Feeling anxious or sad on occasion is a normal part of life. However when these feelings persist and you find yourself in a never ending grey fog or in a constant cycle of agitation you may be suffering from depression or an anxiety disorder.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 300 million people suffer from depressive disorders and 1 in 13 suffers from anxiety globally. In addition, they consider depressive disorders the leading cause of disability worldwide and anxiety disorders the most common mental disorders worldwide.

The two disorders are often diagnosed together though researchers have no conclusive proof as to why.

Depressive Disorders

Depression is a complicated disorder that has multiple causes.

It can be the result of genetics, hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, physical heath issues, drugs, alcohol and traumatic experiences. Left untreated, depression can lead to serious health complications, including suicidal tendencies or patterns of self harm.

Types of Depressive Disorders

There are different types of depressive disorders. The most commonly diagnosed are

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) – Feelings – depressed mood, lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed, changes in weight and sleep habits, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulty concentrating,  thoughts of death and suicide – that last more than two-weeks.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder – Mild, moderate, or severe depression that dominates most days for at least two years.
• Bipolar Disorder – Characterized by periods of abnormally elevated mood or euphoria known as mania and periods of depressed mood.
• Postpartum Depression – Persistent lethargy, sadness, confusion, hallucinations or delusions following the birth of a child.
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – Severe feelings of depression irritability, fatigue, anxiety, moodiness, bloating, increased appetite, food cravings, aches, and breast tenderness before menstruation.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Seasonal changes that trigger a disturbance in the normal circadian rhythm of the body causing depression, sleepiness, and weight gain.

Symptoms of Depressive Disorders

The symptoms of depressive disorders can either be physical, mental, emotional and behavioral or a combination of all four. They vary based on the particular disorder but the following are common to all.

• Increased aches and pains
• Chronic fatigue
• Agitation
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep habits
• Difficulty concentrating

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of ongoing worry, anxiety or fear. These feelings tend to disrupt with one’s daily activities. Causes include trauma, stress, personality, other mental health disorders, genetics, environment, drugs or alcohol.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are different types of anxiety. The most commonly diagnosed are

• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) – An intense fear of being criticized, embarrassed or humiliated, even in social situations.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – Feelings of anxiousness or worrying that lasts for a period of six months or more.
• Panic Disorder – Intense, overwhelming and often uncontrollable feelings of anxiety combined with a range of physical symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, excessive perspiration) that results in a recurring panic attack.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – Ongoing unwanted/intrusive thoughts and fears that cause anxiety and repetitive behavior or rituals.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -Symptoms triggered by a traumatic event (e.g. war, assault, accident, disaster) that last for a month or longer.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are characterized by physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms which vary based on the specific disorder a person has.

• Excessive and intrusive worrying that disrupts daily functioning, agitation, restlessness,
• Fatigue or weakness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Tense muscles
• Trouble falling asleep or stay asleep
• Permanent sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Increased heart rate
• Hyperventilation (rapid breathing)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues

What Is Kratom

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a psychoactive plant that traces its roots to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. Its leaves contain multiple active compounds knows as alkaloids (mainly Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine).

When consumed in low doses, those alkaloids attach to the delta opioid receptors and cause antidepressant effects. In high doses they binds with the mu opioid receptors and cause pain relief, sedation and euphoria. In addition, the alkaloids also activate the body’s dopamine, adrenergic and serotonergic receptors. These interactions help to improve ones mood and lower anxiety.

Kratom is therefore considered beneficial in the treatment of symptoms associated with depressive and anxiety disorders.

Best Kratom Strains For Depression

1. Malay Kratom

Malay is short for Malaysian. This strain of Kratom gives users a smoother and more balanced stimulating effect. It’s also known to have sedative and cognition-enhancing properties.

This strain is available in red, green, and white vein color varieties. White vein Malaysian gives the most stimulating effects. Green vein (also referred to as Super green) and Red vein Malay both have pain-relieving and sedating effects but Red Vein Malay is more intense.

2. Maeng Da Kratom

Maeng Da, one of the strongest Kratom strains, blends pain relief, stimulating and mood enhancing effects. Due to its potency levels though, if dosing is not kept low, the chance of building up a tolerance is extremely high.

