How important is variety?

[Jking]

Alright so I’m not really battling tolerance issues but I’ve been using the same leaf for a while, and the effect while there just don’t seem to feel as good as they did when I first tried them. I’ve heard so many say you got to rotate leaf vendors so often, or strains. I’ve also heard that doing this doesn’t really matter as you build a tolerance either way but like I said tolerance is not an issue. It’s more like the effects while just as strong just don’t seem to have much euphoria anymore. So how important would you say variety is? The problem I find it is the best, and cheapest way is to buy a kilo but I want to try other vendors without having to buy a whole kilo first. Luckily a few vendors charge the same amount on smaller batches so do you think it’s worth buying from a few new vendors, or buying a split kilo of 4-8 strains from one vendor to change things up.

[onespeedstop]

I switch bags/strains/vendors daily, usually a week or more between repeats. That said, kratom either works for me that day, or it mostly doesn't. I guess I have a couple of 'heavy hitters' that work 95%+ the time, but even normally good kratom can be bunk or weak now and again. Overall, I recommend rotating to people just as a simple precaution against tolerance. What's the worst case, it doesn't help and you're out what exactly ? Nothing really. Bonus tip/suggestion/idea, buy a split kilo (Black Friday sales are in what, 10 or 11 days here) and get 4 (or 8 if they offer that) different strains, then yer set to start rotating immediately.

[herbalhippie]

Variation on both vendor and batch are very important. I currently have about 50 different batches in rotation with about 8-10 different vendors. I have them in 2x3" Plymor bags in a double row in a plastic basket in the kitchen. Use one, it goes to the back until next time. This keeps me from building up a tolerance to the good effects of my favorites.

edit: Make that 3x4 Plymor bags. Each will hold about 28 grams but I only fill them about halfway.

[pray4peace4]

HH... so by doing this is every burn really amazing, or do you have days that nothing works?

[Supersonic75]

Variation on both vendor and batch are very important. I currently have about 50 different batches in rotation with about 8-10 different vendors. I have them in 2x3" Plymor bags in a double row in a plastic basket in the kitchen. Use one, it goes to the back until next time. This keeps me from building up a tolerance to the good effects of my favorites.

That is quite similar to my "method", only I'm not quite as organized as what HH describes and I probably have around 70 batches in rotation, which might sound excessive but that's where it is. I try to wait at least 3-4 weeks before repeating a batch, sometimes longer. I probably rely on TFH too much, but there's so much variety therein and it's such good kratom that I don't burn out on them. When I occasionally find a good, open batch that's been hanging out for more than a couple of months, it is typically a really good burn. I surely still have good and not-so-good burns, but pain reduction is pretty consistent in varying degrees, depending on the batch/"strain".

I also recently started doing a weekly "very low dose day" (and I'm already a pretty low doser) as well as a Hirsuta/Javanica day to help keep tolerance down and good feels up, and it absolutely makes a difference for me.

[Jking]

Thanks herbalhippe that’s what I think I’m gonna do appreciate the advice. Currently gonna expand my stock til I can take a different strain every day. I’m gonna try to find 3, or 4 vendors to buy from so I’m hopefully getting something a little different every time to keep the magic. I might try to wait like you do before repeating a batch supersonic. Thanks everyone glad to always find such a helpful communication here. Any idea which vendors have sales coming up that are on the list.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Any idea which vendors have sales coming up that are on the list.

Lucky Herbals should be having a sale around Thanksgiving, but you need a membership.

[herbalhippie]

HH... so by doing this is every burn really amazing, or do you have days that nothing works?

It always works by which I mean, I don't go into withdrawals or have screaming pain.

With batches noted for euphoria or mood lift, it keeps them fresh.

[BallzDeep9]

Currently gonna expand my stock til I can take a different strain every day. I’m gonna try to find 3, or 4 vendors to buy from so I’m hopefully getting something a little different every time to keep the magic.

Sounds like a good plan, variety is better than buying 1 Kilo and doing the same stuff for months. There must be some value in switching "strains"... Even though we know that "strains" in general are BS - different vendors, are selling the same stuff from the same Indo sources. There's a LOT more vendors in USA, than # of Indo suppliers.

