Kratom FAQ & Other Concerns
(Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom Part VI)

Thus far-

• We covered what Kratom is and kept raving about the plant in Part I.
• We covered the basics of how to use Kratom, dosing and the "Kraotm Lifestyle in Part II.
• We covered Kratom's effects and what to expect in Part III.
• We covered how to combat tolerance and withdrawal in Part IV.
• We covered how to take Kratom for anxiety, depression, insomnia and other conditions in Part V.

This page lists a host of frequently asked questions about Kratom.

If you have a question, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, ask in the forum-

• Good Looking Loser's Kratom Forum

GoodLookingLoser.com and Good Looking Loser Lifestyle gets upwards of 30 100 comments/questions per post. Rooster (and I) want to answer questions in the forum so everyone can benefit.

You will get a more thorough, comprehensive and faster answer to your questions about Kratom if you post there!

Frequently Asked Questions About Kratom

What is this "burning" and "aroma" funny talk, do I smoke this stuff?

No.

No.

No.

We answered this before but if you missed it, please become familiar with Kratom Lingo-

• Rooster discusses 'Kratom Lingo' (please read)

I’ve heard Kratom extracts are a lot more powerful, should I get some?

Not recommended.

As detailed here.

Extracts drive your tolerance way up and have a much higher chance of physical dependence.

We specifically recommend a vendor, Happy Hippo, that DOES NOT sell extracts nor "enhances" their regular Kratom leaf with extracts.

If you were to use an extract (not recommended more than one time every 90 days, if you follow Kratom lifestyle) Ultra Enhanced Indo (UEI) is the best one by far. The effects are REALLY strong. It's super expensive and not worth trading your tolerance for.

Are there any side effects to Kratom?

We discussed the long(er)-term issues with tolerance, dependence and the much-less-than-other-opioids but still notable potential for addiction in the earlier parts of our guide. These issues only apply to daily users and can be largely avoided with responsible use and deliberate rotation.

Let's talk about more short-term side effects that you might experience-

Constipation

Chris doesn't experience this ever.

Rooster says that constipation may be an issue if you are a daily user. It can easily and naturally be alleviated by taking a fiber supplement.

The tasty one we recommend for our weight loss diet is particularly effective.

Anxiety from Fast Strains

Good-quality fast strains won't give you anxiety, unless you are prone to general anxiety.

That is general anxiety, not approach anxiety.

If you are prone to general anxiety, fast(er) Thai strains can aggravate it.

If a moderate or slow strain gives you anxiety, chances are - the strain just isn't for you OR its quality is worse than shit.
(hint: DON'T BUY CRAPPY KRATOM)

Dehydration

Like we said, drink more water than usual.

I personally think this issue is exaggerated, but I drink a gallon of water every day.

For some reason, I'm not taking your recommendation and using Happy Hippo and I want to buy these Kratom capsules from my local smokeshop, are they any good?

No.

Kratom "capsules" have so little Kratom in them that you'll need to use about 10-20 capsules to feel anything. The bottle will probably have 50-60 in them.

A standard Kratom dose is about 3-6 grams. Each capsule will have ~200mg in them.

Plus - they are way more expensive for the actual amount of powder you are getting.

Plus - most vendors that sell Kratom capsules are usually THE WORST of THE WORST and only sell the capsules because they know that "pills" sell better than raw powder.

Are there any ways to potentiate Kratom?
(aka make Kratom stronger)

Like with most compounds, you may hear that grapefruit juice will 'potentiate' it.

I have written several articles on the subject of prescription drugs and grapefruit juice (specifically how a certain compound in grapefruit juice inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4- the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down certain medications), so I know a little more than the average person on this subject.

IF grapefruit juice has an effect, it might make Kratom last longer. It won't actually potentiate it or "make it stronger".

Grapefruit juice might slow down how quick your body metabolizes Kratom, extending it's half-life.

As our feathered pal Rooster points out -

The grapefruit juice effect might just be a placebo since Kratom’s effects and speed varies a lot.

We don't recommend drinking grapefruit juice and taking Kratom.

Fruit juice IS NOT a health food and it never was. It's full of sugar. Eat a grapefruit instead.

Caffeine, however, seems to go well with Kratom. We're just talking about a soda (30-40mg) of caffeine or a cup of coffee (70-100mg).

Not 2 energy drinks or ephedrine.

"Crushed Leaf"

What is crushed leaf Kratom?

Crushed leaf is how Kratom looks before it is de-veined, sifted and ground into a powder.

It looks like tea leaves.

This is what you'd make Kratom tea from.

Crushed Kratom leaf is often cheaper, but the price doesn't necessarily justify buying it - since it's less potent and doesn't last as long because you are only getting the alkaloids that have left the leaf into your tea (you don't eat the leaves).

Rooster thinks it's stupid.

I actually like it sometimes though.

Sometimes in the winter when it's super cold in the morning it's nice to have with some Stevia.

With that said, it's probably been 2.5 years since I used any crushed leaf tea. It doesn't last too long and it's annoying to prepare. Plus you can't exactly take the crushed leaves with you during the day, unless you have a place to make tea at.

The taste is much different than powdered Kratom. It's not necessary better, it's just different.

Quick recipe-

1. Fill up cup with 16 oz. of water.
2. Throw in generous amount of crushed leaf.
3. Stir it so the leaves get wet and aren't just sitting on the top.
4. Put it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes (nearly boiling).
5. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
   (this is important so the alkaloids dissolve into the water)
6. Pour it into another cup through a strainer that removes the leaves, sticks, etc.
7. Ready.

Another potential issue is the cleanliness of the leaves.

A lot of cheap Kratom suppliers/vendors don't even wash their crushed leaves before selling them.

All leaves are supposedly washed at least once before they leave Thailand/Indonesia but often it's just a makeshift job.

For your own health, you'll want to use a vendor that has VERY HIGH STANDARDS on cleanliness.

The leaves should be washed AT LEAST ONCE before they are picked, after, once again after drying, before export and once upon arrival.

