All About Kratom: The Good, The Bad, the Maybe by Ekaterina Mironova Kratom is a tree of the Rubiaceae family. Also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, kratom has two powerful chemical compounds mitragyna and 7-hydroxy mitragynine which give psychological effects similar to opioids when taken in high doses and to stimulants when consumed in lower doses. What Does Kratom Do? Native to Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea where kratom was used since at least the 19th century in traditional medicine but also as a stimulant to relieve fatigue and boost work productivity. Kratom Types There are three different kratom strains: white, red, and green. That depends on the color of the leaf’s vein which indicates how old the leaf was when it was harvested. Young leaves have white veins, older have green veins, and fully matured leaves have red veins. Depending on this, the leaves will differ in alkaloid balance and give different effects. White Vein Kratom White vein kratom has stimulating properties. It’s great for people who suffer from depression and anxiety or those that need a strong pick-me-up. White vein kratom has strong energizing properties and it’s well-known for boosting your work productivity and giving mental clarity. Red Vein Kratom Red vein kratom is the most popular variant among the strains. It’s a powerful relaxant and helps with both physical and mental well-being. Consuming red vein kratom results in enhanced mood and optimistic feelings. Additionally, it eases discomfort and promotes healthy sleep. Green Vein Kratom Green vein kratom is considered a hybrid of red and white vein strains. It combines the benefits of both strains but the effects are more subtle. However, the effects are also longer-lasting compared to red and white strains. It’s great for those that prefer to use kratom during the day. It improves mental clarity and enhances focus. What Are the Best Kratom Strains to Mix? If you have experience with kratom, you might want to create a custom blend that will meet your unique needs. Red + Green Strain Blend If you want to feel the relaxing sensation but without feeling drowsy or sleepy, you need to mix red and green vein kratom in a 1:2 ratio. The green strain will balance the red one, eliciting a pleasant relaxing sensation but you’ll still be able to go through with your daily task. Red + White Strain Blend A perfect combination of energy and relaxation can be achieved by combining red and white kratom strains in 2:1. You’ll feel energized but not jittery. Instead, you’ll achieve the perfect balance of stamina and relaxation. White + Green Kratom Blend If you want to get an energy kick but not overly, you should balance the white kratom strain with the green strain in a 2:1 ratio. This blend will stimulate a mood boost and an overall positive attitude. Regional Kratom Varieties The kratom tree is native to Southeast regions. Based on the region it grows, kratom can differ based on the level of humidity, temperature, and compositions of soil. Maeng Da Kratom Maeng Da comes from Thailand. In the Thai language, Maeng Da means “pimp”, denoting this is a high-quality kratom. It has a high concentration of alkaloids and it’s very beneficial for mood elevation and increasing energy levels. It promotes enhanced mental strength and is an excellent antidepressant. Malay Kratom Native to Malaysia, the Malay kratom subtly stimulate the body. Additionally, it relieves the pain and helps treat osteoporosis. Malay kratom reduces stress and boosts physical performance. Bali Kratom Coming from its namesake island, Bali kratom has a unique set of mental and physical health benefits. It’s a natural relaxant and when taken in high doses, it can bring a subtle sense of euphoria. Additionally, it gives mild pain relief, enhances sexual performance, and improves mental performance. Trainwreck Kratom Although this isn’t a regional variety, it’s still a popular kratom type. Its name doesn’t denote a geographic region but indicates mind-blowing and long-lasting effects on consumers. The Trainwreck kratom combines the effects of green, red, and white vein kratom, and the unique blend is created through a breeding process called grafting. It has mood-boosting, energizing, pain relief, stimulation, and relaxing properties. Which Kratom Is Best for Anxiety? Green Malay , White Maeng Da , Red Borneo, and Red Maeng Da promote relaxation and mind-soothing effects. They have proven to be useful in anti-anxiety and anti-depression treatments. Which Is the Best Kratom for Pain Relief? When it comes to pain relief, Red Bali , Red Borneo, and Red Maeng Da are the most suitable choice. Both have strong analgesic properties well balanced with subtle sedation effects. Additionally, they come with additional benefits like mild energy boost and mood enhancement. Which Kratom Is Best for Energy? White Maeng Da , Green Malay , and White Sumatra are very powerful stimulating effects. They are the most energetic strains on the market and they give the best results if taken in the morning. You can even consider replacing your morning coffee with a cup of kratom tea. What Kratom Is Best for Euphoria? White Thai, White Borneo, Green Malay, Green Maeng Da, and Red Bali are well-known for giving euphoric effects when taken in moderate to high doses. They can help you get the work done or enjoy more social events. Another way to use these strains is to achieve sedating euphoria to get a good night’s rest. What Is Kratom Used For? Available in form of capsules and powder, kratom is a great supplement with numerous benefits. Pain Relief Kratom is a reputed supplement for easing chronic pain. It has anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties, easing chronic conditions like joint pain, backache but also injury-related pain. The mitragynine attaches to the opioid receptors which cause the release of neurotransmitters responsible for managing pain. Mental Performance People who use kratom experience mental clarity and improved focus. Stimulating the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps in