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 am new to the site and still kind of confused on what to try. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and life long back/neck issues from falling from a high dive to the concrete when I was a kid. Soon to be having 2 level neck fusion and will continue to live with the rest of the degenerated herniated discs I have. Have been on Suboxone about 6 years for chronic pain because a truck load of Hydro doesn’t help. I am interested in finding something that will help with the pain and muscle spasms I have and that will help me want to be productive during the day and in life without making sedated. Any advise will certainly be appreciated. Thanks so much
I have tb, Sars and occasionally I eat at night and I get depressed and have social anxiety and poor self esteem and no friends and I’m an insomniac and gluten free and I need energy and I’m sensitive to the world. What strain would be the best ?
I have chronic Lyme, chronic fatigue and a crud load of wandering pain. I just tried 1/8 tsp of Bali and I was ready to go to bed. I am super sensitive to any and all things ingested. I was hoping for some relief of my pain but didn’t get much. I did like the fact that it made me sleepy, since insomnia is part of the package. I have scoured though comments on many sites and the common theme is that the effects are different for every one. But can someone help advise on which strain would be the BEST for pain without turning me into a zombie? And if I can get some feed back on the vendor quickkratom.com? Thanks.
I have RA, fibromyalgia, depression, and very low energy. What would you recommend me starting out with? I’m new to Kratom. Thank in advance for any and all help!
I have been experimenting with Kratom for a bit under a month. I have several conditions that cause pain (Interstitial Cystitis, Colitis, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis), which were catapulted into an enduring “pain of a different color” when I developed two different stage III cancers (bladder / colon) within four years. The necessarily aggressive treatment was extremely risky and indeed did leave me disabled, and in chronic worsening pain that will never improve.
So. From the outset, I know, without question, that I AM going to be addicted to *something.* I am delighted that I have an option besides prescribed narcotics now! I had developed a trapped feeling of being at the mercy of the greedy pharmaceutical industry, all the while knowing that these necessary medicines are wreaking havoc on my system, and on my life itself.
I see so many advantages to choosing the Kratom, and am already reaping the benefits of not being on the heavy-hitting opiates. For the first time in almost 15 years, I am *sleeping* like a normal person! Anybody that takes narcotics knows that they interfere with sleep patterns. For years and years, I had not slept for more than two hours at a time, bolting awake to feel fitful and absolutely unable to sleep again. Now if I wake, I return to sleep…just as I used to way back when I wasn’t so gimped-up!
The withdrawals form opiates are horrid. I am coming off Morphine, Gabapentin, and Vicodin. It is CRUCIAL to inform yourself about how to best stop the opiate use; some medicines really require a bit of tapering-off time. Anything anti-depressant really, really needs this tapering off, too, as your brain has to teach itself to develop receptors that the medicine provides. It will be great to get over that part of leaving narcotics behind. As I said, I am not even one full month into the experimenting with strains, etc., and I *already* take a whopping 15% of what I was taking …just over three weeks ago! My family and friends say that they notice a huge difference in my overall “vibe;” certainly I feel it. For years, I have searched for and tried alternatives to narcotics, but so far nothing has been able to touch my pain. Kratom *HAS.* It’s real.
There is a *wonderful* Facebook group called “Kratom (new and current users),” where the community is inspiring and helpful. As doing this (getting onto Kratom) takes experimenting, people are constantly helping one another out with questions and answers. It is crucial since there is misinformation, as well as poor, and even tainted product out there. The board also has vetted vendor recommendations, and people are always chiming in regarding their impressions of sellers. I can not say enough about how very, very much this astoundingly friendly group has helped me. It is an invaluable source of information and support.
Good luck to all of you…I firmly believe that those who consider trying this amazing plant are people who are sincere in their desire to make the best lives possible for themselves.
It’s Christmas Eve, and I am writing about Kratom! *That* is how darned impressed and thrilled I am to have found it. May each of you have a wonderful start to 2015, with promise for health and peace. ~jmdm
People like you deserve an award
So great to hear. This gives everyone hope.
Thank you for sharing your story. Due to new laws my friend is about to be cut off from his medications. I am trying to find something to help him with this new reality.
I am a weirdo. I like the taste. Very earthy. I pour 2tsp into my mouth and toss n wash with warm water. Yummy
I just started taking the Maeng Da. I was on painkillers for ,most of my life. I’ve seen doctor after doctor all giving me pain medication. In March of this past year I slowly started to wean myself off of all the medication. I’m off of it all now, totally! A friend of mine told me about Or atom because I was having intense pain. I tried it after I had gotten on Google and researched what Kratom is. I’m still amazed!! Not only does it hep my back, I have bad arthritis in my left thumb and Palm. The pain gets so intense I have to squeeze my thumb and rock back and forth. I took 4 capsules, the pain was gone and I felt so happy and peaceful! How often do you take this? I will not make it a habit.
hi Deborah I have purchased this strane but with no instructions on what to do with it, I have fibro,nerve damage,chronic fatigue and chronic pain from back surgery.. how does it make you feel after 4 capsules. I have a 4yr old so I don’t want to take a lot and be out of it,????
