Posted by For newbies in the Kratom world, taking Kratom after work might seem a little counter-productive. “After work” implies “before sleeping”, and if the whole point of taking Kratom is to gain some energy, the whole operation might be a failure before it begins, right?
As it happens, no. Taking Kratom after work isn’t counter productive, even if one’s goal is to knock-out right then and there, and the reason is 7-OH. 7-OH is an alkaloid found in trace amounts within Kratom leaves. In younger leaves such as Green and White strains this alkaloid is minute and, because of the small amount ingested, has the effect of providing users with a fairly long burn of energy. In aged leaves, like the Red Kratom strain, the 7-OH alkaloid is of a higher concentration, which leads to the exact opposite effect: it puts the user into a calm, drowsy state.
The obvious first conclusion that one should come to is that if you’re trying to achieve a relaxing effect after work, you should stick to aged Kratom strains, with Red being the most popular. There’s a second point to make about that, but first we should understand the uses of Kratom as a relaxer and the potential downsides that should be considered before using it as an evening recreational drug.
To achieve the relaxing effect one might look for in Kratom, enough of the leaves need to be consumed to ingest the right amount of 7-OH needed for the effect, otherwise, you’ll just end up energetic. As we’ve discussed, this is easier to accomplish with aged leaves than youthful leaves. So, then, it follows that using a Red Strain to the tune of about 2 to 3 grams will leave its user in a relaxed, tired state.
Secondly, because Red Strains are specifically targeted to consumers for their 7-OH properties, users should use this mix sparingly. The effects of 7-OH can be habit forming, and daily (or nightly) use will end with an eventual habit that can be difficult to kick. Red Kratom can be thought of as an occasional sleep aid or late-night wind down tool, not as a medication to help people with persistent restless nights.
It’s worth mentioning that since Red Kratom, and other variants of a similar 7-OH rich type, are targeted for late-night wind downs, it makes for a very poor morning consumption. Very often, Green or White Kratom strains are used for these purposes, with far less 7-OH consumed and far more energy gained, which means these strains can be taken more often and with greater consistency. The strains used for post-work / night consumption make for very bad experiences when focus and creativity is required.
Doubly so is this true for people who work in fields that require heavy lifting or consistent use of the body for the purposes of labor. So to summarize this warning: don’t take Red Kratom or any 7-OH rich plant / product when becoming sleepy isn’t in the best of interest for yourself. You will absolutely regret it.
The last point we should touch on is consumption method. The most common form of Kratom purchases made are through the internet and in powdered form. We recommend powdered form to most readers simply because it opens up the opportunity to make Kratom consumption, as it is around many parts of the world, social. By mixing the powder into your favorite drink, you can make any social event or an after-work wind down a nice ritual that can blend into common life instead of being, bluntly, a pill-popping fest that most people, who do not participate in Kratom consumption, might be put off by.
We can heartily recommend Real Botanicals’ Kratom and Kava shot mix for this exact purpose. We feel that the introduction of a nominal amount of Kava aids in the achievement of a relaxed state, and with the added benefit that less Kratom is needed to get there in the very first place.
To summarize; taking Kratom after work requires aged Kratom leaves like a Red Strain, between 2-3 grams (usually), and the wherewithal to only consume it for these purposes on rare occasions instead of often. Beyond that, the rest is personal preference.
You might be interested in Real Botanical’s Kratom Alternatives.
Here is a review of the best Kratom Alternatives.
Yo umight be interested in “Should You Take Kratom Before Work?“