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.
