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 went thru the same red veins are good for opiate wd. Each capsule NORMALLY comes 500mg. So 2 capsules equals 1gram.
Beginners dose (Never Done opiates)= 3-4 grams
Moderate dose=5-6 grams
Strong dose= 8-10 grams.
Drink PLENTY of water bc kratom is a dietetic and will dehydrate you.
Where can I purchase red vein
I am confused about getting the right dose, i have green vein borneo capsules and it doesn’t give you the grams for each capsule, does anyone know how many capsules i would have to take for my pain?,
I am on prescription suboxone for opioid addiction, and i want to use the Kratom in between or when i wind up short with my strips if i take more than im supposed to
What mg are they. 500mg=.5 gram.
In my experience(5yrs since being diagnosed with Crohns/Colitis) capsules are .5 gram meaning each capsule is half a gram….now if you have a low tolerance or are new to taking kratom I suggest you go with 1 to 2 grams I do the the toss and wash method with orange juice or make smoothies plus you get more kratom if you buy the powder form instead of capsules my recommendations include Red Hulu,Green Elephant,Red Bali,Super Green Malay
1 gm = size of regular paper clip or
amount that would fill a pen top
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9-TrCUTg_0&ab_channel=PsychedSubstance
I am completely terrified as I am coming off of heroin for the third time I have red vein Thai I can’t seem to find anything that tells me a recommended dose I have read everything I can possibly read and I’m just not understanding if there’s anyone out there that can give me a suggested dose and any other advice I would truly appreciate it as I need desperately to take my life back before my life is taken by this addiction
Start with half a tablespoon on an empty stomach with grapefruit juice or another citric juice. Wait 30 to 45 minutes. If the effects are not strong enough, take another half tablespoon. After an hour, if it is not strong enough, take another half tablespoon. This is what I typically do. I always take it with juice, and turmeric with black pepper (only on initial dose for the turmeric and black pepper). This causes stronger and longer lasting effects. Toss and wash for the quickest effects and less constipation.
I didn’t come off of heroine, but I did come off of 11 years of opiods and have been off for 2 years now. And I got off cold turkey with kratom and some other things. There was definitely things I wish I had known beforehand like dosing. And other things to help. I got off the opioids and then got off of kratom all within 2 weeks. Not the best strategy and I had post acute withdrawal and never knew it, just felt awful. Since mine was for chronic pain I was never successful in getting off kratom fully especially after falling and breaking my tailbone 1 month after getting off kratom. So I use kratom now for pain control instead of opioids and it has changed a lot for me. I am no longer in bed sleeping my life away from sedating effects…I do have better pain coverage then the opioids.
Send me a quick email and I will help whoever needs it. [email protected]
Hi brandy! Kratom will absolutely make it bearable to come off heroin. How much did you use a day? That is going to play a big factor.
A body coming off opiates would require more than someone who didn’t take opiates and someone coming off heroin, I believe would start their dosing at a much higher level than that. Best strains starting out will be what’s closest in how it effects you.Reds all the way. I would suggest journaling what and how your doing, what stain, how much your doing and when ect. Start reaching out and learning everything you can about Kratom. Believe in yourself & your desires. Have a plan. And talk to us who use Kratom and have been there. You can do this. Reds will work best through your transition, but once you are ready, greens and whites are Outstanding as well. Reach out if you need anything.
Do you have an email so ican reach out to you
Yes, it is
[email protected]
Thank you.
My recommendation would be to start with a real spoon mixed with water (in a shaker bottle. Begin to sip it until effects can be felt. It’s hard to does individuals due to difference in tolerance and body size. From there gradually increase the dose until you get the effect you are looking for. May end up drinking more water then you like but if you keep track of your dosage it will be easier to know what dose is right for you…. too little and you get no effect.. too much and you get sick so stick to the process and it will get you going. Last thing, keep track of the strain you use as all strains will vary in level of effect and desired outcome
*note I am not a doctor and this is not medical advise just a suggestion based of personal usage.
I have severe chronic pain, I am on morphine slow and rapid release.also gabapentine oxicodine and many more.I also suffer from sleep apnea and insomnia, severe depression and anxiety.(PDSD) which strain is recommended.
You sound exactly like me. Your best bet is to stay with Red and Green. I have found green works best for me for overall symptoms, pain, anxiety, relaxation. But when I have a bad pain day I take Red and depending on how bad I am depends on which red. It does take trying different ones in order to find ones that work best for you. Every one reacts differently to each kind and each strain. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. I do talk with a lot of people helping them as kratom changed my life for the better. However, it is mysterious and I wish there were more people helping others and talking about it.
[email protected]
I’ve read a couple of your comments and decided that you are an angel!
Educated in the ways of the Kratom. Lol!
But seriously, I think what you do, and know could potentially help some of us in the world struggling w our drug abuse issues.
