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) |
So, im desperately wanting to come off of suboxone. Been on it for 3yrs and tbh its not really helping anymore esp considering the fact that i relapsed a few months ago. I ended up relapsing,unfortunately, but i fell back into using IVheroin. Not my proudest moment considering I was almost to 3yrs heroin free but just grateful im still alive and I pulled myself together before it got out of control n ended up hitting rock bottom again. Anyway im prescribed 1 8mg tablet and a quarter (2mg) daily. I was wondering, what’s the best strain to help w the withdrawals? I’d prefer a strain that’s gonna help w the physical aches n pains caused frm withdrawals. Plus a strain that maybe helps w relaxing and even sleep. Def won’t need one w an energy booster, just the best that helps relieve withdrawal pain restlessness and a more relaxing, body calming feeling/ experience. I did read a few post above and seen the red strain recommended but which red strain works best or is there any difference in the red bali and red vein kali? Any suggestions or shared opinions are appreciated. Thanks 😊
I personally, know Someone who went through that & I can let you know what they did. They were on suboxone for years, then they tapered down enough & after getting off completly, started taking Green Maeng da Kratom (1 gm every 4-6 hours first 3 days, maximum was 7gms at the worst of it, making it feel nothing more than a small cold if that.)
everyone’s body is different so always start off low & slow. You can build it up slowly to get to taking a full serving upon your specific body & needs.
That person then got off kratom going from 6 capsules a day (4-5 grams) to 1 a day over the course of a month. They haven’t had any issues with opioids & they use it here & there on days they feel it would help. When they have the days they are struggling, they take about 1-2 grams & that has prevented relapsing & hasn’t relapsed because they swear by it, killing the cravings.
They have almost 5 years clean & I hope this helps. (1-4 grams to start, if you build up over a week or so, consult with a professional before taking more than 5 grams as this may have negative, sedative, health effects. You should not combine this with any other substances.
Despite what you see and hear (this site, reddit, and at local shops) there aren’t really different strains. The “strains” listed on this website are just marketing nonsense. Now, saying that strains don’t exist doesn’t mean different varieties of leaf material don’t affect you differently. For help with opiate/opioid withdrawal you’ll want to stick to the greenish/tan colored Kratom. Usually the best I’ve gotten in this category is called “White” (Maeng Da, Borneo, etc). “White” Kratom is generally leaves that are the most mature and also include the vein material mixed in, which gives it a lighter shade of brown, green or tan. Reddish colored Kratom is usually from younger less mature trees and for most people isn’t great at curbing withdrawals, but does seem to help with pain. My personal experience with Red (it’s actually a darker brown tint) Kratom powder is that it doesn’t really do much. My sister and another coworker of mine both have similar experience with “Red” Kratom. Personally no matter what vendor I buy from, White Maeng Da has not let me down in terms of helping with withdrawals or giving a similar feeling to Codeine/Tramadol. I hope this helps!
I used the gold kratom to get off the subs. I would buy a 5 pack of capsules for 50 bucks at the store down the road. I took 3 the first day and varied from two to three for the next two weeks. It is amazing. A few hot flashes but nothing like usual. I usually get restless legs and arms this killed all that. I would take 20 mcs of melatonin and 2 Tylenol pm to sleep. It’s now been two months and I’m clean. I still take the kratom but I’ve reduced it down to a weaker brand. I recommend this to everyone that’s been on suboxin opioids.
Wondering if anyone here may be able to answer this…
I am finding very inconsistent results taking kratom. I have been taking 3g, twice per day, for about two months. I keep three bottles on hand: red, green and white, all maeng da. Some doses give me a great, opioid-esque energy. Some doses give me nothing but a headache. Some doses give me nothing at all.
I have tried to find a solution but I’m stumped. Sometimes the morning dose works, other times it’s the evening dose. Sometimes neither, sometimes both. I have tried dosing on a full stomach, empty stomach, and a small snack – but I can’t find a link there. I haven’t found that one strain works more often than another, it seems to be completely random. I’ve also tried raising and lowering my doses 1g in either direction, with no success.