This strain is available in red, green, and white vein color varieties. Overall, Red vein Maeng Da is the most potent of the three. However, for depression, White Vein Maeng Da is preferred as its stimulating effects are the most powerful and they don’t give users jitters. It’s also a good mood enhancer and induces euphoria. Green Vein Maeng Da combines mood and energy enhancing effects. Its been shown to useful in stressful social situations and helps increase the desire to be productive.

3. Bali Kratom

Bali Kratom is know for strong analgesic and gentle stimulating effects. It’s known to help users relax while making them feel mildly euphoric.

This strain is available in red, green, and white vein color varieties. Red vein and Green vein Bali strains both have a strong sedating effect. They can be used to  help reduce extreme stress and anxiety. However, since they are highly sedating they are better used at night. White vein Bali calms without sedating so can be taken in the morning to help the user control their anxiety during the day and get things done.

This strain is known to cause the wobbles (inability to focus the eyes.) To avoid this, take small doses (under 5 grams) or blend it with a less potent strain that offers the similar anti depression effects.

Best Kratom Strains For Anxiety 

1. Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom has high concentrations of the alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine, a chemical compound that makes it stronger than morphine. This makes it a potent relaxant, analgesic, and mood enhancing agent. It’s a user favorite because in spite of being a strong strain, it tends to have a low incidence of side effects or wobbles. This allows users to have  more flexibility when it comes to dosing.
Its available in red, green, and white vein color varieties. Green vein Borneo is the better option for anxiety disorders. Red Vein Borneo is better suited as a pain reliever. White vein Borneo provides a combination of stimulating and pain-relieving effects.

Another good strain that is similar to Borneo is the Green Malay strain from Coastline.

2. Indo Kratom

Indo Kratom has potency levels similar to the Borneo strain but it is less sedating. It is therefore a good option for those whose productivity is being affected by their anxiety. This strain is available in red, green, and white vein color varieties.

Red vein Indo has powerful analgesic, mood-lifting and sedative properties. Green Vein Indo may also be referred to as Super Indo. It blends pain relief and relaxing effects with mild stimulation. White vein Indo is the most stimulating of the three. It therefore is not a good fit for those with anxiety.

3. Bali Kratom

As mentioned above Bali Kratom delivers analgesic and mild stimulating and euphoric effects. Choose White vein Bali for a calming effect that does not come with the need desire to fall asleep. If your anxiety makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, then go with the Red vein and green vein Bali strains as the both have a strong sedating effect.

Dosing Recommendation

Finding the right Kratom dosage requires trial and error as it its effects are not only dose dependent, they are also influenced by factors like age, weight, condition being treated and genetics among others.

Dosing will also be affected by the form of Kratom you choose to consume. For instance, capsules take longer to take effect than tinctures as they have to make their way through the digestive system. When they do, they are also less potent.

Dosage for Depressive Disorders

• 1 to 3 grams – Light feelings of daily depression
• 3 to 5 grams – Moderate chronic symptoms
• 5 to 7 grams – Severe, acute episodes

Dosage for Anxiety Disorders

• 1 – 3 grams – Mild stimulant effect to help get things done
• 3 – 6 grams – Moderate effects delivering a good balance of stimulating, analgesic and mood enhancement.
• 6 – 8 grams – Strong effects that can help with severe anxiety and pain.

Once you identify your ideal dosage, to improve your Kratom experience and avoid building up a tolerance, only take the supplement for 1 or 2 days and then take a break for 2–3 days. You should also pair your treatment with activities like therapy, meditation, and relaxation or breathing exercises.

Conclusion

Kratom isn’t a miracle treatment for depressive or anxiety disorders. Many users have found success but ultimately, to effectively treat these conditions you must address their root cause and not just the symptoms.

Seven to nine hours hours is the recommended range of sleep for the average adult person. A Gallup poll however, has found that 40% of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep a night and an estimated 70 million of them have a sleep disorder. Insomnia costs the US economy approximately $63 billion a year in lost productivity. It is also considered a major contributing factor to deaths caused by motor vehicle collisions.

Globally the numbers are no better. A sleep survey involving forty-eight countries showed that none of the participants manages to get an average of eight hours of sleep a night. While cultures may vary in their perception of what the right amount of sleep is, sleep deprivation has undeniably serious consequences.

