Kratom Near Me: Is It Better to Buy Kratom Locally or Online?

Medically reviewed by — Written by Alex Eriksson

People interested in the product search online querying with “kratom near me” using their favorite search engine—usually Google. However, some of the search results will include the addresses of local shops near your place.

That may lead some to wonder whether it would be a better idea to just hop on over to the local shops to buy kratom near me or just stick to buying it online?

The answer to that question might surprise you.



What is Kratom?

Kratom is actually an evergreen tree that grows primarily in South Asian countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. It actually belongs to the coffee family.

The extracts from its leaves are used both as a sedative and also as a stimulant. Other uses include the treatment of digestive problems and chronic pain.

Some people also use it as a way to help in opium withdrawal.

Note that kratom is legal in the United States. However, it is sold as a type of alternative medicine.

You won’t find it in drugstores but you can find kratom supplement products in shops that sell alternative medicines and health supplements.


Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa) green is a type of drug

Health Benefits and Uses

Kratom extracts have a few notable benefits and uses to the human body. These are the reasons why such products have become quite popular today.

1. Works Like a Stimulant

A few grams of kratom extract are enough to give you the effects of a stimulant drug. After only 10 minutes after ingesting them, you will feel the following effects:

  • Increased sociability
  • Improved alertness
  • A feeling of giddiness

However, there is a downside. These effects only last about an hour and a half and then it may be followed by reduced motor coordination.

If you need a quick performance boost for a short period of time, then taking a small dose of kratom extract may help. Just take note of the blowback effects afterwards.

2.  Sedative Effects

This is one of the truly baffling effects of this extract—its sedative effect. In smaller doses (e.g. less than 10 mg), it acts as a stimulant and that is pretty much all the dosage that you need for the day.

However, if you up the dose anywhere from 10 to 25 mg, then this will cause a sedative effect instead. This effect may last as long as six hours.

At that time you will feel euphoria and calmness like taking other types of sedatives and opioids.

3. Anti-Depressant

Studies also suggest that kratom extracts can work as a type of anti-depressant.

4. Anti-Inflammatory

Some studies also suggest that kratom extracts may have anti-inflammatory effects along with improvement to the healing process, stimulation of tissue repair, and enhancing the body’s immune system.

People who have experienced the benefits of taking kratom extracts tend to look for these products through various channels. There are several essential factors that come into play when selecting the right place to get your supplies.


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The Price Difference

One of the reasons why people look for local and other shopping options is that they want to find the best price for their purchase. The question is which is cheaper, buying kratom near me in local shops or buying them online?

It only takes a quick price comparison to know that purchasing your kratom supplies online is the more affordable option. Well, you can even take advantage of better deals from online sellers.

You will also find that many local shops do not display the prices of their kratom supplements on their shelves. You should at least see the suggested retail price, right?

However, in many instances, you will find that you will have to ask the store clerk for the actual prices. The manufacturers themselves do not print the suggested retail price on the package.

This is because they allow retailers to dictate the prices. One of the practices of shop owners is to jack up the prices at will.

This practice benefits both retailers and producers. It encourages retailers to keep the kratom products on their shelves, which is what manufacturers want in order to maximize profits.

Long story short—online sellers provide you with the best prices. They may even give you discounts as well.


Product Quality

Another issue that you should look into is the quality of the kratom products sold in local shops. Some shops focus on premium brands and that is mostly what they have on display while others may have a wider selection.

Kratom enthusiasts often times report that the products that they purchase at their local shops are no longer fresh. Shops that sell kratom near me don’t usually have access to a wider market.

This means they couldn’t sell all of the products they have in stock fast enough, which is why a lot of the products you find in these shops tend to be old stock.

It’s not that these kratom products are already expired. However, experts say that the longer these herbal products stay in the shelves, their quality and potency tends to degrade.

When harvested and stored under appropriate conditions, herbal preparations, like kratom products, can remain potent for as long as 1 to 2 years.

However, conditions change when herbal products, like those from leaves of herbs and trees, tend to degrade a lot faster than projected. Sometimes the quality and shelf-life of alternative products get cut down in half when they are converted to powder form.

If you’re looking for the best quality from kratom powders and other similar products, it is recommended that you purchase the ones that have been in the shelves for only 6 to 12 months.

Note that the expiry and best before dates of herbal products last longer than that, including kratom supplements and related products.

Your best bet is to purchase your kratom supplies online. You have suppliers that can assure you that their products are fresh and of the best quality.

In case they sell you some kratom that have been in the shelves for more than a year, you can take advantage of their return policy.