Any ideas from any experienced users out there? Am I taking too large a dose? Too small? I was thinking maybe it’s because I’m taking two doses per day, but then I remembered I was noticing the same inconsistencies when I was only taking one dose per day. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This is common, everyone I know who takes Kratom regularly experiences what you’re describing: You’ll take your regular amount and notice that you aren’t getting that same kick or sensation that you got yesterday. It happens to me every now and then and as far as I’ve seen, nobody has been able to pinpoint what causes it. What I don’t recommend doing is doubling or tripling up on the amount and trying to push past it. That can cause serious digestive/bowel issues that you’ll wanna avoid. From my experience, I stick to only “Green” and “White” Kratom, as this is usually the most mature leaf material and it’s scientifically proven that the older trees have higher Mitragynine amounts in their leaves, younger trees produce a more brown or reddish color leaf powder. This is why you’ll see people say “Red Kratom doesn’t make me social but it helps with pain”. They’re just taking a weaker version of Kratom. Just my 2 cents.
I’ve been using Kratom for six years, only green strain, one bottle of water pour a little out, open four capsules mix and drink as needed 1-2 hours. Always follow with agood swallow of orange juice.problem solved.
Unless it’s your first time, 3 grams isn’t much at all to take as one dose. Also in me experience the brand of Kratom you buy is so fucking important. I take Green Maeng Da about three times a day and have built up quite a tolerance. I’m trying to get that down by alternating it with Red Maeng Da. I take about 10-12 grams per dose, so 30-maybe 40 grams a day. I have about three brands that I trust and know is always good, and I only buy those brands. That way I know exactly what I’m getting, exactly what it’ll make me feel without having to worry about accidentally getting a bag of garbage. After a while of not being able to find my go-to brand of and started just trying random shit I found out the hard way that Green Meang Da isn’t always REALLY Green Maeng Da, and I assume it’s like that for all popular strains of Kratom. I’d take my normal stuff and feel totally fine, and then I’d get some other brand and I’d feel like absolute shit or just really weird. It depends but there’s a lot of bullshit Kratom out there. So try and get the best quality brand you can, do some research, etc. Try out different brands and figure out which one does the best job for you and just stick with it. Always take Kratom on an empty stomach, vitamin c helps with it as well, and like I said before 3 grams as one dose is not very much Kratom for someone with any kind of tolerance. I certainly don’t recommend taking as much as I do since I’ve been taking primarily Green Maeng Da for almost three years now, so that’s why I’m up to 10-12 grams per dose. Try taking four-five grams on an empty stomach with some O.J. and then eat something afterwards. That should help it be substantially more effective, but of you take anything away from this at all, just find a good brand and once you do stick with that. Hope that helps.
M-
I think your approach is good, I do basically the same. I take kratom for pain, sleep, and fatigue. Red first thing in morning and before bed. White mid-day, and green on occasion during day. Having varing effects is normal. Since vendor quality and processing varies. Also, since it’s herbal, should be taken with full glass water on an empty stomach, much harder to digest. And since you can build a tolerance up, mix in different kratom blends now and then. Support KCPA, “The Kratom Consumer Protection Act”, this bill will help with “quality and processing”. Good Luck!
I was a 1/5th a day drinker, and closet heroin and meth user. Ive been to prison for my substinance abuse and just about every sobriety program available in my state. I even lost my daughter when i lost myself to alchohol and drugs. An abusive toxic relationship added to my depression, anxiety, PTSD giving me night terrors every single night leaving me sleepless and craving any form of sedative available. I had taken kratom before i had gone to prison but still using other substances it was just another variety for my coctail. When i finally got out of prison i vowed to try all over again but stick to strickly kratom teas and capsules obviously being on probation any other substinance in my body could send me back to prison. So far i am doing extremely well. I experimented with all the strains available usually going a week on each type to see how i feel. After months of trials i found that White Bali seems to be the perfect balance of effects for me. It gives me a little bit of an opioid feeling which for me helps my PTSD and anxiety, when my anxiety is at ease i find that it gives me more energy and focus. I take 3 teaspoons 2 times a day. Usually mix powder with a little water (like taking a big shot at the bar) and ill tell you the honest truth… Kratom is saving my life. I went from rock bottom to being a normal human with a normal job and husband and home and most importantly a mother again all thanks to Kratom releasing me from illegal ties.