Must disagree that Tolerance is not an issue... Yes it's always an issue for everyone who uses kratom daily. Just the way our bodies work. The Active ingredient Mitragyna is a partial agonist, but does occupy the mµ opioid receptors, with regular use... So it becomes a balancing act, sticking to the LED (Lowest Effective Dose) and then, using variety and external things to optimize effects. Externals meaning, diet, water, "potentiators" and... "Tolerance reducers".

Drinking kratom as a liquid, make it more bioavailable - that's a potentiator method. Only consume on empty stomach! Another proven method... Magnesium, Vitamin-C, Curcumin, or even DXM, are potentiators that work in different ways - Tolerance reducers: Agmatine sulfate, Black seed Oil, are proven to up-regulate receptors. These work, are very important for those who need kratom to help w/ chronic pain.

IMO making Aeropress Kratom Tea, and using that "extract" to spike your regular serving... Gives a LOT more bang for your buck, compared to just switching "strains". You're actually creating a super potent kratom by raising the Mitragyna # while keeping the same amount of plant material.

[IjustFeltLikeRunnin’]

As much as I agree that rotation and variety are important, I think another very important factor involved may be “lighter”, or taper days. Maybe even so often as weekly.

For example, I work 4 days a week. On those days, I take considerably less than I do on my days off. Oddly enough, on the days that I work I have a dosing schedule that involves taking the same strains at the same time every single day. I have a “morning blend” that I’ve been taking every single morning for months, and the effects have never changed.

On my days off, I do let loose a bit. But the majority of my dosing takes place in the late evening before I go to bed and consists mostly of reds. This leads to a very blissful state for me as I drift off to sleep.

I also take vacations from work (just like anyone else does), and those weeks I’m off my dosing is Willy nilly all over the place and definitely on the heavier end.

So all in all, weekly “light” days do involve a bit of self-control, but I wholeheartedly believe they are what has kept the magic going for me

[Jking]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I honestly thought the whole variety thing was kinda nonsense. Kratom is almost like weed with the strains because while you build a tolerance to weed you can still get different effects from almost every weed strain even if some are subtle. You can also get tired of smoking the same weed constantly wanting variety. In this way kratom, and weed are very similar. Also your right ballz I should not have discounted tolerance completely but I can always take more to get the effects of the leaf. Bought a 8 way split from rhinos because he seemed to have the most filled out menu of the vendors I was looking at buying from. Definitely not disappointed rhino has some amazing potent leaf, and is a really nice guy. Had no idea he was a private vendor but he let me order, and threw in a sample. Now I said I wanted to add about two or three vendors to rotate from; rhino will definitely be one of those vendors. He’s got lighting quick shipping. I honestly wonder how he does it. I’m a member at both smiley time herbals, and luckys so I will try them especially if lucky updates thier menu. Since adding some variety I’ve noticed a great difference plus the red rhino was just spectacular to me.

[Loveandpeace]

LoneStar MitraSource is right there with TFH, D615 and others. Every strain hits!!

Top notch dude as well. It is a MUST within rotation.

[NiqueKristan]

I think that variety is extremely important. While some may be able to use the same vendor and strains without building up a tolerance (like you), the effects will be diminished over time. Also, who doesn’t like variety- regardless of what it is? We all want different food, drinks, clothes, etc.

[Daydreamsofmountains]

Variation on both vendor and batch are very important. I currently have about 50 different batches in rotation with about 8-10 different vendors. I have them in 2x3" Plymor bags in a double row in a plastic basket in the kitchen. Use one, it goes to the back until next time. This keeps me from building up a tolerance to the good effects of my favorites.

Wow this is such a great plan. Do you consider color strains or just rotate through and what is next is next?

[herbalhippie]

Variation on both vendor and batch are very important. I currently have about 50 different batches in rotation with about 8-10 different vendors. I have them in 2x3" Plymor bags in a double row in a plastic basket in the kitchen. Use one, it goes to the back until next time. This keeps me from building up a tolerance to the good effects of my favorites.

Wow this is such a great plan. Do you consider color strains or just rotate through and what is next is next?

I take what is next from one side or the other, depending on what was the last one I used. They're mixed up pretty well. Balanced.

These are all reds btw. I have another container that is all greens, but I rarely use them.

