Victor Pride Approved
[UPDATE October 1, 2016. Kratom is under threat of becoming illegal in the United States. When I know more, I'll post more information here.]
From the desk of Victor Pride
Subj: Kratom
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I don't recommend products lightly. My word is worth its weight in gold and I'd rather go broke than ruin my personal credit.
So when I say something is good, I mean it. Specifically, I mean that I have tried it and loved it.
One rarely sees review posts here at Bold and Determined and for good reason - most products and supplements don't work.
I promise, I try them all. I'm an equal opportunity experimenter and I give everything a fair shot.
Not much lives up to my standards.
But some do…
One of those products that lives up to my standards, a product that I like very much, is called Kratom.
You could say I'm krazy for Kratom.
Kratom was introduced to me in Boise by the Good Looking Loser.
That was over 6 months ago and I've spent 6 months meticulously recording my usage, dosage and thoughts while using Kratom to try and come up with the perfect recipe. It took me nearly 6 months to get it perfect.
I've purchased over $500 worth of product (at friend prices, not retail) to come up with what I believe is the best recipe to get the most bang for your buck every time you use Kratom.
But first, a little background on Kratom…
What is Kratom?
Kratom is a plant, in the same family as coffee (I've come to prefer it over coffee), and it is known for it's mood enhancement, stimulant properties and anxiety relief.
Though it is a plant like coffee it is indeed illegal in some parts of the world.
Where I live, Thailand, it is illegal because in the 1940's opium addicts could no longer afford the Government imposed opium tax so they used Kratom to deal with opiate withdrawals. (source)
Though it is still illegal in Thailand it is still used by two groups of Thais.
- Thais who want to get high by making a drink called 4 X 100 - they mix Kratom with coca cola, ice, cough syrup and whatever else they can come up with. I've never tried 4 X 100 and I never will. I'm not now nor have I ever looked into getting high. What I want is performance enhancement.
- The second group in Thailand who use Kratom are the manual laborers in the south of Thailand who chew Kratom leaves to help them work hard all day and night without crashing.
Note: Yes narcs, Kratom is illegal in Thailand so I only drink it in America or Vietnam where I spend a good deal of time.
Can Kratom be addictive?
Irrelevant to me but maybe relevant to men of weak character. I've never been addicted to any substance in my life and I never will be.
On the other hand, legions of my fellow country men and women are addicted to fattening foods, social media and going into debt. Addiction is for the weak of will and I have zero sympathy for addicts of any kind.
So is Kratom addictive or can it be addictive?
I believe that yes, it can be addictive. Lots of things are addictive to the weak willed.
I said before that Kratom was used as a substitute for Opium. Does that mean Kratom is a narcotic?
No, it doesn't.
Kratom was used to deal with Opium withdrawals. High dose Kratom is a potent pain reliever. Though Kratom acts on the opioid receptor agonist it is not an opiate and it is not a dangerous narcotic like heroin or the pain pills so happily prescribed by incompetent and greedy Doctors of medicine (source).
In fact, Kratom has been successfully used to ween addicts off their addictions (source). Once clean, they can simply stop using Kratom.
I've gone weeks at a time without using Kratom and never experienced withdrawal symptoms, but when I do use Kratom I have more pep in my step and have a better outlook and disposition.
In recent times my two most popular articles were all written normal, they were then edited while I drank my Kratom tea. This editing process gave the articles a very distinctive positive vibe that really resonated with a lot of readers.
Where does Kratom come from?
Kratom comes from the hot climates of Southeast Asia and there are different strains of Kratom, just like there are different types of coffee beans, and each strain can produce slightly different effects. Though Kratom can be found in other places in the world the main strains of Kratom come from:
- Thailand - These leaves include the famous Maeng Da and Red Vein Thai strains and tend to be energetic or “fast”
- Indonesia - These strains can be moderate, energetic or sedative
- Malaysia - These strains tend to be moderate and less energetic
- Bali/Borneo - These strains tend to be sedative or slow
Why do I use Kratom?
Two reasons…
- My buddy Chris said to me “Kratom makes me do everything. Without Kratom I wouldn't have built what I built“. The guy is the only other guy on planet earth who does what I do for a living. Very successful I will add. When other successful people make recommendations I listen.
- Normally in the afternoon from about 3-7pm I am just shutdown. I'm beat. I'm useless. The worst part about the afternoon hours is that I get “brain fog”. On Kratom the brain fog just goes away and I don't feel rundown. On Kratom I feel peppy, happy, ready to work and just plain good. I never work at night, but on the days I've ingested Kratom I'm often lying in bed past 11-12 (I'm an early-to-bedder) finishing work while I receive my nightly massage from my little angel.
To put it simply Kratom makes me feel happier and I'm even nicer to people and more open and ready for long conversations. If you know me, you know I have no patience for this type of thing. Not so on Kratom.
On “bad days”, Kratom makes the bad go away. Kratom gives me a feeling of well-being but not sedation. I always want to work when using Kratom.
Kratom vs Alcohol
I don't drink alcohol, I don't go to bars and I don't go to the local dance market to pick up sluts. But if I did I would use Kratom instead of alcohol. On alcohol you turn into a slobbering mess and often puke and have a hangover. On Kratom, taken the right way (explained below in my recipe) I have zero negative effects and only positive side effects.
Kratom vs Modafinil
Kratom and Modafinil are two completely different beasts and don't even deserve to be mentioned in the same category. Kratom is like a really strong, longer lasting coffee and Modafinil is a strong nootropic. Both are great, both have their uses, but they are completely dissimilar.
Kratom vs Weed
So sorry friends, I have never in my life been high so I cannot give you details regarding Kratom vs Weed.
Kratom vs Benzodiazepines
If I were to compare Kratom to any substance it would be Benzodiazepines but with a few changes that make Kratom the better choice. Benzos can be and are highly addictive and Benzos are notorious for making you sleepy and slow, often slurring your movement and speech.
In my experience Kratom does not have these unwanted effects but Kratom does have the relaxing effect of Benzos but with a desire to GTD (get things done) and not just “veg out” like a pill-head zombie burnout.
Kratom has the unique ability to calm and energize at the same time.
Note: I always take Xanax on long haul flights so I can sleep. The more I fly the more I hate it and Benzos help with turbulence anxiety. The last time I flew to America, a 10 hour flight, I took a red-eye (a night flight) and was able to sleep an entire 8 hours un-interrupted with the help of Xanax. Normally it's impossible for me to sleep on airplanes. In other situations, Kratom is a much better and safer choice.
Is Kratom legal in your country?
Some countries regard Kratom as a narcotic, some don't. It's legal in nearly every State in the USA (source).
Kratom is legal in the following countries (subject to change without warning - check your local laws before you order):
- Kratom is legal in most United States except for Indiana and Tennessee.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
Kratom is or appears to be illegal in:
- Australia
- Denmark
- Finland
- Germany
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- New Zealand
- Romania
- Russia
- Sweden
- South Korea
- Thailand
How do you ingest Kratom?
Kratom comes in two ways: plant matter (crushed leaves) and whole leaves. I have only ever used the plant matter and I have only ever ingested Kratom in two ways. I will explain both and which method I think is the best.
- Drink it with juice - Most people just drop the Kratom into a Gatorade bottle with some juice, milk, even protein shakes, mix it up and drink it. This is the easiest method on earth to take Kratom. Personally I don't like this method for three reasons 1) It tends to make my stomach hurt drinking all that plant matter mixed with juice and 2) it gives me constipation if I drink it approximately 3 days in a row (your results may vary) and 3) I can't do this more than one day in a row and get quality effects. This method is appropriate for 1-3 times per week in my opinion.
- Make a Tea - My favorite method and the only way I drink Kratom. No adverse side effects for me, with the exception of blunting hunger (good for dieting) and some mild bloat (coffee does the same thing to me when I drink a lot of it). My tea method is time consuming but I have a personal chef so no problem. Kratom tastes horrible but the way I have it made it really just does taste like a tea. It can be time consuming to make so plan ahead or get yourself a nice little girl who wants to please and isn't scared of the kitchen (relax, it really is easy to make).
The way I ingest the Kratom makes a huge difference.
The drink with juice method has given me unsteady results - one day it's great, then the next day I would feel nothing. I was never able to use two days in a row. Always on the second day I would not get any benefits. I got the best results using this method only once per week. Once per week usually worked very well.
When I make the tea I always get the same results - clean pep, clean focus, clean energy and clean mood. In fact, in my results log I often have large entries for each time I used the drink with juice method because I didn't have great results every time. The entries in my results log for each time I made and ingested Kratom tea are noticeably short because it worked so well I was busy doing other things rather than complaining in my log.
I personally recommend the tea, I'd not go back to drinking the plant matter. In fact, before I perfected the tea recipe I thought I would simply give up Kratom forever because the results were so hit or miss and I didn't like drinking the plant matter. I don't often drink Kratom tea more than one day in a row, but when I do I get results each time.
Each person is different and will need to experiment a little bit to find the right method.
I must say, I'm glad I didn't give Kratom up because I've perfected what I think is the perfect tea recipe and the results are fantastic.
Where to buy Kratom?
I have only ever purchased Kratom from Happy Hippo Herbals. I cannot and will not give a recommendation for any other store or the quality of any of product. My experience is 100% from Happy Hippo.
I know the owner, Chris the Good Looking Loser personally, and I know you won't be screwed or scammed. I vouch personally for Happy Hippo.
Which Kratom to buy?
There are different strains of Kratom and they have different effects. Everybody is different and everybody will prefer different strains.
The first 3-4 weeks will likely be a trial and error phase while you figure out what works for you. I didn't “get” Kratom until about my 5th or 6th time using it, then I immediately realized why the Good Looking Loser spoke so highly of Kratom.
One thing to remember: you want to buy good Kratom or no Kratom at all. They sell this stuff in capsule form at gas stations and at those shops where stoners go. Stay away from this stuff, it's garbage sold to make a quick buck on the gullible and desperate.
Don't buy Kratom extracts, just buy crushed Kratom leaves (what I use and review below) or buy whole leaves if you have a quality source.
From the owner of Happy Hippo Herbals…
It's the extracts that give the compound a bad name. They are strong, addictive and just like taking large doses of narcotics. I could make a lot of money selling the extracts (people love them at first) but I know that these will literally ruin people's lives and bank accounts. If Kratom is ever regulated in the U.S., it will be because of the extract and the irresponsible vendors that promote them.
Below are the products I have used and enjoyed. These are all crushed leaf strands from Happy Hippo (I have never used another source).
I have used 8 different strands of Kratom and I have taken exhaustive notes each time I have used Kratom.
I will condense my notes from each strand into one or two sentences and give an approval rating from A-F.
- Happy Hippo 1 (Bali/Indo Fusion)
This strand gets an A grade from me. I have always had pleasant experiences with this strand.
- Happy Hippo 2 (Red-vein Indo)
This strand gets a B grade from me because it has been slightly hit or miss. Tea is good, drinking it with juice was hit or miss. If I drank Kratom one day per week this strand would work great, but if I drank this strand after drinking another strand the day before I wouldn't get any benefits.
- Magic Hippo
This strand gets a grade of B+ from me because when it's “on” it's great, but I did have some issues with the drinking with juice method and not “feeling it” (Magic is currently out of stock but Mojo is the best and current replacement for Magic Hippo).
- Sleepy Hippo
This strand gets an A+ from me, it's my favorite strand (unfortunately at this moment in time it is out of stock).
Despite the deceptive name it does not make me sleepy, it makes me want to work, do deals, make money, run business and kick butt. I love it.
- Busy Green Hippo (Green-Vein Thai)
This strand gets a C- from me when I drink with juice but as a tea it gets a B-.
- Pleasant Green Hippo
I give this strand a B+ grade when I drink it with juice but as a tea it gets an A grade. This one is one of my top two or three favorites (unfortunately at present Pleasant Green is out of stock. I have it on good authority that mixing Busy Green Hippo with Bali would basically mimic the Pleasant Green effect).