I have been taking bali indo for about 8 months now, and it has been a God send. I suffer from social anxiety and mild depression, and this stuff has made each day better. My only complaint is the fact that it’s a bit expensive, and my current vendor is having issues with online credit card payments, and is not taking them at this time. No problem, I found another and my my vendors are actually located in the same town as me, so my shipment is here the next day after I order it.
I would not recommend it as a long term solution however, as I have found myself psychologically addicted. There does not seem to be any physical addiction though
Hello all, i have been experimenting for awhile with different strains for energy and mood with slight euphoria(but not a necessity). I too had been on opiates for pain and found myself becoming overall more productive throughout the day in every aspect of my life, from getting out the door in the morning to conversating with clients, coming home after work and not being lazy, doing laundry..dishes etc. in a great overall mood. Doctor took me off eventually and I came across kratom. Experimented with Maeng Da and it helped get off the pain meds and gave me some of the effects i was missing now no longer being on the opiates. The problem is i had to make the capsules (00)(.05 each) and i had to take 10 at a time to feel the effects. Sooooo I’ve been trying to find a reliable vendor that has a quality product so i dont have to take 10 caps (.05 each) to feel an effect. Any recommendations as far as vendors? I also tried a UEI strain that did wonders but was incredibly expensive. So any and all help would be more appreciative then you know. Thank you to all those who took the time to read and respond.
Those with Fibro/Chronic fatigue/autoimmune (often caused by metal poisoning, Lyme, several true underlying root causes). I feel for you too!! I have systemic illness from heavy metal poisoning and cavitation/root canal). When people just do not know any better and tell us the best remedy is exercise, etc. (in my case it just pumped the infection deeper into tissues previous to knowing I was poisoned.) would LOVE for exercise to cure this, that would be heaven!! But several Olympic athletes even who have been brought down by some of the root causes I listed above…need much more than exercise in these situations! While clearing these toxins out of our bodies, Kratom IS a lifesaver!!! I am a weird one here, because I love eating the powder straight…especially certain strains can taste yummy. Have had some not so yummy but tolerable. I will chew on it then wash down with almond milk. Stem & vein fine powder, I actually get craving for, must have something in it my body is craving. Started just doing this because I could barely move, pain and disorientation were intolerable so just had to take it the quickest way I could…got use to it. Thinking of adding turmeric, cayenne…maybe some other herbs to the mix!
I used Kratom to get off opiates/suboxone. It has changed my life! I was so sick of the “addict” lifestyle. I dont care if this is a “crutch” it helps me sooo much. I have to put kratom in capsules. I can gag just thinking about the taste of the powder. I buy size 00 capsules and love kratom so much i bought a capsule maker.
I also had 3 back surgeries and I can not believe how much it has helped with my pain.
Anyone know anything about Kava??
Kava is wonderful. I drink a lot of kava tea or take capsules. I do this because it GREATLY reduces irritability that comes from stress. I love kava…could be placebo…but it works for me. When mixed with a low dose of kratom…synergistic happy plants
I’ve been on roxys and Opana for over ten yrs and would like to omit or at least reduce my use of these drugs. My major concern although is the fact that I have an under active thyroid and can no longer take certain meds even otc meds like store bought cough or cold medications because there is a serious allergic reaction that would land me in the hospital. I can’t seem to find any info about this online, can anyone help ?? Please, u would love so much to try this product but very reluctant to do so. If anyone has any ideas on this please please respond. Thanx Suzy.
Shane you are definitely having withdrawals when you run out of the meds.
I’ve been on poain pills for about 13 years and finally switched to suboxone to get off of them.
I use kratom when I run out of my subs and also used it when running out of roxis and it def helps with the withdrawals not to mentiin it gives you a great little mood boost.
I would try either green malaysian or maeng da. Guthros Garden is my vendor of choice.
Hope this helps and good luck with your health.
I’m hoping you experts can help me…I get prescribed pain pills for cancer (oxycodone , morphine & oxycotton) I really would like to stop taking them because when I run out I feel like I’m going to die, I think its withdrawal 🙁 I heard about kratom and was wondering what would be the best for 1. Pain and 2. Helping with dealing with withdrawal if I stop taking my pain meds.. Please help and thank you all so much…means a lot to me, I can’t take the suffering anymore
Oxycontin and oxycodone are the same animal clown.
No they are not, Oxycontin is time released, while Oxycodone is instant release.
YOU are an idiot. They are not the same at all you big dummy
How much and which strain would you use to control Diabetes?
Mahalo!!!