Kratom Strains

What Is Red Cambodian Kratom? Effects, Dosage, Safety & More

Red Cambodian is an uncommon kratom strain that grows in the Cambodian jungles. Cambodian law prohibits cultivating Red Cambodian, so the strain is tough to find and proportionally expensive. Still, according to the lucky few who have tried it, Red Cambodian is worth the effort to procure it, offering unmatched pain relief and relaxation.

This article explores Red Cambodian kratom to help you decide if it’s the right strain for you. Below you’ll find a discussion of its origins and effects and some similar strains if you can’t get your hands on it.

Written by Audrey Webber
Last Updated 2 years ago

Audrey Webber

Anthropologist & Freelance Writer

What Is Red Cambodian Kratom?

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is an evergreen shrub related to the coffee family that grows primarily in the jungles of Indonesia and Thailand. It has natural pain-relieving and anxiety-relieving properties, making it a mainstay in traditional Southeast Asian medicine.

There are three main varieties of kratom, named for the color of the veins in their leaves. White kratom comes from young plants and is primarily stimulating. Green strains are harvested a bit later and offer a mix of stimulation and sedation, while red strains come from fully-grown plants and are the most relaxing.

Red kratom is the most common type used to combat pain, anxiety, and insomnia. It is lightly energizing in extremely low doses but quickly becomes sedating as the amount increases.

Red Cambodian is a particular red strain that grows in the Cambodian jungle. Although it can be challenging to find, it is incredibly potent and one of the top choices for pain relief, though this makes it less useful than more common strains.

Kratom is a controlled substance in Cambodia, making it difficult to grow and export to countries like the United States. Some kratom vendors attempt to mimic Red Cambodian’s effects by mixing other strains, usually Red Borneo and Red Malay. These combos are not representative of genuine Red Cambodian, although they are often the only option since obtaining Red Cambodian is exceptionally difficult and expensive.

Related: Most Expensive Kratom Strains

What Does Red Cambodian Kratom Do?

Red Cambodian helps users relax, alleviating pain and muscle tension and inducing euphoria. Many people find Red Cambodian exceptionally strong, surpassing other potent strains like Red Maeng Da and Red Malay.

Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the two most important alkaloids in kratom and create most of kratom’s psychoactive effects. Red Cambodian is incredibly high in 7-hydroxymitragynine, giving its above-average analgesic qualities.

Interestingly, some sources suggest that Red Cambodian also has higher concentrations of minor alkaloids like corynoxine and paynantheine. It is unclear how critical these minor alkaloids are for creating Red Cambodian’s exceptional strength, but they likely contribute and could explain the strain’s unusual strength.

Red Cambodian Kratom Specs & Rating

  • Energy: ⭐ —Red Cambodian is not very energizing, even in low doses.
  • Mood: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ —Many people find that Red Cambodian has a profound impact on their mood, making them feel content and happy.
  • Pain Relief: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ —Red Cambodian’s impressive alkaloid concentration makes it one of the best strains for pain relief, according to user reports.
  • Anxiety Relief: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ —People with anxiety may find that Red Cambodian helps them relax and let go without making them feel paranoid or uneasy.
  • Sedation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ —Red Cambodian is one of the most sedating strains on the planet, so many people find they can only use it before bed.

1. Improved Mood

Some people swear by Red Cambodian to manage anxiety and depression, saying the strain helps them quell negative thoughts and quiet their minds. Some people report feeling more anxious when taking Red Cambodian, although they seem to be in the minority.

2. Relaxation

Red Cambodian is inarguably one of the most powerfully relaxing kratom strains, and many people say it is the most sedating. It has unparalleled concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine, making it incredibly soothing, although some people find it too sedating. Nevertheless, it is an excellent choice for winding down at the end of a long day, especially for people who have trouble sleeping.

3. Pain Relief

Red Cambodian is well-suited for treating chronic pain, although it can be expensive. Users looking to use kratom long-term may find Red Cambodian prohibitively expensive and choose a different strain despite its effectiveness. Red Cambodian is one of the most potent strains for pain relief and can help manage even severe conditions.

