Thai kratom originates from Mitragyna speciosa, an evergreen tree indiginous to the tropical climate of the Indochinese peninsula. Kratom is exported from countries along the peninsula, such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Papua New Guinea. While each growing region within the peninsula produces kratom that is genetically similar, Thailand sits at the center of the peninsula and offers the most ideal growing conditions. The nutrient rich soils and ideal humidity and temperature levels promote the uptake of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the alkaloids at the foundation of the kratom experience. However, in Thailand kratom is technically illegal so it tends to only grow around small farms and rural communities, where it is harvested by local farmers. This makes finding Thai kratom that is actually from Thailand difficult. In Indonesia though kratom is perfectly legal, allowing it to become one of the main exporters and the primary source of most Thai kratom on the market.
As kratom leaves mature their veins and stems change color, starting with white and then changing to green, then red. Red-veined kratom leaves tend to be closer to the trunk of the tree, while green are higher and sit farther from the tree. Not only do the leaves change color, but their chemical composition shifts as well. White-viened kratom leaves tend to contain more of the alkaloid mitragynine, which is responsible for feelings of energy and attentiveness. Red-veined kratom leaves tend to contain more 7-hydroxymitragynine by composition, which provides pain relief. When harvesting kratom leaves, farmers only select the leaves needed for harvest, leaving the remaining leaves to stay on the tree and continue to mature. This allows the tree to remain healthy and continue to grow, creating a sustainable harvest cycle.
The Benefits of Thai Kratom
Due to the higher than average concentrations of alkaloids in their leaves, Thai kratom produces powerful effects that work to boost the mind and body. These properties are what has made kratom a popular supplement for manual laborers in Thailand that turn to kratom to help them get through their grueling day. Choosing which variety of Thai kratom to take (red, green, white, etc.) depends on what your desired effects are. Generally though, Thai kratom produces some general effects and users can expect to some varying level or degree:
Energy Boost – Energy and stimulation are the hallmarks of any kratom strain. However, with Thai kratom, these effects tend to be more powerful and last longer than other strains. Kratom is similar to caffeine in that it wakes you up and makes you feel alert. Unlike caffeine though, kratom does not come with the typical side effects of drinking too much coffee, like sweating, shaking, and an overall discromert. These energetic feelings combined with the feeling of pain relief create an interplay of effects similar to a caffeine rush, but is described as being much smoother and less jittery than your average cup of joe. White-viened Thai kratom in particular is known to be highly effective at boosting energy levels, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a quick pick-me-up throughout the day.
Mood Enhancer – Thai kratom has been associated with a number of mood enhancing properties that allow it to be used as a tool to combat depression or social anxiety. Green Thai Kratom especially has been known to be highly effective at balancing hormone levels and managing stress. These effects work to fend off fatigue and mental tiredness, leaving users with a sense of rejuvenation.
Focused Mentality – The energy and mood enhancing qualities of Thai kratom can also provide a heightened sense of attention and alertness when taking the proper dosage. To date there has been little research to sustain these claims, however, many users report a feeling of focus and energy when taking kratom in the lower dosage range.
Pain Relief – Kratom is known for offering pain relieving properties on par with common opioids such as morphine and ketamine. However, Thai kratom is generally not considered the best kratom strain to use for pain relief and experienced users tend to choose other strains, such as Maeng Da. Because of the higher concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine compared to the other Thai strains, the red vien Thai variety does offer mild pain relief. This along with energy benefits of Thai kratom makes it an ideal choice for users who would like a bit of both.
Thai Kratom Varieties
Red- and green-veined Thai kratom coming out of the Indochinese Peninsula is renowned for its potency, with red-veined Thai kratom especially being sought after due to its higher concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine. Each vein type offers a unique experience and can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments. Therefore, it is important to recognize the differences between each of the three species types so you can achieve a unique and beneficial kratom experience.
Red-vein Thai Kratom – As mentioned above, red Thai Kratom is particularly sought after because of its high concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine, compared to the other Thai strains. This gives way to a balanced blend of energy enhancement and pain relief, perfect for those who struggle with the aches and pains of daily life, or for those that could use a midday pick-me-up. In this sense it has been described as the best of both worlds, making red-veined Thai kratom one of the most popular strains on the market. It is recommended as a good starting point for those unfamiliar with kratom, or for users looking to expand their pallet with other strains.
Green-vein Thai Kratom – Similar to red-vein Thai kratom, green-veined kratom offers more energy and mood enhancement with the trade off of some of the pain relieving effects and is the middle-of-the-road choice between red- and white-viened leaves. This makes it ideal for those that need a bit more energy than what red-veined can offer, but still want some of that added pain relief that white-viened leaves do not possess. Using green-vein Thai kratom is best for stress management, allowing users to accomplish mentally and/or physically challenging tasks that require focus and endurance.
White-vein Thai Kratom – Acting as the most stimulating of the three vein types, white Thai kratom offers the most significant blend of mood enhancement with energy boosting properties. It contains higher concentrations of the mitragynine alkaloid, which create feelings of alertness, confidence, and energy. If you are looking for something like a cup of espresso without the jitters, then look no further than white-veined Thai kratom.
How Does Thai Kratom Compare to Other Strains?
Most turn to Thai kratom because of the stimulating properties found in each variety. Red Thai kratom is known to be the best of both worlds, offering mild pain relief with an added boost of stimulation. Although there are better strains on the market that can more effectively alleviate pain, like Maeng Da, or offer more mood enhancement like Bali, Thai kratom is successful at giving users a blend of energy, mood, and pain relieving effects all in one product. Thai kratom is unique because most think of it as being less harsh than other strains. It is generally easier to manage compared to the extreme potency of Maeng Da, or the intense sedation of Bali kratom, leaving users with a more natural and ‘cleaner’ experience. This quality in particular makes Thai kratom a good beginner strain for those looking to start using kratom.
Thai Dosage Information
When taking kratom it is general practice to take smaller doses to experience stimulation and larger doses to experience pain relief. Compared with other strains Thai kratom is less harsh and comes with more leniency when considering proper dosage. Therefore, general guidelines for typical doses of Thai kratom are as follows:
- Threshold: 1.5 grams
- Low Dose: 1.5 to 3 grams
- Moderate: 3 to 5 grams
- High: 5 to 8 grams
Overall, Thai Kratom is great for its mood enhancing qualifies and it’s ability to make the user feel uplifted and energized. It’s a great strain for new kratom users since it tends to be less harsh than other varieties.