God bless you, my friend! I’m so happy you are doing well!
2 teaspoons of green Malay once a day is all I need to stay pain free, happy and sober…
‘In 2008. I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease(L4-L5) and epilepsy. That began a whole slew of different kinds of pain pills, injections, doctors’ appointments and pharmacies. I noticed I started becoming addicted to pain pills after I lost my house and my job in 2009 due to my health issues. That and issues going on in my home life slammed me into a deep depression. From then on I couldn’t function without a pill. I’d be so out of it for 2 weeks out of the month because my 30 day supply would only last me a couple of weeks. When I wasn’t pilled up, I stayed in bed and only did the bare minimum in life until my next doctor’s appointment. My pill cocktail was Oxycodone, MS Contin, Soma, Klonopin and fioricet.’
‘I was fired from my pain management clinic in April 2019 because I didn’t show up for a per contract pill count. I knew I was 11 pills short so I just didn’t show up! From May to June my kid’s father came out here for my second daughter’s graduation. I had already gone through detox and I think he helped occupy my mind. My plan was once we dropped him off at the airport, I was going to start looking for another doctor. Instead I watched Leaf of Faith, a movie about kratom, on Netflix on June 25th 2019. I learned that kratom is a Southeast Asian herb that many are using for pain relief and to treat addiction.’
‘The very next day I went to the local smoke shop and bought some Kratom. And here I am today, sober and staying sober because of kratom and weed! Kratom not only brings my pain level from a 10 to a 3, it also stops the opioid cravings and elevates my mood along with the marijuana. I am a brand-new version of the old me. I am a thriving and functioning mother and member of society again. Kratom and marijuana are the tools I need for sobriety. In all honesty, I am still amazed that I’m alive today. If you think Kratom doesn’t work, then by all means ask me how I am sober, sitting here typing this out. I and millions of others are living, breathing proof that kratom works! Kratom is FREEDOM, kratom is LIFE!’
~ https://www.kratomscience.com/podcast/25-misty-brown/?fbclid=IwAR2zoZhzWi_Z2JFkU6Mvw4Yf8h7hVq_giJGH-GSECrmUFzroJE1pVymYi3o
~https://southeastbeautifulkratom.com/2020/07/10/we-are-the-faces-of-kratom-we-are-the-faces-of-america/
With chronic pain and no addiction issues(its in your dna not the substance) i prefer my rx. Kratom is super weak and unreliable pain relief.its just enough for those in withdrawl.dependence doesnt = addiction no matter what you think you know. Right now aids, fancer, parkinson and 100 other legit diseases cause chronic pain.hey, if there was something as effective as rx bring it.but they got nothing. Mindfullness and wellness arent automatic or all effective. Its not like u wud go to the gym if your already in pain.and chronic pain is not based in emotional distress. Theres far too much false narratives out there. These panels never incl pain victims.why? Bcuz nobody wants to hear our truth. Fake pc trash. Look up The Healthy People Iniative 2030.its all about changing society. Utopian society is unattainable and only serves the rich.wake up.
My experience with kratom is different. Red Bali is as effective (for me) as hydrocodone which doctors are increasingly refusing to write. I stock kratom by the kg and have no issues with osteoarthritis. Doctors tell me to take Tylenol and get a yoga mat. Not all strains of kratom work for me, but red, green, white Borneo and Red Bali certainly do! Other experiences may differ but this stuff is a life saver
I have a question do they have that in an extract but you say it works really good for you I have trouble sleeping at night and my legs and my knees and back and everything is in constant pain
You’re probably not doing it right. I’d suggest trying again with a different strain/dose from a reliable vender like botanical bunny. Good luck!