[LuckyHerbals]

I don't rotate. well....I rotate between my own batches... 061421, 070721, 080921, 101821, and the upcoming batches we're making new blends with. I think what's better than rotation is.....more time between your last and next burn! I often go 18-24 hours between those two (afternoon day one to afternoon day two). It's absolutely doable if you're not just sitting around. Coffee and exercise are great distractions.

[Rhino236]

90% of the time I take my own leaf. But I rotate each burn with a different supplier. I have 7. Seems to help.

[Jking]

Well I definitely feel it helps. I have a question a little off topic though. The more kratom you have the more important it is to keep fresh. So has my collection grows along with my variety how do yo store everything. I feel it’s a waste to keep opening big bags multiple times a day, and wonder should I weight out what I’m going to take that day putting it in a ziplock bag. I have to ask those of you with kratom multiple years old is it still the same freshness,potency, and looks as before? I heard about plymor bags a lot but have no idea what size I would need, or is best. How much does a 2 *3 plymore bag hold?

[HappyHugs]

Listen-

I know I only have 2-3 posts as I just joined this forum, but--

--I've taken kratom for 6+ years everyday, 5-6 grams at a time for 4-5 times a day, and I haven't had to raise my dose at all in years,
and it always "hits" almost every single time

I've tried almost every single dosing schedule, using the same strains for days at a time

Using a relaxing strain at night and a more energetic one during the day

Etc etc etc

The BEST schedule I found to keep at least 7 strains around, and rotate them one day at a time

It helps if the strains are from different locations too, i.e. Green Indo on Monday, so Tues use Yellow Viet strain, etc

However, that's not as important as just simply using a different strain each day

Listen-

Sometimes kratom just won't hit and you'll have a lousy day, it happens and its life

You could be dehydrated, too much water, not enough food, too much food, stressed out, slept too much, didn't sleep enough, aren't exercising, exercising too much, stressing over a girl, stressing over a guy, stressing over friends, stressing over parents, ordering kratom from a low-quality source, ordering your usual kratom and not rotating strains - and a MILLION other reasons

But, I will say this #1 thing:

Kratom makes the bad days turn into Okay-ish days, and the okay days into good days, and the good days into GREAT days

I wasted a few years taking kratom different ways which never seemed to work consistently

What I said above is what has worked for me

This is all based on REAL-LIFE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, so this is just what I can share with you

I hope this helps, I tried to be as thoughtful as possible, cause I feel you- I know what it's like to want to take that same favorite strain over and over and have it just not "hit" anymore - it will again, just rotate them out

Most importantly, a HIGH-QUALITY kratom vendor is MAD important

I literally have tried over 30+ vendors over the year, and I've stuck with the same one I use now for the past 5+ years -- my point is finding a HIGH-QUALITY vendor with consistent kratom is key


For me -- I am starting a little kratom business, okay that's a lie: I've ALREADY started it, and have only THREE (3) ! strains available -- one more energetic, one more relaxing, and one in between

These THREE strains are the ONLY strains I picked out because they are all HIGH-QUALITY, and always "hit", and I know that kratom newbies along with kratom veterans will dig the strains, since I think kratom quality is so important

We all use kratom here for different reasons, but positive mindset, beating anxiety, killing depression, motivation, productivity and just making life easier when around tough family situations or helping with going through arguments with friends - or even helping get through times when you have no friends - so the quality is important


Even for me, a 27 year old attractive (girls' words) Master Certified personal trainer, party boy, etc., -- I don't have friends, and you'd NEVER guess it looking at me, you'd say "wow look at that guido douchebag" (I think it's a compliment, lol) -- but while most people do have friends, still-- not everyone is out doing crazy stuff everyday


Most people work/do school and watch tv and sleep, even party boys/party girls, their lives are pretty boring, so taking kratom and having that positive and hitting on chicks or working out or going through the day like that is refreshing to a lot of people, and kratom has totally changed my life


But, it changed it in the way I said above -- rotating different strains, from a HIGH QUALITY source, each day, ideally 7 or more strains, not using 1 more than once per week



This is just my PERSONAL EXPERIENCE from 6+ years of daily kratom use, but my biggest advice:

Trust your gut. Do what feels right. What YOU want to do is always better than following others advice, even mine. However, following this advice might just make it easier and faster to find what works.


