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) |
If you ever want to get off of opiates/pain killers, maeng da and bali are the way too go. Still got night sweats but only for a few days. Other then that I experience basically no withdrawl symptoms and that is after years of painkillers. I did notice though you can get withdrawls from kratom but far less severe and it is easier to tapper down. Also I just dump a teaspoon or two of kratom powder right in my mouth and wash it down with something. It’s not the best tasting but a lot easier to do then mixing it and drinking a whole bunch of liquid.
Id say shaken not stirred. Take your desired dose dump it into a Tupperware bowl or protein shake cup pour in some OJ but the lid on tight and shake it like a Polaroid picture. Probabky abot 15 seconds then down the hatch. Pour in a little more OJ to get the left overs and repeat. It blends perfectly with little to no waste.
Sorry for the crap spelling im using a tiny tablet
I started taking kratom a little over a year ago. Im 59 years old, I broke my back seven years ago and now have alot of pain in both of my shoulders. you name it and I was on it the past 7 years for pain. I am now totally off of rx pain killers and I actually feel like I have a life now. while taking the kratom I had hardly any withdrawls from the rx pain killers. I take the Maen Da and white vien and it works good for my pain and gives me energy. I sleep better than I ever did on the rx painkillers. So I recommend kratom to anyone who has pain….It’s a life savor so don’t hesitate to try it…I’ve had two surgerys on my stomach and was worried about how it would effect that and so far I havent had any problems. I hope I never do because kratom is the best thing that ever happend to me….sorry for the spelling…I just try to type fast and dont want to go back lol…good luck to all of you….
I took 4 30mg capsules & it’s my 1st time trying it, will I be okay?
How did it go for you?
That sounds like a lot? Is it? Does anybody know??
That is a good beginning dose. Then bump it up by one more capsule every other day. In my opinion anyway.
We are transplants from Florida…now living in Indiana. I am struggling issues having kratom shipped to me here. Any suggestions?
Ship it to someone in a different area then shipped back to u understand…… Make shore it’s someone u trust to mail it back to you I know it’s a pain in the ass I do it for someone
Order from overseas. Im in indiana toi 😉
So far I haven’t heard anyone talk about the effects of Kratom and your libido. Is there any research or personal experience anyone would share?
Thanks
My husband went from wanting it once a week or every other week to wanting it every night. Just a little personal experience. It also decreased his sensitivity so he goes for longer with more stamina 😏
anonymous: I very much doubt that, at least the first part… Mitragynine (the active component in kratom) is an opioid agonist, meaning that it has an affinity for the opioid receptors in your brain, and like opiates it will absolutely decrease libido in the vast majority of ppl. ‘go longer with more stamina’, ok, that much might be true – Bobby, think of it like kratom numbs everything down a notch: erotic imagery (and thus, with the brain being the main ‘sex organ’, sex drive) as well as body sensitivity.
Kratom is fantastic for sex in many people! You can talk pharmacology as much as you want, but that isn’t the same as the lived experience of an improved sex life. I don’t claim to speak for anyone else with the following, but here’s how it affects me: I’m less interested in sex while on kratom, IF I’m doing other things. I find it easier to just enjoy whatever I happen to be doing, so there’s not like an increased desire for sexual activity, but when I do decide to switch over to sex mode, it’s fabulous. Orgasms are more orgasmic, for example, and I’m able to lose myself in the sexual experience more easily on kratom. So, overall I rate it highly for sex. I think you might be over-simplifying the presumed pharmacology of kratom. It’s got a lot of active alkaloids that may have a variety of effects, some of them pro-sexual and some not so much.
Great review! Thanks for clarifying
As this might be true at first, once you’re taking 20+gr/, you’ll notice a MAJOR DECREASE in your sex drive… Trust me.
I’ve been taking kratom regularly for 10 years now, and I know all the pros and cons too well…
After that initial “honeymoon’ period with kratom, it becomes the SAME TOIL AS OPIATES… You’re hooked, you withdrawal unless you does a minimum of every 8 hours (minimum, I usually does 5gr about 8 times/day).
Kratom is like a friend that gets you in trouble all the time: it’s fun to hang out with them now and then, but when you’re doing it every day, it starts fucking up your real life.