Also, Natalie, many of the withdrawls from these pills are actually WORSE than heroin. I haven’t kicked tramadol, but I have kicked heroin, methadone, and oxy. Oxy was by far the wiser. I screamed bloody murder for 5 days straight. Because of the other effects of the pills, they can make it harder for your body to adapt to withdrawal. Why do so many ppl post things without having any experience actually going through it? Opiate withdrawal is horrid. We should be supportive because we all have the same desires, relief from whatever is ailing us.
So thank goodness I’ve been off all opiates as far as withdrawing goes, for several years. Between 3 rehabs, countless horrid withdrawals, I’m surprised I’m even through it ….
Since no 2 people are exactly alike, how can anyone get upset just stating there own experience? My worst of the worst withdrawal was Suboxone! I doubt many can relate. However, the hell I went through after tapering for months, was enough to scare me not to ever ‘need’ it again. I was on 8mg for 7 years.
That was MY own personal experience…..
I need help understanding Kratom, as far as what’s the best for pain relief? I have major pain issues and I can not take nsaids any longer either. So can anyone make a suggestion? I don’t want to get fucked up and be out of it. I want to function, just with less pain. I can literally barely walk.
Can someone suggest a morning kratom, and one for pm possibly?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions you can offer me!
Hi Geri, just as a personal suggestion, I personally like the white/green strains for morning. They provide a nice kick and energy boost to start your day. Super Green Malaysian is a great choice since it provides long last energy along with pain relieving properties. For night, definitely go with a red. Red Vein Kali has been doing the trick for me!
I had same horrible experience with suboxone!! I ended up in the hospital 2 days after my last dose and I also will never put myself in a position of needing the crap again. I have a metal rod in one leg that is 2 inches shorter than the other. Long story short I have excessive pain and trouble walking. I take green mang da daily. I take 8 grams 3 times a day but I have been taking kratom for 2 years. It is best to take breaks for best results but I think it’s the addict in me that doesn’t want to go without. I have kicked opiate, suboxone, and meth addiction. Kratom doesn’t get me high….at all. But it satisfies me and is major help with pain. I like the green mang da for the energy kick it gives. Take on an empty stomach and wait a few hours before you eat. Hiwever it is tricky bc you can become nauseas if you over do it. It took me a year to figure out what was best for me and sometimes I wonder how I could reboot my system without taking a break but over all I am happy with Kratom.
The best kratum for pain i have found is Red Bali in the capsule form. I suffer from lupus which is extermly painful. I start out with 10 capsules in the morning and at night. It has been a life saver for me. Hope this helps feel better.
How many grams in your capsules? Im new and was told to start out with 1 capsule.
Morning/Day Time: Green Meang Da (or White)
Evening/Night Time: Red Maeng Da
I don’t know much about White Maeng Da but I do know it gives you more energy than Green M.D. Green M.D. gives me plenty of energy so I was never interested in MORE energy, hence my ignorance of White strains. Meang Da is the best type of Kratom for me and seemingly most other people. The green and red M.D.s help me with my constant back pain, migraines, nausea, and many other things. I primarily take Green M.D. most of the time, generally Red M.D. is supposed to have the strongest painkilling effects but Green M.D. is an extremely effective pain reliever/muscle relaxant for me. The brand of Kratom you get is extremely important. You’ve got to find a good quality Kratom that does what you need it to do for you and then stick with that. Everyone’s different so you just gotta try different brands and figure out which one gives you the best experience. I recommend Green M.D. but that might not work for you. It’s generally the most popular kind of Kratom and is pretty strong, as is the Red M.D. so I’d start there, with green though. You might have to experiment. There might be a totally different strain that you’ll love and will work for you that I would hate and wouldn’t do anything for me. Quality is so important, I cannot stress that enough. Good luck, I hope that helps
M-
Aleah, and any other person whos dealt with opiate addiction,
What strain did you take to help get through withdrawals?
Ive been addicted to “street” oxy, so mostly clandestine fentanyl and heroin, for the last 3-4 years where id be snorting anywhere from 2-15 pills a day. Im only taking 2/day as of now, thank God.