- White Hippo (White-Vein Borneo)
I didn't like this one very much when I used the drink with juice method but as a tea I like it very much, B+/A- range.
- Bali Hippo (Top Shelf Bali)
This strand is my least favorite and I'd give it a C-. I've had about a 25% success rate with this one.
How to make your first order of Kratom
- Read the All About Kratom - Bold and Determined special edition article. The information covered in that article is astounding and should answer many questions not covered in this article. You don't need to rush into buying anything without having a clear plan in mind (even though I did).
- Go to Happy Hippo Herbals and place your order.
Tips:
- Never drink the same strand two days in a row, it will lose it's effect. Rule of thumb is one strand one time per week.
- If you're new don't use Kratom more than one day in a row.
- Use Kratom 1-2 days per week max until you figure out what works for you.
- 8 grams spread throughout the day should be a good dose for a beginner. I still use 8-10 grams with my Kratom tea.
- Kratom tea is fantastic if you make it the night before, store it in the refrigerator and drink it cold the next day.
- Enjoy yourself and have a nice day.
Until next time.
Your man,
-Victor Pride
Bonus: How to make the ultimate clean Kratom tea - Complete recipe from A-Z
Step 1 - Measure 8 grams of Kratom, put the Kratom in a pot.
Step 2 - Add one liter of water to the pot (that's one and a half standard 600 ml water bottles) and stir the solution with a spoon for 30 seconds to one minute.
Step 3 - Put the pot on a burner and set heat to medium. Cook like this for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The timing is not of the utmost importance, my chef forgets all the time.
Step 4 - After 20-30 minutes turn off the heat, remove the pot from the heat and let the solution sit for 15 minutes. Eventually the powder will sink to the bottom (just like it would in your stomach). When the powder sinks to the bottom and the solution has cooled a little you are ready for the next step.
Step 5 - Use coffee filter to separate the liquid tea from the plant matter. A coffee filter will remove 100% of the plant matter and leave you with only tea. We put a small food strainer over a coffee mug then put a coffee filter in the strainer and let the tea strain through.
After the tea has passed through the coffee filter it is ready to drink. But we're not finished yet…
Step 6 - You now have leftover plant matter that can be re-used, dump the leftover powder from the coffee filter back into the pot. It's time to re-cook it and make batch #2 (the tea will now turn into a much nicer, darker and richer color).
Step 7 - Add 1 liter of water to the already cooked powder. Set the burner to medium and cook again for 20-30 minutes (repeat process 2-6).
Step 8 - When the tea has again been filtered through the coffee filter you now have a completely clean tea free from plant matter. Add lemon and honey if you wish (I drink straight) and enjoy your drink.
Pictured: Kratom tea. On the left is the first tea we cooked. On the right is the twice cooked tea which, for some reason, always has a rich, deep, dark and terrific color.
Damn, great writeup. As a fan of Adderall I’ve been looking for something else to give me that edge. Kratom and Modafinil are next on my list.
With regards to weed, I would give it a shot some day if you find good product. As a fellow writer, it has inspired a ton of creativity and really brings out some deep introspective thinking.
“Addictions are for the weak willed.” So fucking true.
All I ever got from weed was a sense of lightness, and laughing like a fool. It’s not a negative feeling, but not positive either. Just kind of pointless.
I know people who say it raises their efficiency, I call them bulshitters trying to justify their addiction.
You have to smoke the right product. Many people are forced to smoke black market trash thanks to prohibition. Some high quality, well grown weed makes a big difference.
The introspection comes with time. It’s often something you don’t understand or learn right away because your brain isn’t used to it.
Weed does not cause physiological addiction in 99% of people. There might be a rare case but it is nowhere near alcohol, tobacco, heroin, etc. It is psychologically addictive, big difference.
You’ve never really “heard” music unless you’ve learned to hear it stoned.
and that doesnt bring anything productive to your life, pot is a drug for losers, all the people I know who smoke pot are washed up losers with no ambition and no motivation, might not be the case for every pot smoker but for the majority I think so. and pot lowers testosterone! I hate the laid back, go with the flow, easy going attitude of pot smokers, I’ve smoked pot a couple of times in the past and I’ll never do it again, I wanna stay sharp and agressive, fuck that ”chill out bro” shit. If I could live on a testosterone rush all the time I would. but that’s just me.
You’re tripping buddy. Some of the most productive and creative people in the world smoke pot. Get over the little fantasy narrative you’ve created.
Pot is not for losers but it might bring the loser qualities you already have to the surface.
I tried good weed, I also tried salvia divinorum which is legal so it wasn’t from the black market, and honestly none of it does much to me. I’m very introspective by nature so maybe that has something to do with it.
About the music part, just because a substance alters your perceptions, you can’t affirm that it is the only right way to hear music. If it works for you, fine, but not everyone is the same. But I do see your point. I once listened to Bach when I was stoned and the experience was.. something else. But you can feel just the same if you put yourself in the right mindset. Besides, I used to always feel lazy, useless and depressed after smoking weed, that’s why I just stopped. Got nothing against it though, I guess it just doesn’t work for me
Also I know it is not really “addictive”, but for the weak minded, anything can be…
Uh huh. Ok.
I do believe weed increases efficiency in “some”. In high school my friend was more productive after smoking pot. In retrospect, I believe that he had something like undiagnosed adhd or anxiety. He said that weed, a small amount, calmed his mind so that he could concentrate,
I do believe weed increases efficiency in “some”. In high school my friend was more productive after smoking pot. In retrospect, I believe that he had something like undiagnosed adhd or anxiety. He said that weed, a small amount, calmed his mind so that he could concentrate,
Adderall has lost its effectiveness for me and I find that when I use it now I must combine kratom to get the focused productivity adderall used to provide me.
And using drugs to write is for the uncreative. Or weak willed if you use it to write beyond your physical ability. But most narcissists are very good at making shit up without any proof to back it up if it makes them feel superior. Go take 1mg Klonopin 3 times a day for a year and see how strong your will is then. Do that and just stop taking it without having any noticeable withdrawal (because if you are so strong willed you should be able to will away any discomfort or life threatening effects of withdrawaling from a benzo) then I’ll be impressed. Most people trust their doctor who may line them up for utter failure and struggle. It’s well established that taking substances for too long alter a person’s physiology. In many cases a strong willed person finds it the hardest to stop taking something. Because they tend to be stubborn as well.
“Addictions are for the weak willed.�? So fucking true.
You’re a douchebag. So fucking true.
Nice, Vic! I’m glad you tried Kratom.
I’ve been using it for almost a year now. Love the stuff. I use the “toss ‘n wash” method, which is the least sexy way to ingest it. I’ll definitely be trying your tea method.
It’s interesting the way different people respond to each strain. My favourites are basically the opposites of yours. My all-time favourite is Hyper Hippo, followed by Busy Green.
Cheers
Oh man, toss and wash is terrible. Honestly the easiest way is to buy some empty gelatin caps and a capsulator from Amazon and pack your own capsules. It completely eliminates the horrible taste and you can pack hundreds of caps in minutes. Just my two cents :)
Kratom is illegal in Sweden nowadays, see here: http://www.lakemedelsverket.se/Alla-nyheter/NYHETER-2011/8-nya-amnen-narkotikaklassade/
Fixed.
In addition to the situation in Sweden:
As far as I know Kratom is not illegal in Germany but sellers must tell clients that it is not fit for human consumption (legal disclaimer).
Thinking about giving it a try!
Thanks for the information on Kratom. I’ve seen some discussions on it, but thought it was too much hassle trying to figure out which brands do what and who sold quality Kratom (wasn’t even sure if it was legal in the States to be honest).
I’m currently performing an EC stack to cut excess weight and I don’t think my body would like to handle anything else right now. Maybe when I’m done cutting I will give Kratom a try.
Vic, I am coincidentally trying Kratom for the first time today (albeit not from Happy Hippo) so I’ll see how it goes … separately, do you have any experience with Phenibut?
Yeah, I never got any benefit from Phenibut. I tried it 5 or 6 times.
OK thanks for the reply, I appreciate it …
Phenibut is amazing for helping with sleep and improving sexual sensitivity (especially for the girl). I used GLL’s guide for dosing with phenibut and didn’t have much success the first few times. Eventually, I noticed a deep relaxation and mood enhancement from it, but you really have to divide the dosage throughout the day. You won’t feel the effects within the first 5-6 hours.
I take phenibut every sunday to make chores more enjoyable. It’s also my day of rest from the daily grind. Tastes like shit but it puts you in a fantastic mood.
Thanks, will probably give it a try as it seems rather inexpensive …
Very inexpensive. I bought a few ounces, not realizing that it’s basically a lifetime supply. Haha.
I took a rather high dose of phenibut with 200 mg prescription modafinil, and even the slightest workout (like walking fast) gave me an amazing feeling everywhere, like what cd be described as a full body orgasm. I guess that’s the euphoria people talk about. Never tried again after that
Thanks for the write-up. I’ve read GLL’s posts on Kratom and tried it a couple times… the toss-n-wash method was just horrible for me. I also got some mixed results, sometimes feeling just happy & good, sometimes almost trippy, which isn’t exactly what I wanted.
I’ll try the tea next - how much do you drink at one time or do you sip throughout the day on days you’re using?
I sip on it like I would coffee, or tea. It can take me an hour or longer to finish one of those water bottles. 8 grams will usually produce 2.5 to 3 water bottles full of tea.
Thanks Victor, this is timely. Can you clarify - you drink about a bottle a day, or you work your way through the whole 8 grams worth of tea in one day? Obviously everyone will be different in how it affects them, and how much they need, but I am also curious how much Victor Pride uses on an average day. Thanks in advance. -Satisfied 30 Days of Discipline customer ;-)
8 grams of tea in one day, which turns out to be 2-3 water bottles full or semi-full.
So the recipe on here makes about three bottles of tea, which you consume over the course of one day, correct?
Hey Vic!
Cool article, I will definetly try kratom.
One question: Some of the strains are fast and making you productive, other are more used to relax you. As you can’t take the productive one 2 a week, should you actualy plan to be “lazy” on certain days?
Kratom never makes me lazy. The lazy strains paradoxically make me productive. I love them. I’m not a fan at all of the fast strains.
Vic, give your readers a warning that there has been a reported case of seizure when combining kratom and modafinil.
I’m not saying it’s going to happen, it’s just something to consider. Feel free to google it.
I HAVE NEVER RECOMMENDED COMBINING MODAFINIL AND KRATOM!
^^Pretend that’s lower case.
It needed to be upper case
Funny, I the siezure issue was regarding Cialis + Modafinil combo. I’m not aware of any real medical information on Kratom. Conor, do you have a link to the source of this information?
Personally, I find using Kratom on top of Modafinil to work very, very well. It is not necessary however, when great substitutes abound (caff. + theanine stack as stimulant with kratom, e.g.)
I’m a long time user of both, and have never had any problems myself. There is one reported case study, but as far as I can find there’s only that one which keeps getting echoed throughout the Internet, and in that case kratom and modafinil were not the only two substances ingested. It’s unlikely that it was more than coincidence without any more reports, but of course as always, exercise caution and start with small doses to test it for your body. And enjoy!
“Addicted?
Irrelevant to me but maybe relevant to men of weak character. I’ve never been addicted to any substance in my life and I never will be.
On the other hand, legions of my fellow country men and women are addicted to fattening foods, social media and going into debt. Addiction is for the weak of will and I have zero sympathy for addicts of any kind.�?
— Victor Pride (boldanddetermined.com)
This stuff probably works great, no doubt. But with any extended high’s I worry about the longterm dependency effects. Just googling Kratom withdrawal brings up massive results.
So for me, I will stay away from this one. But then again I even stay away from caffeine to stay on even keel.
That is true, but -
There’s a way to take it by rotating multiple strains (see B&D Kratom Guide) that significantly prevents tolerance/dependency. It’s not perfect but the ‘withdrawal’ is no worse than having a cold for 48 hours or so. I don’t think people should take it everyday until they know how it works.
Thanks Chris,
That makes sense. I appreciate the answer - and definitely not trying to put anyone off it.