Why You Need Sleep

One grave error we make when it comes to sleep is thinking that it’s just about getting rest. That’s just one piece of the pie. Sleep serves many other important functions that contribute to the overall quality of one’s life.

• Makes you smarter – Sleep helps us process what we’ve learned during the day by facilitating the transfer of information from the hippocampus, a small area deep in your brain where memories are made to the prefrontal cortex, which serves as long-term storage.
• Removes toxins from the brain – The flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain increases dramatically when we are sleeping. This enables the removal of harmful waste proteins and toxins that have been accumulated during waking hours.
• Improves your physical health – People who don’t get enough sleep increase their risk of depression, seizures, high blood pressure, migraines, obesity, diabetes, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) diseases among others..
• Boosts your immune system – Immunity is compromised, increasing the likelihood of illness and infection. increases your
• Boosts diet and fitness efforts – Sleep deprivation alters the glucose metabolism and decreases levels of the satiety hormone leptin and increases the  levels of hunger hormone ghrelin causing you to ingest more calories.

Symptoms Of Sleep Deprivation

The main symptom of chronic sleep deprivation is excessive daytime fatigue, but also includes the following.

• Irritability and a generally more negative mood
• Unhappiness and depression
• Low sex drive and a lack of energy
• Problems with memory and retaining information
• Increased appetite and carbohydrate cravings
• Excessive sleepiness
• Inability to concentrate or a “fuzzy” head
• Lack of motivation
• Clumsiness

Using Synthetic and Prescription Sleep Aids To Fight Insomnia

Synthetic and prescription sleep aids are an option when it comes to treating insomnia. They are however, associated with troubling side effects. The risk of abuse is also quite high as they tend to be extremely addictive.  Side effects may include the following.

• Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• Changes in appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty keeping balance
• Dizziness
• Daytime drowsiness
• Dry mouth or throat
• Gas
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Impairment the next day
• Mental slowing or problems with attention or memory
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Unusual dreams
• Weakness

What is Kratom

Kratom is a tropical plant that belongs to the same plant family that brought us coffee. Despite this fact, research has found it to be a beneficial natural supplement to combat insomnia and help you get better sleep by addressing factors such as pain, stress, anxiety and muscle tightness that could be causing these issues.

There are many different types of Mitragyna Speciosa products. One of the most popular Kratom brands right now is called Coastline Kratom, that we covered in this review.

The leaves contain a variety of active compounds known as alkaloids. Of the many alkaloids present, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the main ones. When ingested, Kratom produces analgesic, stimulant and sedative effects. This plant has also been cited in the treatment of digestive ailments, anxiety, depression and to aid in the for withdrawal from opiate  (mainly opium) dependence.

The plant’s dark green leaves can be ingested as is but are more often usually dried and either crushed or powdered and made into a paste, tincture, capsule or tablet form. It can also be brewed as a tea.

For the most part, the amount taken by users determines what effects they experience. Low doses cause stimulating effects and high doses are said to cause sedative ones. To a lesser degree, the particular strain of Kratom you consume also influences the type of effects you experience.

How Kratom Works

The effects experienced after consuming Kratom are said to be opiate-like. However, this plant should not be labeled as an opiate for it is not one. The unfortunate labeling when it does occur, stems from the fact that it interacts with the same opioid receptors found in the brain that opiates do.

There are four major subtypes of opioid receptors: mu-opioid (MOR), kappa-opioid (KOR), delta-opioid (DOR). Receptors are responsible for receiving and processing coming from various parts of the body. Unlike traditional opiates however, Kratom is a partial opioid agonist at these three opioid receptor sites.

This means when it binds to and activates a given opioid receptor, it creates effects that are less intense than those that would have been created by a full opioid agonists like heroin, oxycodone, methadone, hydrocodone, morphine, opium.

Kratom has been shown to activate the mu receptor and cause sedating and analgesia effects. Activation of delta and kappa receptors also produces analgesic effects although to a lesser degree.

Though the plant has been used for centuries, it is growing in popularity in the light of of the growing opioid crisis. This is due to the fact that it tends to have less abuse and addiction potential when compared to opiates like Heroin, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone and Morphine.

