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) |
Hi all!! Ok so, I have Fibro, Interstitial Cystitis. I have a baggy that is Bali Kratom 1 oz, I believe. It’s not grinded down. More like crumbled leaves. How much should I take? Should I grind prior to use? How often should I take it? I currently take Percocet every 3 hours for my pain. I’m looking to Supplement this for my pain meds during the day? Is this going to help me? How much and how? Thanks all!!
Kratom is a wonderful and complex herb that requires a little research. This site is wonderful resource for people to see what strains have what effects. There is another article that explains the different methods of taking Kratom.
http://kratomblast.com/kratom-information/methods-of-taking-kratom/
To the poster who has been on Methadone for years. I was too, 20 years ago. It took me 4 years of failed attempts to finally get off it. It was 10x harder to get off than heroin. It took me about three years to feel like myself again. Anyway, about eight years ago i was taking strong prescription opiates for severe back pain. My doctor felt I’d been on them long enough and would not renew my prescription. Just hearing that started me thinking about w/d nightmares so I began to look online for help. Thats when I read about Kratom. I ordered some, can’t recall what type, but started taking it when I was cutting my pills in half in preparation for running out. The Kratom not only kept me from having intense withdrawl symptoms, but actually made me feel energized, and knocked out my back pain as well. I’ve been taking it ever since. I won’t say its not addictive, because I think it is. But, its a lot less so than any opiate, including synthetics like Methadone. If you read this, and haven’t tried Kratom, you should. I think you could eventually get off the M, if you want. I had many 21 day detoxes off M, and on the last few days felt so bad that I always went back to H., well the very last time I didn’t… Its worth a try. Its a lot less toxic to your system, less addictive for sure, and it isn’t expensive. Just my opinion.
i get headaches from coffee so im looking for an alternative. As a 4th year med student cramming for the boards and working long hours what might be a recommended strain/dose ? thanks
Kratom is amazing for pain. Although I just use it for mood, I have spoke to many people who are suffering from different medical issues and they swear by it for helping their pain. Its a shame that it is given a bad name and called a drug, there are so many benefits to the botanical and are no proven dangers. I encourage everyone to read up on Kratom and its MANY benefits 🙂
I have a bad liver. I tried kratom a couple times though, loved it, and yesterday my own came and I did it. Today ,after taking about 3-4 tsps last night, I feel really tired and little ill. IS this normal?
The amount you consumed would be considered too large if you are without any tolerance, and there’s the added factor of the impaired liver. Kratom is not a homogenous product – with every new batch acquired, testing is necessary to find the right dose. You may want to test one or two grams next time time, and go up another gram or two with every dose to find your ideal. You may also be a bit dehydrated, so keep water handy. As others will surely attest, less is usually more with kratom.
I’m also looking for information on these herbs. It’s all new to me. Have had HIV for 33 plus years along with more injuries, conditions and undiagnosable illnesses then I care to remember. PAIN is the only thing that stops me for fighting for my life. We all know pain leads to depression. Been on the narcotic treadmill and withdrew my self from all narcotics but methadone. I would appreciate any research information or input from a long time user of these products. Also interested in best online sites, etc. I’m a science project, should have been dead years ago and I would love to be able to deal with the pain. Peace.
Have never heard of this stuff, sounds like what I have been searching for my whole life, no more depending on doctors that know less than me about addiction, if what Im reading is true this news needs to make world-wide headlines!
Love this info
After reading these posts, I simply must share my method of ingestion. I’ve been taking kratom on and off for a few years to get through withdrawal from pain meds if I run out. I do a modified “toss and wash.” I get a teaspoon (although I recommend starting with 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon) ready, then I take a swig of fluid, orange juice is best, and hold it in my mouth. I lean my head back and dump the teaspoon into my mouth with the oj, and swallow everything like I’m taking a pill. It works great and I hardly even taste anything. Just for the record, I find green strains best for getting through withdrawal. It really helps to taper off your meds a bit if you can. I find I have to take a lot the first few days, then I can taper off the kratom. I always experience some discomfort during withdrawal, even with kratom, but the intensity is tolerable, especially with Xanax.
Why do u go back ro the opiates? I mean, if Kratom helps with your withdrawal/paws…why the need to revert back ?
I use the method you described as well and have found it to be extremely efficient. I’ve been referring to it as “toss and flush”. If done correctly (it’s a skill that improves with practice), it’s a fantastic way to take the powder loose with minimal taste.
I have hepatitis C, chrones, and ulcerative colitis and I’ve been in several car wrecks so my back is definitely screwed, before Kratom I couldn’t imagine getting through my day without taking a pill, and because of the hep c, pills are reallllly bad for my liver and can cause cerosis much more quickly because of the fact that your body is already attacking itself and of course your liver. Now I can’t imagine my life without kratom. I used it to get myself off of subboxone as well and I’m telling you now my life is much better for it.
Hi, I have been on suboxone for five years now, and am once again trying to quit, I always run out early cause it’s like they just don’t do me they way they did years ago. Today is day two without sub and my Kratom just came in the mail. I took 1 teaspoon of the Bali kind and have a sample pack of the red vein. I feel nothing. I’m about 190 lbs. Could you give me any insight to a dosage? And does it really work for withdrawal?
Just found out about kratom and I am soooo excited. I’d love any advice since I’m just starting out. I need help with withdrawals and cravings from roxis. A little help with depression would b nice too. What r the things I need to b aware of if I go in a shop to buy it. How much does it cost? What is a good dosage for a beginner? Help!!