Introduction to Kratom Strains

Kratom – also known as Mitragyna Speciosa – is a tropical evergreen plant, native to the marshy jungles of Southeast Asia. It is wild in Southern and central Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar, among other regions in the Pacific Rim.

Kratom is known for its hanging clusters of deep yellow flowers and reaches up to 42 feet in height. Over the ages, this plant has had numerous therapeutic applications in folk medicine.

The advent of the 21st century has seen an increase in the popularity of kratom around the world. According to kratom users, it is an invaluable aid for mental and physical health, while others enjoy its dual recreational benefits as a stimulant or a sedative-narcotic (depending on the dose).

The following is an outline of everything you need to know about kratom strains.

Kratom Strains Background

While it’s not entirely clear when kratom use began, the practice is thought to be ancient. In its native growing regions, kratom leaves may be used to numb aches and pains, treat diarrhea, manage diabetes, alleviate addiction, and soothe fevers. Kratom leaves have also been applied as poultices to wounds or spread across the abdomen to eliminate worms.

Perhaps the most popular use has been chewing on the kratom leaves for energy, similar to the way coca is used in the Andes. In Thailand, peasant laborers have been known to chew up to 10 times a day while working outside in the sun.

Kratom is commonly sourced from online ‘legal high’ vendors, but it is far from widely used. In 2014 it ranked among the top 20 drugs only in Hungary where only 1.5% of the sample had used it. However, it has remained popular in Thailand despite its criminalization and the associated social stigma. Out of the 1000 surveyed teenagers, 94% of them used kratom mostly as an ingredient in cocktails.

In the United States, interest in kratom continues to grow, having spiked when the DEA threatened to prohibit it. According to a survey, 51% of kratom users used it for pain 14% for anxiety and 9% for opiate withdrawal. 

Types of Kratom

There are three different strains of kratoms, and each of them has a unique set of effects and benefits. The three different kratom strains include:

• Green Kratom
• Red Kratom
• White Kratom

However, you may also come across some vendors selling Gold kratom. What you need to know is that this one is pretty much a blend of White and Green kratom.

You may be wondering, is White kratom supposed to be White, and how about Red kratom?  Anyway, all kratom leaves are green, but the categorization depends on the color of the stem and that of the leaf’s vein. If you pay close attention to a kratom leaf, you will notice that the stem and the leaf have a distinct pigment. This color determines the impact the kratom leaf will have on your body and mind. Different color means a different result and a different chemical composition as well. However, the leaf vein and stem are removed during the grinding process to enhance purity.

The different kratom strains thrive in different conditions and contain various alkaloids which produce unique effects. As a result, each particular kratom strain is suitable for specific purposes.

What’s more, each batch of kratom your buy may be of a different quality. This is because the vendors are buying it from different kratom farms. Again, the drying process is a crucial consideration when it comes to the strength and effects of kratom.

There are also different types of kratom such as

• Maeng Da Kratom
• Bali Kratom
• Borneo Kratom
• Kapuas Kratom
• Sumatra Kratom
• Indo Kratom
• Thai Kratom
• Malay Kratom

The primary difference in this is the region from which they originate, the drying process, and how the kratom is mixed.

Red Vein Kratom

It suffices to say that the red kratom is by far the best-selling and most widely available kratom strain on the market. Anecdotal reports show that the majority of the users who have interacted with the Red Vein have had nothing but remarkable user experiences. According to them, this great strain will help you relax after a long and exhausting day. It is known to help put your mind at ease during stressful periods, and some of the red kratoms have Also been found to produce a euphoric effect.

The Red Vein kratom serves various therapeutic purposes. For starters, it has chemical properties that are closely associated with those of pharmaceutical relaxers and sedating agents. When talking about relaxers, we refer to the medicines used for making the nervous system go numb temporarily to allow for surgical procedures to be carried out. However, the primary idea is to reduce the feeling in the body to a minimum, thus resulting in a numbing effect on the user’s body.