1. Bali Kratom 

Bali is a potent strain sourced from quick growing, large sized Kratom leaves. It is said to be a hybrid blend of Borneo and Sumatra strains. It’s easy to grow and this makes it quite affordable in comparison to other varieties on the market. It is available in red, green and white vein strains and Red vein Bali is the most effective of all three when it comes to insomnia and better sleep.

Red vein Bali contains high levels of 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine. It also contains 9-Hydroxycorynantheidine, Mitraphylline and Speciogynine. This combination of alkaloids make this strain effective as an analgesic, muscle relaxant, sedative and anxiolytic.

Its potency makes users more susceptible to wobbles (may also be referred to as Kratom eye wobbles or Kratom eye wiggles). Users should therefore keep their doses on the lower side to avoid them. Though it is a potent strain, it is milder than Sumatra and Maeng Da varieties.

2. Sumatra Kratom 

Sumatra Kratom comes from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Its effects are said to be milder, smoother and longer-lasting (up to ten hours). It is available in red, green and white vein strains and Red vein Sumatra is the most effective of all three when it comes to insomnia and better sleep.

The main alkaloids found in Red vein Sumatra are Mitragynine, 7-Hydroxymitragynine, Mitraphylline, Corynantheidine (Rauhimebine),Isomitraphylline and Raubasine. This combination of active compounds provides stress relief, enhances one’s mood, eases insomnia and helps to regulate sleep patterns, lowers high blood pressure and calms nerves. The effects come on slow and but can last up to 10 hours.

3. Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom is said to be the most sedating of all the strains as it contain high levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine. It is know for its pain killing, euphoric, and addiction treating properties.

It is available in red, green and white vein strains and Red vein Borneo is the most effective of all three when it comes to insomnia and better sleep. Red Vein Borneo is rich in the alkaloids 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine, both of which are strong natural painkillers. In addition, the strain contains the dopamine mediators, Corynoxine A and Corynoxine B that are responsible for reducing anxiety and improving mood.

4. Indo Kratom

Indo Kratom contains high levels of voth 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine. It’s therefoee able to produce a combination of effects including pain relief, assistance with opiate withdrawal, relaxation, sedation, and mood lifting. Indo strains cause fewer side effects like the wobbles, than other strains such as Bali.

It is available in red, green and white vein strains and Red vein Indo is the most effective of all three when it comes to insomnia and better sleep as it contains a higher level of Mitragynine. It helps reduce insomnia by relieve anxiety and stress.

Dosing Recommendations

Kratom doses for insomnia and better sleep should be in the moderate to high range i.e. 5 grams to 15 grams. Anything less is more likely to produce stimulating effects.

Doses greater than 15 grams are extremely sedating and should be avoided. They have the potential to result in loss of consciousness, delusions, hallucinations and addiction. Consuming high doses can also cause harmful side effects like vomiting, itching, nausea, constipation, and loss of appetite.

How to Improve Your Kratom Experience 

• Getting quality sleep is about how easily you fall asleep and also how long you stay asleep. If falling asleep is the issue, take Kratom 3-6 hours before your bed time. If staying asleep is the issue, Kratom should be taken 1.5-2 hours before your bed time.
• To reduce the possibility of developing tolerance, Kratom should be taken no more than thrice a week and should also not be taken back to back.
• As these strains are highly sedating, take some time to find your right dose so that you don’t wake up feeling groggy.

Globally, over 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain.

In the U.S., chronic pain is the number one cause of long-term disability.

It is also said to affect more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), doctors write 259 million prescriptions for pain killers each year. Though not the main contributing factor, chronic pain has been linked to the opioid epidemic currently affecting the country.

The Science of Pain and The Human Body

The experience of pain is undoubtedly unpleasant. However, as much as we would like to erase its existence, we can’t. It plays a critical role as one of the body’s most important communication tools.

Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. Without it we would be unable to to protect ourselves from harm or be alerted to things going wrong,  especially inside of us that we cannot physically see, but that we need to address.

Pain is detected via receptors located throughout the body. Pain receptors are designed to react to three types of stimuli – mechanical, thermal and chemical. Mechanical receptors are be triggered by trauma or alterations to body tissues, tumors, muscle spams, blockage of a body duct among others. Thermal receptors are triggered by exposure to either extreme heat or cold. Chemical receptors can be triggered by exposure to either external chemicals or by the release of internal chemicals following trauma or inflammation (e.g. serotonin, lactic acid, dopamine etc.)