At least 5 times.

For years, I'm pretty sure I was using DIRTY LEAVES that had been washed once (maybe) and sitting in a warehouse for 2 years.

I'm still alive but it's concerning none the less.

What happens when you taking too much Kratom at once?

In general - you get tired and "zoned out".

When you use too much Kratom, it can be counterproductive.

Also, Kratom never has a crash, but it can for some people if they use too much.

The exact amount of grams of your limit varies a lot, but generally 11+ grams can cause this. Then again, if you’re new to Kratom or don’t use it often, 7 grams might be too much.

Find your sweet spot, rotate strains to keep your tolerance down and this will NEVER be an issue.

If you are a newbie, start slow. Newbies who use too much can end up puking.
(if you are a girl or under 150lbs, use NO MORE than 2.5 grams for starters)

If you are responsible about it - this will never be an issue.

I've taken Kratom 673,093,531.69 times. I've sometimes had too much but I've never actually puked.

Can you overdose from Kratom?

Despite the sensationalized hysteria from the mainstream media - there is no a single recorded death that has been caused my Kratom.

Still, too much of compound isn’t good.

I’ve seen people take way too much and ended up nausea and vomiting. That’s why it’s important to start slow, respect your tolerance and learn your limits.

Worst case scenario - you won't be "O.D.'ing" in a traditional sense where you'll be on a stretcher with doctors trying to restart your heart.

You'll just puke it up or want to lay down.

How do you take Kratom?

There's lots of ways.

If you are in a country where it is legal to consume Kratom, you can-

• Mix it with water and sugar-free Crystal Light (or similar) (Chris Method)
• Mix it with milk (or better yet, Unsweetened Almond Milk and Stevia)
• Mix it with sugar-free juice
• Mix it with Powerade Zero (Blake Method)
• Mix it in a protein shake (Scotty, Mark Method)
• Mix it into yogurt, or better yet- Greek Yogurt
• Toss n' Wash (Insane Rooster method)
  - Stick a spoon of it in your mouth, take a big gulp of water, swish it around and slam it home
• Make tea out of it (Loose Leaf)

I suggest getting (and keeping) a Vitamin Water Zero or Sobe Lifewater bottle and SHAKING it up.

If you are going to be used Kratom on a daily basis with a sugar-free sweetener, like I do, you'll want to limit the amount of aspartame you consume.

Liquid-based sweeteners (such as Mio) are made with Splenda and are a better choice in the long-run.

• "Artificial Sweeteners: Which Are Good? Which Are Not?"

Stevia-based sweeteners are obviously the best. 

Update (July 2015), this is the one I recommend mixing your Kratom in -

• Skinny Girl Stevia Sweeteners (Various Flavors)

The LAST THING I want is to produce a bunch of lazy couch potatoes with chronically high blood sugar.

If you use Kratom several times a day, DO NOT USE fruit juice, Gatorade, regular Powerade or soda to mix your Kratom in. It's not good for you.

What happens if you don’t follow a proper rotation or take a different strain everyday?

This only applies to daily burners.

For one, your tolerance will increase quickly.

The strains will become less effective. You'll need more to produce an effect.

Eventually, after several weeks/months you'll need it to simply feel normal.

If you follow the advice given in Part VI this won’t be the issue.

How long does the effects from Kratom last?

You start feeling it around 15-25 minutes after you take it.

The exact length of the effects depends on your tolerance, if you’ve used it earlier that day, and how many grams you use.

On average I would say around 2-3 hours, though it can easily be less or more.

What if I don’t want to use Kratom on a daily basis?

That’s completely up to you!

Just use when you find it to be useful or helpful towards you in any way.

How much Kratom should I take?

This is covered in-depth in Part II.

Newbies should start at 2 or 3 grams and reevaluate how they feel 30-40 minutes later.

Remember, a lot of this is trial and error.

If you use high-quality Kratom, the process will be a lot of fun. You'll win every time.

If I use Kratom for many months/years and want to stop anytime, how do I do it?

This is covered extensively in Part IV.

Rooster would be happy to answer your questions about this, so hit him up in the forum.

What are the real dangers of Kratom?

Like anything that is good and pleasurable, Kratom can be addicting.

If you use Kratom the proper way (daily rotation) and speak to your doctor, any/all dangers will be significantly minimized.

If you abuse it by using insanely high amounts, dosing several different strains/types in a day, then suddenly stop cold turkey, there will be a withdrawal.

Some compare it to a cold or getting the flu, but some say it’s more comparable to caffeine withdrawal.

At worst, it will be like a small opiate habit withdrawal.

Either way, it will last about 2 to 5 days and you'll be fine.

Why is it so important to always use high-quality strains?

There is such a big difference between high-quality Kratom and everything else.

Quality Kratom can have a huge positive impact on your life.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of low-quality Kratom for sale. The alkaloids can set off anxiety, make you woozy, or best case scenario - do nothing.

If you’re using Kratom for the first time, it’s important that you receive the full benefits of the strains' potential and see where it fits into your life.

Lower-quality Kratom can have inexpensive “fillers” such as cheap generic Bali or excess stem and vein residue. You'll have to use larger amount to get an effect, if any.

A more troubling concern is - cheap Kratom might not even be clean. The leaves are not necessarily washed more than once, if ever. It’s like eating the dirty leaves from the ground in a foreign country. Yum. Organic.

Also, the freshness can be an issue; since a lot of major vendors buy in bulk, the product spends years in a warehouse before it is ground up into powder and stuck in a bag.

What are the legal issues surrounding Kratom?

While we can't cover every jurisdiction from head-to-toe, this post provides a short summary of Kratom's legal standing within the United States and Internationally-

• "Kratom's Legal Status (By Country)"

Laws and restrictions can change.

That post and any other post on the forum is just for convenience purposes and does not claim to be 100% accurate.

There are political reasons, as always, in the countries where Kratom is restricted.