It’s totally fine dude - people should know what they are getting into. But they need to hear it from guys that have actually taken it because like almost all compounds - there’s a great deal of misinformation on it. :-)
Great article and comments…. I was introduced to kratom two years ago and make tea almost everyday.
Your tea recipe is perfect very simular to mine I like to add lemon or some acidic juice also use vitamin c.
My source has been kratomalliance.com great quality, low price etc.
Live long and prosper.
I started with lemon, but I’ve just downsized to what I have now.
I have used kratom for a few weeks now and it is fantastic. It lifts my mood, prevents depression, and makes me less anxious. Let’s hope it stays legal here in the netherlands, you never know with the EU moving in on everything. I personally use Tosh & Wash. I take some honey to sweeten the mouth, then a sip of water and then the kratom in 1-2 gram doses. Mix and swallow. Repeat till all the kratom is ingested. After, I finish with some honey as a “reward”. I haven’t tried the tea method, but I have tried to mix it with various stuff and each concoction tasted more foul then the previous so I gave up on that. I haven’t quite figured out which strain does what, but they all seem to have the general qualities I mentioned above.
where do you get it in netherlands ? @robert van Es
I have tried both Modafinil and Kratom (from HHH). I could never get the Modafinil to work for me ‘perhaps I am a non-responder’ and the Kratom was weird because I made two seperate orders and tried about 5 varieties and the Kratoms effect only worked twice out of the 20 or so times I used it. The times it did work it was phenomenal but it seemed to be really hit or miss. Maybe I’ll give it another go and try the tea method.
“The times it did work it was phenomenal but it seemed to be really hit or miss.”
Exactly how it was for me when I drank it with juice.
On day 4 of Kratom experiment from Happy Hippo. So far tried 2 fast strains, 1 moderate, & one slow. Starting with 2.5g toss & wash then drinking tea made with 6g. Felt some extra energy on day 1 from the Hyper Hippo (maeng da) kratom. Kinda like a good cup of coffee, but only lasted about 2 hrs. Unfortunately very little effect from the other strains over last 3 days. Heard that kratom will potentiate caffeine so for the last 2 days I drank a 5 hr energy 1-2 hrs after drinking my tea. Felt some good energy, but unfortunately nothing more than I normally get from a 5 hr. Was REALLY hoping to experience the wonderful effects Vic & Chris (GLL) wrote about so I could get off friggin’ Ritalin/Concerta for fatigue & focus. Having tried almost everything from nootropics, to Modafinal, to DHEA, to preworkout stims, & clenbuterol, I’ve come to the very sad conclusion that I’m stuck with my damn Ritalin. Still gonna finish out next week with the rest of my kratom & hope for a miracle. I’ll post back with an update.
Have had a few ounces sitting in my desk from HH for probably 6 months now. Haven’t tried it yet because I didn’t like the idea of eating the plant material. Considered tea myself a few times and this just cleared it up. Gotta give it a go.
I’m very likely to try this stuff in tea form, I get the feeling it’s somewhere along the lines of saffron in the calmness aspect.
I want one of those shirts Vic, send me a medium one…jk I don’t expect to get one for free.
Anyways I just got a Blackberry phone (9930) and what’s cool is I can read 30DoD on-the-go
but the workbook I don’t know how to use it or spreadsheets/excel for the matter, I’ve never worked in an office. All I see is boxes “Incomplete.”
I tried googling it but it just left me confused.
You don’t want that one, the ampersand runs down my friggin armpit. We’re working on making some QUALITY t’s before they’re released. But they will be released, it is on the agenda.
Cool, can’t wait… The workbook is it functional? I can access it on my phone but I’m not sure how to use it (it didn’t come with instructions =)
What do you mean by functional? As in you can type stuff on it? Yes.
How do I use it, do I click on a date and just write whatever?
I guess I’m expecting it to have some automatic functions kinda like the POS (Point of Sale) where you fill in a box with a number and it’ll automatically calculate.
Yes sir.
I must be psychic , just checked your site to see if you had any new articles and bam ……Hi Vic great article , kratom has been on my to do list for some time , unfortunately i live in oz and its hard to get ithere - great article -next time im near thailand and south asia i ll try it in the countries that it is legal in ( LEGAL) lol stay away narcs , great article you know your stuff , take care brother
by the way your last pridecast was top stuff keep coming - mark
Hey bud it’s ILLEGAL in Thailand.
He mentioned that!
I have personally taken Kratom for the last two years of my life, it has changed my life and has helped other family members who had drug addictions. This plant is kin to coffee and is amazing I recommend it to anyone over any other energy supplement or anything else.
Thanks so much for the awesome right up:)
Stay awesome!
Vic,
When I heard from you about kratom, for the first time, I consulted a trustworthy pharmacist, Russia. It’s not only illegal in Russia (well, I am in Kazakhstan), but it causes addiction as well.
Personally, I do not use alcohols, cigarettes and other addictives and destructors. I used to. Or, to be precise, I, as every boy, started to use them. And I did so for a certain while. BUT. I saw they were drawing me into becoming a fucking addict. I have seen tons of real life examples - my own father to start with (he died of cancer). It was and has been MY WILL and nothing else to prevent me from using the chemicals, organic or not. My experience (and those of others) has effectively proven that WILL DOES NOT PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDICTION, IT DOES NOT, ABUSE FOLLOWS EARLIER OR LATER; BUT WHAT IT DOES - IT HELPS ONE SAY NO AT THE OUTSET, IN THE FIRST PLACE.
You said this blog is not a place for political correctness and other bullshit. So, I hope this post will not be removed by you on account of commercial or any other reasons.
I’m not going to defend Kratom, I don’t care if you use it or not. I have written my experiences, the reader will decide what he wants to do.
6 months is not a period to share one’s experiences.
And someone who has never tried it, has no experience, should not open their mouth as an authority.
Sound and valid. I am not an authority and will never be an authority on drugs.
Though, in this particular case, I refer to a pharmacist experienced in curing narcs. An opinion by an adviser like that is enough for me to decline any potential, but always short-lived, benefits.
I simply don’t consider Kratom a narcotic. I don’t use narcotics, I don’t use alcohol and I don’t use cigarettes. Kratom is as much of a narcotic as coffee, another substance people get highly addicted to.
Just take care, man. You have been a superb driver and example for many youths around the globe. Your level is different now (compared to when I first found you), it is no longer about you or me or the good loking loser, strong or weak, etc. It is about taking the lead, folks rely on what you say and advise.
I’m aware. I don’t think young guys should use kratom, or any substances at all unless they have deficiencies. But I won’t lie about what I do and what helps me.
This is one of the core operating principles I enjoy most about your blog.
I respect your position, but let me give some counter points.
- You said you consulted trustworthy pharmacist, to be blunt, professionals are usually very conservative. I would not expect any professional be it a pharmacist, doctor or any other health professional to have anything positive to say about kratom. This doesn’t mean too much to me, after all, how often has the mainstream conservative opinion been proven wrong? Often.
- Drugs that have serious negative consequences usually have a strongly negative reputation. I have looked around on the internet and kratom has a pretty positive reputation. This leads me to believe that taking kratom even daily doesn’t pose much of a risk.
- I wonder if kratom is really that addictive. Personally I don’t feel to need to take kratom. I actually have to motivate myself to take it, like I have to do with supplements. You know it is good for you, but it is a bit of a hassle.
- Also, what about the negative consequences from not taking it? Many people have reported the mood lifting quality of kratom. If I don’t take it there is a chance that I experience depression. Unfortunately I am prone to bouts of depression. Kratom seems to prevent this. That is worth a lot to me.
Robert,
As far as I remeber, Victor has been preaching the doctrine of developing a KILLER mindset, not that of a SUICIDE KILLER. Just make sure there is no dependence and/or you are not misled to believe you are in control of intakes. External performance at the expense of internal devastation? Well, everybody is going to die and rot. But I am not hurrying and am unwilling to spped up the process. There is a Russian proverb: the slower you travel, the farther you reach. As to depression, why not eradicate the causes of depression, not trying to supress its consequences?..
Thank you for your concern. I’m confident in my assessment of kratom. As for my depression, you are right, but that is not easy. Kratom is helpful.
What I mean, the belief that addiction is for the weak, and those with a strong will are safeguarded, is a lie. It is an illusion. Noone is safeguarded. In this very regard, one should follow the accounting principle - in a questionable situation or on an alternative basis do not overestimate one’s assets, rather overestimate one’s liabilities. It does not say one should underestimate one’s assets, no, it say one should always be prudential. Prudence gives an objective picture, a fair representation. Robust decision making is not possible without a true and correct vision.
Everyone has addictions, be it drugs, reading, videogames, working out, etc. Choosing the right addictions is what makes you a winner or a looser.
Tried Hyper Hippo 3-4 times on GLL’s rec, it affected me once by giving me nausea and I had to take a nap…probably took way too much though to try to get an effect. I’ll give the tea a shot though tomorrow morning.
You think it matters if it sits 20-30 mins, or can I just add it to my usual green tea and drink immediately? I don’t mind eating/drinking plant matter at all. There’s plenty of it in the Japanese loose leaf tea I drink anyway.
I don’t like hyper hippo at all. You can drink it immediately with the plant matter, I just don’t like to.
Been using modafinil , noopept, and phenylpiractam for a while . I wonder if this extract will interact with Clen and t3 by any chance ? Currenty running 500mg teste/week with the above as well and would hate to have some kind of interaction.
Great article as usual .
I have it on good authority that it reduces clen side effects. Also, I quite like phenylpiracetam but haven’t had any success with noopept.
Hey Vic,
fantastic article, thanks for that!
Wanted to recommend you another Nootropic i´ve tried the last cupple of weeks, which has boosted my productivity: Tianeptine. Maybe you give it a shot. There are some companies in the US selling it (ceretropic, nootropics depot, etc)
All the best
PD: I don´t want to steal you time, but just wanted to tell you that my life has improved a lot since i know this blog, i´m making money with my importing business which was inspired by your blog and my overall situation is much better. You are changing the lifes of other guys by telling them the truth about life, you´re a good man!
All the best
I tried just about every Kind of Kratom from Happy Hippo and i just got high from it. Was fun but super expensive. Definitely didn’t give me an edge. But GLL even says it effects everyone differently so dont count it out. Hell I didn’t even like Modafinil. Felt disorganized in a way. As if my works quantity went up but the quality went down.
I had an overspill accident on my scale one day and used 15 grams. That day I definitely felt high (I assume, never been high before). I don’t like that feeling, that isn’t my goal, so I never go above 10 grams - usually 8 grams is perfect.
How much caffeine, Modafinil, Kratom do you use and is it daily? Also are you on test right now?
Caffeine - 1-2 cups coffee daily.
Modafinil - zero.
Kratom - 8 grams perhaps 3 times per week.
Testosterone - zero.
Woah… no test?!
Is this for an experiement or something?
It’s for a photo/video shoot. Test bloats, I want to be dry as a bone so I dropped the test. I’ll be adding it back in when my goals are met.
Were you on TRT, or just running cycles? Just wondering, since (as I’m sure you’re aware) if you were on TRT for any length of time, it’d be difficult to restart your natural production.
Cheers pal
I’ve been on test 2+ years, but I’ve gone off a few times. I’m only off for cosmetic reasons, believe me I’d love to be on and I will be August 4th.
I see you’ve dropped your Modafanil intake to zero; is this just because you love Kratom so much and shouldn’t mix? Or had you already stopped taking it and if so why?
Thanks
I haven’t used modafinil in 6 months, since before I ever even heard of kratom. I’ve been testing other products and combos to see if anything comapares, what works and what doesn’t.
I started on TRT about 12 months ago, but the quality of stuff from UGLs varies wildly. When I’m dialled in, I feel “godly”. When I end up with bunk gear, and I drop down to near enough 0, it’s like a living hell - lethargic, brain fog, no libido, motivation etc. I guess you’re ok with that, since you can get pharma grade stuff over the counter in Thailand I believe.
Informative post anyway, I’m going to try out some Kratom. Keep up the good work.
