The Definitive Guide to Kratom for Beginners
Kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, is a tree from the coffee family which grows in the Southeast Asia regions. Typically, it’s found in Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Used as herbal medicine since the 19th century, kratom came to the Western market in the 1980s, gaining a lot of attention in recent years.
What Are Kratom Effects?
Kratom has a specific compound of approximately 20 alkaloids. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the most noticeable ones. Kratom’s alkaloids have a strong effect on the main receptor for opioids in the brain, called the mu receptor. When taken in small doses, kratom has relaxing properties and it’s very beneficial for relieving anxiety and elevating the mood. Taken in higher doses, kratom mimics the opioid effects causing pain relief, sedation, and alertness.
What Are the Main Types of Kratom?
There are three main types of kratom: white, red, and green. The different color depends on the leaf veins which give a unique chemical composition. Depending on the color, kratom can have different effects.
Red Vein Kratom
Red vein kratom is known for its pain-relieving properties. It can be used as a natural relaxant or replacement for pain medications. People struggling with insomnia usually choose the red vein kratom.
White Vein Kratom
If you’re looking for an energy boost, the white vein kratom is your best choice. It brings uplifting sensation and motivation. At the same time, white kratom is very effective for people fighting anxiety and depression, as well as insomnia.
Green Vein Kratom
The green vein kratom is the perfect balance between red and white kratom. It provides mild effects — it will help you be more focused, alert, and energized. A balanced dose of green kratom is also associated with mood improvement.
What Are the Regional Kratom Strains?
Regional varieties of kratom also fall within the standard categorization of white, red, and green veins. However, these differ in origin.
Maeng Da Kratom
Native to Thailand, Maeng Da is one of the strongest strains. It has a strong stimulating effect and an abundance of pain-relieving properties. It’s mainly used when people want to relieve strong pains while mitigating sedative effects so that they can keep on functioning through the day.
Bali Kratom
Coming from its namesake island, Bali kratom is the perfect choice for milder pain relief and energy enhancement. Bali kratom is very popular among beginners and it’s also known for blending subtle relaxation with a mild sense of euphoria.
Malay Kratom
Malay originates from Malaysia and it’s one of the most popular and widely used kratom strains globally. It combines pain-relieving and sedative properties of the red vein kratom with the energy boost and euphoric feelings of white vein kratom. In short, Malay kratom offers the perfect balance with long-lasting effects.
Borneo Kratom
Borneo kratom has its roots in the namesake tropical island in the Malay Archipelago. Abundant with alkaloids, Borneo has intense energizing effects which makes it the perfect option for morning users.
What Is Kratom Used For?
Kratom is associated with numerous benefits. Some of them are proven and some are anecdotal. Here we’re looking at the top effects you can expect when using kratom.
Kratom for Cognitive Improvement
Kratom is said to have nootropic properties which means it’s very efficient in enhancing mental processes. Mitragynine acts on the delta receptors and 7-hydroxy mitragynine affects the mu receptors which are responsible for cognitive performance. Additionally, kratom entices the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps you stay focused and motivated.
Kratom for Pain Relief
Kratom is rich in anti-inflammatory alkaloids which act on the opiate receptors in the central nervous system and stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like enkephalins and endorphins that suppress the pain signals to reach the brain. Kratom is efficient in relieving pain caused by osteoporosis, chronic backache, joint pain, and other chronic conditions. Kratom staring with the strongest painkilling effects are White Maeng Da, Red Maeng Da, and Red Bali.
Kratom for Mood Elevation
Kratom can make you feel more optimistic and euphoric, depending on the dose. Kratom compounds bind to the receptors responsible for the regulation of hormones like endorphins and serotonin, thus eliciting mood elevation. Kratom is very helpful for relieving stress, anxiety, and also helps in fighting depression. Green Maeng Da, White Maeng Da, and Green Malay are the best kratom strains for achieving mood uplift.
Kratom for Relieving Drug Withdrawal Symptoms
Kratom is very efficient in relieving the symptoms of drug withdrawal, including vomiting and nausea. It binds to the opioid receptors in the brain without producing long-term dependency, while also easing the pain and decreasing the desire for drugs. Green Malay, Green Maeng Da, Red Bali, and Sumatra Red vein are the kratom types commonly used for withdrawal symptoms relief.
Kratom for Better Sleep
When taking kratom at moderate to high doses, kratom has a sedative effect. This makes kratom the perfect supplement for people suffering from insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Also, kratom aids in improving sleep, regulating the sleep-wake cycle
Kratom for More Energy
Kratom stimulates the release of dopamine and serotonin — two hormones that can cause alertness and energy. What is more, kratom makes oxygen transportation faster which additionally enhances energy production. It provides the needed stimulation and alleviates fatigue.
Kratom for Better Sexual Life
Though there aren’t studies that confirm this, many users associate kratom use with better sexual performance. Kratom reduces stress and boosts blood flow which might be two reasons that factor in good sexual performance and increased libido.
Kratom for Managing Diabetes
Kratom keeps the sugar levels at bay, preventing uncontrolled spikes and drops. Diabetic people can include kratom in their diet to help them manage the condition. On the other hand, kratom can also be used as a preventative supplement.