I badly want to get off before Christmas but im DREADING withdrawals. Ive done my research, but i want to know what worked for you and most others.
Dude, don’t worry about the strain to much, just make sure you get it online from a good vendor. I used it to get off opiates, and it works for withdrawals because it partly binds to your opioid receptors, giving you absolute relief from pysical withdraws….now emotional mental withdraws or craving…guess that depends on the person. But physical withdraws it will definitely work. I been taking kratom for years now, about a kilo every 5-6 weeks. The best vendor/company I’ve found and now exclusively use is Super Speciosa. They lab test for contamination, and for Mit.%. Every kilo I get from them is top notch. You’re gonna want to start out with a big spoonful to start out…and just keep taking it every few hours until your pysical withdrawals alieveated…. Trust me, it won’t be as hard as you think. But whatever you do, don’t get shit from head-shop or vape shop, it will be old and gross and not do shit got ya. Super Speciosa takes CC payments, fast delivery….ez ze pezy. Better order half kilo, your gonna need a lot of it. Cost you like 80 bucks, about same as an 80 of ocy. Good luck bro 😎
You sir have no idea what you’re talking about and the information you are posting is dangerous. I work at a treatment center and ppl come into detox all day long from tramadol. Do some research please before you hurt someone. My father has many medical issues and kratom all but eleviates them all. He has had a liver transplant and has heart issues so he can’t take green or white without issues, but red Is perfect. It helps with so many different things! I have known many ppl to get off opiate pills with the help of this powder!!
I was on adderall for years and years and have studied kratom trying to find a blend or something that might work for me? I quit the adderall cold turkey. Thank you for your input, I would love some help with this. I have white vein, red, green, and maeng da green currently. Would any of those help me? I should mention I was on adderall for narcolepsy/extreme fatigue issues. Thanks everyone!
Just took my first dose of bali tonight as I’m coming off norcos cold turkey and let me tell ya what! I’m feeling great actually no pain, no withdrawals! I ran to the smoke shop before they closed tonight and I walked out with Bali and red
So, it’s helping with the withdrawals? I’m on oxycodone and trying to find a way to get off them. Are you taking capsules and if so, how many and how many times a day? Thanks
I found something called train wreck. Was averaging 30mg/day oxycodone until 16 days ago. Stopped cold turkey. I started with 4g in the morning, 2.5 11am, 3pm, 7pm. Not going to say it’s a miracle but the withdrawals could be much worse. Right now I can’t decide if it’s building up. Last 5 days I have had headaches in the afternoon.
Follow up. The build up became too much and I relapsed. Back at it again Day 5. I am trying 4tsp morning then 3tsp every 3 hours. I am again seeing the effects of buildup in my waste. Looks like I have been eating leaves that were undigested. I am thinking my digestive track can only process so much. I have never experienced DT. Bad hangovers yes. I think I’ve probably had less than 20 drinks in 2 years. The oxy took the place of alcohol. With alcohol I could abstain for a week and it wouldn’t affect my work ability. Pill withdrawal hasn’t been that bad personally but it halts my ability to push through tedious tasks which is affecting work.
Hi Boxmaker1974, I successfully and permanently quit taking Oxycodone by 1. tapering my dosage, not slowly, but rather steeply (over less than 2 weeks from (6) 20mg pills per day down to (4) then (2.5), (2), (1.5), (1), (0.5), taking each lowered amount for only 2-3 days before stepping down the dosage again.
2. As my dosage got down to about 2 pills and lower I began using the Red Bali strain of Kratom. My method of choice is to microwave about 1/2 of a mug of water to very warm (not piping hot or boiling), I then stirred in 1/2-1 teaspoon of powdered leaf, added some splenda and downed it in as few gulps as possible followed by water or Gatorade. You MUST hydrate because it is a diuretic. This was a pretty strong dose, which was necessary at the time, but it does give a relaxing, pleasant, and sedating feeling that is very much like an opiate.
