Tumeric and its main active compound, curcumin, is known in kratom circles to act as a possible potentiator of kratom’s effects. Many kratom enthusiasts who have tried this combo have attested to the synergistic effects of the pairing. However, yet others have stated that they didn’t feel any significant difference from using the two herbs together. So, does turmeric actually potentiate kratom?
Understanding how kratom and turmeric work together is crucial to knowing if it’s worth trying out. We’ll take you through a short explanation of the mechanisms behind these herbs, their potential health benefits, risks, and precautions you need to take when combining them.
The Mitragyna speciosa tree is commonly referred to as kratom, and it is native to Southeast Asia. It is the leaves of this tree that are harvested and processed into different forms, and used for several purposes. The leaves contain alkaloids, with mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine as the two most active alkaloids responsible for kratoms’ effects.
Kratom has been traditionally used for centuries for physical and mental relaxation, mood improvement, and energy enhancement. The effects you get from kratom are determined by your dosage and the strain you take.
Currently, there are different strains of kratom, each offering unique effects. The major strains are red, green, and white. White is known for its energizing effects, red for relaxation, and green for providing a balanced of energy and relaxation.
Known as the golden spice because of its yellowish-orange color, turmeric is a flowering plant that belongs to the ginger family. There are over 100 components in turmeric, but the major ones are curcuminoids, consisting of curcumin demethoxycurcumin, dihydrocurcumin, and 5’-methoxycurcumin. These health-boosting compounds have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Just like kratom, turmeric has been used for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and it is valued for its ability to provide physical relief, enhance digestion, and support overall wellness.
Curcumin is an important compound for protecting the liver and improving liver function. What’s more, curcumin can interfere with certain enzymes in the liver, that metabolize kratom’s alkaloids. The slowed metabolism to kratom’s alkaloids in the liver as a result of the curcumin may help increase and prolong its effects.
It is important to note that curcumin has a poor bioavailability and systemic tissue distribution rate. You can combine curcumin with piperine (from black pepper) to increase bioavailability, thereby causing more to be absorbed into the body.
There are some potential benefits you enjoy from taking turmeric and kratom. First, since turmeric potentiates kratom, it means you can use lower doses of kratom to achieve your desired effects. This potentially reduces the amount of tolerance that gets built up to kratom and may be useful when trying to taper down or stop your kratom use.
And of course, these two substances are known to have their individual benefits. The combined effects include boosting energy, improving mood, and supporting healthy digestion.
Lastly, taking kratom and turmeric may help reduce some of kratom’s side effects. Some people experience stomach upset with kratom, but the digestive benefits of turmeric may be able to help with that.
Tumeric and kratom are available in various forms, such as powder, capsules, extracts, smoothies, etc. You can decide to use any form that is best for you. To get the best result, you should take turmeric about 20 – 30 minutes before taking kratom.
Because of the poor bioavailability of turmeric, you can add black pepper or a fat source like full-fat greek yogurt for more efficient absorption of curcumin into the body. You can also decide to make the golden milk with turmeric or kratom smoothies to get a more enjoyable flavor.
The normal turmeric dosage per day ranges from 200 mg up to 6000 mg (0.2 – 6.0 grams). However, if you’re taking it with kratom, we recommend a starting dosage of around 500 mg. For kratom, you may have to lower your normal dosage because of the increased effects it produces when taken with turmeric. For example, if your regular kratom dosage is 5 grams, you may want to lower to 3-4 grams. Allow some time for observation before deciding to increase your dosage.
Excessive turmeric may increase the risk of kidney stones and may also lead to gastrointestinal issues. Also, overuse of kratom may lead to tolerance buildup and dependence. This is why you must be moderate with your servings and frequency of usage of both herbs.
When sourcing for your kratom and turmeric, quality should be your top priority. Use trusted vendors with third-party testing facilities to ensure you buy quality products. There are products that are contaminated with high levels of heavy metals and pesticides, so the best way to avoid these inferior products is to properly vet your vendor before purchasing.
Both turmeric and kratom have a slightly bitter and earthy taste. Fortunately, both are available in capsule forms. If you are sensitive to taste, you can avoid the bitterness of these powders by taking capsules. Capsules offer convenience and ease of measurement because they are already pre-measured.
Taking kratom and turmeric together can offer a potent, synergistic effect that may improve your overall wellness. However, proper timing and personalized dosage are important to get the best effect and avoid potential side effects. Moderation is key to this combination, and following the recommendations in this article ensures safety and effectiveness.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.
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