Yeah, testosterone is no problem here. AT the moment I’ve been off test 10 weeks and counting. No libido, brain fog in the afternoon for sure, lethargic especially in the afternoon (morning and evening is fine), but I’m hugely motivated - I have so many things to do I can’t stop.
Hey DT-
If you try again - take less.
The “feeling high” is from taking a bit too much. The good news is - it seems to work for you, but there’s a bit more trial and error to figure out a consistency a ‘productivity dose’.
Uncle Vic,
You da man. I read your blog every day and it gives me motivation to keep dragging myself out of hell. You and Chris are doing a fine job. Kratom is amazing!
Victor I fucked up naming my Blog Do you have a post somewhere on picking a blog name? Mine is “SELF HELP DIET” It’s super lame haha
That’s an ok name. The biggies are no dashes (-), always use a dot com, and never use stupid, made up words.
Wanna look at it and tell me what you think? Spent barely any time posting. The two posts I have need major work cause i’ve been trying to figure out the whole design setup and such.
You only have two posts, so write a lot more.
#1 The logo looks childish.
#2 Edit the auto suggestion post to have your paragraphs around 2-3 sentences each. They’re too long right now.
#3 Good 6 pack. Good article and good styling but you have extra white space above “Weightlifting”, “Cardio” and “Supplements”. Extra white space makes you look like an amateur. Kill that extra white space.
Oh damn thanks a lot. I felt like I had everything under control when i started this but now that it’s actually under way I feel like I’m all over the place haha This is the first time I’ve really commented glad to see you are so helpful and not stuck up like most people.
hey Vic,
Just wondering, Does kratom show up on drug tests?
No idea, never taken a drug test in my life. Doubt it shows up because it’s legal in 46 States.
No - not unless the test looks for Mitagyna Specisoa.
Kratom isn’t a morphine based narcotic - it’s from the coffee plant - so it’s not going to register as an opiate (what 99% of drug tests look for)
“Kratom isn’t a morphine based narcotic – it’s from the coffee plant family”
fixed that for ya
Hey Vic. Do you cycle Kratom like you do your other supplements? Or do you drink it daily?
No, not daily. Maybe 2-3 times per week. Sometimes I go weeks without it.
Kratom is not tested for in any drug test in the United States. I have used Kratom for about 2 years and have been tested within this time so I know from person experience.
Never mind I just read in a comment that you take it 2-3 times a week. Thanks Vic. Hope you make another question and answer pride cast. I learned a lot on your last set.
I forgot to email you about this. I just got my 30 day supply of modafinil 200mg yesterday. Took half yesterday. It worked great. I knew I had something to do so I just did it with out a question. I just opened my business so I love how I got shit done on modafinil. Today I tried the whole pill, felt great, still got everything done with great focus but my vision got blurry when I had to read small font. Other than that it was awesome. I will use only half tomorrow. Thanks Vic
Excellent. I like a half tab myself when I use it.
Yo Vic!
Have you ever tried Bulletproof coffee or can anyone else recommend it?
Never tried it. I just heard about death wish coffee, supposedly the strongest coffee you can buy. I’ll try that in a few months when my guy goes to America and ships it to me (the shipping here is outrageous).
Vic, do you take general health supplements such as multi-vitamins and Omega-3s?
I take omega 3s. No multis. I take zinc. I take magnesium and potassium. Dandelion root off and on as a mild diuretic. Green tea extract off and on. Different vitamins off and on, different nootropics off and on.
What brand of omega-3 do you take?
Also, you mentioned you take Xanax. What you think of ZMA? These are apparently quite effective (but natural) sleep aids.
GNC currently. ZMA never helped me sleep so I don’t use it anymore. For a natural sleep aid I like 5htp which is an amino acid.
Do you still think liver tablets are the way to go for energy and recovery? Do you still take them? What are your thoughts on creatine?
No liver tabs, can’t get ’em in Thailand and shipping is too much. Creatine is useless.
Weed is awesome.
I concur. Music sounds full and dynamic, one of the best reasons to try it.
Damn the victor seal of approval this is making me seriously considering getting it. Is it a supplement or a nootropic?
I really distaste the feeling of being high (weed makes me feel sick) is it worth getting?
I don’t want anything that clouds my mind
It’s neither, it’s a plant. It doesn’t get you high like weed. It doesn’t cloud my mind, like I said in the article, it actually relieves my afternoon brain-fog.
Anyone know the status in Cambodia?
Personally, I wouldn’t worry one bit about kratom in Cambodia.
Great post Vic. Gonna have to get out and try Kratom one day, But like all the good stuff its illegal in Aus…
Kratom has an interesting effect on you. I hope your audience reads http://www.erowid.org user reports on kratom because honest to god the stuff makes most people somewhat chilled and lethargic. The idea that it makes you want to kick butt means you’re an exception. Kratom is most closely chemically/structurally related to weak opiates aka painkillers, so while the plant may be related to coffee, the molecule which effects you is closer nothing like caffeine and for most people there will be nothing resembling a kick.
Also, does Chris take this stuff daily..? Hell, whatever works I guess.
I’m 100% sure everyone who reads B&D also has access to google and can make their own decision.
Totally agree, and the audience you tend to attract for the most part can think for themselves as well. Can’t say enough how much value and motivation you’ve provided me with. Can’t wait to see some quality B&D merchandise on here one of these days. I’ll definitely be buying a shirt.
Hey EE —
yeah ive taken it multiple times, everyday, for about 5+ years now.
It’s not so black/white though.
Some strains are for social stuff, some for productivity, some for laying around. Some have solid pain killing effect. It really varies.
I suggest people read up on Kratom (from independent sources) but people also need to take it with a grain of salt because most kratom on the market is LOUSY. It’s an anxiety attack waiting to happen. Good Kratom, however, is nothing sort of amazing. It just depends on the source.
Hope that makes sense
Nice. I never realized it was so varied. Seems like a convenient way to control your state based on what you want to do throughout the day. Gotta do whatever it takes to be at your best. It’s clearly not hurting your ability to get shit done and live like a beast.
I take coffee every day, multiple times a day. I just couldn’t imagine being as productive as you if I took Kratom daily. That’s based on my experience with the cheap stuff though and I’ve never cycled strains or anything like that. Sounds like that makes a significant difference.
Yep, the quality of the Kratom is what makes the difference.
It’s night and day.
Crappy Kratom only lasts 20-30minutes and never really peaks. Or worse - does nothing/increases anxiety.
Understandably, a lot of guys base ‘what they think of Kratom’ on a single experience with a random product, usually from a headshop - that carries the cheapest of the cheap.
Kratom isn’t like “beer” or something standardized that will always give the same predictable effect - that’s why the trial and error period is basically unavoidable.
At the same time, like everything else, there’s certainly a way to abuse Kratom (taking extracts for example) that can cause trouble.
It has it’s pluses and minuses, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives for me during this period of my life (productivity/GLL) and that’s why I’ve used it basically everyday for half a decade.
I don’t suggest this for everyone - but it’s worth consideration if you respond well and its fits your overall lifestyle/goals.
Well put - I believe the same thing is true about marijuana.
Hey Chris, does your site ship to the UK? I personally have had a fantastic year thanks to kratom having been a avid follower of your site for the last couple of years. I have however come to a sticking point, where my burn is lacking and a dependency has grown. I am very intruiged whether your product is better than what Ive been buying here in England (which by the way has been good quality in my opinion).
Many thanks,
Luke
Good Looking Loser: I read in one of your posts that there are some kinds of Kratom that have a “solid pain killing effect”. I was wondering if you could please tell me what type this is.
You also wrote that most Kratom on the market is lousy. Is it possible for you to provide me with an on-line provider that is not lousy. I am also most interested in the tinctures or liquid? as I have cancer and having a lot of issues with nasea and vomiting.
My thinking is I would only need to swallow a small amount of the liquid this way and by-pass the plant material.
I am also most interested in Kratom for relieving the intense pain I experience at times.
I sure appreciate your assistance and your time. Kay
I’m always curious to try things for myself. There seem to be conflicting reports on this substance and the fact that some governments have banned it should be food for thought. If it was just like coffee why would it be deemed illegal in so many countries?
I’ll look into this objectively - but I’m a little concerned about using it due to regular drug tests on the rigs.
It’s definitely not illegal for any legitimate reason. Alcohol and cigarettes are far more harmful.
No no no, I’m not feeling this one. Modafinil ok I was on it before it became a thing, same with Piracetam, Phenibut, Ani, Oxi or Noopept. But when it comes to Kratom, I have an issue. Yes, it is true that Kratom has been linked to IMPOTENCE in users and it is all in all a replacement for Weed. Just avoid Kratom and focus on the real nootropics like D&P recently pointed out: NAC. That’s the real shit…dont mess urself up with this stuff yo…improve performance not become a stoner is what u shud be going for.
“dont mess urself up with this stuff yo…improve performance not become a stoner is what u shud be going for.”
You write like a moron. Read the article, I said clearly this does improve my performance.
“That’s the real shit…dont mess urself up with this stuff yo…improve performance not become a stoner is what u shud be going for”
By-product of the American educational system no doubt?
Hence why I will be homeschooling my kids…
Great idea Jacob.
@Sid, Kratom makes me hornier, definitely not causing impotence for me.
Starting the read I was thinking “but VP how does it compare to modafinil?” Low and behold, a few lines later there’s the comparison.
Nice to see it’s legal in the great white north… gotta go track some down!
Started 30 DoD. Currently removing bad chemicals like caffeine and processed sugar. Not looking to add anything just now. Establishing my baseline.
Coming off caffeine was hard ( 2L-3L diet coke daily). Getting over the slump and massive headaches.
Rearranged my schedule to do my thinking chores in the AM and the mindless chores in the PM. Being a wage slave with 8 dependents keeps me busy in between. That program changes 5/31/19, or sooner.
I will consider this when I get to the place where I need it to be more productive, particularly in the afternoons.
Victor, thank you for introducing the idea fully to your audience. You wrote recently that you live your life and write about it.
You also wrote here that everyone is free to research this and make their own decision. That is exactly right.
To the rest of you, we all choose our cars, movies, GFs, wives; good and bad. The same applies to chemicals we put in our bodies and why.
Make an informed decision and respect others’ rights to do the same.
Not sure of your reasons for cutting out the caffeine be they medical or it’s just a crutch. If it’s not medical I see no need to completely cut out caffeine. Just drink black coffee. I agree that cutting out the 2-3L of coke is a good idea. You’re slumps and headaches is probably more from all the extra crap in those “diet” cokes than the caffeine.
I’ve been using a lot of Vic’s concepts in 30 DoD to increase my productivity. I’ve noticed the morning is the best time for me to do general chores around the house, catch up on my reading, and prepare my lunch for the day. I don’t have the energy to do hard workouts in the morning, so instead I get everything out of the way that would suck time from my evening workout. It’s all about adapting it to suit your personal strengths and weaknesses.
Best of luck to you Wolf. Keep on howling.
Removing caffeine for medical as well as personal reasons.
Personally, I don’t want to be “addicted” to anything.
Medically, I had a submandibular extraction. Instead of a kidney stone it’s a salivary stone. I had one the size of a Concord grape that destroyed the salivary gland.
You may be right about the diet coke and the caffeine. Either way, it had to go. I might try coffee later.
Our schedules are very similar. I do my 30DoD in the morning and a personal routine I like when I come home from work.
Your site looks good.
Thanks for your encouragement.
It just goes to show how products made from nature always tend to help us Humans to do better. Keep drinking that 5 hour crap and Red Bull which will make your heart palpitate and then hit you with the worse sugar crash as you fight to stay awake!
From what I read here that Kratom may be the thing to use to keep you focused and energetic!
Great Post Vic
Vic I love your website and your motivational attitude, but this should be deleted.
You can delete if you’d like just wanted to get that across for the uninformed people.
I don’t know what you wrote but I can only assume it was similar to mine
-Hm… I’m guessing your theory that addiction is fueled by a weak character is backed up by your psych degree? If so I would love to hear all about it because that would fly in the face of countless studies and years of research by doctors who have a pretty firm consensus otherwise. Sorry your article is pretty hard to palate as I have an allergy to arrogance.