Among many - it's a legitimate natural alternative and prescription to pain killers and "anti-opiates" such as methadone and suboxone that help addicts quit their hardcore opiate habit.

What do you think of the other Kratom forums out there?

I, Chris, originally found Kratom through one of the mainstream Kratom forums.

A lot of those forums/vendors don't like news reports, YouTube videos, websites, etc. etc. that discuss any sort of "effect" or in-depth discussion about the compound.

I respect that, I don't think Kratom should be recklessly discussed as a recreational drug and we won't do that here.

I won't be linking out to specific places, nor will I try and earn traffic from those places.

In general - there's a lot of vendors on the forums.

Some are quite good.

Some are completely awful.

Good luck finding any negative reviews on those forums however. Every vendor is presented like they have the greatest stuff on the planet.

Between Scotty and I, we've tried just about every single one.
(yeah- LIKE.EVERY.SINGLE.ONE)

The other issue is - the majority of the members at other Kratom forums aren't too physically active.

They don't go to the gym, they don't hit on girls, they aren't necessarily using Kratom for the same purposes that we do (self-improvement, productivity, performance enhancement).

Some are in chronic pain and God bless them - Kratom has given them their lives back.

Still, the majority of lifestyle advice on most Kratom forums isn't going to be quite congruent with what you are probably shooting for.

It takes a good amount of smarts and finesse to have an active Kratom lifestyle. It takes less to burn Bali 24/7 and sit around the house.

I'm not trying to make you into an inactive couch potato, even if it takes your depression or anxiety away.

That IS NOT what we're about.

Which Kratom vendor would you recommend?

We both recommend Happy Hippo.

It is my label.

I use every single type that we sell.

Click Hippo to Check Them Out

I tried for MONTHS to find a Kratom affiliate that had great stuff and could also offer us discounts (and give me at least some reasonable commission in return).

The process got so frustrating that I decided to build a website for my private vendor, call it 'Happy Hippo', find a cute pink hippo, just so you guys can have access to the good stuff I'm talking about.

As much as I'd like to send it to you all by myself and make money- there's no way I can be a vendor, keep fresh stock coming in/going out, fulfill the customer service and make sure everyone is happy.

I'm swamped as it is.

I've hired a full-time staff and they handle all the shipping and customer service, I do my best to keep an eye on everything.

Their strains come from my private source (parent company) and they have been my favorite since late 2009. Rooster loves them too. Scotty does too.

I've put a lot into our little company and I want to open up a new experience/era in your life!

You'll like it. ;)

Additional Resources

• "Rooster's Review of Every Hippo Strain and What You Can Expect"
• "All Kratom Articles on Good Looking Loser"

How to Take Kratom for Specific Purposes and Situations 
(Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom - Part V)

Thus far-

• We covered what Kratom is and kept raving about the plant in Part I.
• We covered how to use Kratom and dosing in Part II.
• We covered Kratom's many effects and what to expect in Part III.
• We covered how to combat Kratom tolerance in Part IV.

Taking Kratom for Specific Reasons and Situations 

As discussed in Part II and Part III, not every Kratom strain is the same.

Some strains are much better for certain situations than others.

If you are watching NFL football on a lazy Sunday and just want to chill, there's no reason to use a fast strain that can give you hyper energy and make you want to go outside and play.

If you are going to the gym or if you are out socializing/meeting women, the last thing you want is a slow (sleepy) strain that will make your mind slow.

On the majority of your days, you'll probably be using fast or moderate strains - so it's a good idea to set some days aside to take slower strains (or Stem and Vein) that will help keep your tolerance down.

As discussed in Part II (Dosing & Lifestyle), you'll want to plan your Kratom rotation around what you are doing in those days. Or vice-versa: plan your days around which Kratom you are going to take.

Rooster and I came up with a list of which Kratom will most benefit you based on your agenda.

Again - not all of our suggestions will end up being the ideal choice (strain) for you, some guys might see a greater benefit from taking a slow strain to meet women since they will be so relaxed.

It will vary from person to person and it's really something that you need to discover for yourself.

Kratom for Productivity
(I Need to Be Productive Today)

For productivity - take a fast or moderate strain, at a low dose, over and over.

Most guys find it most effective to take several low doses throughout the day. Take just enough to give you constant focus and energy for as long as you want.

As the day goes on, you increase each dose by a little bit.

Kratom for Anxiety
(I Need to Kill My Approach Anxiety or Be Social)

Taking Kratom for anxiety is definitely a process of trial and error.

The good news is -

All Kratom strains, to some degree, will help you beat anxiety.

All three speeds - fast, moderate and slow, are all worth trying.

If you are prone to general anxiety (from stimulants such as caffeine), lean toward moderate or slow strains to start with.

If you are not, try a fast strain that can lower anxiety (and make you more productive).

Unless you have major anxiety, you'll definitely want to take moderate or low doses - taking too much Kratom (even fast strains) can be sedating. While that will kill your anxiety, you won't be very motivated.

If you are going out to a bar, club or any place where the music is loud- you will almost definitely need to take a fast strain.
(GLL says: it would have been helpful to know this, I went out for 10 months in 2008 on slow strains)

Although we don't recommend mixing strains too often (to avoid tolerance), if you find it beneficial to mix a fast strain (social) with a moderate strain (kill anxiety), that might be helpful, so long as you don't take it over-and-over.

I encourage you to experiment with taking Kratom while following our Approach Anxiety Program.

Kratom for Depression
(I Just Want to Feel Good)

This will vary too.

Fast, moderate, slow strains can all help cheer you up and give you a lasting state of well-being.

It's generally thought that slower strains are the way to go for "feeling good".

But I've had the exact same effect (with added productivity, motivation) with faster strains. In fact, I get that basically everyday.

Just keep an eye out for your 'sweet spot'.

If you burn too much, regardless of the type/speed, you'll get sedated.

Less is more and it will save you money on top of that.

Kratom for Premature Ejaculation
(I Want to Last Longer in Bed)

Plenty of guys will find that sex is better after burning Kratom.