It definitely increases sex drive and reduces sensitivity. I can raw dog forever and stay hard and still not “finish” if you know what I mean. It always makes me want it more and like I said, your lady will be more than satisfied… although you might need her butt for you to finish. 😛
Great article. I think you guys should list a beginner dosage as well. I think a sensitive person taking 3 teaspoons might be a little too much. Good stuff though. Kratom is a wonderful herbal medicine and I am so glad I have found it.
I absolutely agree. I took Tramadol for 6 years. I received therapeutic results with just half a tab, with a max of 1 tab per day. Any more than that and I would have bad side effects. When I switched to Kratom, I started with half a tsp, which was enough to receive therapeutic effects. If I had taken what they suggested, I would be so sick and would not have realized the benefits for me. Start at smaller doses and work up to what you need. Keep in mind that it can take up to 45 minutes for the effects to kick in.
What dose in capsule form of premium bali would you start with for pain relief
I use two teaspoon 2times a day a100% pain free it’s crazy the only time I was like that was on feth. Paich I’m not kidding so you have to measure the cniaint in the capsules I just mix with warm water and drink it it gross but the effects are great
HI, my name is Grayson. I have been using kratom for years. I have used many varieties but prefer the Maeng Da variety. I used kratom with high dose fentanyl patches for a while. The narcotics were ruining my life. Its like having a wet blanket on your soul/spirit. I far prefer and advise folks to let go of their narcotics and just stick with nature. Fentanyl was hell to get off of, I cried like a baby. Kratom helped. It still does, I like my life so much better with daily kratom. I’m pleasant (I think), happy (generally, its not a miracle) and energized. I have MS and suffer chronic pain and fatigue. I am very happy kratom is available, I live in a Red State, very conservative, so I leave weed to others until better days. I really advise folks to leave chemical stimulants and narcotics. Research natural unrefined plants its amazing what is there. Love yourself
What dosage fentanyl patch were you on when you started the kratom and how long did it take you to wean off of it. I’ve been on patches for 15 years. I’m on 75 mcg’s would love to be able to get off of them. They are the only thing that gets me out of bed.
Carolyn, I’m sorry, I lost this site and just recently found your reply. I was on twice your dose. There’s no easy path off the patches. I tried to taper for six months. I was on pain medication for about the same amount of time as you describe. I just made a rule, no calling any medical professional for any reason until I had my wits about me. As I described it, “hell”. I will never touch an opiate related medication ever, ever again. The irony is that I was a prescriber, I thought medicine would work. Kratom is not a panacea, pain is still there, fatigue is still there, as is frustration. The good times that happen in between means more somehow. That’s what I depend on now. I always know there is tomorrow, if not tomorrow the day after that. One moment at a time. My family knows me now. I was gone a long time. You can’t make it up, but in the next minute you can make your life better, and the one after that.
I was on 100 fentynal patches for over 20 years. I went off starting last fall. You need to do it under a Drs. Supervision and go down in small increments. I went through 4 1/2 months of horrible withdrawals. It was pure hell and after being completely off, it takes your body approximately one year to adjust. Pain and not sleeping is the problem now. Had I found Kratom sooner, I honestly believe that it would have really helped with the transition off of fentynal. I’m thrilled that a friend turned me on to this product. It’s a life saver.
hello carolyn, i too have been fighting a pain battle for 20+ years now. i have been on more medications and seen more doctors, than anyone would believe. i was on fentanyl patches, 100mcg for over 15 years, as well as 16 other medications and vitamin supplements. i have an extraordinary doctor who has helped me go down to 50mcg by starting me on methadone and morphine extended release. it is like a teeter totter…..a little more here and a little less there….i would be happy to speak to you or anyone who suffers with chronic pain. we have to accept that we are a different type of person because of the pain..
Hi everyone.
I’m wondering if any or many of you have experienced major differences between Kratom strains with the same names from different vendors? If so, any suggestions on how to find the best suppliers? So far I’ve looked at feedback from buyers. Some of the (apparently) best suppliers are really pricey though, I’ve noticed! I wish my insurance covered it. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks! 🙂
I want to try this!
Please may I ask? Kratom is used to get off prescription painkillers. What may I ask happens when you get off Kratom?? Do withdrawals occur then? Many thanks Gilbert
Yes, that is exactly what happens.
Despite what people will tell you online, kratom is not a long term solution for managing opiod withdrawls.
Kratom can be beneficial in other ways for sure, but not always practical because it is so unpredictable in the intensity and duration. Also, tolerance occurs so rapidly.
>>Do withdrawals occur then? Many thanks Gilbert<>Yes, that is exactly what happens.