No problem bud. I went ahead and deleted the rest of your comment for you.
I have also never once even smoked a joint in my entire life. Went thru a drinking stage on weekends in my 20s and 30s for the night life, but now in my ow 40s and married I never drink and if I do it just makes me tired.
10 years ago while working a strictly commision paying job I started taking a Tramadol pill a day for a bad back. I noticed it gave me tons of energy and most importantly put me in a great mood. I even refered to these as “the happy pills”. My doctor said that most get tired and/or real high off opiates but others like me get this huge rush of energy and actually get more done. I ‘ve never had a better all around stretch of life than those four years. It was unreal what I accomplished and how much I overachieved. I felt more alive than I had ever felt in my life.
Everytime someone asked me how or why I worked so hard and had such a great attitude I told them aboout my pick me up. Boy that was a huge mistake and it drove me crazy how people looked down on me so much for it. Keep in mind even to this day I’ve never smoked a joint, did a line of coke but these folks were ready for me to enter rehab.
People just can’t imagine someone taking something that others end up getting addicted too. It’s all about moderation and discipline just like with junk food, gambling, etc… Like you said addictions are for the weak minded. Sorry if that sounds wrong but its so true. My brother and best friend still take a pill everyday to get them thru those four hours of the day that they need a boost. These are two of the most succesful, driven, reliable people I know. I’ll be sure to mention kratom to them and will give it a try myself as I’ve been looking for something like this for years.
Not doing the same type job out nowadays that I did back then so I’ve stopped taking anything. My productivity and mood aren’t nearly as good and really feel I’ve lost my edge. Hope this gives me a nice boost because I truly feel passion and persistence are the two main things that separate winners from common everday people. Life isn’t a dress rehersal. We don’t get to do it again.
You completely nailed it with this comment and I’ve made it the featured comment on the home page.
Great Post!
Like you I’ve had back pain ever since a skiing accident where the doctor told me my injuries were permanent. His remedy? A large opiate cocktail which was draining me of my money and health. The conclusion was that I would never be able to train my back again and I would need to be on a maintenance dose of oxycodone the rest of my life.
Something wasn’t right though, he would come in ask me how I was doing and immediately write the script. This was an immediately red flag and I never looked back, sadly this happens everyday and the brainwashed public can’t see this. A lot of doctors don’t really give a shit about you, they just want to finance their Fiji homes.
I began researching alternative methods and finally found speciosa on an opiate recovery forum. Kratom was the only thing that had mental benefits along with physical (fiber in the plant, vitamins.)
I found it only took a small dose to receive the same benefits as prescription opiates (Kratom 17x stronger than morphine) So I started taking 2g a day and life slowly came back into balance. Whenever I would run out of kratom there would be no anxiety, withdrawals. It is a miracle herb if used properly, the ones who bash it were/are addicted or get ripped off by 10000x extracts at headshops.
Also people judge your drug use because they see something about themselves that is addictive. They try to mask this by bringing attention to other people.
TLDR; Find out what works for you, who am I to judge you.
Fucking shit, kratom is illegal in Israel. Guess I’m sticking to coffee for the near future.
Vic, the vascular motherfucker in the photo giving the thumps up… you?
You bet ya.
Thank you for the tea recipe, Victor, I am trying it now as I write this.
I’ve been using Kratom for years now. I’ve ordered from Happy Hippo. Great quality, and they always deliver MORE than you asked. The only reason I dont order from there any more is because of geography. It takes too long to get to Europe compared to others here. Kratom is great, MUCH better than Phenibut and legal almost everywhere. It can easily be one of the greatest thing you ever introduce your life to, but as many have stated, know what you are getting into. Does it cause addiction? Yes. Is there a way to prevent? Yep. What are the withdrawals? This is my experience, when I first got Kratom I used it very irresponsibly(two weeks with the same strain) and when I stopped, the withdrawal was a 3-week long cold. It wasnt pleasant but it wasnt the worse.
Kind regards,
PS: Keep kicking some ass, this blog has a crucial motivator for me to read more financial books and start my own blog.
That’s awesome that you guys have tried it.
Check out the Bold&Determined Special Edition Kratom Guide for ways to reset your tolerance, beat the mini-withdrawal and avoid going down that path in the first place-
http://www.goodlookingloser.com//component/easyblog/entry/all-about-kratom-the-bold-determined-special-edition?Itemid=467/
scroll down or ctrl + f, tolerance
I think it’s a good idea to learn this stuff beforehand.
Great nail polish bro.
I tried it because i wanted to know what opiates are like without having to try the “real” ones.
It did give me a decent buzz, but the taste, oh god the taste.
I had to throw it out because i couldn’t stand it and it made me throw up twice.
months after just thinking of the taste made me dry heave
do it as Victor suggests or throw it in a vitamin water zero bottle (with some crystal light or Mio, sugar-free liquid sweetener). It’s makes it “okay”.
you could cap it if you really wanted to
But yeah, after 5+ years of daily use, I still hate the taste. I don’t know how anyone does the “toss and wash” method.
I know it’s illegal to modafinil in the States with out a prescription. How likely is it that it will be traced back to me. If I order it from the website you have linked on your web site?
Who the fuck cares about modafinil? Tell me. Then you’ll have your answer.
Obviously I give a fuck! You should to considering it has “the victor pride stamp of approval” and you commercial it on your website! Thanks for the help! Ha
No guy. I mean who cares to track your package of modafinil.
Haha, this Kratom shit is making you a softie Vic.
There you go helping around every single commenter while answering in a nice and kind tone regardless of senselessness of the question.
You’ll start missing the zero bullshit tolerance. Keeps your Zeal up.
Nah, I almost killed the comments on this article 15 times because of the few morons I had to deal with. Normally 96% of comments are great, 4% are retards. This one was more like 90/10.
Great post Vic, will give the tea a try, should be an improvement on my current method of choking it down. Been using Chris’s Happy Hippo stuff for a while and definitely agree its top of the line compared to other places I’ve ordered from. From a performance enhancing perspective the Maeng Da gives me about 8 to 10 solid hours of energy through the day dosed 4 grams in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. The key for me is as you said, keep to those dose ranges and rotate strains if I’m going the daily route. In my experience with experimenting at higher doses I would get hives and a weakened immune system, with too many days on the same strain I would get a light flu as withdrawal. When following the proper dosing protocol though its a fantastic compound.
Hey Rev- I’m happy to hear that.
I don’t want to say/suggest anything is a total “miracle” but this is as good as it gets (risk v. reward) of anything I’ve ever had.
As a side-note - since it’s just a bunch of leaves (crushed to a powder) - it’s loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients (especially Hippo’s stuff which is ~4weeks old) that won’t be in the typical USA diet. I don’t know if this prevents seasonal colds but it sure couldn’t hurt.
Thanks for the clarification and patients Vic… Just trying to better myself through your site… I might have a long road ahead of me..
Great article - I’ve seen GLL talk Kratom in a lot of his articles. Well written and I love the step-by-step at the end.
Since both you and Chris mentioned Kratom (independently of each other) a couple of times, it definitely got my attention. I’d love to try it some time when I’m out of Sweden.
Benzos? Wow.. Just have to make a quick comment.. I know two people who died from them and one other had a- ready now- a two year withdrawal!! from them!! She had weird crap like brain on fire, could not walk properly, suicidal thoughts, vision was messed, stomach issues, things looked off to her and so many other things.. Glad you do NOT recommend them. From what I understand coming off them rapidly or in a cold turkey can create hell on earth for some!
Hey Vic,
Did u try any of the Hippo Kava juice extract?
if so, how was it?
Never tried.
Hey Vic,
I have recently heard from a friend about a stimulant called Ritalin it is said to make you calmer, relaxed but more concentrated. I’m looking forward to giving it a shot. it’s also said to be “legal cocain” . If you have any experience with it I would appreciate a feedback.
Never used it.
I’ve been using Kratom for 4 to 5 months now and it’s definitely been hit or miss using toss and wash. Sometimes I am very productive, other times I don’t feel much, and other times I feel like sleeping.
Recently I’ve been having some stomach pain. I’ve never had this before, but after doing research I think it’s because I started doing toss and wash with red-vein strains for the past month or two. I love Kratom. When the shit works, it really helps me be productive and build my business, but the past week I haven’t used any because of terrible stomach pain.
This post comes at a good time. I’m going to wait a bit to let my stomach recover than start making the tea. If it produces a consistent aroma and allows me to use Kratom without stomach discomfort, it will be a God-send.
Vic,
Make that shirt available immediately! I’ll be patiently waiting to purchase one!
Coming soon!
Put me down for 7. My biggest pup is 6’4″, 315lbs. Thank GOD he decided to play football instead of dance. XXL
That’s a big boy, hope XXL will do the trick.
Vic,
Awesome article. Chris from GLL suggests taking kratom (non-tea form) on an empty stomach. I agree - I don’t feel the same effects unless my stomach is empty. What do you observe with the tea - do you drink on an empty stomach or does it not matter as much when taken in this form?
I sip on it throughout the day. It can take 6-8 hours to finish.
Yup, it will vary person-to-person.
try all sorts of ways/circumstances
Hey Vic I know this is a little late, but I’ve scanned the whole article and all the comments and I haven’t found anything regarding how old you should be before taking Kratom, I’m an 18 year old guy and I know you have a lot of other young readers. This shit sounds amazing, but should I wait a couple years before using it?
Yeah, you should wait for sure. You’re too young for sure, wait until 25-30.
Vic,have you ever tried Tribullus Terestris ( aka Gokshura) ?
Yeah, never got anything from it.
Victor,
Great article, love your website. I am also impressed at how much time you devote to responding to comments.
My question: when you make the tea, do you keep the first and second steepings separate or do you combine them? Is there a potency difference between the two?
I typically drink it as it’s made, so I’ll drink the first one first. Sometimes I combine them in a jug to drink later and notice no difference in potency.
OK, thanks for the reply. Long time kratom user here (make my own capsules mostly) and just brewed up my first batch of tea using your protocol. I’ll blend the two fractions together.
That twice cooked tea does look great. Like a big bottle filled with the blood of my enemies.
haha!
Kratom works - no doubt about it.
Its one of those treats from creation that not everyone will have the patience or wisdom to respect and utilize. Like anything in nature, it can be abused and misused. Soda, white sugar, alcohol, flouride… there are MANY more damaging elements people ingest every day without a thought. While this miraculous plant could benefit millions suffering from depression, pain,lack of productivity and other ailments, I also hope the medical community does not take much notice because they will ruin our access to it. If I had three thumbs I would raise them all to Kratom as the King Conan of the botanical world.
The only caveat that haunts the back of my man-mind is I would like to see some real studies or data on its affects on natural Testosterone production.
Any of you have any thoughts or info relating to Kratom’s effects on the endocrine system?
Good insight - I feel the exact same way.
Good Kratom is best kept secret in the universe (unfortunately it’s getting out there to companies that exploit it and might get it banned).
As for test levels - I would assume [to a lesser extent] daily use would resemble daily opiod use. From what I’ve read - it has no effect whatsoever on test levels but libido goes away from the supplemental endorphins.
I run my own HRT so can’t be a legit test subject.
If I see any studies. I’ll mention them on GLL. It’ll be hard to come by unfortunately, but the surefire solution is run your own HRT.
I was about ready to give up on kratom. I already threw away half a bag. I hated how it felt like it was in my stomach. It didn’t really give me any good feelings it just made me feel weird and slightly constipated. I still have some so I will give it another try with this recipe Sunday. Thanks Mr. Pride.
quality is what matters…
there is a good chance you have stale, crappy Kratom.
I wish you luck… but if it sucks. please don’t write it off until you try quality Kratom. see victors rec.
Just discovered Vic’s great info site when searching Modifinil. I’m a middle aged guy nearly 20 years into smart drug and safe legal enhancements:
- I occasionally used some Kratom extracts from a trusted source, it was intense, but now this detailed page about tolerance and rotation explains why my recent trial has likely gone flat.