Available Strains

Don’t expect local head shops and retailers to carry all of the available kratom strains. Online sellers on the other hand have the advantage of large inventories and a wider selection of strains.

Remember that there are many different kratom strains and each one has particular uses. For instance, some strains are better suited for pain relief while others are sought after for their sedative effects.

If you’re new to taking kratom then this is a particular area that you should look into. One good tool that will help you figure out which strain is best for you is a kratom strain chart.

This chart will show you the efficacy of each strain with regard to its potential effects, which includes the following:

  • Relaxation
  • Sedation
  • Stimulation
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    Pain relief
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    Mood
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    Energy

If you check the chart, the best strains for pain relief include Red Bali, Red Hulu, and Bentuangie among others. Getting White Indo and Yellow Sumatra strains won’t give you the same level of pain relief.

A really good online kratom distributor will not only have all the best available strains but they will also have a kratom strains chart on their site to help you decide which one is best for you.


Best Sources

Another advantage of online kratom sellers over local head shops selling kratom near me is their access to the best sources available. It is important that you can identify the source of the kratom extract.

Note that the best sources of high quality kratom to date are from Southeast Asia. This includes manufacturers from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.


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Bulk Orders

It is likely that local head shops won’t be able to fulfill bulk orders. Their stocks won’t be able to fill big orders.

This is another advantage of online sellers. Since they work with international suppliers, they can fulfill bulk orders rather easily.

One big advantage of buying kratom in bulk is that you get all the supplies that you need and you save a good amount of money for that purchase.


Better Customer Service

Customer service provided by distributors on the internet tends to be far better compared to the ones provided by local shops. They offer more support channels and they usually have an entire team ready to help customers with their concerns.

If you need product information, order status, specialized guidance concerning the right product to order, and other client issues, then their support team will have answers ready for you.


Biggest Advantage of Local Shops

Small local shops have one distinct advantage, however. Since you’re already there, you can inspect the product firsthand.

But that doesn’t mean the products that you will see are the best ones for your needs. At times, driving to the shop might become an inconvenience since you will spend time and effort getting there yourself.


Finding the Best Online Sellers

If we are going to be completely honest in this review, we should provide you with this one caveat—not every online seller will provide you with the best kratom product.

There are several factors that you should consider before you place your order. Here is a list of things that you should look out for:

1. Transparency

Vendor transparency is the next best thing you’ve got if you can’t hold the actual product in your hands.

This means that the online vendor should provide you with all the necessary details about the products they show you on their website. If they can’t do that then you’re better off buying your kratom elsewhere.

Manufacturers and online distributors know this and if they really want to win customers over, they will provide you with every detail as much as possible, which includes the following:

  • Where the kratom products were sourced from
  • Packaging information
  • Brand information
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    Pricing info
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    Manufacturing, best before, and expiry dates
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    Clear photos of the package
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    The order and shipping process
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    Multiple contact options
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    Which type of kratom strain they have on hand
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    Bulk ordering procedure and cost
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    Product return and refund policies
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    Lab test results (if available)
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2. Actual Customer Reviews

Customer testimonials are different from actual reviews. A review highlights both the good and the bad of every product and service.

If a supplier really wants transparency, then they should allow customers to voice their complaints. They can then respond to the actual complaints and help customers with their actual concerns.

3. Available Dosing Information

Every responsible manufacturer and seller of kratom products should provide you with the right dosing information. Yes, the proper dosage for each product should be visible in one of the photos of the label.

However, it will be a lot easier to read if you have the dosage information along with the detailed product information as well.

For instance, they should inform you that the average dosage for Red Maeng Da is 2 to 4 grams while the Gold Maeng Da dosage is only 2 to 3 grams.

A really great online kratom seller will have this essential information readily accessible to potential buyers.

4. Quality Packaging

Of course, they will have pictures of the actual products. In all of these pictures, you should pay special attention to the quality of the packaging.

It should be air tight and there should be no loose kratom powders within the sealed portion of the package. The packaging should clearly show you the expiration date of the said product.

5. Contact Info and Support Options

The best online kratom sellers should provide you with a variety of contact channels such as an actual telephone number, an email, live chat support options, video conferencing, and support tickets.

Additionally, self-help options such as a knowledgebase where you can search for information for yourself.

Another thing to check is their address. It should be an actual address and not just a PO Box number.


Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best kratom near me, then your best bet is to purchase it online. You have plenty of options and you can be sure that you’re getting the best kratom product that your money can buy.


author

Alex Eriksson is the founder of Epic Kratom, a blog dedicated to all Kratom lovers that provide honest and research-backed advice on how people can treat their chronic health problems using Kratom.

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