Pardon my language…..
Fuck them! I’d like to keep in contact with you and share my experience using Kratom. If you would like to help me?
I think w your help I might beat this god damn monster destroying my family.
Thank you for your time,
J.Cox
Hey Agustin,
I feel your pain, and i am currently studying medicine. I have taken Kratom before and personally it helped me out. But the risk/benefit ratios, especially given your current drug cocktail (morphine, gaba, oxycodone) seem heavy on the risk side. I believe in the potential of Kratom, but we need to be informed on the potential ADRs (adverse drug reactions). I am medical researcher at a university, specializing in psychopharmacology. Pharmacovigilance regarding kratom does not exist, as there have yet to be any clinical trials with humans in the U.S. The absence of double blind clinical trials, leaves a significant room for error, especially in polyuse with other opioids. While there is some date which suggests partial agonists, and does not recruit b-arrestin that the effects kratom and the extent to which pharmacological interactions occur are quite high. Especially because of the nature of the mitragyna and 7… Currently, information on safety is scarce. However, studies in mice indicate serious conditions may arise after administration, for example, elevated blood pressure and hepatic enzymes after a single dose. Not to mention impaired cognition and the potential for behavioural disruptions, potentially psychosis. I can understand you wanting to get Kratom, but in good conscious I have to suggest you speak with your primary care physician. Or family medicine docs. Are trying to get off of your medications? If so, it is still something talking to your doctor about. I know the medical system can be rough sometimes, but there are good docs out there. If you are in more pain, you should let him or her know, and maybe they can alternate medications and you can consider LAIs of ketamine monthly. But again, speaking with a physician is a good idea. Wish you the very best Agustin, I hope you find relief.
Im a long time methadone and heroin user , im terrified of coming off methadone .
Can i use white sumatra or any white to help me taper off or is it the reds i should try , im strggling with dose and if i can use methadone and kratom together as i lower the meth dose .. im trying to amass some know how on the subject
I can try help you out, but I have never been on heroine or methadone. I was on opioids for 11 years. I have done a lotnof research and used kratom for over two years now. If tou would like, send me an email and I will help the best I can.
[email protected]
I would do red and being a user like yourself i recommend red start at 3 G and do more if u dont notice. It really works. And i can go days without and not get sick. Fentanyl better watch out there is a new dog in torneo! For real it changed my life
Just be careful with methadone as a rapid taper can cause seizures. I would do a combination of the two while tapering down the methadone. Message me and I can provide a taper or your local pharmacist or your pain mgt. doctor.
Hey. Methadone in my opinion is absolutely awful to come off of, but it can be done. For me, i would use the red strains, and a little help from cbd/thc. Cannabis helped my body in between tapering from methadone, easing the desire and taking your mind off the subject in a way. Cbd tincture would help by providing an overall calm, sense of well being, but keep in mind you would need like 85 mg to start. I would also take a fairly moderate to high dose of a red strain kratom in the evening to wind down, like 8- 10 grams. I hope some of these suggestions help.
I used methadone for 17 years for severe and chronic fibromyalgia pain. 20 – 30 mg per day. My doctor stopped prescribing methadone when at only 10 mg per day – I was dosing off. Nothing worked as well to reduce the pain (anti-seizure meds in particular). I was bed-ridden for 16 months until I discovered Kratom 5 months ago. The red vein strains work the best for pain. Plus, my insomnia isn’t as much of a problem, and I don’t need antihistamines any longer to control hay fever symptoms. I mix a red Bali and green Sunda to get the ultimate pain/sleep treatment. Good luck!
im convinced that the doctors and pharma people will never give review of kratom…. reason being is its not being prescribed and there fore cuts out the dealer …. just like a street dude sellin heroin or other opiods. docs and pharma want their money and have no desire to push you to something like kratom if it affects their income levels in anyway. when it comes down to it they don’t care about your medical needs at all. most of us addicts started because of a personal injury or other factor and were introduced opiods by they primary care physician… ;ast thing they want is to lose a customer.
I’m getting ready to start red baly for the first time. I ve been told I have nerve pain and they put me on nortriptyline, but so far no help. I really hope 🙏 it works. I’ll let you know if it does.
Out of all the red strains the red Bali works the best (for me) for severe neuropathy pain. You can also mix 1/2 red Bali with 1/2 of a green or white strain to get treatment for pain and other symptoms that get in the way of functionality. My neuropathy pain is throughout my entire body and kratom has given me significant relief. All the best 🥰
Just started taking Red Bali last Friday for coming off all sorts of pain med/opiates for the last five years….and no BS…..this shit actually works. Hardly any withdrawal symptoms from coming off all the pills and able to actually sleep. IF YOU HAVE BEEN INTO OPIATES AND WANT TO GET OFF…I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING KRATOM!!