When these receptors are triggered a signal is sent to the brain via the spinal cord for interpretation. Once the signal reaches the brain, its processed by the thalamus. It sends out three signals in response. One signal goes to the somatosensory cortex that is responsible for physical sensation. Another goes to the frontal cortex that in charge of thinking, and the third goes to limbic system which is responsible for our emotions.

Types of Pain

Pain can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute pain comes on suddenly and lasts for a brief period of time. Chronic pain is ongoing lasting longer than six months and is often the result of nerve damage. It also tends to be resistant to medical treatment.

There are two types of chronic pain – inflammatory nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Inflammatory nociceptive pain is the result of injury to the skin, muscles, visceral organs, joints, tendons, or bones. Neuropathic pain is caused by injury to the peripheral and somatosensory nervous system. In some cases, acute pain can also develop into chronic pain.

 
 

Chronic pain is highly disruptive to one’s quality of life. It can cause frustration, anger, anxiety, depression, fatigue, diminished job performance, lower motivation, communication breakdowns with loved ones and poor self esteem among others.

Opioids are often prescribed for the treatment of severe acute and chronic pain as they are the strongest and most effective analgesics available. They however come with a higher potential for abuse, dependence, or addiction. Especially when used over an extended period of time.

What is Kratom

Kratom is a tropical evergreen tree, relative of the coffee plant and of Southeast Asian origin. The leaves contain over 25 alkaloids in addition to flavonoids, terpenoid saponins, polyphenols, and various glycosides.

This combination serves up an impressive list of psychoactive medicinal and therapeutic effects including analgesia, stimulation, sedation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-depressant, and nootropic among others.

How Kratom Helps with Pain Relief

The main psychoactive components found in the leaves of the Kratom plant are the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Both have analgesic properties although the latter only accounts for roughly 2 % of the plant’s alkaloid content. However, it is said to be the major contributor towards the plants’ analgesic properties.

Kratom interacts with the mu (μ), kappa (κ), and delta (δ) opioid receptors and can repress pain sensitivity. It can also increase the body’s natural release of endorphins. This increases positive emotions and limits negative feelings generated by pain.

This plant can also provide relief for symptoms associated with being in constant pain like fatigue, lack of focus, and anxiety among others. A survey conducted on Kratom users showed they were able to find relief from pain brought about by the the following conditions

• Cancer
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Migraine
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Back pain
• Acute Pain
• Lupus and other autoimmune diseases
• Osteoarthritis
• Neuropathy
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

Best Kratom for Pain Relief

Kratom is available in multiple strains. The alkaloid profiles of these strains vary depending on the geographical region they grow in and the method of extraction. This ultimately dictates the benefits associated with a particular strain.

The following strains have been identified as the most effective ones to use for pain relief.

1. Bali Kratom

Bali Kratom is a combination of Borneo and Sumatra strains and has a high content of the pain relieving alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine. It is a potent strain that  users have found delivers both pain relief and a stimulating boost. It is available in all three vein colors – red, green, and white strains.

The #1 most potent Kratom strain we have found for pain is this Red Kratom strain which has totally taken away pain for 3-5 hours continuously in our experience.

For pain relief, the Red vein is the best choice. In addition to being potent, it’s quick acting (5-10 minutes) and effects can last between 5-7 hours. It does also have a strong sedating effect so is best taken prior to going to sleep. Users also report that wobbles are common when using this strain. This is to be expected of potent strains. These can be avoided consuming moderate doses or by blending it with another strain.

2. Malay Kratom

Malay (short for Malaysian) Kratom has a great concentration of the alkaloid mitragynine. Its a good option if you are experiencing real pain. It produces strong pain relief effects but they are not as sedating as Borneo or Bali strains. It is a good option for those whose pain is affecting their productivity.

The go to vein color for pain relief is green. Green vein Malay which may also be referred to as Super Green Malay, combines analgesia effects with stimulation, anxiety relief, focus and mood enhancement. Its effects are long lasting, up to 8 hours. Some users prefer to blend this strain with Red Vein Maeng Da which some say is more potent.

A great Green Malay Kratom strain can be found at Coastline Kratom’s new online store that we reviewed at https://www.addameer.info/coastline-kratom-review/.