If you’ve had to take Oxy for extended periods of time, you know that it losing all the pleasant sensations and it just becomes necessary to take to avoid withdrawal, which I can attest is hell on earth. Years earlier I had stopped a high dosage of Hydrocodone cold turkey, and my former husband stayed by my side every night while caring for our 1 year old baby during the day (I was a stay at home mom who normally did 90% of the baby care, and loved it).
Quick backstory: I had 13 major surgeries from age 36 to 49, basically one a year. 3 open chest, multiple ovarian and cervical, coccyx removal, finally a full hysterectomy, right shoulder and then right hip. Well meaning pain specialists and surgeons would have me on a morphine or dilauded IV post-op, and then prescribe pain pills upon release from the hospital. I would always taper off the meds once my pain was manageable with tylenol. And then I would have to have another surgery…rinse and repeat. Following the 13th surgery (hip) I had severe chronic pain that would not let up, so a pain management Dr prescribed 5mg, then 10mg and eventually 20mg Oxy. I finally hit that point where I was craving more than my prescribed dosage, running out early, and it wasn’t even helping with my chronic pain, only numbing my brain so that I was out of it all the time, sleeping constantly, and not being the kind of mom I wanted to be, because I wasn’t “present”. So, by this time my child was 10 years old. I finally quit for good in 2017.
I can absolutely attest to the use of Kratom making withdrawal almost non-existent, and once all the oxy was out of my system I lowered my kratom intake dramatically, as in only using it on occassion for severe pain. The rest of the time I get by on Naproxen Sodium (prescription strength Aleve) and Gabapentin (a non narcotic which helps with a number of medical issues besides pain).
I’ve had bloodwork, MRIs and CTs numerous times since I began using Kratom, and my kidneys, liver, pancreas, heart, lungs and brain are all good. I have read unsubstantiated reports of Kratom causing liver damage and high blood pressure, but my liver is healthy and I have low blood pressure 100/70 or less. I’ve actually hoped Kratom would raise mine a little because low BP makes me feel faint (a side effect of Myasthenia Gravis).
I have never had feelings of withdrawal from Kratom, and sometimes go weeks without using it. I really do reserve it for pain so severe I scream into my pillow. I don’t want to take it daily, despite the feeling of euphoria that it can give. I know it’s in my cabinet, but don’t crave it. If it were a bottle of Oxy I’d be chewing up 2 or 3 pills, or worse…snorting it! Through the well intentioned practices of my doctors I am officially a recovering opiate addict. If Kratom operated in the brain the same way “true opioids” do, I wouldn’t be able to get enough of it. I know of people who use Kratom daily, usually a white strain that is more energizing than euphoric and I have yet to meet anyone (via chat rooms) who had anything even approaching the kind of withdrawal that many of us have experienced due to heroine, crack, meth or any Rx opiates, like Oxy. If they’ve had any Kratom withdrawal at all, it has been minor and manageable.
I can only speak for myself, but I credit Kratom with making my FINAL time quitting Oxy an easy and pleasant experience. I can also say that, for me, Kratom is a lifesaver when my chronic pain turns into a bout of almost unbearable pain. Without it I would definitely be looking for a Pain Management Doctor to prescribe an Opioid medication, and my nightmare of addiction would start all over again. And just to repeat (in case of trolls who didn’t read thoroughly) I now only use Kratom for sever pain maybe a couple of times a month, or less. I am not a daily user. I did not replace my 6X a day Oxy addiction with daily Kratom use. I use it in a “break glass in case of emergency” way.
Your story is heroic. Congratulations.
I was taking 40-80mg oxy/day for 3+ years. I just started Kratom this week and no withdrawal! Truly unbelievable. I was hopeless wondering how I would ever get off of them. Try it- you will not be sorry!
Good decision Lil Bit. It was successful for me. Kratom is a lifesaver for withdrawals, and I haven’t touched Oxy in more than 3 years since quitting with the help of Kratom (Red Bali). And once I was through with withdrawals I easily and painlessly stopped using Kratom daily. I now use it only when I have severe pain. That’s what works for me, because I didn’t want to replace daily Oxy with daily Kratom, even if it is a much much much healthier alternative. I’ve learned how nice it is not to be in a fog and to have clear thinking!
