Coffee and Kratom: Exploring the Effects
Coffee and kratom belong in the same family of plants - Rubiaceae - and therefore share similar properties. They both have a bitter taste and offer a similar pick-me-up, so enjoying either of these in the morning can be a great kick-starter for your day. While both kratom and coffee can have similar impact on their own, if you are planning to mix coffee and kratom throughout the day or even in the same drink, it is important to understand how the effects of each can be enhanced depending on the dosages and mixing style. Coffee and kratom can also affect everyone differently so it’s best to start slow, with lower dosages, and work your way up from there.
What is Kratom?
Most people are very familiar with coffee and its energizing effects, but many are much less familiar with coffee’s cousin - kratom. Kratom leaf originates in Southeast Asia and has been used for centuries during working hours, social events, and even traditional ceremonies as a way to increase energy and boost mood. The leaves of this tropical plant contain bioactive alkaloids called mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which in smaller servings can cause stimulant effects and in larger servings can cause more sedative effects.[1] People consume kratom in many different ways ranging from consuming the straight leaf in a capsule or powder form, to brewing kratom tea, or even mixing the powder into food.
How long does kratom take to kick in? It depends – the way you choose to consume kratom and the type of kratom you consume can dramatically alter the effects you will feel. For example, red vein kratom is known for its higher levels of alkaloids, which result in a more soothing and sedative effect while white vein kratom is known more for its stimulating effect that can support focus and increase alertness.[2] Green vein kratom falls somewhere in between the two as its alkaloid profile creates a balanced feeling of mental clarity, calmness, and energy.[2] The correct kratom serving size depends on the strain you consume, so it’s always important to be aware of the type of kratom you are having and what form you’re consuming it in. Kratom capsules may also take longer to have an effect than kratom extract, for example.
Understanding Coffee
Coffee’s roots stem in the coffee forests of the Ethiopian Plateau and quickly became a key element of trade in the Arabian Peninsula, spreading to Egypt, Persia, Syria, and Turkey by the 16th century.[3] While people would enjoy coffee in their homes, coffee houses also became very popular as a way to consume coffee in more social settings, play chess, and exchange the news.[3] Eventually, coffee spread to Europe and the New World and solidified itself as the American drink of choice following the Boston Tea Party.[3]
Similar to kratom, there are many different types of coffee, which can all have different characteristics. The 4 main types of coffee beans are: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. Arabica beans are the most popular because they are not only easier to grow, but they also have a slightly sweeter and more robust flavor profile.[4] Robusta beans are also popular, but they have a much stronger flavor profile and higher level of caffeine than Arabica beans. Liberica and Excelsa beans are much less popular because they have more robust flavor profiles and are typically harder to grow.
Benefits of Coffee and Kratom
Both coffee and kratom can support focus, concentration, and productivity, given the way they increase energy and alertness.[5] This refreshed feeling is known to also enhance mood. The effects of both of these plants will last for up to 6 hours, making them great additions to your morning routine for energy that will last through almost your entire work day.[5] By affecting certain receptors in your brain, there is reason to believe that both kratom and coffee consumption can offer slight pain relief, however, the lack of medical research surrounding these benefits has minimized any FDA approval for either as a pain-reliever.[6]
Coffee and Kratom: How They Work Together
Mixing coffee and kratom can allow the two substances to work together leaving you with an even clearer mind, boosted feeling of alertness, and increased energy level. There are no negative interactions between coffee and kratom, however, it is always best to take things slow when you are combining them for the first time. Because they are both stimulants, you might experience some jitteriness or restlessness with too high of a serving, so starting with a smaller serving can allow you the space to work up to your desired effect.[7]
Different strains of kratom and different types of coffee can also alter the effects on your mind and body, so as you test the combination for yourself, take note of the different ways you are making your drink and the different types of kratom and coffee you are using. When mixing the two to make kratom coffee, you would likely want to stay away from highly caffeinated coffee types and higher potency kratom strains. A great way to start mixing the two is by using a coffee maker with a 1:1 ratio of coffee and kratom in the filter - using that as a baseline, you can alter the ratio and play with different types, while keeping the mixing process the same.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Coffee and Kratom
Along with the more minimal risk of jitteriness or restlessness that can come with too large of a serving of coffee and kratom, there are also a few other health considerations to be cautious of when mixing these two substances. Both of these substances act as diuretics which can increase the risk of dehydration, so be sure to stay extremely hydrated when consuming coffee and kratom together.[7] It is also important to remember that both of these substances work with the central nervous system and can lead to dependence or habit formation.[7] To mitigate habit formation, it is recommended to keep dosage low and minimize daily use of both.
As with adding any new substances or supplements into your diet, it is important to discuss kratom use or the combination of kratom and coffee with your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications. It is also important to be cautious of your kratom products and ensure you are buying high quality leaf kratom. By sticking to leaf kratom and avoiding kratom extracts, you can ensure the potency level is lower and minimize risk of adulteration and additives. Along with many other kratom products on the market, Botanic Tonic’s kava kratom tonic uses only high quality leaf kratom that goes through careful testing during production, ensuring safe consumption.
Experience the Synergy of Coffee and Kratom with Botanic Tonics
Whether you already consume kratom for that boost of energy that everyone craves in the morning or you enjoy a cup of coffee at the start of your day and are looking for a bit more of a pick-me-up, combining kratom and coffee in your morning brew could offer a new sense of refreshed focus. Despite the many benefits that this combination could offer, it is important to always be cautious as you experiment and keep track of the combinations that work best for you. While you can always work directly with straight coffee beans and kratom powder, you can also try an easy coffee and kratom drink by mixing with Botanic Tonics’ feel free CLASSIC Tonic.
Simply brew your morning cup of coffee, add ½ bottle of feel free, and your milk of choice!
Ready for a new morning beverage? Visit Botanic Tonics.
Sources:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Kratom https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom#kratom
- SeattleMet: Types of Kratom Guide To Kratom Strains
- National Coffee Association: The History of Coffee Beans https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee
- District Roasters: Types of Coffee and What Sets Them Apart https://districtroasters.com/blogs/news/types-of-coffee-beans
- Authentic Kratom: Can You Mix Kratom and Coffee | Mixing Kratom With Coffee https://www.authentickratom.com/education/can-we-mix-kratom-with-coffee
- National Library of Medicine: The Role of Caffeine in Pain Management: A Brief Literature Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5018099/
- SeattleMet: The Science Behind Combining Kratom and Coffee: Effects and Risks Explained
About The Author
Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.