This took a while to type, but I wanted to get that all out to help you out. I'm not here to advertise kratom, or advertise where I get mine from, or for any other reason than to just help you out.

I hope it does

Talk soon,
Mike

[Loveandpeace]

Jking,

Nothing changes, it stays good forever.

[HappyHugs]

90% of the time I take my own leaf. But I rotate each burn with a different supplier. I have 7. Seems to help.

This^

[Detuned]

Variety really helps. I dont really buy any huge bags any more. I go with small sample packs and rotate constantly between about 4 vendors and 20 strains

[CatfatherB]

it's all about balance for me, tolerance happens pretty quickly when you take your best batches back to back, think high mit and low mit, equal it out. have a fast day and slow day or if you only take fast in the morning take a slow one later on.

when things stop working is either break time or break out the brown frown for a few days, always kinda works for me

[Arob1000]

Interesting discussion, I’m fairly new to Kratom but have 3-4 strains at a time. When getting a new batch I do notice a lot better effects which aren’t sustainable…getting more strains into rotation is probably the way to go!

[asafeharbor1]

I have been taking Kratom for 4 years now and I haven’t found a single vendor that I don’t build a tolerance to fast. I think that’s just the nature of Kratom. It’s definitely worth it to have a few vendors and to switch up frequently.

[herbalhippie]

Well I definitely feel it helps. I have a question a little off topic though. The more kratom you have the more important it is to keep fresh. So has my collection grows along with my variety how do yo store everything. I feel it’s a waste to keep opening big bags multiple times a day, and wonder should I weight out what I’m going to take that day putting it in a ziplock bag. I have to ask those of you with kratom multiple years old is it still the same freshness,potency, and looks as before? I heard about plymor bags a lot but have no idea what size I would need, or is best. How much does a 2 *3 plymore bag hold?

I looked again, mine aren't 2x3, they're 3x4 and will hold 28 grams full. I keep the vendor bags in snap seal bins and they seem to be as good as they were when I got them, some going back to 2017.

[Jking]

Thanks for the reply herbal hippie I definitely plan to hit up Walmart, and get some plymore bags plus a good bin to keep my kratom sealed in. Yeah I definitely remember reading some comments about people having old batches that seemed to be just as good as when they got them. Right now I got two 8 split kilos with one arriving tomorrow as long as usps can be trusted. Their both from the same vendor but completely different batches from different suppliers I think. That’s enough to last me a year but if I do get more it’s good to know I can store it at least for a few years.

[onespeedstop]

Yeah I definitely remember reading some comments about people having old batches that seemed to be just as good as when they got them.

I can 2nd this, I have a few bags from 2018/2019, been open since then (well, opened to get some out, then closed of course) and they seem to be as potent as they ever were. I will say that they -taste- a bit stale, but I've also bought some kratom that was obviously not fresh to begin with, and that has little to no bearing on how well it works. If you store it well, it should last a looonnggggg time from what I can tell and have read.

[asafeharbor1]

Yup same experience here!

[Rhino236]

I have stuff from late 2017 and on. Just as potent. Obviously not as fresh but still works the same. I keep mine in 4 mil plymors and mylars in a Rubbermaid.

[Detuned]

Guys -

Do you rotate Just every day or even every burn?

The last months when i am preparing my burns for work i am always mixing , so that through the day I hardly take a strain twice.

Do you rotate daily? Does it make more sense or is rotating between every burn really better? Any thoughts?

[Jking]

I personally try to stick with same strain every day but have dosed other strains in the same day before. I think as long you try something a little different everyday your good. Im now trying to just take a different strain everyday; while also getting different batches from different suppliers to change things up.

[asafeharbor1]

I personally try to stick with same strain every day but have dosed other strains in the same day before. I think as long you try something a little different everyday your good. Im now trying to just take a different strain everyday; while also getting different batches from different suppliers to change things up.

I also have my own “every day” strains. I think it’s worth having certain strains that are known and used to you so you can rely on feeling a specific way if that makes sense

[exstasia]

On days I work, I'll always go with my go-to mix of green and white in the morning and try a red in the evening but days I'm off I'll generally experiment with new batches/strains I've received if I have any left to try. Gotta veto it before I try it before work and feel worse as a result.