Best Kratom for Pain

How Does Kratom Work and What is it?

Kratom refers to the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is a deciduous evergreen native to Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. The leaves contain a complex array of chemicals that cause them to have a number of effects on individuals when ingested, and they have been used for recreation and in traditional medicine in numerous Asian cultures, and in some cases for thousands of years. In Thailand the traditional method of ingesting the leaves is by chewing them in their raw form. Certain communities, especially in the southern region of the country, have estimated daily usage rates of over 70% in the male population, with individuals who fall into this category consuming between 10-60 leaves per day (and sometimes upwards of even that).

While kratom leaves have over 40 chemicals present in them that contribute to their psychotropic effects on the human brain, the primary two that have been identified as mitraphylline and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These two chemicals are known as alkaloids, and actually the majority of active chemicals in kratom leaves are an alkaloid of one type or another. The specific combination of alkaloids present in a leaf is known as an "alkaloid profile," and it is this profile that determines, among other things, the best kratom for pain management.

Alkaloids work so well in managing pain because they behave in the body as opioid receptor agonists. This means that they bind with the receptors in the body that opium would normally interact with, mimicking some of the effects of the much stronger drug. In addition to mimicking the effects for pain relief, kratom has also been used as a medicinal tool for helping individuals who have already developed a dependency on pharmaceutical opiates to break their addiction or even to deal with the often brutal withdrawal symptoms.

Analgesic effects are just one side of the kratom coin though, as the unique chemical makeup of the herb also allows it to act as a stimulant similar to caffeine at lower doses. Kratom can provide users with increased levels of physical and mental energy, mental alertness and focus, libido, and overall feelings of euphoria. These characteristics mean that it can be used effectively to combat the symptoms drowsiness or fatigue. Users often report that while similar to caffeine in its effects, kratom offers a smoother experience without the unpleasant crash at the end.

The Types of Kratom

Just because kratom is an organic herbal stimulant, does not mean that there is only one plant, and therefore one variety. The chemical composition of the plants, specifically the alkaloid profiles, varies depending on a variety of factors including region of cultivation and vein color. Vein color is one of the most prominent factors tied to distinguishing a plant's alkaloid profile, and from region to region vein color still delineates certain characteristics in a plant. The "vein" in question is the large central vein running up the middle of the kratom leaf, although this is usually removed prior to processing. There are three distinct vein colors, each lending a slightly different set of characteristics and effects to plant.

-Red Vein Kratom

This varietal is most often associated with the analgesic effects of the stimulant, and therefor red vein is often seen as the best kratom for pain management. Red vein kratom subdues both physical and mental stimulation, and can be used for combating the effects of sleeping disorders like insomnia. As the most potent pain manager of the kratom varietals, red vein is the most common type of leaf used for helping addicts with opium addiction and withdrawal.

-White Vein Kratom

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the red vein leaves, white vein kratom is the most effective strain of leaf for boosting mental and physical energy levels, as well as concentration and focus. Depending on the individual, white vein can sometimes be known to put people on edge. As opposed to red vein, which is commonly used to help with insomnia, white vein can be used in a comparable sense to ward off drowsiness and fatigue. Despite the increased energy levels that white vein kratom can provide, the nature of kratom in general means that at high enough doses even red vein can transition into more analgesic effects as well (though these effects will not be as pronounced as those elicited form white vein).

-Green Vein Kratom

The middle ground between the red and white vein varietals, green vein kratom is a mellower leaf that does not throw users to either end of the spectrum. Green vein is often described as a more "balanced" experience, and can be used as a counter-point to one of the other varieties. For individuals looking to capitalize on the effects of red or white vein kratom, cutting the powder, extract, or tea with a percentage of the green vein can round-out the effects of the primary. In addition to a more balanced effect, green vein kratom powders, extracts, and other products are often found to be less "potent" than those derived from leaves of either the white or red vein.