Kratom Strains And Effects
Updated Nov 11, 2021
Written By: Mark Andrews
Countless people across the world are learning about kratom in 2020. With so many strains, its important to understand which strain is right for you. Unlike synthetic opioids, kratom’s chemical composition is complex, and the effects of this composition are dynamic.
Its main alkaloids are mitragynine, paynanthine, speciociliatine, and the more minor 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). Kratom’s neurochemical complexity is echoed in its physiological effects.
It is generally understood that at low doses (< 1 gram), kratom “can boost energy and enhance mood,” whereas at higher doses kratom is sedating, and may have anxiolytic qualities.
The following table serves as a comparative base for some of the most popular strains of kratom on the market.
Click on any strain below to find more information:
Ground Leaf Strains
| Strains | Effects | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | An ideal balance of pain relief and energy boost. Bali works somewhat differently than a traditional red kratom. Bali helps achieve a gentle energy boost while maintaining the pain relief expected of a red. Euphoric and the most classic opiate like among the strains of kratom. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Maeng Da | Energizing and stimulating with pain killing effects. Maeng Da takes the normal pain relieving properties of a red strain and adds a nice energetic kick because of it’s specific alkaloid properties. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Red Bali | Similar to Bali with some red characteristics. This is a known as a versatile strain. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Red Vein Thai | Similar to Bali with a more classic red strain effects. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Red Vein Kali | Sedating and more classically opiate like. Red Kali is a more traditional red kratom offering pain relief & relaxation. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Red Indo | Similar to Red Kali and many other traditional strains. Red Indo is a more tame red vein strain and is often touted as ideal for mild pain relief and relaxation. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Green Indo | Balances pain relief and energy boosting qualities. The combination of alkaloids in Green Indo creates a longer lasting milder effect although there is not as high of a concentration of alkaloids as SGM. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Green Malay | This original variety of Malaysian Kratom is well known for its mood-lifting, energizing effects. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Green Vein Kali | A stimulating strain which also has painkilling attributes. Green Kali delivers a strong boost of energy without sacrificing any of the sought after pain relief effects. It is know for have a higher potency than Green Indo. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| White Vein Kali | More euphoric or dissociating. White Vein Kali is a milder white strain known for its energizing qualities – when compared to Red Vein Kali – while still containing notable pain relief qualities. . | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| White Vein Thai | White Thai may be the most stimulating of all white strains. There are however less pain relieving attributes than a red vein strain or a strain similar to Bali as a trade off. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| White Vein Indo | Similar to Red Indo which is best known for its pain relief attributes. However White Vein Indo differs from the calming Red Indo by bringing a euphoric dissociative kick with it. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| White Borneo | Known as a uniquely high quality white strain of kratom. It has known for its long lasting, energizing effect. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
| Super Green Malaysian | Known for its unique ability to combine the characteristic pain relieving properties of a red strain with the energy and euphoria boost of a white strain. SGM also has some of the longest lasting effects of any kratom with smooth delivery due to the high concentration of alkaloids. | 1/2 – 3 teaspoons |
Kratom Extracts
| Strains | Effects | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra Enhanced Indo | Most euphoric of the extracts and works well for reducing social anxiety. UEI manages to contain a full range of effects including pain relief & relaxation with a slight energy and mood boost. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
| Gold Reserve Extract | Powerful extract made by applying highly concentrated kratom alkaloids back to natural kratom leaf. Gold Reserve is a highly potent extract providing a blend of stimulation and pain relief while providing full body relaxation with a notable energy boost. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
| ISOL-8 Extract | ISOL-8 is an outlier and has caffeine like stimulation. ISOL-8 uniquely focuses in on the energy and stimulating effects of kratom while other extracts generally bring out a broader range of effects. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
| Ultra Enhanced Red Kali | This extract is made by blending pure alkaloids from Red Vein Kalimantan leaf with high quality Red Kali leaf. This is not made with semi-synthetic chemicals but only all natural kratom leaf alkaloidal extract. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
| Natural Enhanced True Thai | Made from taking a 90% pure alkaloid extraction of Thai Kratom and reapplied to a Green Vein Thai leaf. This extract is a high potency version of classic Thai kratom strains notable for a mild energy boost with significant pain relief & relaxation effects. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
| Natural Enhanced White Sumatra | Created by taking a 90% pure alkaloid extraction from white vein kratom and mixing it with White vein leaf. This reformulation results in a more potent version of white vein kratom with significant pain relief and relaxation effects. | 1 gram or less (if mixed with powdered leaf) |
I like the buzz just 2.5 mg of liquid oxycodone gives, anymore than that and I puke and get too tired. What I really like about that dose is that it gives me a calm super energy. Sounds like an oxymoron but to give context: about 30 mins after taking the liquid I get a fuzzy feeling and get super motivated. I will clean my whole house, do tons of physically demanding yard work, exercise etc. I am able to focus and just feel good! What strain, dose, supplier do you recommend for that kind of effect?