Types of Red Vein kratom include:

• Red Sumatra
• Red Riau
• Red Borneo
• Red Maeng Da
• Red Horn
• Red Indo
• Red Bali
• Red Thai
• Red Vietnam

Overall, the Red Vein kratom offers substantial painkilling and relaxation effects. Somehow, these are the most sought-after kratom benefits. The strain is suitable for treating insomnia and relieving symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Its effects have been said to last for about 5 hours. 

White Vein Kratom

The White Vein Kratom can be described using one word, focus. It is one of the most potent kratoms in the market and is famous for its stimulant and mood enhancement effects. According to most users, the white strain will help you clear your mind and provide you with the ability to focus entirely on a task. It is considered to be an excellent nootropic as it will boost cognitive function.

This kratom variety is rich in alkaloids that will help you power through strenuous activities. This explains why the substance has suddenly become a replacement to coffee as more people are beginning to embrace early-morning consumption of White Vein kratom. The best part about it is that unlike coffee and other stimulants, this kratom provides a clean boost of energy that reacts perfectly with everyone who doesn’t respond well to stimulants. This means no crashes!

Unfortunately, White Vein kratom delivers excellent energizing effects at the expense of painkilling properties. Its effects may last up to 5 hours.

Some of the unique benefits of using white vein kratom include:

• Mood enhancement
• Increased focus
• Enhanced cognitive function
• Nootropic-like effects
• Boosts energy
• Treats insomnia
• Improves productivity

Some of the varieties of the White Vein Kratom include:

• White Vein Indo
• White Vein Kali
• White Vein Thai
• White Vein Borneo

 

Green Vein Kratom

The Green Vein Kratom can be best described as being somewhere in between the Red and White kratom strains. The substance is an excellent source of energy and is also known to have a positive effect on the mood.

According to anecdotal reports from Green vein kratom users, this variety helps to boost their focus and alertness and helps them to ‘get in the flow.’ What’s more, it is subtler than Red or White Vein kratoms.

Generally, this kratom may be useful in the treatment of pain and other discomforts precisely because it does not lead to drowsiness, which is often caused by other analgesic supplements.

Due to the well-roundedness of the green vein kratom, it is often used to help combat social fears.  It is believed that taking a moderate dose of this substance may help you disregard the importance of other people’s opinions and impressions. As a result, the kratom is popular during recreational activities such as a night out as it makes you more talkative friendly and cheerful.

Some of the famous green vein kratom varieties include:

• Green Bali
• Super Green Malay
• Green Horn
• Green Dragon
• Green Vietnam
• Green Indo
• Green Maeng Da
• Green Borneo

Overall, the Green Vein Kratom appears to combine the best of both worlds. Its effects also last longer than its counterparts’, reaching up to eight hours.

How to Dose Kratom Strains

First things first, you must realize that the best dosage for any kratom strain is a very personal issue. Every individual may react differently to a particular kratom strain or dosage. As a result, you should start slow every time you start using and new kratom strain.

Universal kratom experts state that a first-time kratom user should start with one to two grams of whichever strain they choose. While you may view this dosage as minimal, you’ll be surprised at the results you can achieve. However, if you do not feel anything after half an hour of use, you may increase your amount by one gram or a half. Researchers found that 20 milligrams per kilogram was a very effective dosage, and can be used as a guideline to determine the amount you should take during your first encounter with a particular kratom strain. This means, at 60kg bodyweight, you should take 1200mg, or 1.2 grams, at 100, 2000mg or 2 grams.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, kratom strains aren’t worlds apart when it comes to their benefits and effects. However, that doesn’t dispute the fact that each individual has a favorite kratom strain or one that serves their purposes in the best way. With that in mind, you will come across numerous diverging opinions regarding different kratom strains.

If you have the time, it won’t hurt to experiment with different kratom strains. You can even keep a log to document your experiences. Within no time, you will find your favorite kratom strain.