Despite what people will tell you online, kratom is not a long term solution for managing opiod withdrawls. Kratom can be beneficial in other ways for sure, but not always practical because it is so unpredictable in the intensity and duration. Also, tolerance occurs so rapidly.<<
This is only one person's experience, an while I'm not doubting them, it's an experience that is theirs and is not shared by everyone who has taken it. I took kratom for about 12 weeks after stepping off of 8 mg of suboxone daily, and then, after quitting kratom ( I just stopped and instead should have tapered) I had one day where I had a low-grade headache, similar to caffeine withdrawal – which, if you've ever experienced opiate withdrawal, or WD's coming off of strong opioid agonists like buprenorphine or methadone – is like a day at the beach compared to those. But everyone is different – it depends on your tolerance, how long you were on opiates, and at what daily doses; so no one can say unequivocally how YOU will definitively feel one way or the other, or if you will feel WD's from coming off the Kratom. If you do decide to try it, Take your kratom at minimum doses that are low enough to be effective – ( stick with leaf powder from a trusted vendor – which means you DON'T want to get it from your local "head shop" – and stay away from kratom extracts as these are harder to measure and will also quickly raise your tolerance levels ) and then taper off of the kratom (over a week or so) after enough time has lapsed to allow the other drugs to have left your system – which, if you are currently using bupe or methadone can take far more time than opiates, because of their very long half-lives. No one can tell you what to do. I can personally tell you that Kratom was a blessing for me, it allowed me to get off suboxone after a 2 year run, in a virtually painless way, but… everyone is different.
Why did you quite taking it
Kratom withdrawals are SO mild. Please don’t scare people. I’ve taken kratom daily for over a year then stopped and it was nothing worse than a cold and going without coffee for a day. I have a LOT of experience with kratom and prescription pain meds (yes, from my doctor). I have experienced opiate withdrawal more than once and can honestly say that it is FACT that kratom eases the withdrawal of opiates. Kratom is FAR less addicting than opiates.
I can totally agree! I personally have never had withdrawals from the kratom. Now withdrawals from my Tramadol hell yes! It’s hell and the worse depression and makes my pain so much worse not to mention hot and cold flashes, sweating and no sleep! I suffer from chronic pain and I’m only 25 it started major in 2013. I have a herniated disc one so far I think maybe more now I have to check, degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, carpal tunnel, and my back issues are messing with my knees and hip and sciatica is hell too. Some days I can’t even walk it’s horrible. And docs suck! If ur young they think ur faking even if u have tests and results showing ur problems. So kratom is a life saver! I tried it last year and order 3 times it helped so much and no withdrawals. I stopped buying because I was able to get back on my tramadol but now I’m having insurance problems so I ordered again. It is life saving and helps alot. And a small one day withdrawal is better than opioid withdrawal. But me personally I haven’t had kratom withdrawals before.
Hi i have fibro,anxiety, bipolar, just severe pain in gen. On 60 mlg methadone 14 years now i was on klonopin 14 yrs 3 a day the dr took me off didnt ween me also took my adderall so im in a tail spin! What do u recommend for me pain,anxiety and need energy want to go off methadone just afraid. Can u take kratom with my med if no what does do i take? Best place to get it and price point? Thank you sorry so long.