White Vein Thai or White Vein Bali. For me, it gives me energy like a natural, feel good energy! I was prescribed Vicodin 10/325 for pain but I enjoyed the boost that came with it. I was on it for years & was just tired of feeding my body (especially the liver) this crap so I learned a lot about Kratom & I love both previously mentioned. Bali white helps me with pain too.
***FYI…Every single person reacts differently to each strain of Kratom. Just because my 2 faves work for me, it may be completely different for you!***PLEASE DONT FORGET THIS** I dont want you to get disappointed. Kust keep trying diff strains. Hey, if you live in SE Virginia, I have thee BEST place for you to go!!
Where would you recommend going in SE Virginia?
Where would you recommend going in SE Virginia
Virginia beach?
2.5 of what strain? I’m new to kratom and kava so I’m curious
can someone answer my question or point me in the right direction please? i’ve had an open prescription for hydrocodone for 30 years for chronic pain due to shattered ankle from a car accident. addiction has never been a problem. i only take the pills when i need to dull the pain, which results in me having to refill my prescription maybe every 3 – 4 months or so. i want to stop taking the hydrocodone if this kratom might be a natural pain reliever of some sort. which strain seems to be more for pain relief than the others? thank you for any information.
I’ve just started, but the red maeng da is what I tried my pain is gone! I’m honestly amazed tbh but next purchase will be red kali 🙂 hope this helps! I’m a recovering opiate user by the way!
You need to stick to the reds. Red Indo or red Thai, red meang da even. Red Sumatra is another good one for pain. You’ll be happy you made the change!
I can say, my husband was addicted to hydrocodone for 7 years. He took over 200 pills a month. He successfully quit them with kratom. However, BEWARE. This is addicting. Now he is addicted to this and his behavior is similar to opioids. Let’s put it this way. Alcohol is legal. But in excess. It is dangerous, addictive, and lots of adverse health effects. Kratom is similar. It’s legal. But is addictive. Tolerance builds as well. So, in short. If you dont have an addictive personality, and have self control to stay within normal doses and use it like you would advil. It can be a good alternative to hydrocodone.
That’s really something . I have been on tramadol for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis on and off for 8 years or so. I do take the red strains of Kratom. Taking the red Bali right now because I do notice the pain subsides . Especially with muscle aches and tension. I’m taking the green for anxiety. However , I don’t see it as strong as hydrocodone or tramadol but more so… just enough? Your hubby may be use to having to take alot , as it’s a “mind over matter” thing with pain . It’s just strange for me to hear of a person becoming addicted to Kratom… unless there’s some kind of Kratom I don’t know about lol
Red vein helps with a lot of pain and has similar effects to opioids.
Yes try red Bali. Many reds help with the discomfort of injuries and arthritis. I personally know red Bali is great for such discomfort.
I would argue trying the white or the green as well. I always take green for pain as well as energy. Granted, everyone has a different experience due to the chemical make up of our bodies.
I recommend you try all of the different types (i.e. green, white and red). Red is best known for pain relief and opioid withdrawal, but surprisingly, and based on research I have done recently, green Maeng Da is known to suffice for pain relief as well. My recommendations – white & green Maeng Da, Green Bali, White Indo.
To provide some context, I deal with injuries from football, and I was once taking opioids recreationally (like an idiot), However, they were laced with fentanyl. I had no idea at the time, obviously, or I wouldn’t have touched them in the first place. When I was withdrawing, I took green and white strains regularly, and it helped substantially.
I wish you the best of luck with finding a strain that works for you, and throughout your search I hope your pain subsides.
red vein bali is probably your best bet. It works great for my back pain, I’ve got bulging disks L2/L3. I was on oxycodone as well, and IF you do experience any withdrawal from the opiates, this will alleviate it for you. Just don’t take this everyday.
I find the Bali white and red strains work most effectively – particularly with reducing withdrawals from opiates and bringing relaxation and balance. Do you live in the States?
I’ve had multiple back surgeries and chronic pain issues however I use Green Meang Da 3tsp in orange juice every 4hrs and I don’t have to take anything for pain!!!
