With a wealth of beneficial properties, kratom is becoming the go-to miracle herb for many. Some take it to relieve severe chronic pain, others to ease stress and anxiety and improve sleep, and a number of people also take it to gain extra energy and concentrate.
The effects of kratom can be rather versatile. Therefore, it is important to buy and take the right type of kratom at the right time. Or you may end up not getting the effects that you want.
What’s Kratom?
Kratom, also known scientifically as Mitragyna speciosa, is a tropical tree from Southeast Asia. The leaves of this tree have at least 25 alkaloids and 40 total chemical compounds.
However, most of the effects are due to two primary kratom alkaloids. These are mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.
Depending on the circumstances in which kratom grew as well as how much sunlight and moisture it has been getting, leaves develop different colored leaf stems and veins. These determine what alkaloid concentration the leaves have and what effects you can expect from them.
There are three natural types of kratom based on their vein and stem color: red, white, and green. Let’s look into the different types of kratom and what effects each of them has.
Red Vein Kratom
The most popular of all is red vein kratom. You can recognize this type by red veins and stems on the leaves.
These leaves tend to be very mature and with the most exposure to sunlight. So, similarly to how fruit ripens, they develop red veins and stems.
Along with the vein and stem color, these leaves also develop higher levels of their primary alkaloids mitragynine, and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. As a result, these strains are slow, and the effects are soothing, sedating, euphoric, and relaxing.
Due to these effects, red vein kratom is especially effective in relieving pain. The effects are similar to opioid painkillers. That’s because Mitragyna speciosa alkaloids bind with the same receptors in the brain as opioids yet engage with them in a different way. This makes kratom as addictive as coffee. Moreover, kratom doesn’t cause respiratory depression in the way opioids do.
In addition to chronic pain relief, you can also take red vein kratom to release stress and anxiety and relax. These strains tend to last long and can also help you fall and stay asleep, getting much better rest.
White Vein Kratom
Contrary to many popular claims, kratom is not an opioid. Instead, it actually belongs to the coffee family of plants. Due to this relation, white vein kratom offers similar effects to those of coffee.
After taking this type of kratom, you can expect increased energy and focus as well as improved concentration and productivity. White vein Mitragyna speciosa can also boost your mood.
Keep in mind that your white vein kratom dose should always be right. The opposite can lead to similar jittery effects as a dose of coffee that if too big. An excess dose can also make you nauseous and cause you to throw up.
Green Vein Kratom
Green vein Mitragyna speciosa combines the effects of both red and white vein kratom in moderate amounts. Its pain-relieving effects are weaker than those of reds yet stronger than those of whites. Meanwhile, its energizing properties are weaker than those of whites yet stronger than those of reds.
So, you can expect moderate pain relief as well as a moderate energy boost. Green vein kratom is also relaxing. But instead of putting you to sleep, it relaxes stress and anxiety and helps you attain a calm and steady focus.
Due to these effects, green vein kratom can also be beneficial for those who suffer from social anxiety and feel uncomfortable around people.
Good news – that’s not it. There is also yellow, also known as gold, kratom.
Yellow Kratom
While there is no such thing as yellow vein kratom, there is yellow kratom. What’s that then? Well, kratom leaves with yellow veins and stems do not exist.
However, kratom farmers have discovered that they can achieve unique combinations and effects if they dry kratom leaves differently, mix different vein types, or even ferment the leaves.
This different process leads to yellow or gold kratom.
Yellow kratom has balanced effects that are similar to those of green kratom yet more moderate and longer-lasting.
Which Types of Kratom Are Best for You?
The best types of kratom for you depend completely on you and your needs. If you are looking for soothing and pain-relieving effects during the evening or nighttime, try reds.
If you need help to stay awake during the day, then whites maybe your kind. If you are a beginner or want the best of both worlds, go for greens or yellows. They are moderate and balanced.
Last but not least, try different types and discover which works best for you.
