Nearly one in five American adults has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition in the past 12 months. The most common condition among those 60 million? Anxiety disorder. Plenty of prescription medications can help combat symptoms of anxiety disorders, but they don’t work for everyone. Some people with treatment-resistant anxiety have turned to kratom, a natural substance, to fill the gap.
Because kratom is unregulated in the U.S., though, it can be difficult to know which kratom products may work for anxiety. Most kratom products are classified into one of three vein colors, but it’s also important to know the best kratom strain for anxiety, as the location of kratom plants can also make a difference.
Below, we’ll look at some kratom products commonly used for anxiety so you can be an informed consumer.
The Basics: What is Kratom?
Kratom products come from the leaves of a tropical evergreen tree (Mitragyna speciosa) that grows in Southeast Asia. Locals’ use of kratom goes back thousands of years and ranges from ceremonial to medicinal and recreational.
Most kratom products contain crushed leaves, or kratom powder, which consumers can put in beverages and foods. A few common kratom products include:
- Kratom tea
- Kratom gummies
- Capsules or tablets
- Extract shots
What does kratom do to the mind and body?
The benefits of kratom are wide-ranging and have a lot to do with how much you take. Lower doses of kratom (usually five grams and below) can provide users with a jolt of energy and increased cognition.
Higher doses (five grams or more) are more likely to produce opioid-like effects, such as relaxation and sedation. In fact, many people who have become dependent on opiates or opioids have reported that kratom eased their withdrawal symptoms.
The third primary effect of kratom use is pain relief. For millennia, manual laborers in Southeast Asia have used kratom to help relieve their joint and muscle pain. The stimulating effects also helped get them through each day—kinda like coffee, eh?
Here is a (nearly) comprehensive list of potential benefits from kratom:
- Improved cognition
- Increased clarity and focus
- Increased physical energy
- Better mood (including relief from depression)
- Proclivity toward socialization
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Analgesia (pain relief)
- Increased pleasure
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Reduced opioid cravings
- Lessened opioid or opiate withdrawal symptoms
- Enhanced libido (sex drive)
- Anti-diarrheal properties
How does kratom work in the body?
There’s a lot scientists still don’t know about kratom and how it produces its physiological effects, but it’s apparent that two alkaloids in kratom—mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—bind to a number of receptors in the body.
Mitragynine is the primary alkaloid, as it accounts for two-thirds of the alkaloid content in most kratom products. 7-hydroxymitragynine usually accounts for two percent of kratom’s alkaloid content, although it is much more potent than regular mitragynine.
These two primary alkaloids bind to mu-opioid receptors, which help regulate pain and pleasure. They only act as partial agonists, meaning they don’t bind as tightly as drugs like morphine, fentanyl, and heroin. There’s also evidence that kratom’s alkaloids interact with delta and kappa opioid receptors, which regulate many of the same functions as mu-opioid receptors, along with serotonin receptors.
What Kratom is Best for Anxiety?
There’s probably not a simple answer to that question, especially for first-time users. People experience kratom differently, and the same product can produce wildly different effects among users.
Red kratom is generally more powerful than red or green kratom, which makes it more likely to provide stress relief and improve users’ moods. As we’ll explain below, however, it’s not always so clear-cut.
The Best Kratom Strain for Anxiety: Our Top 5 Picks
Our top five kratom products for anxiety run the vein color gamut. From powders to capsules and extract shots, there’s something for everyone.
- Green Malay
- Red Bali
- Red Maeng Da
- White Borneo
- Green Maeng Da
1. Green Malay
Green kratom’s effects usually strike a balance between white and red kratom products. It’s common for green kratom strains, including Green Malay, to provide a modest energy boost along with relaxing effects. It can be good for users who don’t want only stimulating or sedating effects.
Featured Product: Green Malay Kratom Powder
We think this Green Malay powder from JustKratom is one of the best introductory products for newbies. Take a little bit at first; smaller doses can help you focus, while larger doses can make you feel relaxed and a little sleepy. Slowly work up to the dose you like best!
2. Red Bali
Red Bali kratom is one of the heavy-hitting strains. Red vein kratom is generally more powerful because the veins of mature kratom plants tend to take on a reddish hue.
Featured Product: Red Bali Kratom Powder
If you’re chasing intense relaxation and stress relief, Red Bali kratom powder could be the right product. Powdered kratom is easy to dose and allows for many creative culinary uses. You might want to take your Red Bali right before bed, as many people use it for insomnia.
3. Red Maeng Da
Red Maeng Da kratom is actually more similar to many green kratom products than other products of the same vein color. Its effects aren’t as heavy-handed as Red Bali’s, as it provides a mild energy boost along with its stress-reducing properties. Many users also report that it reduces physical pain.
Featured Product: Red Maeng Da Kratom Capsules
If you don’t have the time or interest to figure out which foods your kratom product should go into, we recommend pills. These Red Maeng Da capsules from Elf Kratom are good for quick, easy doses.
4. White Borneo
All you might want from kratom is something to take the edge off your anxiety so you can focus at work. Sometimes, it’s just the opposite—not being able to concentrate can make you feel stressed. No matter which situation describes yours, White Borneo, with its relatively muted effects, might be perfect for you.
Featured Product: Enhanced White Vein Kratom Capsules
Kats Kratom has some fantastic kratom products of all vein colors, and there’s perhaps no better one for new users than their White Borneo capsules. You’ll notice a clearer mind at work or school, and your energy might get a boost without those annoying jitters.
5. Green Maeng Da
Just as Red Maeng Da is relatively powerful for its vein color, the same is true for Green Maeng Da. Users often report a profound energy boost along with reduced stress, boosted cognition, pain relief, and mild euphoria.
Featured Product: Green Maeng-Da Kratom Extract Shot
Rave Kratom has an excellent extract shot of Green Maeng Da mitragynine. A moderate dosage can help you get calm and relaxed, while the dosages on either side can result in a variety of effects.
Kratom Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Kratom carries the risk of side effects that may cause some physical discomfort, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Breathing difficulties
Possible long-term kratom effects include anorexia (weight loss) and liver damage. Because kratom binds to opioid receptors, it can be habit-forming if you take it every day for more than a month. We recommend taking a tolerance break when you notice that your normal dose isn’t packing the punch it previously did.
The safest way to take kratom is to start with a low dose, perhaps one gram, and consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Find Your Best Kratom Strain for Anxiety at Gold Dragon
Prolonged anxiety can reduce your ability to function normally. Not being able to find relief with conventional medicines doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of the line, though. Plenty of people have successfully used kratom for anxiety relief, and you might be next in line.
The staff here at Gold Dragon Kratom goes to great lengths to research the best kratom strains for anxiety and procure the finest kratom products. We’re always available to answer your questions, so don’t hesitate to drop us a line if you’re curious about anything!