- adrifinil recently kicked in for me after a few sporadic trials and now makes perfect sense to use, maybe the most profound thing for my lifelong ADD and apnea issues. Phenylpiracetam also now seems right up there. Pramiracetam was the reining champ until these came around.
- phenibut is also amazingly potent and profound for relaxation, but seems like it can make a special hell for the anxious, weak willed and addictive types who abuse it.
- the fastest, safest, and most effective anti-depressant and anti-anxiety OTC thing out there is tianeptine / stablon (which paradoxically, works the opposite of typical SSRIs. It also mildly stimulates an opiate receptor and triggers notable neural growth and brain repair).
Interesting. I’ve never heard of stablon until this very moment.
It is in a class by itself, with perhaps the lowest safety and sides concerns of any pharma type AD. Results happen in minutes, instead of weeks, and quitting is no problem for most, (whereas going cold turkey on SSRIs can even be fatal). Fewer drug, herb or supplement interactions, too, (but you still need to use common sense).
Saying that, while many notice no sides, I did experience a few listed ones: early vertigo episodes, constipation after trying it a few days in a row, and (unlisted) pupil constriction.
These particular sides are more characteristic of opiate use, but Stablon use, tolerance and withdrawal sounds even less complicated than with kratom.
Everyone is different, of course. But in my experience, Stablon stands alone. Under normal circumstances, I resort to no more than 20-30mgs, twice a week, tops. 5 gms will last a long while on that schedule.
You’re a terrific writer Mind show. If you don’t have a blog detailing your experience with all these substances the world is missing out. There are probably millions of people on SSRIs right now who had no idea that something like this even existed.
Hey thanx! After years of looking into this stuff for my own needs, I always like to share with whoever is interested.
I tried a few general Health blog entries years ago (Practicalhealthystuff)
Maybe I will look into you hub offer soon.
Forget about “soon”, do it now. I will personally read it. If you need tips about how to set it up you just email me, I know your handle and I will respond.
Was curious and checked out the website. Was ready to order and realized the price quoted $17.00 is $17/oz-$46/4 oz. To make an two 8 oz teas one needs to spend at least $92.
No its 8 grams not 8 ounces…One oz is 28 grams.. One oz is $17
What if the second cooking is not of a different color?
Hmm. Dunno. Should be fine, but it always happens to me that it’s a 2nd, richer color. Should still be fine to drink if not.
Hey Vic, I’m working and living in Cambodia currently. When I seek to relieve stress, I take Diazepam. However, it doesn’t have the same calming effect on me it used to… Do you know if Kratom is available/legal in Cambodia? I went to several pharmacies - they don’t seem to have a freakin clue what Kratom is!
Ask happy hippo.
I can’t wait to try Kratom. Ever since Good Looking Loser’s first recommendation I have been curios, but now that he has opened Happy Hippo Herbals it’s easy to get.
Vic-
Thanks for doing all the leg work for us newbies, I can’t wait to try it.
I had always toss & washed kratom previously and also got frustrated with the seemingly random instances of good experiances and feeling little at all - I then moved over to the tea recipie here and effects are now very consisatnt though it takes me longer than 20-30mins to get the reduction in volume written here. There does seem to be a reasonable inefficiency in the extraction and difference in the feeling so I still t&w the kratom filtered out which is very easy when it is wet.
I suffer badly from social anxiety and kratom has enabled me to cope with social situations I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to deal with while having little anxiety. I also suffer from moderate to severe drug resistant depression and though it alleviates that temporarily which is welcome I caution anyone using it for this purpose to not let it become a ‘fix’ or habitual. I also take DLPA which seems to work well with kratom.
Hey Vic,
Excellent write up. I have burned before, but never via the tea method. Two questions:
1. Does the tea taste as bad as straight kratom in liquid?
2. How does dosage translate in this form to ingesting whole kratom? For instance, if I want to ingest the equivalent to 4 grams of Kratom, how much tea do I drink (made from what amount of Kratom?)?
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
1) Tastes great.
2) Seems about the same to me.
I’ve been testing Kratom for pain, drinking it with juice and had mixed results and even some unpleasant ones. (Nausea, major sleepiness after it wears off and of course the hit and miss on mood, mostly miss.) It does get rid of my pain when means I don’t have to take dangerous pain meds. However due to the side effects I was going to stop until I read your article. I’ve just made a batch of tea to see if that gets rid of the unpleasant and uneven effects. I’ll be testing that today. However, it was NIGHTMARE straining the stuff through a coffee filter. Took me like 2 hours and I had to keep changing filters as they stopped up after one use. Is there a faster way to do this? Any fabric that will work as the filters do so I can pour in the full batch and just let it sit for a few hours while it drips down?
Thanks!
Pce4All
I solved my own problem. I used unbleached muslin to strain it through and it worked wonderfully. FYI the tea method seems to work MUCH better for me. None of the side effects I was having. . I’m very much into natural healing so being able to take a plant rather than a pharmaceutical is a always my preference. Thanks for the info!
I was addicted to pain meds for 30+ years…all prescribed by doctors…the obvious inevitable happened and I became an addict with a high tolerance. I moved to Subutex and stayed on that for years but the side effects from even that…not to mention the extremely high cost got unmanageable.
I tried to kick the Subutex many times, but the restless leg syndrome, the depression, etc. made life close to unbearable and I would usually slip back into the Oxycodone or Subutex, so I could just feel like I could go on.
Then I discovered Kratom and even though I wish I didn’t need anything, I take it daily, often 3-4 times of 5mg doses a day. There is no question it is hundreds of times better than the alternative, but I’m either dependent on the Kratom (whether it’s physical or psycological, I have no idea.
I take it via capsules…..It takes about 10-12 ’00’ caps to get to 5 grams, one dose when I wake and then 2-3 throughout the day. I can say this much, when I first wake in the morning, I feel like crap…not near as bad as when I would wake up needing hydrocode or Oxycodone, but just not right.
After dosing, usually within 20-30 minutes, I feel normal and I am a productive member of society once again…much different than the days of the prescription drugs.
I noticed nobody here talks about taking via capsules…it’s either tea or some other ingestion form.
Is the capsule way okay…and does it matter that I’m not taking days off or switching what strain I use? I have tried many strains but have found that ‘Premium Red Indo’ works best for me.
Note….30 years of prescribed narcotic pain pills from doctors, 3 years of Kratom use (without any more prescription opiates,)
Thanks,
Simon
Good for you! I too used kratom to stop taking opiates! It is a miracle plant! Takes away my pain, and gives me energy! I have taken capsules, and I also toss&wash
I found kratom via Chris at GLL. He’s great.
Your statement that “a weaker man gets addicted” makes no sense against what Chris said that “kratom makes me do everything.” That’s an external locus of control either way…someone who gets addicted or someone who wouldn’t be successful without a substance like Kratom…in order to be successful.
That’s some judgemental bullshit which I’ve never seen Chris say but you did. You’re full of it. You’re nailed. Total bro-logic. Nice work. I could care less how many subscribers you have or how many might support you.
You’re just as weak as the guys you judge as addicts if you rely on Kratom for performance enhancement. I rely on Kratom the same way. Difference is I’m not a judgemental like you about “addicts.”
What an absolute wimp you are.
Kratom is great, only real side effect it kills sexual desire.
Any thoughts on that Victor?
“Any thoughts on that Victor?”
Not really, no. I don’t use kratom very much, perhaps not enough to notice.
Something is wrong with the pictures.. Either that is not 1 liter of water that you yourselve added to the pot,or that is one massive table/female hand/pot etc
I think I have about the same size pot, and adding 1 liter was too much so I even had to leave some water out.
Now after the 30 min of cooking (cooking, not boiling, it doesn’t boil that well, should we?) there is about the same amount of water, some of it went over the lid so its abvious there is somewhat less than before but still almost to the top of the pot.
Now if I’m correct you can already extract about a couple of bottles from the first cooking session so why would you re-use the same 7-8 again for another botte? Do you need 4 bottles a day? Do you only cook the 7-8 gram once a week?
Tell me a little bit more about your habit
(btw up untill now I don’t feel anything yet, and ingested 1 hour ago through this tea way)
Kratom helped me kick a full-time opiate addiction. Starting in 2006 I began using Roxicodone, a.k.a. Oxy’s several times per day. Soon after trying “Roxis” for the first time I became an IV drug user. Not long after that I found myself with a felony drug charge, and on the verge of homelessness. It was at this time that I discovered Kratom and I’ve been on the path to recovery ever since. Kratom helped alleviate the withdrawal symptoms that kept me hooked on “Roxis” for so long. Getting past the withdrawals was the hardest part and thanks to Kratom, I was able to kick…for good.
My tolerance went way up on this right away. I was ingesting about 2 oz per week. Microwaving with vodka or just eating by the tablespoon. I started raging pretty hard at about 8 months. Which, according to my friends, is one of the side effects. At this point, I’d much rather sell it than do it.
Victor, is there any particular reason to not try making a 3rd or 4th pot of tea? Why stop at 2 pots?
I don’t have an answer fella, I suppose there’s no reason you need to stop at 2.
Good way to do Kratom is put it into hot water with a bit of lemon juice and honey! SOO good! Or you can have it with tea (black tea). But here you get a bit of the earthy flavour too.
Anna, have you ever tried putting it through a French press, kinda like they make espresso? I am going to get some powder soon and try that. Anyone else has tried, please post!
Hey Victor,
i am also using Kratom 2-3 times a week mainly for productivity. I love it so far and have no problems going without it.
I want to know what you think about a full “Kratom Lifestyle” like Chris from GoodLookingLoser is doing it. What do you think is the risk to reward.
greetings from Germany
Björn
Whatever works for you. I don’t even use kratom at all anymore.
Can I ask why you don’t use Kratom at all anymore? Did the con’s out weight the pro’s?
Was ready to give up on kratom until trying your tea method. Damn Vic, you did it again. Now I’m feelin’ “zoned-in” off that White Hippo… It’s not as intense as the effects from an Addy, but of course I wouldn’t expect a natural plant to be as potent as pharmaceutical amphetamines.
Great post and thanks for the tea write-up. I know you write with a certain voice to enhance your message, so I know when you say, “Addiction is for the weak willed” you were simply inspiring confidence and motivation.
If you’ve never been addicted to anything, however, I don’t think you can say anything about addiction. That’s like saying, “China is a horrible place to visit. I’ve never been there myself, though.”
I’ve been addicted to several things and have beaten the addictions. Your brain and environment sets you up for addiction, and once the pathways are built in the brain strongly through repeated abuse, your frontal lobe activity literally goes down until your addiction subsides. Addiction is one of the most studied psychological problems out there. Anyone that says “it is for the weak willed” or that certain drugs “can’t be addictive” simply haven’t experienced it themselves, and therefore, can’t understand or imagine what it must be like.
It is so awesome to see that kratom is helping people instead of using prescription drugs. Right now I am taking Kratom about 3 times a week. Last year I wrecked my knee snowboarding and needed surgery to walk again. The pain medication was harsh and I found Kratom to replace it.
Doing your research is a must when it comes to this herb. This tea recipe sounds good and there are so many different ways to prepare your kratom dosage. Check out this article I wrote about the different ways of taking Kratom.
http://kratomblast.com/kratom-information/methods-of-taking-kratom/.
Hey Vic, great write up! I have a question about your tea recipe..
I’m a total Kratom newbie, so I ordered the newbie hippo starter pack from happy hippo. I plan on only ingesting Kratom via your tea recipe. You mentioned that you sip on your tea throughout the day. However, I would prefer to just take my Kratom in the morning and be one & done with it. Do you think your tea recipe might be a bit too strong to just pound down one whole bottle in one sitting? Also, ive been told to your dose of Kratom on an empty stomach, so I would also be drinking the whole bottle while on an empty stomach.
Everything about your blog and advice is amazing! I look forward to reading more!
I noticed that you mentioned spending a lot of time in Vietnam. Is kratom available for purchase in Ho Chi Minh City? Would I go to a tea shop to get it or a pharmacy?
