Kratom Strains: Which Ones Provide Energy?
You’ll find dozens of different names applied to kratom strains for sale. Most of these names are simply categorizing them, while others are little more than a marketing ploy.
Kratom leaves are harvested at different points of maturity from Mitragyna speciosa trees. Maturity and post-harvest processing methods alter the alkaloid content and change kratom’s effects.
When determining a particular strain’s effects, color is a more reliable indicator than anything else.
Kratom’s energizing effects are due to certain alkaloids, such as 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine. These interact with the brain and produce sensations such as pleasure, energy, concentration, relaxation, and socialization. They also cause kratom to be sedating or energizing.
The alkaloid content varies due to when the leaves were harvested and how they were processed, causing vast differences in effects.
While every strain has the same tendencies, most specialize in something, whether it be energy, mood, pain relief, or sedation. The right combination of alkaloids makes you feel more awake, focused, energized, motivated or calm, tired, and feeling good.
So, despite the similarities that encompass kratom as a whole, there are significant differences between the colors.
What color works best for energy, then? No one wants to end up lethargic and unmotivated when looking for a kick to get moving.
1. White-Veined Strains
White kratom is by far the most stimulating and energizing. It’s also more likely to provoke certain side effects like anxiety and dizziness. These strains have higher levels of mitragynine, providing nootropic effects like focus, creativity, and mental fortitude. It doesn’t take much, so start low and avoid taking these too close to bedtime.
2. Green-Veined Strains
Green kratom can give you euphoria and a lot of energy, but the higher the dose, the faster and more intense the energy will dissipate. It can leave you feeling sensations more in line with traditional opium highs: increasing calm, pain relief, and relaxation. These strains are more balanced than the greens and reds, making them ideal for times when you don’t need too much of any one thing.
3. Red-Veined Strains
Red kratom is not as beneficial for energy as whites and greens. Instead, they are powerful pain relievers that quickly and naturally relax the body. Many people use these strains to promote better sleep.
High doses of any color mean higher concentrations of opioid-activating alkaloids. These alkaloids engage the body’s natural pain-killing system, which leads to relaxation and sleepiness.
At lower doses, even red kratom can provide some light stimulation. Any kratom strain will do if you keep your dosage under the threshold where the opioid activity begins to overtake the nervous system.
But if you don’t want to settle for a strain that will “just do,” you’ll want white.
To summarize the strains:
- White is the best for energy and focus since it has the lowest concentration of opioid-like alkaloids.
- Red kratom is best for relieving anxiety, pain, and insomnia.
- Green kratom helps relieve discomfort and induce mild euphoria.
If you’re interested, we explain how the different strains produce different effects in Kratom Strains: Red, Green, & White.
Finding the Best Kratom Dose for Energy
If you’re looking for the best dose for energy, remember our advice to use the smallest amount possible.
You’ll most likely find that a dose of 1-4 grams of a white strain is enough for energy. If you need much more than this, you might be developing a tolerance. You might also be getting low-quality kratom.
Consider taking a tolerance break or switching vendors if this is the case.
Energy is a benefit associated with lower doses of kratom. As you increase the dosage, you’ll increase the sedating effects. High amounts of any strain aside from white are most likely to leave you feeling sleepy.
How Much Is Too Much?
White kratom feels euphoric and exciting. It stimulates the production of norepinephrine and epinephrine, resulting in a significant increase in physiological sensations associated with energy.
Alternatively known as adrenaline and noradrenaline, these chemicals are naturally released when we’re under threat, helping prime the body for agility and motion. We tend to release that energy by either fighting or fleeing (hence the term “fight or flight”).
These substances can lead to some physical discomfort when they flood the body without allowing you to use the energy produced. If you’re not actually exerting this energy, it can start to build up, and you may experience anxiety and ‘the wobbles.’
Dosing too high with white kratom often leads to this problem. Whereas with greens and reds, a high dose often leads to sedation and sleepiness, high doses of white lead to a sort of “muffling” effect, complete with brain fog. Your body and mind will be stimulated, but you might feel or act somewhat sluggish.
Remember that the dosages given in this guide are for standard kratom powder. These dosages should not be applied if you use any of the available kratom extracts.
Related: Kratom Dosage Calculator
How to Measure Your Dose
The best thing about measuring your kratom dosage is that you’ll learn exactly how much of which strain provides a specific benefit. Over time you’ll be able to develop a dosing schedule or regimen that provides the maximum benefit with the minimum side effects.
It helps to keep a journal when you first begin measuring your dosages. Write down the exact dose you take and the effects that follow. Make a note of whether or not you achieved your desired results.
