Need to Relax? These are the Best Kratom Strains to Choose From
These days, we’re all under a lot of stress. Pressure from work, rising costs of goods and services, relationships, you name it.
With most of us busier than ever with little time for ourselves, it can really pile on. If you’ve been searching for ways to help cope with life’s mounting worries, buying kratom capsules may offer hope.
It is estimated that over 15 million across the US alone use kratom, often in an effort to help elevate mood, reduce stress, and to relax.
Although much more is to be learned about how kratom’s alkaloids work within the body, the clinical research conducted to date is quite promising, and anecdotal reports into the hundreds of thousands can be found touting the purported positive impact that kratom has had on their lives.
In this guide, we take a closer look at the various strains of kratom that MAY be useful for relaxation and lifting that feeling of burden off of your shoulders.
Why Are Some Kratom Strains More Relaxing Than Others?
The tropical evergreen that produces the leaves from which kratom is made (the Mitragyna speciosa) is an interesting and versatile tree. A member of the coffee family, this tree, native to Southeast Asia, is indigenous in Bali, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Since the early nineteenth century, this tree’s leaves have been harvested and processed to make kratom, an all-natural botanical created by drying and processing the tree’s leaves into a fine powder.
What makes kratom so unique, is the type of leaf it is made from, how that leaf was dried and processed, and the region and conditions in which the tree was grown. All of these aspects influence the alkaloid content of the final product, resulting in a vast difference in how each kratom strain makes the user feel.
Plant Compounds, Natural Chemicals & Alkaloids, OH MY!
Like all plants, the leaves that are dried to make kratom contain a complex and interesting combination of naturally occurring plant chemicals and compounds. Among these are alkaloids, the major compounds thought to produce the most profound of kratom’s effects.
Although over 20 individual alkaloids have been identified as bioactive when consumed, it is mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine that are purported to have the most dramatic effect when consumed.
Which Alkaloid is Better for Relaxation?
Mitragynine
Of the alkaloids found in kratom, Mitragynine is among the most versatile, capable of eliciting very different effects based on dosage and concentration. Found in greater concentrations in younger plants, white vein kratom strains are known for having a naturally higher mitragynine ratio. Runner up in this category is green vein followed by red vein.
7-hydrozymitragyine
Similar to mitragynine, this alkaloid’s effects are also dose and concentration-dependent. However, many users purport that this alkaloid is primarily responsible for sedative effects and analgesic properties. Found in higher concentrations in more mature leaves, red vein kratom tends to contain the highest amount, with green vein and white vein following closely behind in that order.
Which of the Alkaloids is More Relaxing?
While both of kratom’s leading alkaloids have the potential to produce a relaxing effect, the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association states that, “Low to moderate doses (1-5 g) of the leaves reportedly produce mild stimulant effects that [. . .] stave off fatigue. Moderate to high doses (5-15 g) are reported to have opioid-like effects.”
As you can see, kratom’s ability to either relax or invigorate are based more so on the dose rather than the alkaloid. But that’s not to say that some strains aren’t more relaxing than others purely based on its unique concentrations and ratios of alkaloids.
Red Vein Kratom: arguably the Most Relaxing Kratom
Made from the most mature leaves, at this stage of the leaf’s lifecycle concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragyinine are the highest, resulting in a relaxing sedative effect.
Red Vein Kratom Stains to Relax With Include:
- Red Vein Bali
- Red Maeng Da
- Red Bentuangie
- Red Borneo
- Red Hulu
Green Vein Kratom: mildly sedative, moderately uplifting
Looking for a strain that will help you relax without leaving you too tired or ‘couch locked’? Green vein blends the best of both worlds, offering a mildly relaxing effect while also improving mood and eliciting an uplifting feel.
This balanced melding of energetic properties and relaxation make this rarer strain a highly sought-after vein of kratom.
Green Vein Kratom Stains to Relax With Include:
- Green Borneo
- Green Maeng Da
- Green Malay
- Green Bali
- Green Hulu