Vietnam Kratom and red and green maenga da. Are the kinds I prefer. I just got green vein borneo for first time. Hope it helps, I’m coming off of about a month or so of doing about 4 or so of percocet 10s a day. Kratom doesn’t take away all the symptoms but helps you get through them. I can get concentrates but very expensive
I appreciate everyone’s post. It has really helped me. I have been on Suboxone for almost 9 years straight. My doctor was messing around to much and got in trouble ( so not a real doctor ) and I got stuck and went to buying them off the street. I’m just ready for this cycle to end. My wife and family deserve better. I will get off suboxone but take tabs to support the withdrawal but then I have to take so many, I get addicted to them. I’m trying to find the right dosage of K for me. Tomorrow will be day 3 with no suboxone once again. I pray I make it this time!!!
Hi Brian, I was also on suboxone for 10 years. Never thought I’d be able to get off because gbe withdrawls were so bad. I started with 5 grams (10 capsules) of red maeng da morning and night and have been off subs for 6 months now with zero withdrawls. It is like being free again. Best of luck.
Hi. Suboxone is awful to get off of, a fact which the doctors will never tell you. I took it for a few years, and finally decided to start tearing my strips daily to titrate down. I wasnt aware of kratom at the time,(which i now take daily) but wanted to mention low doses of thc also helped greatly! Smoking or eating low dose marijuana will ease your desire for more suboxone when its effect starts to wear off. Adding cbd to your diet wouldnt hurt either, as it brings overall balance to your endocannabinoid system!
I’m cold turkey off suboxone. Day 2. What kratom product best helps you!?
Bro I did kratom malay (I was smoking Heroin And then went to Suboxone for about a week) then I ate like 6 then 3 (I know it’s a lot) but mannnnnnn it took the pain away and helped me sleep!!
Yeah keep trying Brian. You sure you can’t wean off by at least 1 or 2 pills a day then increase on the Kratom ? All the best!
Hey Brian, Justin here. Similar situation as yours. Been on subs for 3 years straight.(ex heroin addict) No insurance so going to the doc was out. On Kratom now. Maeng Dau White is my advice. Tried the capsules they worked. Now I just use a teaspoon in the morning of the raw powder in juice, and one in the afternoon. Financially it’s a better fit for me. I couldnt deal with the sleepless nights coming off the suboxone, so I gave it a try and was delighted in the results. Just an opinion is all. Best of luck in your journey !
I have been on morphine and oxicodone ( high doses) for years I have a 6year old so energy is also very important. What would you suggest I try? I have to get off these medications, they aren’t fixing the problem, just giving me another. I want to try the kratom but have heard you have to find the right sights to order from what should I try and where do I get it? Please help!
Try Bali. Opiate like pain relief and body high, and a familiar brief “nod” can be achieved at high doses. The most euphoric and a total anxiety crusher at moderate doses but I find I’m still very clear headed and energized. Maeng Da is a close second and is a bit more energizing, but lacks that classic opiate euphoria. I also like a smoke a tiny bit of pot with it and the relaxation is top notch.
does the Bali help with the pain relief? Thats why my husband takes the Oxy is for the pain relief and can’t get off of them without the pain relief he needs.
I wouldn’t overthink kratom when you just get into it. Each strain is different similarly to how marijuana is different per strain. Reddit best kratom supplier and you can look at people talk. I would alternate strains. This site does a good job indicating which have pain relieving qualities. (Most)
First off that’s awesome that you want to get off them. I have been there also on unbelievable amounts of opioids for about 15 years because of my disease and 3 years ago with this opioid crisis I got put on a waiting list. I like green leaf kratom for a good mix of pain relief and a little energy but really they all seem to work really well. Here in Georgia you can find it at all the smoke shops and gas stations but you have to be careful what you buy there are not all the same. If you want a really good dose I buy the small shots and again I only one works really good but not sure if I can put the name on here.
Wish You luck and trust me it gets better
hi there sheila , i to have been on morphine an oxy’s , for 12 plus years , i have found that CBD OIL , HELPS ALOT WITH HELPING TO STOP TAKING BOth OF THEM , Iwas on 200mg’s morphine an 20 mg’s oxy , then the pain doc’s got to cuting them way down , there scared of the goverment ,so now i’m down 70%, 30 mor. 10 oxy twice a day , i can skip the nite mor an oxys all together, cbd cost a lot but it realy helps , so give it a try get the most potant one , 90 to 150 dollars or be sick , just sayin .
