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Sedating Strains

As a whole, sedating strains are lacking in the more stimulating alkaloids contained in the Thai/Maeng Da strains of kratom; however, they pack a very large punch as far as pain relief is concerned due to their large concentrations of  7-hydroxymitragynine. These strains have been traditionally used for chronic pain and mood-lifting.

Bali Kratom

Bali kratom is one of the most economical strains due to large leaves and quick growth. Proper dosage for some Bali strains can be difficult, as they are known for their fairly low “wobble” threshold. Though many have found one can minimize this negative by mixing it with another strain.

Stimulation: 2-4 / 10

Pain Relief: 7 – 9.5 / 10

Mood:  7 – 9.5 / 10

Stimulating Strains

Stimulating strains are some of the most desirable strains for those with fatigue or lethargy, as well as for those who need to sustain energy and focus for long periods of time.

Maeng Da Kratom

Maeng Da has been widely renowned as one of the most potent strains of kratom, and for good reason — it can provide both high levels of pain relief and stimulation. This strain has been ideal for those with pain who don’t want to sacrifice energy levels, as well as those who are looking for a mood-boost.

Stimulation: 7 – 8.5 / 10

Pain Relief – 7.5 – 10 / 10

Mood: 7.5 – 10 / 10

Stimulating Strains

Stimulating strains are some of the most desirable strains for those with fatigue or lethargy, as well as for those who need to sustain energy and focus for long periods of time.

Thai Kratom

Thai kratom is well-known for its powerful energetic effects. The unique alkaloid profile of Thai kratom often provokes different reactions between different users, and may not be for everyone. However, this strain has a very dedicated following, unlike anything we have seen with other varieties of kratom.

The pain-killing effects of Thai are variable; typically, red vein thai (commonly called RVT) is the most effective in regards to analgesia, whereas white and green vein thai strains, while stimulating, are lacking in this area.

Stimulation: 8 to 9.5 / 10

Pain Relief: 4 – 8 / 10 

Mood: 6 – 9 / 10

Due to different growth regions and breeding, kratom has evolved into a variety of different strains, which can be very different in effects. There are three primary effect categories one can divide strains into: stimulating, sedating and moderate.

It should be noted that every plant within a strain can vary, so in no way are these analyses set in stone; rather we have taken a more statistical approach, based upon large amounts of individual user experience reports to provide a guide to the general strain characteristics.

Nootropic substances are a relatively new field of interest which shows much promise. Interestingly, some have reported good results by using kratom as a nootropic in areas such as focus, motivation and memory.

Unlike traditional medications for focus (e.g. ADHD medication), the subjective experience of kratom for many is that it doesn’t make your focus “stick” psychologically, rather it seems to dampen psychological background noise resulting from stress, anxiety or excessive excitement/restlessness, promoting natural focus ability. In this way it tends to lend itself to a more meditative quality of focus.

Because strain differences can vary, there is typically no set dose for peak cognition boosting effects — though it typically ranges from low/medium to medium.

Strains

1. Green Malaysian (Focus)
2. Thai (Focus/Energy)
3. Maeng Da (Focus/Energy)

Preferred Vein Color

• White
• Green

Dosage

• Low – Moderate

If you choose to try a green vein strain, we would suggest a more stimulating variety, such as those mentioned above, at a low dosage, as large doses can sometimes be counterproductive.

Due to the immunostimulant alkaloids found in kratom:

• Isopteropodine
• Isorhynchophylline
• Isomitraphylline
• Mitraphylline

Kratom can be effective for boosting the immune system, which can be effective for conditions ranging from the common cold to the flu, and it may have potential to help many more conditions (although little research in this regard has yet been done)[4]. Because of this, many have started to take it at the onset of a sickness to reduce its duration (as well as negate some of its symptoms).

Strains

1. Green Malaysian
2. Borneo

Preferred Vein Color

• Green Vein

Dosage 

• – Moderate – Low

Because the research in this regard is lacking, the strain choices above are only defined by the limited regions that were studied, and so many other varieties of kratom may have similar immunostimulant properties.

The psychological effects of kratom are of a very unique quality in comparison to other plants found in nature, as the plant contains both sedating and stimulating properties; these effects can differ depending on the strain, plant and one’s own personal body chemistry.

Nearly any quality strain can cause general mood-lifting, but the differences in strain can shift the spectrum of effects between stimulating and sedating, which can largely change the qualities of the experience.

Anxiety and Stress Relief

In order to maximize anxiety relief with kratom, you will likely be best suited to a strong and sedating strain such as an Borneo or Indo, although other sedating strains can work effectively. In our experience, borneo kratom strains have generally been the most effective for relieving stress and restlessness without causing excessive tiredness or brain fog that some varieties of strains like Bali can cause.

For those with insomnia in conjunction with anxiety, these strains can also double as a great kratom strain for sleep.

Strains

1. Borneo
2. Indo
3. Bali

Preferred Vein Color

• Red
• Green

Dosage

The primary reason kratom is so effective for pain are it’s two primary painkilling alkaloids: Mitragynine, and 7-OH-mitragynine [3]. Which both have agonist activity brain receptors responsible for effectively dampening the body’s perception of pain at the source. As a result, those who are looking for pain relief from kratom have had best effects with strains high in these two alkaloids.

Leaf alkaloid content can vary from plant to plant, and from strain to strain, however, there are a few strains which seem to be the most effective for pain overall. The most popular strains for this purpose are:

Strains

1. Borneo
2. Indo
3. Maeng Da
4. Bali

Preferred Vein Color

• Red
• Green

Dosage

• Moderate/High

For this purpose, red veined strains tend to be the most reliable for pain relieving effects, although a good green vein can be just as effective. It should be noted, however, that because green veins tend to be more strongly influenced by the effects of the given strain, one should stick to the characteristically pain relieving varieties mentioned above, such as Indo, Bali or Borneo.

Kratom’s pain-killing effects are very pronounced, and are much more effective than OTC substances when dealing with chronic pain. It is these potent pain-killing effects that have allowed many to become entirely pharmaceutical free (an inspiringly common event within the kratom community).

As public awareness increases and fear-mongering and outright disinformation dissipate, you can expect to see this plant as a commonplace alternative to riskier treatments.

Kratom can effectively reduce pain from conditions such as:

• Migraines and Cluster Headaches
• Back Pain
• Minor Injuries: Burns, Scrapes, Broken Bones

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Neck Pain & Soreness

• General Neuropathic Pain [2]

Because kratom’s pain relieving effects occur within the brain, as opposed to OTC pain medications, it is able to effectively reduce any pain signal. For this reason, taking kratom for pain tends to be far more versatile and powerful for pain relief as it can mitigate pain at the perceptual “root”.

The medicinal effects of kratom are both highly flexible and broad due to variations in alkaloid profile between plants as well as the unique qualities of the alkaloids themselves, which are largely unlike any others known to exist. Traditionally, it has been used for:

• Pain relief
• Mood-lifting
• Energy Promotion
• Anxiolytic (Anti-Anxiety)
• Insomnia Relief
• Immune System Stimulation
• Nootropic (Cognition Enhancing)
• Anti-leukemic
• Anti-malarial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Lowered blood sugar

*[1]

In addition to this large range of medicinal applications, this plant also has many other positive secondary properties such as high-antioxidant and vitamin and mineral content, which has made it an item of interest for general health purposes as well.