Sending good thoughts!
I started taking Keaton to wean myself off of Tramadol. After 1 month I had a blood test and my liver enzymes were elevated. I was taking another 12 grams a day. I have cut back to 4 a day. I am scheduled for another blood test. If it is still elevated I will not take anymore. I am hoping a reduced amount works because I have slept well with no hangover.
Hey I am looking into taking kratom to try and wean myself off of tramadols as well! I’ve been on them for a while now and it’s so hard to go without. Which strain kratom do you use and how does it effect you? If you don’t want to answer I completely understand
Tramadol is NOT an opiate.. you will not have withdrawals off of it… you don’t need to wean yourself off of tramadol… smh..
… yes it is, lol
Tramadol is a synthetic opiate and there are withdrawal s
You’re out of your mind!! It’s a synthetic opioid. I went thru hell coming off that shit
TRAMADOL is an opiate and the withdrawal effects are brutal.
Where did you get your info? You couldn’t be more wrong.
You bet its an opioid…. Its not an opiate but a synthetic opioid. Thats why its listed as a schedule 1 narcotic requiring a physicians prescription to obtain it. Its listed as a controlled substance for a reason. You are absolutely right my dear 👍
You’re absolutely right that it’s isn’t an opiate. It’s a seratonin inhibitor! Not too many people know that. It tricks your brain into thinking you have an opiate. But you can have some terrible W/D from tramadol as well.
That’s how its advertised yes. They also advertised oxycontin as non habit forming with no withdrawal. I personally have had withdrawal from tramadol as well as use tramadol to help with opiate withdrawal. If it’s not addictive and not at all an opioid, then me along with countless others that have actually been on the drug must all be sharing in a crazy hallucination because it most certainly behaves in every way like an opioid.
Please stop spreading misinformation. First and foremost, it is an opioid, it acts on the same receptors as other opioids. However, it also has a weaker SNRI mechanism where it inhibits the reuptake of seretonin and noradrenaline. So it’s not a seretonin inhibitor, because such a thing doesn’t exist! It doesn’t “trick your brain”. Shocking, the amount of people who will spread misinformation on something as serious as this…
sorry but although it does have the effect the same as an snri or ssri, that was an unintentional effect and it 100% IS AN OPIATE. Albeit a synthetic one, it is an opiate.
because of the SSRI or SNRI side effects, it makes coming off tramadol absolute hell..
Omg the withdrawal from Tramadol is SO TERRIBLE. Hahahahahahaha if you all think that’s terrible withdrawal then you are clueless. Try withdrawing from IV heroin or methadone… trust me you would laugh too.
I beg to differ. I was on a 200 mg time release Tramadol tablet once a day for 4 years, until some Dr. told me he would not prescribe it anymore, did not feel my MRI showed that I should be in pain. Quack. So I stopped cold turkey. It was the most horrible feeling. I got chills, nausea, headaches, and my back pain had returned full force. Then I heard someone mention that Kratom helps ease withdrawal symptoms. Well, it is a miracle worker. That was January 2016 and I still enjoy the pain relieving effects of my daily Maeng Da kratom. By the way, you should research the effects of Tramadol withdrawal from others. There are plenty out there that know the misery of stopping that monster suddenly.
Yes you most certainly do get withdrawals from Tramadol and they are worse than typical opiate withdrawals. Just because it’s not a traditional opiate doesn’t mean you can’t become physically addicted. I should know.
Are you high?
Actually talking to many drs and pain management drs and pharmacies Tramadol is harder to kick then heroin Tramodol never did anything for me. I didnt get high from it and it never worked on my pain. I was on percocets but not many places will fill it and the ones that will play dr and want test results and or isnt adding anymore patients for that rx. But like what everyone says these opiod pills or tramodol or whatever ur taking. Everyone reacts different to addiction or weaning or cold turkey so u cant say that whomever is taking tramodol doesnt have withdrawals yes they can just becuz u didnt doesnt mean the next wont. Also taking pain pills can also increase ur pain level and have a counter effect of what its suppose to do.