Yep worked so great for me too. On opioids for 11 years. Now I only use kratom for my chronic pain. For some it works so good that is all they need. For me it helps keep me functioning but my pain is very high. I know opioids weren’t covering it anymore after 11 years and it does seem that kratom can get to that point as well. Make sure you rotate your strains so you don’t keep going up in dosing.
Hi, thanks four your advice/ comments.
is it heavy liver? I am on Oxy, between 6 to 8 tablets (10mg) day. And do you recommend red to avoid opoid withdrawal symptoms? I’m completely new to this. Can you also advice, if possible, the difference between kratom and medicinal marijuana?
thanks
What was your dosing of Kratom and what opioids were you using?
As a former heavy Vicodin user a friend told me about Kratom last year while hesitant at first, I finally started taking it, I’ve found what works best for me is White Maeng during the day and Red Bali before bed and I’m about 1 month clean of pills and have really no withdraw symptoms which is a god send if you know what I’m talking about.
Bali kratom will fix everything!
I have been using kratom for a couple of years for crohn’s disease pain and nausea as well as chonic high levels of pain from other conditions, also for severe anxiety and also panic attacks ..a few years before that I came off of 8 different medicines Horrible withdrawals) and am down to 2. Gabapentin and Baclofen. I really want to come off of those too. I use a lot of other herbal supplement and tea to help with pain and help my stomach and body heal and bring down inflammation. Has anyone here ever been able to come off of gabapentin or baclofen using kratom successfully? I appreciate any input or advice ,Love this site..:)
I was taking upwards of 4000mgs of gabapentin up to 3X a day at one point. I’m not bragging, either, just being honest. I lost so much weight from not being able to keep any nutrients in my system since that amount of gaba gives you major bathroom issues. It was horrendous. But I found kratom and all of that has changed. I don’t need to take such high amounts of gaba anymore as long as I have good quality Kratom powder. I’m still prescribed 2400 mgs a day and I only have take 600 to 1200 at most daily. If I forget to take it, which does happen since the Kratom works so well for my barage of medical issues, I don’t suffer the consequences I used to when I was on such high doses. I’m getting ready to go off it completely by Christmas and I am confident that I will stay off of it. I now just take one at night if I’m in a downward spiral of pain and one in the morning but only if I am having a very hard time moving around without terrible pain once I’m awake. Honestly, if I just give the Kratom an hour to hit my system, I usually don’t have to take anything else. And with baclofen, I substituted it with extra strength Tylenol Arthritis (not the regular Tylenol but the one that says Tylenol Arthritis) and it works better for me! Unfortunately I pay the high label prices since the off-brand one doesn’t work at all, but it’s worth it and I don’t have to take much for it to work along with the Kratom. Good luck!
I took 900mg of gaba and 30mg of baclofen a day for a couple of years after going through medical detox from xanax. Kratom got me through the minor withdrawals from the taper, and now I’m completely off both meds. Your mileage may vary, but that was my experience.
Gabapentin is tricky. I got off by opening my capsule and dumping a tiny bit out. I took 3 are a time so I only dumped out of 1. In a week- I dumped half out. Another week- I dumped most out. Another week- I went to 2 and kept doing that till I was done. Didn’t have a single affect which was a miracle!!
Tammy, I’ve been using kratom to come off of gabapentin. It’s slow going but it helps tremendously! I’ve gotten good advice from a support group for gabapentin that recommends going down by 10% of your dose at a time. Then staying there until you feel stable for a couple of weeks before you attempt to go down again. But I’ve gone faster than that with the help of kratom. You have to sample some different strains of kratom to determine which ones help with pain and/or withdrawal. Generally, red strains are good for both, but some people get more benefit from green strains. I’m down to 300 mgs three times a day from 800 mgs every five hours. It is truly a blessing.
gold reserve, bali, etc, i was an iv drug user for 23 years, suboxone, methadone etc, once i had kratom i never went back to the clinic again. this shit really work, and natural feeling, my tolerance is pretty big so often i have to use the liquid extracts, im on kratomscience to lern to convert to powder and build my own spectrum, back surgery no pain either
What strain do you recommend to a addict is 20 plus years on 90 mls methadone
So desperate please help
I recommend a combination of white during the day and red in the evening. I was in methadone for 20 yrs and almost died trying to come off of it. If a friend hadn’t recommend I try Kratom I really think I wouldn’t be here to write this comment. Please try it and just experiment with the different strains…it saved my life. Good luck to you!!
I’m no doctor, but just reading this description list, if I were coming off opioids, I would want something as close as possible to “the real thing”. Both Bali and Red Vein Kali seem to be closer to something like methadone than the other strains. Maybe get both, and keep trying other strains too till you hit that sweet spot. Keep trying, this stuff is remarkable.
Bali!