I was taking 16 -18mg hydromorphone a day by crushing the needs and swallowing to defeat the time release and this didn’t give me any euphoria or drive to do anything well kratom saved my life what a joke these doctors are for hiding kratom from us, 30 years of opiates and now just use kratom
What one did you use?? I’m trying to get off opiates
Any of them will help you get off opiates Bali is a good one that what I used to get off lortab
Hey Ashlie I’ve used Kratom to get off opiates and the most opiate like strain I found is red Bali. It gives you the same opiate like feeling without all the feinding. Treat it like opiates when you take it, for the energy and good feeling to be productive take a small dose, if it’s later in the night and you need to sleep/get a slight nod Take a larger dose.
My Dr. has prescribed Tramadol- Acetaminophen, 37.5 – 325 mg after our Total hip replacement surgery, seven months ago.
Am beyond ready to cease this pain med.
Shall the White Vein strain possibly be a preferred alternative?
If you don’t mind, what were you on? im currently taking soboxone and wanted to try Kratom to get off
When I got off oxy I started using Bali Gold kratom and I loved it. Definitely helped with w/d too.
Amen! They want to sell you the problem and the cure
To settle the Oxycontin/Oxycodone argument – they are the same drug. Oxycontin is simply a brand name, while Oxycodone is the actual drug name.
Yes, they’re the same base drug. However, oxycodone is short acting. (Add acetaminophen and you have Percocet.) Oxycontin is a brand name but it’s also an extended aka “continuous” release. Hence the “con” part of the brand name.
Shane I’m 38 and been on hydros since 18 and took myself off them. Pain paranoia, sickness, etc. All gone with white manga da Keaton I take 6 capsules a day and feel great I’m slowly trying to go down on those as well. Hope it helps
I mix my dose (2-3g) with a small amount of orange or grapefruit juice with a whisk, drink then follow with another small glass of orange or grapefruit juice to chase. The powder taste does not bother me.
I got off all the drugs and methadone I was on for 14 years and I didn’t feel to great when I got up but as soon as I drank my kratom in 10 minutes I could feel relief. I suffer from fibromyalgia and neropathy and autoimmune disease chronic non stop miserable pain and when my husband introduce me to it as a pain reliever and anxiety relief I was bound to get my mom to try it she had been on pain medicine for over 30 yrs and she finally tried it n she said that the kratom helps her way more than any of the narcotics she once had been on for so long now she only takes kratom for pain relief and for her nerves u am so happy n grateful for kratom
what type of Kratom did you use
What kratom do yall take? I have chronic pain as well.
Hello. I have fibro too. I’m on cbd oil buts it’s so expensive…how does K compare in price to CBD 750 mg full spectrum? What type of K is good for fibro pain, anxiety and energy?
I take White Thai for energy. I had my youngest son at 38. Being a mom of a toddler in my 40s is exhausting. Lol I don’t have the energy I had in my 20s like I did with my other 2. Kratom is a game changer! Only problem I have is I’ve built up a tolerance and have to keep taking more. I do give it a break for some time but still have to take pretty high doses to get any effects. Whats another good strain for energy?
White Maeng Da and White Thia are my go to. White Maeng Da is more energetic.
Looking for a reputable website to purchase. Firsr timer attempting to detox from sub. Would appreciate any tips and guidance. Definitely looking for a strain that provides energy and helps with dramatic temperature changes that occur with detox. Thanks.
I have similar problems as some other people. Fibro & arthritis. Also, I have PTSD, depression and anxiety. I want to get off of any and all prescriptions if possible. I need pain relief, energy during the day & anxiety relief. Help to get on a regular sleep schedule would be great as well. I don’t want to feel like my head is swimming or too dizzy. Also don’t want to feel jittery to get the energy if that’s possible. In other words, I want a new drug, lol! Any suggestions with these things in mind? Thanks!
I have similar challenges and get really frustrated with pain docs because you can’t use THC for pain simultaneously. It’s frustrating because all pain isn’t the same. I just started using kratom. I purchased Green Malay and Red bali. The malay provided some pain relief while giving a little boost. It has a little bit of an opiate feel to it and its energizing qualities aren’t all that jittery. I then tried the red because I’m all about that euphoria too. It is actually really nice. It gives that ‘warm’ feeling you get with opiates but you aren’t going to be falling asleep. Give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised.
I dont know why but I never feel this “euphoria” that they say Kratom gives you. Been taking Kratom 4 about a year now & am yet to feel euphoric. Please help! Which strain & what dose would achieve euphoria? Thank you