brain optimization as regular drugs but in a natural way and without side effects. Better Sexual Performance Kratom is known to improve sex life. Thanks to the energizing properties and pain-relieving characteristics, kratom can enhance your libido and improve the quality of your sex life. Mood Elevation Kratom compounds attach to the receptors, stimulating the release of hormones like serotonin and endorphins. Therefore, kratom is excellent for easing anxiety symptoms, stress, and depression. Relaxation Kratom can induce relaxation to the body and mind. That’s why it’s considered a great supplement for people that suffer from insomnia. Not only it can help regulate the sleeping cycle, but kratom can also enhance the quality of your sleep. Ease from Drug Withdrawal Symptom Kratom mimics the opioid effects without causing dependence or the occurrence of side effects. Additionally, kratom curbs the drug cravings and eases the pain caused by withdrawal symptoms. Some even consider kratom can be an effective substitute for morphine. Energy Boost Kratom encourages the delivery of oxygenated blood through the body, thus enhancing energy levels. It also stimulates the production of noradrenaline and adrenaline which are responsible for improving energy. What Are the Side Effects of Kratom? High doses of kratom might cause the appearance of side effects like drowsiness, anxiety, agitation, itchiness, sweating, rapid heart rate, sweating, constipation, dry mouth, and nausea. Chronic use of kratom can cause sudden weight loss and eating disorders, kidney failure, cardiotoxicity, and liver problems, as well as psychosis, seizures, and hallucination. How Addictive Is Kratom? Kratom is a mind-altering supplement whose components change brain chemistry, thus destroying the natural balance. As it gives pleasure feelings, it can cause dependence when used long-term. Although kratom addiction isn’t the same as drug addiction, you might feel symptoms like nausea, muscle pain, tremors, and insomnia when you’re experiencing kratom withdrawal. The symptoms will appear within 12 hours of the last intake and can last for up to 3 days. How to Ease Kratom Withdrawal If you want to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, it’s best to hydrate. Drink plenty of water and other fluids including rehydration drinks. For any muscle pain, take pain-relieving medication. Drink tea with ginger and east light meals. Get plenty of rest and try some relaxation techniques like yoga exercises or meditation. How Long Does Kratom Stay in Your System? How long kratom will stay in your system depends on many factors including metabolic rate, body fat, age, genetics, but also the type of kratom, dose, and frequency of use. The water and food intake also influence how long kratom will stay in your system. Blood tests can usually detect the presence of kratom even after 3 days of use, whereas urine tests detect it even after 7 days of the last intake. How to Dose Kratom? Small doses of up to 2 grams have subtle effects and give mild stimulation and mood boost. Doses of 2-4 grams are considered moderate and elicit euphoria, pain relief, and euphoria. Taking doses of 3-5 grams will give you the same effects but more pronounced. Kratom doses of more than 5 grams are considered high and with a great potential for side effects. To dose kratom properly you need to start small and then modify the doses as you go. How to Take Kratom Available in capsules and powder, kratom intake methods are versatile. Let’s take a look at the most popular ways to take kratom. Kratom-Infused Drinks Powdered kratom can be easily stirred into drinks. You can opt for any kind of citrus juice as it’s known that the citric acid activates the power of kratom and it helps to take effect quickly. Optionally, you can mix it with any drink including milk, smoothie, or milkshake. Toss and Wash Toss and wash is a modern method of taking kratom. It requires taking raw powder into the mouth and then washing it down with water. The process is fast and you will feel the effects almost immediately. However, the raw kratom powders don’t have the most pleasant taste which might be a dealbreaker for some consumers. Kratom Tea Kratom tea is one of the most commonly easy to intake kratom powder . In Southeast Asia, people used to make a brew from crushed leaves. It’s believed that the hot water will reduce the kratom effects, so this is the perfect method if you expect mild stimulation or pain ease. Kratom Capsules Taking kratom in form of capsules offers great benefits. Tough, you might need several pills to create the desired dose, this is a convenient and easy way to ingest kratom. Kratom capsules are ideal for people with busy schedules who don’t want to deal with measuring doses and preparing kratom beverages. Kratom Tincture When preparing kratom tincture, the alkaloid components are extracted with water or alcohol and the extract is very potent and concentrated. Once prepared, the kratom tincture can be taken orally or mixed with food or drink. Kratom Shots Kratom shots can help you diversify your daily kratom intake. Prepare a mixture of kratom powder, lemon juice, and your favorite beverage. Mix everything, pour it into a shot glass, and enjoy. Kratom shots are easy to prepare and very simple to consume. Mix kratom powder with lemon juice and your favorite drink (ginger beer or ginger ale, for example). Mix everything together and pour it into a shot glass. Cheers! Kratom Legality: Is It Legal? Kratom legality has been a long-debated topic. FDA has classified kratom as a drug of concern and six states including Alabama, Vermont, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Rhode Island have banned the possession and usage of kratom. Australia, New Zealand, numerous EU states, as well as the UK have banned kratom. In Malaysia, the use of kratom is forbidden but people continue to use it as the tree grows there and has great availability. Since 2018, in Thailand is legal to use kratom for medical purposes but not recreationally. Kratom has a pending ban in Indonesia that is supposed to take effe