3. Maeng Da Kratom

Maeng Da is one of the more unique Kratom options. Its uniqueness stems from the fact that it did not start out as naturally occurring variety. It is said to have been specifically bred to have higher concentrations of Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. This combination of alkaloids makes this strain one of the stronger varieties currently available. Unlike Bali Kratom, this strain is more stimulating than sedating so can be taken during the day.

Red vein Maeng Da is the strongest of all the three vein colors available. Since this is more of a stimulating than a sedating strain it can be used as a day time painkiller. Users use it for fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cancer or chronic lower back pain.

4. Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom has higher concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine than Thai and Maeng Da strains. Users experience both pain relieving and relaxing effects making this a good choice for those whose pain is causing them to experience anxiety, inflammation, migraines and pain in muscles, bones or joints.

Red vein Borneo offers maximum relaxation effects of the three vein colors. If you want more of a balance between sedative and stimulating effects then Green vein Borneo strain is a better option. White vein Borneo offers pain relief with an energizing kick. Its a good option to take early in the day if your pain is keeping you from getting this done

Dosing Recommendations

The effects of Kratom are dose dependent. In general, low doses stimulate while higher doses sedate. As people have different tolerance levels and dosing is also influenced by things like age, weight and gender among others, identifying your ideal dose gives you a better chance of getting the relief you seek.

• Less than 2 grams – Mild yet noticeable stimulating and mood enhancing effects. Good for beginners or those with a low threshold for Kratom and experiencing only subtle pain symptoms.
• 2 – 4 grams – Moderate dose that delivers a balance of pain relief, stimulation, euphoria, and sedation. Most users find this range sufficient for treating a wide range of pain related symptoms.
• 5 – 8 grams – Extremely strong dose producing substantial sedating and euphoric effects. May be used to treat severe chronic pain.

Doses higher than 8 grams cause intense sedation, nausea, or constipation  and should be taken with extreme caution.

How to Improve Your Kratom Experience

• Take on an empty stomach when possible for heightened and more potent effects. If this is not possible you may also use a potentiator like grapefruit juice to hasten the effects.
• Rotate through the recommended strains to avoid e developing dependence or building tolerance to any particular strain.
• When experimenting to find your optimal dose, always start small (less than 2 grams).
• Buy your products from a certified vendor to avoid consuming sub standard Kratom which may contain contaminants that cause harmful side effects.

There is no function in the human body, big or small that occurs without energy. Energy fuels your body’s internal functions, repairs, builds and maintains cells and body tissues, and supports the external activities that enable you to interact with the physical world.

Low energy can result in fatigue, decreased strength and stamina, lack of concentration and focus, strained relationships, and poor health or depression among others. Persistent episodes of low energy may result in Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The body gets energy from what we eat. Primarily carbohydrates, protein, and fat. This makes a poor diet usually the number one cause of low energy. However, it is not the only factor. Low energy can also be the result of excessive environmental toxins and pollutants, poor life-style, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalance, stress, anxiety or illness.

In today’s fast paced and highly demanding world, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep may be difficult to do despite ones best intentions. Even if you doing all of the above, from time to time, you may need to complete an activity that calls for a little more energy and focus than you can muster up at that particular moment. That’s where energy boosting and focus stimulating supplements come in.

Kratom

You may never have heard of Kratom before, but if you’ve ever reached for a cup of coffee when you’re feeling lethargic or need help concentrating to power through a tedious task, you are quite familiar with some of what this plant can help you with.

Kratom (Mitragyna Speciosa), is a leafy plant native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and New Guinea that coincidentally, belongs to the same family of flowering plants as coffee does called Rubiaceae.

This plant has been found to have both opioid and psychostimulant-like effects that are attributed to alkaloids present in its leaves. Of the many alkaloids found, Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are considered to be the most influential.

In low doses (1–5 g), these alkaloids cause stimulant effects, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness, sociability and increase libido. Intermediate doses (5–15 g) result in pain and opiate withdrawal relief. High doses in excess of 15 g can result in intense sedation, sweating, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, and dysphoria.

Benefits of Kratom

Traditionally, the leaves were chewed or made into tea to help manual field laborers combat fatigue and improve their level of productivity. In addition, its been found to assist in the following ways.