Hi Lena. I am “L. Kaiy, Scarlett L.” I posted somewhere a little below, it is actually posted as a reply to another comment, I did that by mistake. Please read that first so you know where I was at. After, read this. So I read yours and most everyone else’s comments here. I can’t relate 100% with anyone here, but I don’t think anyone can. Every situation is different and unique. I am responding to you on the anxiety issue and methadone. I used to take prescribed Valium 10mg as needed for my anxiety, which at its worst had me in panic attacks up to three times a week. I don’t have chronic pain, but I have aches strains etc that would be alleviated by percocet 7.5s, about 4 to 6 or 7 at a time. And 30mg oxycontins. Now yes, I was primarily trying to get a buzz but it would wipe out anxiety and pain and subsequently led me to h***** as a cheaper substitute at the end. I have had previous issues with it, say 10 years ago. My experience since I wrote here last week was I used 5 bags on Friday, the 29th. However, I used nothing from the points mentioned in my last entry TILL then, which was a couple of days. Besides, obviously, the Kratom. I was actually feeling quite well, no withdrawal, and also, no craving the drug either. I felt content. I was taking 12 mg approximately up till Friday every 12-15 hours. Friday it was in front of me, and I just followed old habits. What is there to say. Anyway, after that, which was like I said, Friday evening, after using 5 bags in about 3 hours I didn’t use again and still have not up to now. Saturday morning I took 12 grams kratom. I was fine. Sunday I took none at all. I have no symptoms of withdrawal. Yesterday I took 12 around noon, and the next dose after that was about an hour ago today, which would be 9 a.m. I think I should make a chart it’d be easier to see. But I feel actually ‘well’….I am not craving my drug, I am not in any physical pain, nor emotional distress or anxiety, which is what I am after going 12-20 hours after I last use h*****. By hour 48 I would not be able to stand up straight. I would be having chills, sweats, nausea, and the horrific mind madness of only being able to think of h*****. I am shocked and relieved. I believe this can at least help you if not completely, definitely in SOME way. I would trying to find out more from others with methadone experience how they did. I’ve never been on methadone maintenance but know about how addictive it is and how withdrawal is much longer and intense than h*****. I feel very calm, relaxed, very ‘elated’ in a strange way. I would not say euphoric but absolutely content. This has been a blessing I cannot express. I no longer take Valium as I mentioned earlier, I stopped that about 2 years ago, but this is a much more clear comfortable sedate feeling than I ever got from Valium. Unbelievable results. But it’s all true. I am using Bali, I use a spoon for dosing and put 1/2 to 1 teaspoon on my tongue at a time and swallow it with some water or iced tea. I haven’t gotten sick from this yet and doubt I will. I really suggest you do find a vendor and try this Bali strain, maybe 8 grams to start, and see how you feel. I am comfortable, my usual aches in my back etc. aren’t bothering me. I understand you have serious pain, but give it a try. It won’t hurt if nothing else. I will hope to hear back from you and anyone else. Again good luck to everyone.
Hi. I am posting here on behalf of L Kaiy. She has informed me she will be able to post once a new phone is set up. She has access to read comments but is not able to comment directly. In other words, she is SWIM. Carolyn, a starting point could be 6 grams.
What you call mild, others call torture. It also depends (A LOT!) on your dose per day…
I took 40 grams/day for months… The withdrawals were a week of RLS/Sweating/Insomnia/paranoia etc… just like any strong opiate would cause.
If you overdo it with Kratom, you will suffer withdrawals. And they are NOT mild.
I think it depends on the quality of the kratom.
I was on hydrocodone and casiroprodol for 2 years for a serious injury that still causes me constant chronic pain. Kratom helped me to get off that junk. I didn’t really abuse the opiods, so mentally I didn’t have that kind of withdrawal either way, but without the kratom the pain was always too unbearabe to quit the hydrocodone. (Hydrocodone is chemically addictive and has a terrible tolerance build after even one dose meaning intense excruciating pain when you miss a dose or try to quit. You can build tolerance to kratom, but not nearly as fast, it doesn’t cause nearly as much pain as missing hydrocodone doses, and you can alternate strains to help fight this.) Kratom isn’t quite as strong as the pharma cocktail I was on, but it works better than over the counter meds by far, and better than hydrocodone by itself. I still need to add kava when my spasms are strong and muscles are clenched; but kratom makes life liveable. Another good thing about kratom is that you don’t get massive doses of ineffective Tylenol like with hydrocodone, so it’s better on the liver. Kava is not as good for the liver though, so it’s best to only add it when pain is at its worst.
I used kratom for a month straight and nothing they say you might get a head ache and it only last for a day any WD don’t sweat it
I have been on 40 mg roxicet for ten years. Had I not discovered Kratom, I don’t know what I’d do. I am 52, have compression fractures in my spine, bulging neck discs, carpal tunnel and chronic pain……and I take 8 mg maeng da capsules a day. I bought a little scale because I want to start buying powder. I don’t have a question, just telling people out there, yes, yes, yes it works, no hoops to jump through and have your pills counted and then the pee tests, take charge of your own pain, we have our good days and bad, I just want to say that for once there’s a way for us pain patients to handle things with dignity,
8mg?? Kratom usually doesn’t have any effects until about 2g (200+x more). May I ask what vendor you use? I’m so happy you found something to help you, and help you get away from the prescribed poison. I recommend trying Bali strain, or red strains in general. The best for treating pain & sedation. Maeng Da is more known for its stimulant effects. Anyway, best of luck!