Yes, you will have terrible withdrawal from Tramadol. I went through it and it doesn’t give good pain relief for me.
It’s a synthetic opioid. It is also … wait wait get this …. a derivative of morphine.
100% an opioid. Withdrawal coming off of Tramadol is hell. Also it lowers your seizure threshold. Drugs.com, web md… they will all tell you this.
Tramadol IS AN OPIATE, and you DO have to wean yourself from it. Google it.
Actually Austin, Tramadol can have worse withdrawal effects than some natural opioids. Everyone is different and everyone’s mental addiction as well is different. However, Tramadol is synthetic opioid made to mirror effects of opioid pain killers. I am a psychologist, and substance abuse counselor and resource case worker. I have studied all narcotic drugs for over 20 years. Synthetic drugs can be so much worse than natural and all opioid drugs are natural based. Also, when someone is trying to talk about coming clean off of any drug, you don’t knock them down by saying ignorant things. Just saying!! Good luck to you all…. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tramadol is a controlled substance and are in a class of medications like morphine ,codeine, and hydrocodone. It has a high risk for addiction and dependence. You most definitively can have withdraws from it. I have had people say that Tramadol was worse for them to stop the oxy or Suboxone.
Please read my story above about how I used Kratom to help me through quitting Oxycodone. I have taken Tramadol in the past as well, so I absolutely understand what you are dealing with.
First, let me clearly state that I am by no means a doctor (however I am in a medical profession) and I have very thoroughly researched Kratom
I would recommend using a Red strain such as whatvI used, Red Bali, during opiate withdrawal and cessation. After the first week, tapper off the Kratom to a low daily intake, or just stop altogether. You will not have withdrawal symptoms, and you will not have an addiction to Kratom. That is my opinion and my personal experience. You can later use Kratom for pain, though I would suggest switching to a more energizing white strain that still has pain relief properties. And I would urge you not to use it daily, though many people do without the problems that pain medications cause. It can help with energy, sleep, pain, anxiety, depression and more. Research strains to find one that meets your needs best.
I wish you all the best, and I really hope you quit Tramadol. That is so highly addictive and a poor pain killer to boot! Sending good thoughts out to you and prayers up for you my dear! (((VirtualHugs)))
Sorry, there were a few typos and a misspelling in my post. It is TAPER off not tapper, Doh! I was typing too fast.
Are you finally through the withdrawals? I’m trying to find out how long it will take me.
Did you take Michael or Alex or Diane?
I have dealt for years with anxiety that is literal and physical and hard to deal with. I became alcoholic to deal with things I couldn’t deal with, which as everybody knows is no way to deal with anything. I had counseling forced on me by my job, no help, they all kept throwing pills at me. I started taking kratom to sleep after years of insomnia (that can make you feel crazy all the time), I’m now up to 3 doses per day: 5 grams in the morning, 5 in the afternoon, and 10 to go to sleep. I always use red. Green makes my anxiety worse . If I don’t take my kratom the awful physical anxiety comes back, and I can just forget about sleeping without kratom. Three years and it still works for me.
Winona, Keaton has been a God send for my insomnia. Have you noticed any changes to your hair? I have never had something help me chill out and focus this much, ever but now I’m tapering and noticing less hair shedding. I am at a loss.
Kratom works for pain and that is why I take it everyday. I do not have a family physician who will give me anything for pain. I tried to get help but there was none out there for me. I heard people were using kratom to wean off opiates. I do not have that problem. I tried it for my chronic pain and it worked! I treat kratom with respect because I know it is addictive. Every six months I wean myself down to zero grams very slowly over the course of about a month. This keeps my tolerance levels from getting too high. Yes the pain comes back and I tolerate it the best I can. Three grams three times a day is a sufficient minimal dose for me today. Digital scales are a must for accuracy when slowly dosing down.
Ed I’m trying to learn more. Any recommendations? I am solely looking for pain relief assistance