Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent health conditions in the U.S. today. A 2019 study found that 20.4% of U.S. adults experience pain to some degree. Of these cases, over a third suffer from chronic pain that has a severe impact on their lifestyles.
For this reason, pain medication is everywhere in the U.S. However, many varieties come with unwanted side-effects and drawbacks. Could there be a better way?
In this guide, we look at how certain kratom strains can help with pain relief. By comparing strains, we’ll uncover the best kratom for pain. Finally, we’ll recommend some of the most reputable vendors.
So, let’s begin.
The Best 3 Kratom Strains for Pain Relief in 2021
There are many kratom strains for pain to choose from, each possessing different properties. Some work as stimulants, others as relaxants — the effects also depend on the dosage.
In this section, we’ll examine the effects of the Maeng Da, Red Bali, and Red Borneo to help you consider the best kratom for pain.
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da kratom is quite unusual within the red vein strains. It’s also one of the most powerful — and the most popular. This is due to its pronounced stimulant effects in combination with offering pain relief.
It comes from Indonesia, where farmers and laborers often use it during the working day. Maeng Da kratom was created by grafting different plants together to marry the beneficial effects of multiple strains. This means that it’s purpose-built for relieving ailments like backaches, joint inflammation, and pain that comes from physical exertion.
Benefits of Maeng Da Kratom
This isn’t to say that the benefits only apply to those doing tough, physical jobs. Chronic pain is exhausting. Daily activities like cleaning, running errands, and even bending down can take a lot out of you.
Maeng Da helps to reduce pain and boosts energy, a promising combination for those who find daily life physically or mentally wearing.
One huge benefit is that it doesn’t tend to impact your attention span or make you jittery. This makes Maeng Da great for maintaining focus while you tackle everyday tasks — and without the pain.
Red Bali Kratom
Another of the more potent strains, Red Bali kratom is famed for combining pain relief with an improved mood. Users of this strain frequently report that it makes them more relaxed and less prone to anxious thoughts.
Named for the island of Bali, this variant can act as a stimulant in low doses. These effects are milder than the energizing properties of Maeng Da but can still provide a pleasant boost.
More significant are the mood-enhancing and relaxing effects of Red Bali. If you’re interested in using kratom for mental and physical discomfort, Red Bali kratom may be just right for you.
This strain contains more analgesic than almost any other strain and offers pain relief lasting up to 6 hours. This makes it a strong contender for the best kratom for pain.
At higher doses, it works as a powerful sedative. For this reason, people with insomnia use it to help them sleep.
Benefits of Red Bali Kratom
Low mood is a frequent companion of chronic pain. Red Bali is a soothing strain that alleviates discomfort and improves your mood. If this sounds like you, you may have found the right choice.
You might benefit from this variant if you:
- Find it hard to sleep
- Find lying down painful
- Frequently wake up due to pain
- Find anxious thoughts keep you awake
A final note is that users tend to develop a tolerance for the Red Bali strain relatively quickly. For this reason, the dosage should be kept as low as possible — exceeding 10g is dangerous.
Red Borneo Kratom
One of the most popular and unique strains available, Red Borneo kratom has several intriguing features:
- High levels of multiple alkaloids associated with pain relief
- Relaxing properties without heavy sedation
- A pleasant, pungent aroma
This variant comes from Borneo, a large island with some of the most spectacular biodiversity on Earth. One of the most aromatic strains of kratom, Red Borneo is cultivated for its soothing effects and its usefulness in social situations.
A vast number of alkaloids are present in this strain. These make it a good choice for pain relief. Besides this, Red Borneo doesn’t produce the sedative effect associated with many red vein kratom strains.
Benefits of Red Borneo Kratom
Those with social anxiety may appreciate this variant. Its effects relax the body and the mind, but it doesn’t make the user drowsy. This is one of the main factors in Red Borneo’s popularity.
Those looking for the best kratom powder for pain will also appreciate the lack of drowsiness. Pain is distracting, and whether you’re socializing or reading a book, it’s great to be able to relax and focus at the same time.
Even though it’s not a strong sedative, Red Borneo can still work to relieve insomnia. Many people find that physical pain or distracting thoughts cause their insomnia. This strain helps to alleviate both.
How Does Kratom Help With Pain?
Kratom contains several alkaloids that are known to relieve pain. Its main component is an alkaloid called mitragynine. When consumed, the body converts this into an effective analgesic known as 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Okay, there’s the science. All clear now?
We’re kidding. An analgesic is a chemical that relieves pain within the body. When you consume kratom, your body processes it in a way that produces powerful pain relief throughout the body.
Many conventional painkillers are opioids. These interact with the brain’s opioid receptors in a way that alleviates pain, but opioids tend to have a lot of negative side-effects. These can include:
- Drowsiness
- Loss of clarity/confusion
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Addiction
Of these, addiction is the most serious issue in regular opioid use. In recent years, the U.S. has seen prescription opioid addiction levels skyrocket. Users can become dependent on the painkillers and can end up suffering severe side-effects from overuse.