You'll simply last longer.

In general, you'll want to take a low to moderate dose to delay orgasm.

Since Kratom slightly-moderately desensitizes you, if you take too much you may experience erectile dysfunction.

But it's nothing that Cialis can't completely clear up.

I'm not one for 'combining' too many things, but I've had sex at least 300 times with that combination, even my doctor approves.

If you have a tolerance to Kratom, however, sex isn't as good.

You'll feel like you are "just going through the motions" and it's not very enjoyable, so taking your rotation seriously and keep your receptors FRESH.

A significant tolerance to Kratom can also lower your libido (sex drive).

Kratom for the Gym
I Want to Have a Killer Workout

Kratom can make you an animal in the gym (especially on fresh receptors or if you don't take it everyday).

As you might expect, you'll want to burn a fast strain.

A fast Thai strain, Maeng Da (Hyper Hippo), Red Vein Thai (Red Hot Hippo), etc.

Moderate strains with a pre-workout energy supplement (or something similar) can be good too.

Just like about every other scenario, you'll want to shoot for a low-moderate dose.

The last thing you want is to be sedated in the gym.

At a low dose (with no/low tolerance), Kratom can improve your mind-muscle connection and focus.

If you do have a tolerance (or burn too much), working out will be HARD and you won't feel the natural endorphin boost that comes from training hard.

Trust me, less is more.

Drink water too. A lot of water.

Kratom for Insomnia or Sleep
(I Want to Have a Good Night's Sleep/Go To Sleep)

This is pretty obvious - a slow strain is what you need.

A moderate to large(r) dose (6+ grams) will get the job done.

At the same time, taking a large(r) dose of just about any strain will do the job.

I suggest against that however.

There's no point in potentially increasing your tolerance just to catch sleep when you can just burn a slow strain such as Sleepy Hippo.

If you have issues with insomnia (I don't) or can't seem to follow a daily sleep schedule, then a slow strain will certainly help you.

It's literally as good, if not better, than any sleep inducing compound.

If you don't have issues with sleep, I don't suggest burning slow strains for sleep.

There's no reason to burn more Kratom than you need. Ever.

Save the slow strains for lazy days and football on Sunday.

ROOSTER SAYS

The amount of grams you will need for low, medium, or high doses depends on your tolerance and how Kratom generally affects you.

What might be a low dose for me, as someone with a bit of tolerance, might be a medium dose for someone else.

It’s good to try and experiment with different types and amounts until you know the perfect amount for your desired effects.

• Continued in
  "Kratom FAQ and Miscellaneous Questions (Part VI)"

If you have any questions, please ask them in our Kratom Forum.
They may go unanswered if you post them in the blog comments.
Thank you.

How to Prevent Kratom Tolerance and Withdrawal
(Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom - Part IV)

Thus far-

• We covered the what Kratom is and kept raving about the plant in Part I.
• We covered the how to use Kratom and the basics of dosing and the Kratom Lifestyle Part II.
• We covered the Kratom's effects and what to expect in Part III.

Combatting Tolerance to Kratom

If you are going to use Kratom on a daily basis, you will ABSOLUTELY have to avoid getting anything more than a moderate tolerance to the plant.

As we discussed in Part II - If you are 'rotating' 7+ strains on a daily basis and not using any more than ONE type in any given 24 hour period, you shouldn't have much of a tolerance. Every time you use Kratom, you'll feel it. Obviously, your receptors won't be completely fresh, but you should be able to get good effects nearly EVERY TIME.

I have done this for years and my tolerance has never increased needed much more than 6 grams per serving. I almost always have a good day.

There will be some lousy days, but that's life.

When I only rotated a few strains or only use just one, my tolerance grew MUCH QUICKER.

Buying quality Kratom and especially following a lifestyle can be expensive, and it isn't practical for everyone to have 7+ strains that they can always enjoy.

Rooster and I have compiled a list of other options that will help you combat your tolerance to Kratom and get those receptors fresh again.

I prefer all these techniques to "tapering" (slowing/easing off Kratom).

Tapering works for some guys but not me.

This is not medical advice or a substitute for advice from a qualified medical physician. This is based on our experience. Please view our Medical Disclaimer.

Wash Out Period

A 'Wash Out Period' is just as it sounds.

You don't use any Kratom for about 5 days straight and allow your receptors to freshen up.

If you have significant tolerance, you will have some degree of withdrawal that is comparable to having a cold for a few days. If you haven't been following our dosing guidelines and been using the same strain every single day - you will probably have a fair amount of anxiety to accompany your "cold" feeling. If you have been using the Kratom extracts that we suggest against, your withdrawal will resemble opiate withdrawal.

You can go cold-turkey with your wash out and have a complete wash out, or you can use the suggestions below.

Some of these compound we suggest below have a cross-tolerance, meaning - they tickle some of the same receptors that Kratom does. Even with the cross-tolerance, your tolerance will be dramatically reduced if you give it a few days.

Stem and Vein Kratom
(some cross-tolerance)

This is our #1 suggestion.

As mentioned at the end of Part III, "Stem and Vein" Kratom can dramatically help you reduce your tolerance to the leaves.

Quality Stem and Vein tends to have a light brown color.

It should feel EXACTLY like regular Kratom and kill any sort of withdrawal immediately.
(after all, it's Kratom, it's just different)

Although there is some cross-tolerance, Stem and Vein has different alkaloids than the leaf.

It ends up tickling different receptors and often the effects that you get is similar to the one when you first tried Kratom.

There's a lot of places that claim to carry Stem and Kratom.

The reality is that most of the Stem and Vein Kratom on the market is just old, cheap Bali Kratom or low-quality Stem and Vein.

Extracting, cleaning (3 times), grinding up the stems and veins of thousands of Kratom leaves is a long, tedious, annoying process. Most Kratom suppliers/vendors just throw the stems and veins away because they don't want to waste time preparing the stem and veins. The demand for Stem and Vein Kratom is much lower since most people have no idea what it can be used for.

