Kratom vs. kava: what's the difference?
June 5, 2026 · Elevated 369, Flowery Branch GA
Two of the questions we hear most at the counter: "What's kratom?" and "Is kava the same thing?" Short answer: they're different plants with different traditions. Here's the plain-English version.
Kratom
Kratom comes from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree. People take it as a powder, in capsules, or as an extract shot. At Elevated 369 we carry trusted names like OPMS, MIT (Go Black and Therapy), Rooted, Super K, and X7H, in a range of forms so you can pick what suits you. Curious about concentrated 7-OH tablets and how they differ from natural leaf kratom? See our 7-OH vs. kratom breakdown.
Kava
Kava is a root from the South Pacific, traditionally prepared as a drink. We stock kava drinks, kava shots, and traditional kava for folks who want to explore it.
How to choose
The best pick depends on what you're after and your own experience level. That's exactly the kind of thing our staff is happy to talk through, stop by the kratom & kava section and we'll point you in the right direction. Must be 21+.
| Kratom | Kava | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant & part | Leaf of the Mitragyna speciosa tree | Root of the Piper methysticum plant |
| Where it's from | Southeast Asia | South Pacific islands |
| Active compound | Alkaloids (e.g. mitragynine) | Kavalactones |
| Common forms | Powder, capsules, extract shots | Drinks, shots, traditional root |
| Brands we carry | OPMS, MIT, Rooted, Super K, X7H | Kava drinks & shots |
| Age to buy | 21+ | 21+ |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be 21?
Yes, you must be 21 or older to purchase kratom or kava at Elevated 369.
What's the difference in the simplest terms?
They're two different plants. Kratom is a leaf from a Southeast Asian tree; kava is a root from the South Pacific. Which one suits you is personal, our staff is glad to walk you through it.
What products do you carry?
Kratom from OPMS, MIT, Rooted, Super K, and X7H in powders, capsules, and shots, and kava drinks, shots, and traditional kava.
What's the difference between kratom and concentrated 7-OH tablets?
7-OH tablets are made to concentrate one compound well above what's naturally found in kratom leaf: a different category, more closely regulated. See our full 7-OH vs. kratom guide.
Must be 21+ to purchase. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.