• Analgesia
• Opiate withdrawal
• Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
• Increases focus
• Enhances motivation levels
• Promotes heart health
• Improves libido
• Improve insomnia and other sleep conditions
• Lowers inflammation
• Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhea
• Antioxidant
• Aids weight loss
• Combats fatigue
• Nootropic
• Lower blood sugar levels
• Prevent and treating inflammation
• Stimulate the immune system
• Anti-leukemic
• Anti-malarial

The Science Behind Kratom

When this plant is consumed, the opioid and psychostimulant-like effects are brought about by the activation of opioid receptors found throughout the body. Specifically, it activates mu-opioid receptors as a partial agonist and kappa- and delta-opioid receptors as a competitive antagonist. It’s also know to activate alpha-2 adrenergic and 5-HT2A receptors.

It is important to note that even though this plant is known to bring about opiate-like effects, it is not an opiate. In fact, it is often used as an alternative to opiates as it does not present with significant respiratory depression which is a tragic side effect associated with opiate use.

Users who stick to an optimal dose rarely report any negative side affects. However if abuse Kratom like other supplements and medication of its nature can be abused. When that happens users can experience symptoms that include agitation, aggression, constipation, delusions, hallucinations, hyper-pigmentation, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, respiratory depression, sexual dysfunction, like loss of libido, tremors, or vomiting.

Understanding The Different Vein Colors

Kratom is available in multiple strains. It is important to know how they differ because each one produces different effects. The strains are identified by vein color and by region. The main vein colors are red, green and white.

1. Red Vein Kratom

Red Vein Kratom comes from leaves with red colored stem and veins. This vein color tends to contains the highest levels of the alkaloid  7-hyodroxymitragynine.  In addition the following alkaloids are present in high quantities – Mitragynine, 9-Hydroxycorynantheidine, Mitraphylline, and Speciogynine. These active compounds are associated with analgesia in one form or another making this the go-to strain for pain relief. Effects associated Red Vein Kratom include pain relief, opiate Withdrawal relief, anxiety reduction, insomnia relief, and mood enhancement. When taken in high doses, this strain is also quite sedating.

2. Green Vein Kratom

Green Vein Kratom comes from leaves with green colored stem and veins. This strain is considered to provide a moderate balance between the sedative and analgesic properties of the the red vein variety and the stimulating and mood enhancing properties of the white vein varieties. Effects associated with Green Vein Kratom include energy boosting, pain relief, support for cognitive functions, depression reduction, mood lifting, treatment of social anxiety, and relaxation.

3. White Vein Kratom

White Vein Kratom comes from leaves with white colored stem and veins.They have one of the lower levels of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Strains in this color are best known for their stimulating and mood enhancing properties. They are good substitute for coffee as they stimulate without causing jitters, acidity or restlessness. Side effects common with caffeine. Effects associated White Vein Kratom include stimulation, cognitive enhancement, and mood elevation.

White, red and green are the three recognized strains of Kratom. You may, however, encounter yellow vein Kratom from time time. It’s said to be a variety of the white vein strain that has been subjected to a different drying technique. It is quite rare to find as the drying technique is time consuming. The energizing and euphoric effects are potent and long lasting and said to be similar to those of Green Vein Malay strain.

How Kratom Helps Those Looking For an Energy Boost and Increased Focus

When it comes to focus and energy,  Kratom has proven to be beneficial in the following ways.

• Increasing energy levels by stimulating the activation of sympathetic nerves that cause the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline that results in an energy boost.
• Reducing stress, anxiety and depression which may affect your ability to focus by stimulating the release of endorphins and serotonin which enhance your overall mood.
• Helping you focus better by stimulating the release of acetylcholine (ach) a neurotransmitter linked to the control of activities in areas of the brain which are responsible for learning, memory, attention.
• Enhancing the release of enkephalins and endorphins which numb your body’s pain receptors preventing pain from reducing your energy and focus.
• Improves endurance by causing the delivery of oxygenated blood to the muscles.

Best Kratom Strains for Focus and Energy

Of the many strains available, the following have been found to be more effective for those looking to improve their focus and energy levels.

1. Maeng Da Kratom

The Maeng Da strain is from Thailand. It is considered to be one of the more potent strains you will find. The strain was created through a process called grafting. This is when tissues from two different plants are joined together so they the may continue their growth as one plant. In this scenario, Maeng Da was grafted with the Thai variety.