From time to time, our approved super vendor, Happy Hippo (my brand), carries it.

You will want to get Indonesia or Bali Stem and Vein Kratom - I have yet to find a Thai Stem  Stem and Vein that didn't jack my anxiety up through the roof.

We don't have an official dosing protocol, but I just use as much Stem and Vein as I need to feel good for 5 to 7 days straight (until it loses its effect).

By then, my tolerance to regular Kratom leaves will be dramatically reduced, and everything feels close to new again.

You probably won't need to use Stem and Vein if you are rotating 7+ strains of Kratom, but it certainly can't hurt.

I don't recommend mixing Stem and Vein with the regular Kratom leaf powder. There is ABSOLUTELY NO POINT, the objective is to lower your tolerance and you don't want to be taking the strains you have a tolerance to.

Loperamide (Imodium-AD)
(some cross-tolerance)

This is my experience, not a suggestion and certainly NOT medical advice. I am not suggesting you do this, however- it did work for me.
Please speak to your physician before you consider this, purchase Loperamide or take it in any dose.

Loperamide, sold as Imodium-AD, is an over the counter medication that prevents/eases diarrhea.

It's an opiate actually, but it doesn't cross the 'blood-brain barrier' so it won't give you any 'effects'.

It hooks on to the opiate receptors in your stomach and prevents you from crapping all over yourself.

Interestingly enough, in large(r) doses some of it DOES end up of crossing the blood-brain barrier and it can ease Kratom withdrawal significantly.

Believe it or not, it can actually kill moderate-high withdrawal from high-powered prescription pain killers such as Oxycodone.

Last year, our friend Illuminatus discussed "Loperamide for Opioid Withdrawal". He was coming off/cleaning out his receptors that had built a tolerance to Tramadol. He gives me a shout out for telling him about Loperamide, it can completely kill withdrawal.

Just so you know, things like Stem and Vein Kratom and Loperamide will alleviate the physical and most psychological symptoms of withdrawal while most/some of your receptors get back to normal. These compounds won't allow you to to "skip" withdrawal. Don't trick yourself into thinking you don't have a tolerance anymore.

Doing a full cold-turkey washout is the very best way to break all your dependence, tolerance, etc.

But using these options for 5 to 7 days, you will significantly lower your tolerance.

As mentioned, get the generic Loperamide caplets. This is too expensive for a washout period.

Here's how I used Loperamide to ease Kratom withdrawal-

I, Chris, used a high dose (you will get NOTHING from a low dose) several times a day. I would take upwards of 20mg and would wait to see if the withdrawal symptoms went away. If they didn't, I'd take 5-20mg more. Eventually all the withdrawal symptoms go away and I feel normal, if not pretty good. When the symptoms return, I would take another 10-20mg dose.

It is much cheaper to use generic Loperamide caps purchased from Amazon.com (2 cents a cap) instead of Imodium-AD liquid purchased from a pharmacy (or anywhere). Caplets take longer to kick in than the liquid, but it's much less expensive. I chewed the caplets, that might have sped up the process.
(these are not affiliate links, no Amazon links on Good Looking Loser.com are affiliate links)

Again, you'll need A LOT of Loperamide.

You can't buy a single bottle and expect to use it for 5 days.

If, for some reason, you really want to use the Imodium liquid instead of the generic caplets - buy at least 5 8-ounce bottles.

It isn't too healthy to do this for too long. A week or so, for me, was totally fine. My digestion is always super and I didn't get constipated from this. If I had, I might have looked into a laxative/stool softer. Most surgeons recommend 'Senokot' to their post-surgical patients that need to prevent constipation from prescription pain killers.

If you are use Stem and Vein or any of the other options below, don't use Loperamide. Pick one.

Phenibut

If you've been around these parts for a little while, you'll know that we are big fans of Phenibut.

While Kratom tickles delta-opioid receptors, Phenibut binds to GABA-b receptors. There is no cross-tolerance.

If you use Phenibut for 4 or 5 days and no Kratom, this would basically be the same as if you went cold-turkey.

Phenibut can significantly reduce your anxiety and you will basically feel normal during the wash out.

If you go this route, it's important to NOT use Phenibut beyond a week. Tolerance to Phenibut builds quickly and you don't want to make Phenibut a habit.

How much Phenibut you need to take will largely be based on how much Kratom you've been taking.

You might need to take upwards of 3 grams for the first few days and then reduce it to about 1.5 or 2 grams, on an as-needed basis.

If you go the Phenibut route - I suggest that you avoid Stem and Vein or Loperamide.

Do not take Phenibut with benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax or any other compound that affect GABA receptors.

Kava Juice Extract (Quality Kava)

Like Phenibut, Kava Juice Extract shares no cross-tolerance with opioid receptors.

If you are able to just use Kava for 5-7 days, your Kratom tolerance will be almost completely gone.

Kava, however, isn't as strong as the other options, so this might not go so smooth if you have a significant tolerance.

If you get crappy Kava, don't count on this working at all.

Not until VERY RECENTLY (like a week ago) did I find a Kava product that was any good.
(here are my prior thoughts on Kava)

As with Kratom (and most herbals), the quality of Kava can vary enormously.

Happy Hippo, of course, has a Kava option that is REALLY REALLY good. It's not available to the public but might be in the near future. It's 6003241x better than any Kava root I've tried and kills anxiety DEAD and leaves you super happy for about 90 minutes.

Remember, we are talking about 'Kava Juice Extract' not Kava root.

Kava, to my knowledge, has no significant cross-tolerance with anything, so you can just take as much as you need, as often as you need it.

Other Opioids (Hydrocodone)
(some cross-tolerance)

I prefer all the above options for the most thorough washout.

In fact, I don't really recommend using other opioids during this period because there will be a cross-tolerance and you might only drop your tolerance about 50%.

In my experience, however, lesser opioids such as Hydrocodone have been helpful to lower my tolerance since they hit the mu-opioid receptors and leave the delta receptors alone.