Kratom leaf and flower.

Red Cambodian Kratom Dose

Kratom dosing can be tricky, especially for beginners. Low doses are more stimulating, while higher doses can be intensely sedating, making it a balancing act to find the correct dose for your use case.

Dose for Mild Relaxation

Most strains are energizing from 1 to 3 grams, but Red Cambodian is still quite relaxing in this range. Many people describe low doses of Red Cambodian as calming with the tiniest hint of increased alertness. Red Cambodian isn’t the best strain to choose if you’re looking for nootropic effects and energy.

Dose for Alleviating Anxiety

Moderate doses of 3 to 6 grams are what most people take to manage anxiety. Red Cambodian is extremely relaxing at this level, and most users say they can’t do much besides lie on the couch. That may be what you’re looking for, but be aware that Red Cambodian isn’t the best choice for daytime use.

Dose for Pain Relief

From 6 to 10 grams, Red Cambodian becomes even more relaxing, and its analgesic effects take center stage. Red Cambodian is a very capable pain-relieving strain, although it is probably too strong for many people to take during the day. Most people take higher doses before bed to dull pain and help them sleep.

Side Effects of Red Cambodian Kratom

Red Cambodian’s strength is a double-edged sword, making it a formidable opponent for pain and anxiety but increasing users’ chances of experiencing side effects. The most common side effects of Red Cambodian are dizziness, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, mental fog, memory loss, and confusion.

All kratom strains are addicting and require restraint to use safely. Experts recommend taking kratom fewer than five days per week and taking regular one-week breaks every two months. Prolonged tiredness and lethargy are signs of using kratom too often or taking too much. Listen to your body and err on the side of caution.

Similar Kratom Strains

Genuine Red Cambodian kratom is incredibly difficult to find and fetches exorbitant prices. People who don’t want to wait for vendors to stock Red Cambodian or can’t pay the astronomical costs often choose one of the following strains instead.

1. Red Maeng Da

Red Maeng Da is a Thai kratom strain known for its strength. Many people turn to Red Maeng Da for treating pain, anxiety, and insomnia due to its sedating effects profile.

Red Maeng Da falls in the sweet spot for many people, striking the perfect balance between potency, availability, and cost. Anxiety-prone individuals should be careful using Red Maeng Da since some user reports suggest it may cause jitters and nervousness.

2. Red Malay

Red Malay is hailed as an excellent strain for pain relief by many kratom users. It is one of the two strains some vendors use to imitate Red Cambodian kratom, along with Red Borneo.

Red Malay is a mild euphoric, making users feel relaxed and at ease at low to moderate doses. Insomniacs and people who suffer from chronic pain usually prefer higher doses, taking advantage of Red Malay’s lower risk of causing side effects.

3. Red Borneo

Red Borneo is the other strain often used with Red Malay to mimic Red Cambodian kratom. It is a more balanced strain than Red Malay, offering mostly anxiety relief rather than pain relief.

By itself, Red Borneo isn’t the best strain for replicating Red Cambodian’s effects since it’s quite a bit weaker. However, it is a favorite strain among people who want relaxation without as much risk of experiencing unpleasant side effects.

Final Thoughts: Red Cambodian Kratom

Red Cambodian is a rare kratom strain from the jungles of Cambodia that packs a serious punch. It is said to be one of the most pain-relieving strains and is highly sought after, although it is challenging to find. Unfortunately, legal roadblocks in Cambodia prevent farmers from cultivating Red Cambodian kratom, making it nearly impossible to grow and export large quantities.

Luckily, reasonably similar alternative strains exist in the form of Red Maeng Da, Red Malay, and Red Borneo kratom. These strains are far more common than the elusive Red Cambodian and, although they aren’t perfect replacements, they offer many of the same benefits.

Regardless of which strain you choose, using kratom safely is about limiting your intake, listening to your body, and having the discipline to take breaks when you need to. Experts caution that kratom is addicting, so taking extended time off from using kratom is necessary for long-term success.

Further Reading