Kratom’s 7-hydroxymitragynine also interacts with opioid receptors in the brain, but it is not actually an opioid. More studies are needed to determine kratom’s long-term side-effects, but it produces far fewer adverse effects than opioids. With strong analgesic properties, kratom could offer an answer to the problems associated with opioids.
Different strains of kratom contain different levels of mitragynine. So the general rule is that in small doses, it tends to work as a stimulant. In larger doses, it works as a sedative.
This explains the difference between how white vein and red vein kratom operate. Red vein strains tend to contain much higher levels of mitragynine. The best kratom for pain relief, then, is naturally going to be red vein.
Kratom Dosage: How Much Should You Take for Pain?
The first dose of any strain should be small. As the strains we’ve mentioned in this guide can be strong stuff, starting with a dose of around 2g is recommended to see how it works for you. Raising the dosage to 3g after your first ‘try’ will produce more potent effects, but always proceed with caution.
The smaller your build and stature, the smaller dose you should take. Slim-built people might stay on a 2g dose, finding this works well for them. Taller, stockier people may need to boost their dose to feel the desired effects.
After you’ve tried it a few times, you may feel that it’s still not quite there for you. If so, you can increase the dosage by another gram, up to a maximum of 6g. This should produce a powerfully soothing effect and give you the energy to face the day.
Generally, beyond a 6g dosage, two things happen:
- The analgesic effects become very strong
- It begins to operate as a powerful sedative
Use 4-6g for the maximum stimulant effects. Six grams and upwards can be too intense for most users and may make you feel nauseous. Using upwards of 12 grams is generally not recommended.
The takeaway? When trying any type of kratom for pain, you should always use the lowest dosage at first and work your way up if you build a tolerance. Using higher doses unnecessarily can lead to overdeveloped tolerance, and in some cases, dependency. And, as with any substance, never combine kratom with alcohol or prescription medications.
Where to Buy the Best Kratom for Pain
Knowing the best kratom for pain is only half the battle. It’s also so important to know that you’re buying from a reputable vendor.
Unscrupulous vendors might:
- Mix in cheaper strains (combining can be dangerous)
- Offer untested products
- Lie about the effects to charge a high price
- Refuse to offer a returns policy
Below are some of our most trusted kratom vendors.
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom is one of the largest and best-respected kratom vendors in the U.S. It has two major advantages over rival retailers: the range and the prices.
It’s an excellent retailer for beginner users, as you can peruse a broad range of products and decide which works for you. While the selection of products is vast, we hope this guide has helped you decide on the best strains to relieve pain.
You can shop securely with Kona’s money-back guarantee, which is great if you’re just dipping your toes into the wonderful world of kratom. The company is also a member of the American Kratom Association (AKA) — so no need to worry that you won’t receive a legit product.
Key Points:
- Huge selection of kratom strains
- Money-back guarantee
- Free U.S. shipping
- Third-party tests its products
- AKA member
- Has close relationships with farmers in Southeast Asia, allowing them to get the best kratom for the best prices
Star Kratom
Despite only launching in 2020, Star Kratom is making waves in the kratom community due to its fast delivery and unique stock. Like Kona Kratom, Star Kratom is also approved by the American Kratom Association, so you know you’re in good hands.
Star Kratom offers a great array of products, so you’ll always find something. The best thing about ordering from this company is that you’ll receive your order impressively quickly. Their HQ is so near to a postal hub that they’re able to make several drops per day and aim to get your order on the next flight after you make it.
Key Points:
- Newer family-run business
- Broad product selection
- Impressive shipping times
- Offers a money-back guarantee
- AKA member
VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom lives up to its name. Our favorite thing about this company is its consistency — all of its products exceed our expectations time and time again. While other companies offer some great kratom strains, few can stand up to VIP’s quality across its entire product range.
Perfect for the experienced user, VIP Kratom offers a guarantee of quality without compromising on price. If you’re eager to buy in bulk, choose VIP; you get the highest quality in big quantities shipped to your door with fewer return visits.
Lastly, VIP is an example of what all suppliers should do. Its products are sold by the strain without branding, making them easy to identify across the board. The products are always top-notch, so you can order a bit of everything and expect great things every time.
And yes, like our previous honorable mentions, VIP is a member of the AKA.
Key Points:
- Smaller product selection, but all are premium-quality
- Offers some rare, hard-to-find strains
- Stocks potent strains best for more experienced users
- Third-party tests all its products
- AKA member
Conclusion — Using Kratom for Pain
The best kratom for pain may depend on your needs, but Maeng Da, Red Bali, and Red Borneo are undoubtedly the places to start when looking to manage your pain with kratom.
If you use kratom responsibly and understand how to match the effects to your needs, we’re sure you’ll find the solution for you.
Shop with Kona, VIP, or Star Kratom today and discover what kratom can do for your pain.
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