A few years ago, I strained my elbow playing tennis. A doctor prescribed me a week of Vicodin (Hydrocodone) and I took it as directed and didn't use any Kratom. A week later, my Kratom tolerance seemed almost non-existent.

I DO NOT recommend that you take Oxycodone (Percocet), Oxycontin, Heroin or anything even close to that to 'wash out' Kratom.

All those compounds are stronger than Kratom and you won't be freshening anything up.

Avoiding Kratom Tolerance in the First Place

All of the above suggestions is to lessen your tolerance. Combined with willpower, they work pretty well .

What's even more nice is NOT GETTING A SIGNIFICANT TOLERANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

The best way to do prevent significant Kratom tolerance or withdrawal is to responsibly rotate 6+ strains and not using any more than ONE STRAIN in a 24-hour period.
(and NOT using ANY Kratom extracts. Ever.)

I've use Kratom non-stop for about 2.5 5+ years now. My tolerance is quite low and I have never needed to do a washout. When I was rotating 1 to 4 strains, every 3-4 months I definitely needed a washout.

See Part II of our Kratom guide for specifics on how to avoid a tolerance.

• Continued in
  "How to Take Kratom For Specific Situations (Part V)"

If you have any questions, please ask them in our Kratom Forum.
They may go unanswered if you post them in the blog comments.
Thank you.

Kratom's Effects - What to Expect
(Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom - Part III)

Thus far- 

• We covered what Kratom is and kept raving about the plant in Part I.
• We covered how to use Kratom, dosing and lifestyle in Part II.

Kratom's Effects and You Can Expect

There are hundreds of different Kratom strains, in several different colors, from several different locations but their effects largely are determined by their speed.

Let's quickly review the concept of speed that we discussed in Part I.

What you are doing on a given day should determine which Kratom speed you use.

Effects of Fast Strains

Fast Kratom is generally the best option if you want to be productive or social.

Fast strains tend to wear off faster than moderate and slow strains however.

Fast Kratom strains are great for - 

Fast Kratom Can Make You Be More Social (especially daytime)

Fast Kratom can make you want to be social, even if you are introverted and even if you have some anxiety.

The best way I can describe it is - you are in a REALLY GOOD mood.

Not just happy, but interested to hear about people's lives and share details of your own. You have the happy energy that you actually want to share with the world, even if you get nothing in return.

It won't ALWAYS be like this but you can definitely expect this some of the time.

It's somewhat like alcohol but more of a warm fuzzy, compassionate, 'happy' type feeling without the 'dumb' feel or discoordination that alcohol can give.

I find that it's perfect for daytime. Nighttime it can be too, but loud music tends to overwhelm my senses, but that happens normally to me too.

Fast Kratom Can Make You More Productive Do Busy Work
(especially if you don't have to retain complex information)

The faster strains can straight up MAKE YOU productive. 

That's why it has been given to hard labor workers in Indochina and the South Pacific for centuries.

In America, we do coffee, energy drinks and sugar. Pacific Islanders use Kratom.

It's good for labor intensive activities, especially if your receptors are fresh.

I don't necessarily suggest use it for studying. It may interfere with your ability to retain information, although your ability to process information and do busy will increase.

It's perfect for when I write articles/posts on Good Looking Loser. I can publish a lot of insightful content because I don't have recall any short-term information.
(I make tons of typos regardless of Kratom)

Fast Kratom Can Make You More Motivated

Fast Kratom can make you instantly more motivated, especially on fresh receptors, even doing stuff you don't really like to do.

This is similar to being productive, but not identical.

Kratom can literally take you out of a slump and get you excited about your life, work and future.

Fast Kratom strains can also be good for-

• Boosting Energy
• Combating Approach Anxiety
• Euphoria
• Working Out
• Suppressing Appetite
• Lowering tolerance to moderate/slow strains

Effects of Moderate Strains

Moderate Kratom tend to the same effects as both Fast and Slow strains.

Moderate Kratom strains are great for-

Moderate Kratom Will Make You Happy (Mood Lift)

Moderate strains, for most people, provides the biggest lift in mood and well-being.

Moderate strains tend to produce an even more 'Happy' feeling than fast strains, although this factor matters more on the quality of Kratom.

Increased motivation and productivity can accompany this 'happy' feeling.

Moderate Kratom Can Make You More Relaxed (Reduction in Anxiety)

Moderate strains generally provide the quickest and most significant reduction in anxiety without making you sleepy.

THIS ASPECT is perhaps what makes Kratom so great for so many guys.

If you are prone to anxiety, some fast strains can aggravate it (although this is largely to do with the quality of the Kratom). High-quality moderate or slower strains almost NEVER aggravate anxiety and actually are sometimes used to 'cut' the anxiety produced by faster strains.

Moderate Kratom Have Both Fast & Slow Characteristics

As mentioned, Moderate Kratom usually shares some fast or slow characteristics.

Some strains are moderate-fast, some are moderate-slow.

Still, it's hard to generalize Moderate Kratom because there are so many strains.

But if they are good quality, they will almost always elevate your mood and prevent anxiety.

Moderate Kratom strains can also be good for-

• Any of the above and below characteristics.
• Creativity
• Lower tolerance to fast/slow strains.

Effects of Slow Strains

Slow strains are ideal for lazy days when you are just sitting around, they are more to "feel good" and chill out than encouraging motivation/productivity/social behavior.

Certain slow strains (in larger quantities) can be really good for combating insomnia and catching deep sleep.

There is some potential to "make" slower strains faster by drinking caffeine but not always.

Slow strains seem to last longer than fast or moderate strains.

Slow Kratom Will Kill Your Anxiety

Slow strains will absolutely destroy your anxiety.

Some people find that it mixes well to cut any anxiety produced by other strains.

Slow Kratom Will Make You Happy (Mood Lift)

The effects from slow strains are usually considered to be the most 'euphoric' of any speed of Kratom.
(this is highly dependent on the quality of Kratom you use)

I don't use slow strains too often though, I'm not prone to general anxiety and I prefer the motivational/productivity/somewhat lesser mood boost from fast/moderate strains that help me focus.