Red Maeng Da can be good for focus and enhanced energy especially if you’re feeling restless, frustrated, or anxious. Red Maeng Da is good for pain relief while Green Maeng Da produces both, energetic and pain-killing effects.

By far the most “nootropic” or “stimulating” Kratom strain we have found is this Red Maeng Da strain which we have used to do concentrate and do work.

Red MD(Maeng Da) contains high levels of both 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine so it is effective for pain relief  in addition to being slightly stimulating. The smoothest stimulating effects come from White Vein Malay. Its also used for its more pronounced nootropic effects.

2. Malay Kratom

Malay Kratom comes from Malaysia.

“Green Malay” is probably the most popular vein color in this strain because it contains high levels of Mitragynine. Its energizing and euphoric effects are said to be the most potent(this strain is best for focus/concentration and not necessarily pain relief).

We have found that the usual Green Malay we take for energy has effects that can last up to 5 hours which is impressively long. 

3. Borneo Kratom

Borneo Kratom has high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragyninea and high levels of other pain relieving alkaloids including 9-Hydroxycorynantheidine and Speciogynine.and is known for its  pain killing, euphoric, and addiction treating properties.

Red Vein Borneo is the best for focus and enhanced  because in addition to the above it contains Corynoxine A and Corynoxine B which are dopamine mediators and are linked to reduction of anxiety and depression and improved mood. If the cause of your low energy and focus is the result of pain, White Vein Borneo is a good option as offers a nice blend of blend of stimulating and pain-relieving effects.

4. Thai Kratom

Thai Kratom comes from Thailand and contains the largest concentration of mitragynine (up to 66%) compared to leaves from any other areas. Of the three vein colors, users are more drawn to White Vein Thai to address their energy and motivation needs.

White Vein Thai is said to boost endurance and energy and is quite stimulating. It also produces nootropic effects by boosting cognitive ability and improving focus. For the average user, effects are said last between from five hours to eight hours.

5. Sumatra Kratom

This strain comes from the Sumatra Island of Indonesia so it also has good amount of mitragynine present in its alkaloid profile.

White Vein Sumatra is the most stimulating.  It can be be used to It is used to prolong alertness and improve concentration. As lack of focus and an energy can be the result of lack of sleep and anxiety, Red Vein Sumatra is a good strain as users find it calming and able to sooth frazzled nerves and reduce stress levels. Its also know to help with insomnia. Green Vein Sumatra is both a stimulant and an analgesic. It can be used  for daytime pain relief that may be interfering with daily tasks.

Dosing Recommendations for Focus and Energy

Kratom is available for consumption as powders, capsules, tablets, concentrated extracts, liquid tinctures, dietary supplement drinks marketed for relaxation, shots, mists, teas, and resins. In the U.S the law requires that all these items be labelled as dietary supplements.

Its effects are known to be dose dependent. Multiple factors affect dosing including age, weight, sex, race, genetic make-up, occupation, frequency of use, and time and frequency of administration. Therefore users, more often than not, need to try a few different doses before they find one that suits their needs the best.

If this is your first time trying this supplement, it’s recommended that you start with a small dose (2 grams or less) to give the body time to acclimatize to the various effects.

Users who are familiar with Kratoms’ effects can start with what’s considered a moderate dose of 2 – 4 grams. With this amount you should expect to get a good sense of the motivating and mood enhancing effects.

Experienced users who have build up up a tolerance may consume between 5 to 10 grams.

How to Improve Your Kratom Experience

• As Kratom is mainly sold online, its important to do your due diligence on the seller before forking over your hard earned cash. Read customer reviews and review lab reports to ensure you’re getting an authentic high quality product.
• Effects come on quicker when taken on an empty stomach. If you want more of a delayed effect as opposed to effects coming on all at once, you may want to consider taking the supplement in capsule or tablet form.
• Always buy a couple of complementary strains so that you can rotate/cycle or blend your dose. This allows you to keep receiving the desired effect without  having to increase the dose that could result in unpleasant side effects.
• Avoid taking it on a daily basis. Majority of the Kratom strains are quite potent and their effects are long lasting negating the need for daily use.  Daily use accelerates tolerance build up and may lead to addiction.