No, it is not available.
Thanks for the reviews and the recipe! How much of the tea do you drink at a time? You said 8-10 grams/ day so do you drink it throughout the day? Thanks again! I love kratom!
I agree totally about happy hippo. I had one of their workers go completely above and beyond for me so they will always have my business :)
Addiction is for the weak willed? You’re a typical meathead, with zero knowledge to biology. You’d think you’d study the body if you work on it so much. Try studying the effects of chemicals on the brain. The only drug you’ve done is Kratom, and you think you’re an expert on addiction.
u mad?
You dumb?
u mad m8?
I apologize in advance for the lengthy comment but i believe this may help others as well. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your personal experience. I believe the more people do this, the more educated we can become about Kratom. I personally do not have a blog but have experiences from Kratom to share. I realize this is an older posting but you’re keeping up with comments. Everyone has their own chemical and physical makeup which will change the effects of anything we put in our body. You are correct in that anything can be addictive…making money, working out, sex, drugs, caffeine, nicotine, negative thoughts, positive thoughts. Some addictions aren’t really looked at like addictions if they are positive for your personal agenda. As for my personal experience, I have suffered from cfs 8yrs leading to depression as I could not enjoy or physically be as active as I once was. I used many antidepressants but no illegal substances. I did try a prescription narcotic for cfs associated pain which got me up and running but would have hard crashes.I realized how addictive this could’ve been if it weren’t for the intro of Kratom. I first bought a sampler pack (highly recommend this for any new Kratom user as effects of anything differ from person to person). I always use a toss and wash on an empty stomach. I’ve learned to only use pure leaf as anything else becomes less effective over a short time and will be expensive. If I take too much, I will become sick to my stomach (too much varies by user so start with low doses and add every 45 min to 2 hrs until desired effect. VERY IMPORTANT) Since using Kratom, my quality of life has improved drastically. I do not use it to get high, but this has happened during trial and error. My use is strictly for enhanced energy and focus. Sometimes for slight pain. It has a tendency to constipate, (which is great for diarrhea) and can make you have am upset stomach from that alone so keep up your fiber intake. As for na-sayers “Don’t hack it until you’ve tried it” It is all natural and has helped many get away from government controlled chemical pharmaceuticals.
Victor,
Thanks so much for sharing your research on kratom, its a goldmine. I found a much easier way to brew kratom; just fix it the same way you fix coffee. I use a single serving Black and Decker coffee pot and the kratom brews perfectly. Also, I’m not sure if you’ve tried Hyper Hippo but its a great strand too.
Hi, yes I’m new to Kratom and was wondering why no one seemed to mentioned using a coffee maker. I got mine and made some and so far it seems ok (I used 1 teaspoon = ~5 grams).
Just it seems to me so far after purchasing the sample pack from Happy Hippo that some types of Kratom make me feel weird (Top Shelf Bali is an example of one) and I’m not sure how much I’ll need to take.
I did purchase Phenibut after reading about it at the Good Looking Loser site and it works well! 500mg I started with and it helped a lot with depression, anxiety, and more. Made me relaxed and was operating more efficiently. However I would prefer a natural supplement like Kratom when possible.
I just started ordering kratom from http://www.happyhippoherbals.com. VERY satisfied so far. Been very productive and my favorite part is… I hardly every get mad. :) I’ve got more coming in the mail tomorrow.
I’ve just been mixing it with a little orange juice and taking it to the dome but I think I’m going to try making this tea.
I’m guessing you just sip on the tea through out the day?
Here’s a review I wrote about my experience with kratom from Happy Hippo Herbals for anyone that’s interested.
http://themajikalmethod.com/happy-hippo-kratom-hyper-hippo-strain-review/
I want to try the tea, but can you share about how much to drink at a time using your recipe? Thanks! Is first pass of the tea strongest and the second weaker although darker?
Hi ,loved your article.Ive been doi.g kratom on and off over five yrs and its awsome.I was doing pills and other drugs for pain,anxiety,and energy. Until i was introduced to kratom.I order from guthros garden and they have best prices and she will answer any questions.I wish people would stop believing the gov bs and regulations,they only try to make it illegal because of big pharma.I suggest anyone w anxiety or pain give it a try,it cant hurt except for the taste,l.
Great post Victor. Kratom is certainly a wonderful herb however I wouldn’t recommend it as a nootropic or for daily use. A lot of people have been using it to help with the pain management. I hope to god this stuff stay legal on a federal level. It urks me to no end the misinformation that is being spread. We are constantly seeing reporters spread wrong information with no actual knowledge. As a community, we need to hold these media outlets responsible for their actions. On that note, everyone please sign to Kratom Petition - each signature will help!
I’m new to the whole krater thing and started after reading Chris’s posts on GLL but never knew how to make a tea, thanks for giving a recipe and for making it simple! If I have time I’ll make a Happy Hippo I tea today
OK, Here’s the deal. I am a surviving Brain Infection Patient & Kratom is somewhat of a GOD send. Being that I am Now a Seizure Patient after the illness, Kratom is the ONLY thing that completely does the job where BOTH energy, attitude and concentration are concerned. The ONLY thing my Neurologist could suggest was Armodafanil.(Not Modafanil). Now, Nuvigil DOES keep me awake but thats it !!!! I have been taking Kratom for 2 yrs. It still works great. When I have it, I take it everyday to No Ado. I STILL only take 3 Grams @ a time for a MAX of twice a day. It works incredibly in ALL the above areas & does NOT CAUSE SEIZURES!! Even when combined with Armodafinil/Nuvigil and 2 cups of coffee in the A.m. In addition, I have been OFF Kratom for MORE than a month before & Did not experience Withdrawal, Nor did I Become Emotionally unstable like an addiction causes. Now that I have said all that, Let me say this. LISTEN! When people say DONT do the extracts.! Regular Kratom does the JOB & does not cause ill effects. My Neurologist KNOWS about the Kratom and I am tested ATLEAST once a year for ANY illnesses including Liver & Kidneys. ALL IS WELL!! To End:
I am a Maeng Da Girl..(which is considered Pimp Grade) & I ONLY buy from (Jacksons Kratom) because Its ALWAYS Fresh, Good Quality, Great customer Service, The Quickest shipping ive EVER seen & THE cheapest prices ANYWHERE!! DONT let the Price Scare YOU. By the way. I have tried other vendors and I take capsule form. It works great for me. The supplier I mentioned above has it in 3 forms. I take a citric acid capsule(also sold by him) with my 3grams of Maeng Da & im GREAT!!!!!!!
Alot of information here thanks for putting it all together, I dont know enough about you to judge nor should I ever judge you even if I did, but from what ive read so far it seems the world is your oyster lucky guy. It really ticked me off hearing you say how addicts of all kinds are weak willed. And apparently your all that, maybe you got some good genetics combined with a healthy lifestyle. Some people arent that lucky and are born with mental illness, so no mayter how healthy they are they will still feel off, and drugs become somethin that make them feel good for once. im not saying its there best option, but when you hear voices in your head and hav suicidal thoughts from your genetics, you gotta have a little sympathy for them trying to get away from those feelings.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/man-died-after-mixing-herbal-tea-he-bought-on-internet-26740661.html
You sure karom is good brah?
kratom*
When you brew your 8 oz recipe, How long will it last, refrigerated. I’m a 130 lb female and thought I’d start slower than 8 oz a day. Can I make it and save it for the every other day plan to start out? Can I stretch it over a couple of days to get a 2nd strand in? This article was great and I read it twice. I’m hoping I’m not making your repeat something that is already written out. If you said how long it lasts, (more than the night before?) Even the Kava bars here (in South Florida) are not very informative or always helpful about how and what to order. I’m sure newbies are annoying. They kind of just give me any thing. Sometimes hot tea, sometimes cold. I never know what I’m going to get. Last one was $30 for a double kava in a plastic solo and cold tea (5 oz with a red capped container). It was amazing. Just can’t get them to explain what they are serving. Thank you so much for all this info!
I’m not sure exactly how long it will last, but I have refrigerated it and had it many hours later and it was still good. Since it’s tea I would imagine it could last a couple days at least.
You’re a fucking idiot piece of shit thinking addiction has anything to do with being ”weak willed”. A stupid fucking asshole. I would punch you in the fucking mouth if you said it to me in person, I swear to you. Idiot.
If you saw me in person you’d probably beg for money for a fix you weak little girl.
I stumbled on this article while researching Kratom and read the entire thing. It was quite informative but I gotta say you are one arrogant SOB. Hopefully some of this Kratom will knock you down a peg or two, because you really need to be. Just remember your shit stinks just like everyone else. Have a good day.
Thanks for being a big fan, Zack! Glad you loved the article.
Hi Victor,
I read when it was posted and got into Kratom, it was so good I soon was using it daily and now will have to face the w/ds. I take it you managed to keep it to 2/3 times a week and continue enjoying it no probs? Hope that’s the case, thanks, good write up, but for sure this is a sneaky little herb.
I stopped cold turkey after I moved, no problem.
Addiction is a disease and not everyone has the DNA to end up with addiction. I DO have sympathetic for those who suffer with addiction. It can destroy lives. How can you be so small minded and simple minded to not care? Wow. Cruel.
Kratom is literally the best psychoactive substance on this planet. It’s quite literally “gods drug” it provides enthusiasm to Work Hard. It doesn’t get any better than that people!
I love maeng da kratom
I agree with what Victor said about the anti anxiety and pro social effects of kratom. If you need to lean on a crutch a little bit while picking up girls and having confidence, kratom can be a magic bullet
Really nice write up, but you should do some research on addiction. It’s a legitimate psychological disorder that has ruined and ended countless lives, and has nothing to do with weakness. Not only are your opinions on the matter completely irrelevant, they are also ignorant and pretty damn offensive.
I enjoyed this a lot, it was very well written bravo!!
BUT… What you wrote about addiction concerned me a lot so I felt inclined to address it here by saying that it is NOT the result of a weak willpower/character and is in fact a disease with very real physical abnormalities/changes and clinical manifestations that can be noted in the brain and its neural circuitry. Also, addiction has the ability to alter epigenetics by activating certain genes and their level of expression. In simpler terms, epigenes are genes whose activity is regulated by environmental factors, an individual’s behavior (smoking for example), etc. I hope that my educational background- B.S. Neuroscience and current M.S. Pathology student- and my experience in medical research throughout my academic career will add a bit of credibility to that statement but if you’d like to see proof for yourself straight from a source I can list links to an extensive amount of academic research (funded by the National Institute of Health; the government agency that funds all academic research from all universities and institutes in the U.S.) that has been done on this topic.
I know very well that this topic was controversial but I’m surprised that it continues to be today. The fact of the matter is the war on drugs campaign from the 80’s and the resulting federal persecution of drug addicts left a long lasting stigma about addiction. In reality it’s not an addicts choice to indulge in said behavior whatsoever. Obviously I’m talking about real full blown addicts whether it’s for drugs, food, etc. and not for example, someone plagued with poor habits causing them to indulge or behave in a certain way.
When you say “disease” people automatically say that’s bs because they attribute the word to the obvious “in your face” as I like to call malignancies like cancer etc. But indeed it is a disease, one that doesn’t result from an infection per say, but one that develops subtly and gradually by incremental unnoticeable changes to our physical neural system to the point that the thirst for that behavior is as real as the physical thirst for water.
(If still unconvinced think of newborn babies that literally come out of the womb with a drug addiction like crack-cocaine because the mother used during pregnancy. Is the newborns will power weak too? These newborns go through withdrawals and need medical intervention for not only the fatal withdrawal symptoms in the moment, but the lasting addiction afterward for those that survive)
thank you thank you thank you, Leo. Addiction is not a problem of will. The man that wrote this article is arrogant and ignorant. Sounds to me like he is “addicted” to masculinity and proving his testoterone levels…..not a fan
If you have had no experience with addiction, you have no business telling anyone that struggles with it that they have a character flaw or weak will. Let’s just change your “perfect” brain chemistry around. Take away a little of that precious dopamine you take for granted or maybe remove that serotonin and see if you still think it’s all about character or strong will. I was interested in your post but you lost all credibility with me once you made those insensitive comments.