Slow strains certainly have their place in my rotation though.

Slow Kratom Will Help You Sleep (Sedative)

As mentioned, using certain varieties of slow strains can absolutely put you to sleep. A nice, deep sleep.

I think this can be a HUGE benefit to guys that suffer from insomnia or jet lag.

Slow Kratom strains can also be good for-

• Alleviating stress
• Energy - this might come as a surprise, but some varieties can give hyper-energy. (rare)
• Lowering tolerance to fast/moderate strains.

Stem and Vein

Don't worry about 'Stem & Vein' yet.

When we talk about fast, moderate and slow Kratom- we are solely talking about the "leaf" of the plant.

The 'stems and veins' of the leaf also have value - they can dramatically lower your tolerance to all types of Kratom and seem to resemble the effect of a moderate-fast strain.

It's inexpensive too.

As you can imagine, there's different types of stem and vein Kratom: Thai, Indo, Malaysian and Bali (Boreno).

It is very hard to get a hold of quality (fresh) Stem and Vein Kratom because most places don't grind up the stems and veins on a weekly basis. Most stem and vein available on the market is 12+ months old.

I think Stem & Vein is dramatically underrated but you have to get it fresh, otherwise it can be awful and produce anxiety that you will feel in your face and stomach.

For a more comprehensive look at what you can expect from each Happy Hippo Strain, check this out -

• Rooster's Happy Hippo Kratom Reviews

Effects of All Types of Kratom

Listed above are the 'most likely' effects based on the speed. It will vary.

To some extent, all types of Kratom can-

• Improve your mood, some degree of euphoria 
• Lower or kill anxiety, including Approach Anxiety
• Kill pain
• Help you taper down from harder opiates
• Act as an appetite suppressant
• Improve your focus and thought processes (fresh receptors, low-moderate doses)
• Cause constipation or diarrhea when you first start (there are easy solutions to this)
• Help you last longer in bed
• Make you tired in larger doses beyond your 'sweet spot'
• Provide your body with a unique blend of antioxidants
• Lower your blood pressure (not usually the fast strains)
• Act as or replace traditional antidepressants
• Possibly help control blood sugar/insulin levels (more research is needed)

Rooster and I discuss SPECIFIC SITUATIONS and which Kratom might most benefit you in Part V.

• Continued in -
  "How to Prevent Kratom Tolerance (Part IV)"
  

If you have any questions, please ask them in our Kratom Forum.
They may go unanswered if you post them in the blog comments.
Thank you.

What Exactly is Kratom?
(Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom 2.0 - Part I)

December 2016 update:

I have modified and reposted our legendary Guide to Kratom.

The original version was written by Rooster and myself.

The Good Looking Loser community has done a tremendous amount to keep the world's greatest, little-known herb legal.

At least temporarily, for the first time in American drug policy history, we got the DEA to reconsider their ban.

Thank you for you have been part of this effort. 

If you've never heard of Kratom, you might be in for a life-changer. 

Why I Recommend Kratom
(A Message From Chris)

Kratom is my #1 recommendation on all of Good Looking Loser.

I have used Kratom 5 or 6 times everyday for the past 6+ years.

I credit Kratom for helping me to accomplish just about everything I've achieved in the past 6 years.

Kratom has BY FAR made the biggest impact on my life out of ANY SINGLE COMPOUND. That includes anabolic steroids, for which I have over a decade of experience with.

There are tens of thousands of people that feel the same way, for a variety of reasons.

Unlike many natural dietary supplements that do nothing, Kratom can seriously help anxiety, depression, addiction, motivation, sleep, etc.

The versatility of this magical plant is truly incredible.

While it won't work equally as well for everyone, but a lot of people are going to be really impressed by this magical powder.

In full transparency, Happy Hippo (recommended vendor) is my store.

It is the EXACT same product I have used everyday for the past 6 years and is much better than the low-quality Kratom available in local smokeshops and elsewhere.

I fully believe in our Happy Hippo Kratom product and think everyone should try it.

There will be a period of trial and error to figure what types and amounts work best for you.

Most people will like it.

Many people will ABSOLUTELY LOVE it.

Some will be non-responders or not like it.

I'm hoping you will LOVE it as much as I do.

- Chris (Good Loooking Loser)

Table of Contents

You can view the index here -

• "Good Looking Loser's Guide to Kratom 2.0"

What is Kratom?

What you should know about God's plant.

Kratom or "Mitragyna Speciosa" is a plant native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Kratom has been used safely for centuries in Southeast Asia.

It is often consumed as tea or beverage. 

Currently, in the USA, Kratom has no official status, we are hoping it receives 'dietary supplement' status, just as it is in Canada. 

Since Kratom is so effective against many ailments, big pharmaceutical companies want it banned or the exclusive rights to patent and sell it.  

What Does Kratom Do?

Kratom is the most versatile herb ever, even moreso than Cannabis.

There's several different "strains" or types of Kratom.

They are all a little different, but in general -

Kratom helps reduce pain, anxiety, depression.

It increases motivation, focus and energy.

It is even effective against restless leg syndrome, insomnia and addiction. 

Today, I personally use Kratom for sense of well-being, motivation and focus.

Back in my "let's meet a lot of girls" days, I used Kratom for it's mood, pro-social effects and hardcore gym workouts.

How Does Kratom Work?
(Is it Safe?)

Kratom works by stimulating your opiate receptors. 

It has 'opiate-like' effects. 

However - Kratom is NOT an opiate.

A little science lesson -

Traditional "opiates", like Percocet and Vicodin, are derived from morphine and work on μ-opioid [mu] receptors. The mu receptors cause considerable amounts of euphoria, pain relief and are very prone to addiction and dependency. 

Kratom, by contrast, is ''7-hydroxymitragynine" (not morphine) and works largely on the secondary "Delta" and "Kappa" opiate receptors.