Start small and increase your dosage by no more than half a gram at a time. Remember that your goal should be to determine the lowest possible dose to achieve your desired effect.
If you take a gram and feel great, it’s too easy to fall into the mindset of, “oh, well, another half gram will make me feel even better!” And who knows, it might. But this will almost certainly lead you down the path to addiction.
Furthermore, kratom users have become known for the phrase, “less is more,” and this certainly rings true for people hoping to increase energy. Lower doses tend to produce a more potent stimulating effect.
What’s best about this is that people often notice a stark increase in benefits when they decrease their dosage after building a tolerance. Because undesirable side effects tend to increase along with the dosage, sometimes reducing a habit is as simple as lowering your dose.
Using a Scale for Kratom
If you’ve ever used a digital scale for measuring marijuana, you’ll know how to weigh plant matter. Digital scales are one of the most popular tools for weighing out kratom powder.
You’ll want to get a sensitive scale to measure your dosage to within roughly a few hundred milligrams. Most digital scales are capable of this.
A milligram scale (one that weighs in increments of 0.001 g) can provide highly accurate measurements, but these aren’t really necessary with kratom.
You can also use an old-school balance. A balance doesn’t require batteries, but it does require that you have a few accurate weights.
To measure with a balance, you’ll stack the equivalent weight of your desired dose on one end of the balance using the measured weights. These are usually made of metal. Then you’ll add kratom to the other end until the two ends swing into balance.
Related: How to Measure Kratom Without a Scale
Using Capsules
You can also choose to buy pre-weighed kratom capsules.
Capsules are usually a little bit more expensive than powder. You’re paying not only for the capsule but also for the convenience of not having to weigh your dose. Encapsulating kratom can be time-consuming, so expect to spend at least 10-20% more.
Most kratom capsules come in weights of 500 mg, so you’re able to measure your dosages in increments of this amount.
If you want, you can also make kratom capsules. If you choose this route, you’ll want to get a capsule-filling machine unless you want to spend a dozen hours capping up your kratom. This method is cheaper but much more time-consuming.
How to Safely Use Kratom for Energy
When your tolerance increases, you’ll start noticing that you’re using too much kratom. You’ll need to use larger and larger doses to achieve the same benefits.
If you need to use kratom daily, this is bound to happen. However, tolerance is less likely if you’re using kratom for energy. If you can keep your usage to one dose every 72 hours, then you should be able to avoid addiction and tolerance.
Related: How Long Should I Wait Between Doses?
Cycling Kratom to Retain Benefits
Cycle through other stimulating herbs and supplements to avoid using kratom multiple days in a row. Avoid combining other stimulants with kratom, or you’ll fall into the trap of polysubstance use, which can lead to far more problems.
For example, many users contend that kratom and coffee are a fantastic combination. Unfortunately, using the two together means that you’ll have twice as much trouble when you decide to stop using them, and you’re twice as likely to end up with physical dependence.
A better solution would be to use kratom one day, coffee the next, and then a third stimulating herb like Rhodiola the next. On the fourth day, return to using kratom. If you develop a respectable cycle like this, you should be able to use kratom multiple times on your designated day.
Otherwise, if you’re using it multiple days in a row, you should restrict yourself to a single dose. This allows your body time to cleanse itself from the kratom and reduces your chances of becoming tolerant or addicted.
Potentiation & Tolerance Reduction
It’s also possible to use certain substances to both potentiate (increase the strength) and reduce your tolerance to kratom. These can be valuable tools for anybody who wants to ensure they don’t lose control of their habit.
Unfortunately, both of these tools can cause exactly that. With kratom potentiators, it’s easy to use potentiators for each and every dose just so that you can go higher. On the other hand, you may end up using tolerance reducers to keep your tolerance at bay.
Ideally, you would only use these when you notice that you’ve taken too much kratom and want to reduce your use. Or, if you’ve noticed that you’re going too high and need to compensate temporarily to achieve a good work or school day.
If you’re looking to keep your tolerance at bay, you’re best off reducing your dose and cycling between potentiators shortly after you notice a difference. Remember to be vigilant, keep your doctor informed, and look for any unexpected side effects.
Related: Kratom Side Effects: The Ultimate Guide to Using Kratom Safely
Final Thoughts on Kratom Dosage for Energy
Finding the ideal kratom dose for energy can take a bit of work. Fortunately, tools like a digital scale or kratom capsules can help make the work a lot easier. Remember to start with a low dose and gradually work your way up to a level that provides ample stimulation.
You’ll know you’re dosing too high if you become too relaxed. If this happens, switch to a more stimulating strain or reduce your dosage until you feel energetic.