How to Mix Kratom Strains?
Once you start using kratom and find out how different types affect your body and mind, you can try and combine different strains to create a custom blend. Mixing different strains makes it easy to get maximum results with low doses of kratom.
Kratom Mix for Pain Relief
If you want to create a custom kratom blend with strong painkilling effects, try mixing 1 part of Green Malay Powder and five parts of Red Bali kratom. This mixture will not only relieve your pain but also boost your energy. Make sure to consume only a small dose because when used in higher doses, this blend will have a sedating effect.
Kratom Mix for Relaxation
Combining Red Sumatra kratom and Red Borneo in a 1:5 ratio will help you feel relaxed without feeling drowsy or sleepy. Also, this is a great blend for relieving anxiety symptoms and helping with depression.
Kratom Mix for Euphoria
If you want to achieve a balanced feeling of euphoria, try to combine Red Borneo and Indo kratom in a 1:2 ratio. You will feel more positive and euphoric, yet relaxed.
How to Take Kratom?
On the market, you can find kratom powder and prepackaged kratom capsules. If you want to diversify the kratom intake, there are several methods you can try.
Toss and Wash
Put the desired dose of kratom into your mouth and follow with a beverage. You can wash the powder with water or your favorite beverage if you want to mask the not-so-pleasant taste. When intaking kratom using this simple method, it will kick in very fast.
Kratom Tea
Kratom tea is the best-known method for intaking kratom powder. You can prepare a cup of tea following a few simple instructions. First, boil a cup of water and add the powder. Let the mixture simmer for about 20-30 minutes and then let it sit. Afterward, use a coffee filter or strainer to strain the mixture. Finally, pour it into a cup and add honey, syrup, milk, lemon juice, or even ginger, or mint leaves.
Kratom Capsules
If you don’t want to forget your daily kratom intake, opting for pills is the best idea. Kratom capsules come prepackaged so you won’t have to deal with dosage during the morning rush. Plus, they are very convenient to use — just put the pill in your mouth and follow with water. Keep in mind that the body needs around 45 minutes to break down the capsule and absorb it which means you won’t feel the kratom effects immediately.
Kratom Smoothie
Kratom has a strong taste which might not be pleasant for everyone. If that’s the case with you, try and mix kratom powder with your favorite morning smoothie or evening milkshake. You can even put kratom powder in your protein shake.
Kratom Tincture
Preparing kratom tincture takes time but the result is highly concentrated kratom with strong effects. You’d need mere 10 drops of the tincture to feel relaxed. The process involves dissolving kratom leaves or powder with ethyl alcohol or water. Stir the mixture and add citric acid until you reach pH 4. Then, store it in airtight containers in a dark place for about 2 weeks. Once done, strain it and let the liquid partly evaporate, and then store it in bottles.
How Often Can I Take Kratom?
The frequency of taking kratom depends on personal preferences as well as the dosage. A study showed that people were able to reach the desired effects when taking small doses of kratom up to three times a day. If you’re trying kratom for the first time, start small and then adjust the dosage according to your needs.
How Long Do Kratom Effects Last?
How long you’ll be able to feel the effects of kratom also depends on the dosage. If you opt for small to moderate doses, the effects will last for up to 3 hours. High doses have prolonged effects of 5-6 hours.
How Long Does Kratom Last In Your System?
Kratom will stay in your system even after the effects pass. A urine test can detect the presence of kratom even after 7-9 days after consuming it. On another hand, kratom can be detected via blood test 2-3 days after consumption. The good news is that kratom won’t show up on a standard drug test. It won’t even cause a false positive because the alkaloids found in it are completely different from those in the other opioid substances.
What Is the Legal Status of Kratom?
FDA considers kratom to be a drug of concern. Although it’s not banned on a federal level, there are few states including Wisconsin, Vermont, Arkansas, and Alabama where it’s considered illegal to buy, sell, or consume kratom.
Kratom is also illegal in various EU states including Denmark, Belarus, and Sweden. In the UK, kratom falls under the Psychoactive Substances Act which forbids the sale, import, and export of the plant.
Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand are also part of the countries where kratom is illegal. Indonesia has a pending ban for kratom which will be set in motion in 2022 when the National Narcotics Agency goes into effect.
How to Grow Kratom?
If you want to keep kratom in your home for aesthetic purposes, you need to learn a thing or two on how to grow kratom indoors. First of all, you’ll need a quality kratom seed. If you buy it, make sure to find a trusted vendor. Ideally, you’d be able to source it yourself directly from the Southeast Asia regions. Keep in mind that the kratom seed remains fresh for three days.
Once you have the seed, you need to create the ideal conditions for it to thrive. You’ll need a hot and humid place with controlled light. The soil should have a high humus concentration and 5.5-6.5 pH levels. Keep the plant indoors and make sure to water it often.
Where to Buy Kratom?
By now you’re surely thinking about where to buy kratom. First of all, you need to be aware that you’ll find plenty of vendors both online and in-person. How to choose the best one? Atrusted kratom vendor tests its product and has all products undergo quality testing. Before buying, make sure to learn more about the company policy and culture.