The Delta and Kappa opiate receptors are considerably less prone to addiction, dependency and respiratory side effects.

Compared to pharmaceutical opiates and illicit drugs like heroin, which all work on the mu opiate receptors, Kratom (Kappa/Opiate receptor agonist) is far more mild.

Kratom can produce a 'sense of well-being' but doesn't give any long lasting intense euphoria. 

This is what makes Kratom far safer than all other "opiates" that are addicting and subject to overdose.

That is why Kratom can be a lifesaving compound for opiate addicts, allowing them to wean off hardcore drugs and still feel a sense of well-being without a vicious withdrawal.

Kratom can also be is a life-changing compound for people with depression that don't like or didn't respond favorably to SSRIs.

There have NEVER been any deaths solely attributed to Kratom.

It is impossible overdose on Kratom, in a traditional "take too much and die" sense. Kratom cannot not suppress your breathing (respiratory function) because it largely avoid the mu opiate receptors.

If you take too much Kratom, you will feel woozy, sleepy and at worst - feel like throwing up. 

That is the extent of a "Kratom overdose".

Less "lethal" than alcohol and even Tylenol - which kills almost 1000 people a year.

There are different types (strains) of Kratom and each produces it's own unique blend of effects. We will discuss this later.

What is "The Kratom Lifestyle"?

Throughout this guide we will use the term "Kratom Lifestyle".

Rooster and I coined this term. 

Simply put -

Kratom Lifestyle refers to those who use Kratom everyday. 

Using Kratom daily is certainly a "lifestyle". 

There is productive and correct way to do it (use a different type of Kratom everyday) and a not-as-productive way to do it.

You definitely don't have to use Kratom on a daily basis. But unlike other compounds, if you use it correctly, you can avoid side effects, dependency and general tolerance.

What Are the Different Types of Kratom?

There are numerous different Kratom strains. 

While many are similar, they are slightly different and you should eventually learn the differences so you can maximize the potential.

Let's talk about the different varieties and an easy way to figure out what works best for you.

Before we begin, please listen -

DON'T WORRY TO MUCH ABOUT THIS.

I WILL GIVE YOU A SIMPLE WAY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.

Kratom "Speed" Effects?

For simplicity, we separate the different varieties of Kratom into 3 categories.

Fast – Moderate – Slow

This is the best way understand and classify the different varieties - 

• Fast Kratom
• Moderate Kratom
• Slow Kratom  

Fast Kratom (usually from Thailand or Maeng Da strains) is largely for energy, physical labor and pro-social behavior. It is ideal for going to the gym or going to social events. 

Slow Kratom (usually Kratom from Bali/Horned strains) is largely used for achieving a sense of well-being, anti-anxiety or pain relief. 

Moderate Kratom (usually Kratom from Indonesia/Malaysia/Vietnam) is somewhere in the middle with all these effects.

Kratom "Location" Effects?

Certain locations tend to produce leaves that have similar effects.

Thailand – Indonesia – Malaysia – Borneo

• Thai leaves tend to be energetic or "fast". 
  (Maeng Da, Red Vein Thai, etc.)
• Indonesian leaves can be energetic, moderate or sedative.
  (Sumatra, Sudanese, Bali (from Indonesia), Kali Varieties, Riau, Indo, etc.)
• Malaysian leaves tend to be less energetic or "moderate".
  (Super Green Malaysian, Ultra Green Malaysian, etc.)
• Bali leaves (from Borneo) tend to be sedative or "slow".
  (Bali, Borneo)

There are exceptions to these rules, it will vary from person-to-person. 

Kratom "Color" Effects?

Some people prefer to distinguish Kratom and the likely effects by color.

Red - White - Green - Yellow

I don't prefer this classification because there's too many exceptions in my personal experience.

I will mention it anyway -

Red and Yellow vein Kratom is generally thought of as "slow" (sense of well-being, anti-anxiety, pain relief).

Green vein Kratom is generally thought of as "fast" or "moderate" (productivity, motivation, pro-social).

White vein Kratom is generally thought of as "moderate" with balanced effects.

Again, I prefer my "Kratom speed" classification simply because I feel it's more accurate for myself and the 10,000+ of people I've introduced to Kratom.

I concede, however, that the "Kratom color" classification seems to hold true for some people. 

The "fast, moderate, slow" and "red/green/yellow/white" breakdown doesn't always apply in real-time.

For example -

Some people who are naturally prone to anxiety often find that certain "slow" strains give them energy.

Some very extroverted people find "fast" strains are best for anxiety, instead of physical or social activity.

Now I'm Totally Confused! Help!

If you are a newbie, the most important thing to remember is -

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ALL THIS!

The speed, location and color classification mainly applies if you are follow a "Kratom Lifestyle" and need rotate different types of Kratom based on your agenda for the day.

NO REASON TO COMPLICATE THINGS. 

Here is how you figure out what will work best for you -

• Just try all 3 speeds 
  (start with 4 grams and see how it goes)

The only way to learn and improve your Kratom IQ is to try the different types, in different amounts, in different situations. 

While that seems like a pain -

Kratom trial and error is blast. 

Start with smaller amounts (3-5 grams), wait 30 minutes and only take more if you don't feel anything.

Sometimes it will be good.

Sometimes it will be great.

You'll figure it out!

Good Kratom vs. Bad Kratom

The last thing I want to mention is -

There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE in the quality between different Kratom vendors.

Your experience will almost reflect the quality of leaf you have.

A lot of people try Kratom from a random inexpensive headshop, end up disappointed and completely dismiss the leaf.

JUST LISTEN TO ME ON THIS.

Get quality Kratom or no Kratom at all.

Again, Happy Hippo is my store, but there's a reason that we have made well over 50,000 sales and 50% of the sales are Happy returning customers. 

If you have further questions, please post your questions in our Kratom forum .
(we are happy to answer whatever questions you may have)

• Continued in
  "How to Use Kratom, Lifestyle & Dosing (Part II)"