom Gummies

Kratom gummies are a convenient way to experience the effects of Kratom, as they contain pre-measured amounts of highly concentrated alkaloids. Kratom gummies provide a consistent experience, with varying concentrations of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine depending on the strain.

What Is The Difference Between Kratom Powder & Kratom Extract?

Kratom powder and kratom extract have some similarities and differences. Kratom powder is made from the raw leaves of the kratom tree, which are ground up into a fine powder. This powder contains the plant’s natural alkaloids, giving it the effects associated with kratom. Kratom extract, on the other hand, is a more concentrated form of kratom, created by boiling down the leaves into a concentrated liquid. This liquid contains a higher concentration of the plant’s alkaloids, providing a more robust experience.

Summary

Kratom extracts are becoming increasingly popular among those looking to experience the benefits of Kratom. With so many different types of extract, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. Fortunately, at Left Coast Kratom, we offer a variety of high quality Kratom extracts to choose from, in a range of concentrations and different vein colors. Our team of experts are here to help answer any questions you may have, and provide you with the best Kratom extract for your needs.

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!

Kratom Status: Is Kratom Legal in My State?

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A note to our customers: This post is not legal advice. All information and content contained here are for general informational and entertainment purposes only. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may not reflect the most up-to-date legal or other information. We suggest that you always do your own research to ensure the validity of information on our blog.

Here in the United States, kratom is sold as a tea product or a dietary ingredient that many people enjoy and find to be beneficial for their lifestyle. There are dozens of kratom vendors and a large community of consumers who feel their lives have changed for the better thanks to kratom.

Unfortunately, these things don’t necessarily mean that kratom is protected by laws and regulations across the country. Due to bad publicity, adulterated products from irresponsible vendors, and misinformation campaigns that have gained traction over the past few years, some counties and states have made moves to ban kratom. 

As avid supporters of safe, lab tested products and responsible kratom consumption, we don’t want to see this happen. Many consumers worry about whether or not they are allowed to try kratom where they live, and the legal status of kratom is often changing in many areas.

Today, we’ll help you learn how to find out if kratom is legal where you live as well as other important legal information that consumers should be aware of. You’ll also learn what you can do to ensure that this botanical stays legal in the US.

Federal Laws

At this time, there are no federal laws or regulations in place about kratom and its use in the US. Kratom vendors sell kratom to their customers as a dietary ingredient and must make it clear that the FDA has not reviewed the product or any claims made about it.

Despite the fact that there are no laws currently in place on the federal level, the FDA and other organizations have put a lot of pressure on law-making bodies to ban kratom. The FDA’s arguments have been widely debunked; in reality, this conversation is dominated by misinformation and a lack of current research about kratom.

For now, kratom is safe from further legal restrictions on a national scale, but there are also no federal regulations in place to help protect consumers or vendors.

State Laws

Like many issues, kratom needs to be regulated on the local and state. Currently, marijuana and CBD regulations are handled on a state-by-state basis, and we expect that any kratom-related rules will initially be done in the same way.

The American Kratom Association is the leading advocacy group for kratom regulations and protections at this time. This nonprofit organization has done wonders to ensure the safety of kratom users across America, and their work continues to be impressive.

Your State’s Rules

Kratom is legal in most states across the continental United States. However, Kratom is currently banned in the following six states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Indiana
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin

In more positive news, several states have now adopted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, legislation that both protects consumers from adulterated and misbranded products and protects kratom from being banned. This bill passed in 2019 in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Utah. The AKA is working hard with vendors across the country to introduce the KCPA in many more states, including here in Oregon where we’re located.

The Kratom Consumer Protection Act mandates that kratom vendors comply with Good Manufacturing Practices including testing their products with an accredited lab. With reasonable regulations in place to keep consumers safe, legitimate and responsible kratom vendors will be able to continue to market their products, and consumers will have the peace of mind of knowing that their kratom is safe.

To find out what the status or ongoing bills about kratom in your state look like, you can check out AKA’s interactive map. This map gives detailed information about the state’s rules, and you can follow through on the page to read more details about the status.

What You Can Do

As you can see from the map on AKA’s website, kratom’s legal status is very different depending on where you live. While AKA would love to meet with the FDA to discuss the future of kratom in this country, the FDA has ignored their meeting request for more than 400 days.

It might seem overwhelming, but there are a number of things that you can do to improve the outlook for kratom in the United States. None of these things will put you at risk, and they are all quite easy!

Buy From Qualified Vendors

One of the most important things that you can do is to only buy your kratom from qualified vendors that care about safety. To find these vendors, we recommend looking into the Good Manufacturing Practices Compliance Program run by the AKA. In response to the lack of clear guidelines around kratom, these companies have decided to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices in order to keep their customers safe and satisfied.

The AKA’s GMP Program is that vendors can apply to join. The program outlines good practices that all kratom vendors should follow to ensure that the products they sell are as safe as possible for the consumer. To remain part of the program, they must have an annual 3r-party audit.

By buying from qualified vendors, you are supporting safe and high-quality kratom in the US.

Join Local Advocacy Groups

If you are living in a state that is considering a kratom ban, or the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, it would be worthwhile to get involved at the local level. Using the information available on the AKA website or from your local kratom shop, find out what you can do to prevent a ban from happening, or support reasonable regulations to keep yourself safe!

In many cases, this may be as simple as sending a letter to your local senator or making a short phone call. These actions are very small, but they can make a big difference in the long run!

Remember: Many People Use Kratom

Despite the complications in kratom’s legal status, it is important to remember that kratom is gaining mainstream acceptance and credibility. Many states have even passed regulations that help to ensure that consumers are able to purchase safe kratom without fear of legal action.

Many people use kratom. There isn’t a specific profile that can be used to describe who uses kratom or why. The simple fact is that there are many Americans that find that taking a serving of kratom helps them get through their day-to-day activities, and that is the important part.

AKA, the American Kratom Association, estimates that there are more than 15 million kratom consumers in the United States. That number is constantly growing, so there is no reason to feel like you are alone in your position.

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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!