Maybe you should cry more.
Anyone who disagrees with you is crying? You talk about men who are weak in character, and here you can’t even take valid criticism without being a little bitch.
Cry more.
You sound like a know it all and very rude to me, are you like just into yourself and no one else’s thoughts matter????
Yes and thanks for noticing.
I like the write up just think your too judgemental about addicts actually hypercritical. Everyone is addicted to something unhealthy to either the body or soul. People have strengths in areas others are weak and weaknesses where others are strong. We need to build each other up not cut them down. I’m a hypocrite though cause there’s some ignorant ass motherfuckers I just want to beat the fuck out of. The ghetto came out of me excuse me. Thanks for the tea formula… Great insight and articulate description
I have been taking methadone for 12 years and I took some and it not only helpped with pain but also gave me some engery.
I am having a problem for some reason that Kratom is not working for me I’m not sure if it is the person I’m going to or if it’s me myself they say that Kratom doesn’t work with me I don’t get that good feeling I don’t get that feeling like everybody says I have spent all day trying different strains and I don’t get all that what I hear I am getting some pain relief which is a good thing but depression and all the other stuff that I’m trying to get rid of the Kratom is not working I have been going through Botanical kratom and someone else and nothing has worked is there really a saying that I really just cannot take Kratom it don’t work for me I don’t understand that how can that be can you please email me as soon as possible I would appreciate it very much thank you
Since kratom contains alkaloids that bind to the mu and delta receptors (mitragynine accounts for 66% of the plant and 7-hydroxymitragynine accounts for about 2% of the plant alkaoids) it meets the criteria for being an opioid. You can verify this yourself by reading Kratom and Other Mitragynines: The Chemistry and Pharmacology of Opioids from a Non-Opium Source, edited by Robert Raffa, the pharmacologist who was responsible for bringing us Tramadol.
From chapter two:
“More than twenty alkaloids have been isolated from the M. speciosa plant (Leo�?n et al. 2009), with mitragynine accounting for 66.2% of the crude base (Takayama 2004) and 6% by weight of the dried plant. Others include paynantheine, speciogynine, 7α-hydroxy-7H-mitragynine (Matsumoto et al. 2004), speciociliatine, mitragynaline, mitragynalinic acid, corynan- theidaline, and corynantheidalinic acid (Takayama 2004). Ajmalicine and mitraphylline are structurally related alkaloids isolated from M. speciosa. Mitragynine is a minor constituent in young plants and the dominant indole alkaloid in older plants (Shellard et al. 1978; Leo�?n et al. 2009). A likely pathway for the biogenesis of alkaloid compounds within the plant has been suggested (Shellard et al. 1978).
MG, 7-OH-MG, and mitragynine pseudoindoxly have high af nity (nM range) for opioid receptors (Takayama 2004). MG and 7-OH-MG also exhibit opioid-mediated (naloxone-sensitive) antinociceptive activity: 7-OH-MG is 40-fold more potent than mitragynine and 10-fold more potent than morphine (Matsumoto et al. 2004).
Many of the extracts such as OPMS are sold at head shops in the US and consist solely of 7-OH-MG or 7-hydroxymitragynine and if a person doesn’t know any better, they can be physically dependent before they know it. I educate people to read packaging carefully and to ask questions and become very familiar with kratom before making the first purchase.
With kratom being unregulated, who knows what we’re getting? Even if it were regulated, would we know? Look what happened with Walmart and Target? They were found to be carrying completely bunk vitamins….
Good read lots of info but damn what a arrogent ads he knows nothing of addiction any one can become addicted to drugs it’s not a matter of.character people fuck up and if someone is addictted to a drug there is most likely a reason normally it’s self Medicating due to mental illness or because of pain in the body. But anyone who thinks it’s a character defect is uneducated about addictions how it works and what happens to your brain with the use of drugs. Kratam is a wonderful I was taken off my methadone at 120mg I had been on it for about 3 years. kratam has saved my life without it I could have fell back in to I useing heroin (and I’m afraid of it I don’t think I would have made it through about her run on the streets I almost committed suicide last time because I thought I would never be able to quit. It was he’ll but kratam has stoped my withdraw which is very painful I haven’t done any drugs because of it I have been buying at head shops and it has cost me a lot of money but i am going to try happy hippo herbals not sure what one yet but I’m using 30 grams of the rooms silver powder and for the price I pay at the head shop I can get so much more from ordering online just really holding it will be better then the stuff I get now. I will let you l is how it goes when I get it. And the other ads that said addiction is for the weak willed grow up peoples make mistakes and you are such a fool to think that addiction has anything to do with will it’s not that easy your brain is not working right when people
are in active use people who have been addicted stronger and see so much more then normal people if they make it off it has nothing to do with will but to do with your brain and the receptors I would love to see you try and make it off heroin it’s hel it really is. Also I can back up my shit with studies and of reports can you got to Wikipedia and learn some thing and don’t talk shit about something you know nothing about. It doesn’t take much for a person to fall in to drugs could be as some as a doctor giving them some pain every one is diffrent and some people get hooked really easy because of ganetics. But if you have any proof that it is a weak willed person please post it I mean if your making a segment about how people are weak you mist have done thing to back it up.
I’ve been using kratom for 12 years! That’s a ton of experience. I want to assure you readers that too much Kratom is PHYSICALLY addicting. Meaning you will have some level of opiate-similar withdrawals when you quit after overuse. You, wonderful author, will only avoid addiction because your character being strong as you say, will prevent you from overusing. But if others overuse (this is different for different people so you’ll have to experiment or just be super cautious) your BODY will attempt to reach homeostasis against the substance. That is why withdrawals are so uncomfortable if your body has achieved this new state & then you upset it again by removing the substance. You cannot “will” this not to happen- it is biological. You can only “will” yourself to be smart enough to use correctly in the first place. I have gone through the withdrawals several times & for me, it’s horrible, but not horrible enough to keep me away. The benefits for using Kratom include being a better person all-around. So it’s worth it. I work harder, longer, am a bit more social and less shy, I am free of both anxiety & depression, pain-free, emotional more stable, and happier.
Hm… I’m guessing your theory that addiction is fueled by a weak character is backed up by your psych degree? If so I would love to hear all about it because that would fly in the face of countless studies and years of research by doctors who have a pretty firm consensus otherwise. Sorry your article is pretty hard to palate as I have an allergy to arrogance.
I heard that making a tea removes a lot of the alkaloids that help it to work better for the user. Is this true?
PLANTS. We are talking about NATURAL PLANTS that grow out of the damn ground from a seed - pot, kratom, opium….let the holier than thou men who need to rule over other men get the EFF out of the lives of people who choose to use and place WHATEVER kind of plant THEY WANT into their mouths, lungs, eyeballs…where ever they want to stick it.
GOD MADE THIS STUFF FOR US TO CONSUME. So…CONSUME IT - it’s YOUR BODY. not THEIRS.
Addiction is a disease.its stain not strand……ah nevermind your far to much of a narcissist to ever realize how douch baggy you are
They are called STRAINS not strands.
If you’re so strong of character why do you need kratom to keep working from 3-7. A strong willed person would simply will themselves to work as hard longer. Plus a strong willed person would not puss out over flying inside a plane. They would have the will to overcome it. Perhaps you might think about that when you start putting other people beneath you as being weaker than you are.
Your very unwarranted, inflated ego aside I thank for the article. It is a product that actually helps a great deal with arthritis and nerve damage. It isn’t a drug and if it were I would place it beneath alcohol and nicotine in terms of any potential harm. Perhaps caffeine would be its equal as far as harm levels on its own with someone not on other substances.
Cry more.
Chris has a valid point, a position validated more so by your pathetic and unintelligent response of “Cry more”.
You are weak, but don’t worry, I’m not punishing you for it. Actually, quite the opposite - I pity you.
I understand, your going to read this with the same smirk you frequently use to mask your many faults and failures. Then, with fingertips of fury, you will quickly type up yet another nonsensical yet ever so superior monosyllabic response.
Your weak character shines through with each comment you make and proudly casts a light on the following statement:
“A man’s character is his fate”
In your case - your own worst enemy.
You stand to gain so much more by being an example of great character.
Respond if you wish, I won’t be back to find out regardless.
Either way, most likely not today, perhaps not tomorrow, but very soon you will reflect in great detail on what I have said.
I promise you that.
Cry more.
Ja den är faktiskt!
Victor,
Can you tell me how long this will last in the fridge? I know you say drink it the next day, but will it last longer than that? Like, if I wanted to make a big batch of it, how long could I keep it in the refrigerator before it starts to go bad? Drugs and Bad Ideas said 2-3 days in their guide for kratom tea http://drugsandbadideas.com/index.php/drugs/44-how-to-make-a-strong-kratom-tea-at-home
but I don’t know if it’s the same for every recipe and I was hoping to try yours. If you get a chance to reply, I’d really appreciate it, thanks!
Hey asshole, addiction has absolutely nothing to do with being weak in character. It’s a disease in most cases.
I suggest you drop your holier-than-thou attitude, it’s not appealing in the least and you’re impressing no one other than yourself.
Blow me.
Loved this post. Glad as hell you aren’t addicted, but what about people who have become addicted to opiates? My pain management spec. put me on Roxicodone in 2003 after emergency stomach surgery- colon exploded-wore bag 2years-got reconnected it 2005-still seeing Roxy! Doc said this new med not addictive,works on different receptors in the brain. Started me at 30mg 6 times a day, was on this dose from 2003 til 2016. Add it up-13 years, man! But thank God, & believe me, it was a struggle, but in Oct., 2016, after my husband blew his brains out with a 20-gauge shotgun in the bedroom, I sort of lost my damn mind. Still haven’t found it, but I’m working on it. Anyway, doc takes me down to 15mg 3 times a day for 1 month, to 10mg 4 times a day now. Talk about withdrawals-hell can’t possibly be worse. Kratom has literally saved my life & my sanity. (about doc-there may be a lawsuit there.) My son introduced me to it. Kills my stomach, so I’m definitely going to try your tea. It would serve doc right if he lost my business- I’ve put his kids through private school-at least my insurance has. Opiate is a HUGE problem here in Tulsa, USA. DEA h as cracked down hard on physicians, & they’re pulling peoples’ meds. Good people are committing crimes to get drugs that the medical bastards got them addicted to. Yeah, Kratom is truly beneficial in easing withdrawal symptoms, enhancing mood, feeling well balanced, helps me focus so hopefully they won’t classify it. This is too good to be true, though, & the GOVERNMENT is wanting some of that financial potential. I take issue with your opinion, sir, respectfully, of course. I don’t consider myself weak. I’ve given natural birth to 4 beautiful kids, have survived life so far, ( I’m the butt of some gigantic cosmic joke) & I’m crazy enough to be an asset to my family.
Didn’t mean to rant on. Hope you are well. Thanks for your article on bold and determined.
Great info. I was a happy Kratom user in the US, but know live in Thailand. You mentioned you use Kratom in Vietnam. Where can Kratom be purchased in Vietnam? Or do you have it shipped? Thanks
It’s all in the article.
Addicts are weak and you have no sympathy ? Glad everything you’ve said is now discredited , what the fuck do you know about addiction ? Your writing this post about an addictive substance you use daily and you have the gall to say your not addicted ? What’s better is this self righteous egotistical bullshit quote ….”my word is worth its weight in gold ” .
Humble up and should probably shut up until you have anything of merit to talk about .
Cry more addict.
Dude, you got too much time on your hands. Your take on Kratom is still appreciated. I personally prefer to chop-chop, ain’t got no time to make a tea for an hour. Kidding? Taking Kratom after taking Yohimbe makes me nicely energized.
You sound like Mr.Perfect, we men of weaker character should stop, and bow, before such a glorious species of the genetic pool. That’s the most polite way I can say you sound like a complete and utter douchebag.
You hit the nail on the head Patrick.Well said.