Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health illnesses. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety and depression affect approximately 40 million American adults every year. That’s roughly 18.1% of the population.
Kratom offers a natural remedy for these conditions. The herb is extracted from a Southeast Asia native plant called Mitragyna Speciosa. Trials show the plant contains potent alkaloids that can influence certain chemical processes in the brain to prevent anxiety and depression. The herb actually goes as far as enhancing mood and giving the user a sense of peace and calmness.
These studies also report Kratom can be used for different kinds of anxiety. Some people use it to prevent social anxiety and improve sociability. Others find it effective for treating trauma-related anxiety.
Not all Kratom strains are effective for anxiety, though. Different Kratom strains have different alkaloid compositions, which affect their effects.
1. Malay Kratom
Green Malay Kratom
Malay Kratom comes from Malaysia, but it can also be found in neighboring countries. Green Malay Kratom is the most popular option for anxiety and depression. This Kratom strain is harvested from the leaves of Mitragyna Speciosa plants with green stems and veins on the leaves. The strain has a distinct rich green color. Its smell is also one of a kind, and it actually feels therapeutic.
Green Malay Kratom produces strong sedative effects when consumed in medium to high doses. It relaxes and soothes the mind relieving the user of anxiousness, sadness, and depression.
Besides treating anxiety and depression, Green Malay is also used in the morning and during the daytime to boost both physical and mental energy. It increases your mental concentration and focuses whilst enhancing your physical energy culminating in enhanced productivity. It functions almost like a stimulant, except it is safer and more consistent.
Green Malay also has analgesic effects which individuals with chronic pain will find very useful.
2. Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom is perhaps the most popular Kratom strain on the market. The strain originates from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Maeng Da Kratom is known for many things, one of which is extreme potency. The Kratom strain is available in Red, White, and Green varieties, and all of them are extremely good at producing different effects. Red is the most powerful of the three strains, but most people prefer the green and white veins for treating anxiety and depression. These strains have a potent mood-uplifting effect that eliminates the symptoms of anxiety. Some people prefer the green strain because it also has energy-boosting effects, which means it deals with anxiety without affecting your energy and productivity levels.
Maeng Da Kratom is also a good choice if you are looking for a strain with long-lasting effects. Most people take a single dose and enjoy its impact throughout the day.
3. Red Borneo Kratom
Red Borneo Kratom
Red Borneo Kratom comes from the Island of Borneo, located in Indonesia. As the name suggests, the strain is extracted from Kratom leaves with red stems and veins.
Red Vein Borneo is rich in 7-Hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid that produces different effects, including anxiety relief. The strain instills feelings of peace, gratification and enhances your mood to combat the symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
Additionally, Red Borneo is known for inducing relaxation. This is not just helpful in dealing with anxiety, but it can also improve sleep quality. For this purpose, the strain is used in the evening, where it relaxes the body and numbs physical and mental fatigue resulting in a faster and deeper sleep. However, you have to be keen on the doses you use because it can also cause stimulation which would negatively affect your sleep.
As a stimulant, Red Borneo can be used to improve concentration and focus.
The strain is also said to be effective as a pain killer and for treating opioid addiction.
4. Red Bali Kratom
Red Bali Kratom
Red Bali Kratom traces its origin to Bali, Indonesia. A few reports claim that it actually comes from Thailand and not Indonesia. But none of that matters as much as its benefits do.
Red Bali is one of the best-selling Kratom strains, thanks to its insane versatility and affordable price. The Kratom strain can deliver different benefits depending on the dosage.
Relieving anxiety is one of its various benefits. It's not exactly the best at it, but its impact is good enough for most people with mild anxiety and even some symptoms of depression. It reduces feelings of sadness and uplifts your mood. Moreover, it calms your brain to prevent overthinking, which can get very overwhelming.
Red Vein Bali also has powerful analgesic effects. Some data shows that it is even more powerful than morphine. More clinical trials are necessary to confirm that, though.
Still, many users report Red Bali is very effective for combating different types of pain. Its impact is also long-lasting, so you can take a single dose and enjoy pain-free hours before you have to take another dose.
Medium Kratom dosages are recommended for anxiety and depression. However, different Kratom strains have different potency, so the exact dosages will always vary depending on the specific Kratom you are using. Bear in mind that the purity and quality of your Kratom can also influence dosages.
What you need to remember is that low dosages are usually stimulating, so they are effective for boosting performance. You can take low dosages if you want increased concentration, focus, and energy. On the other extreme end, high dosages can be very sedating. Extreme high dosages can go as far as inducing euphoria.
What does this mean? Well, you have to do a bit of experimentation to find your ideal dosage. Start with medium dosages, listen to your body, and adjust the dose appropriately.
You should know that excessive use of Kratom can build your tolerance and affect your dosages. With high tolerance, you will need to take more Kratom to feel average effects. Therefore, limit your Kratom dosages and intake as much as possible. Excessive use of the herb can also lead to adverse reactions like vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, constipation, sweating, headaches, etc.
How Does Kratom Work to Treat Anxiety?
Kratom works like an opioid to produce similar effects as morphine and codeine. However, Kratom is a natural remedy, and its presence in the system is nowhere as addictive as that of opioids.
In essence, Kratom can deal with the symptoms of anxiety and depression with minimal side effects. In fact, if used as directed, users rarely experience any severe adverse events.
The strains relieve symptoms such as restlessness, sadness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, low concentration, and difficulty sleeping. The alkaloids 7-Hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine target the opioid receptors in the brain to instill calming effects and enhance mood.
The herb also boosts your mental and physical capabilities preventing anxiety that stems from reduced productivity. This is especially common among people working in high-demanding industries.
What’s The Best Way to Take Kratom for Anxiety?
Kratom can be used in several ways depending on the Kratom form you have. The herb is available in capsules, powder, tablets, and even raw leaves.
Kratom capsules are quite popular since they save the users from the unpleasant taste of Kratom powder. The method is also pretty quick and discrete. You can pop the capsules virtually anywhere without drawing too much attention.
Meanwhile, Kratom powder offers a quick and efficient way of consuming Kratom. This method allows users to take higher dosages more conveniently than is the case with Kratom capsules.
There are different ways of taking Kratom powder. The first and most popular method is Toss and Wash. In this method, users put the desired amount of Kratom powder in their mouth and wash it down with a glass of water. That's it. One of the key benefits of this method is that the Kratom is absorbed really fast, so its effects are almost instant. Instant results are just what you want when you are struggling with anxiety. But then you'll have to endure the taste of Kratom. Some people take a flavored drink after consuming Kratom to get rid of the after-taste.
The other way of taking Kratom powder is by mixing it with flavored drinks like yogurt. This helps you to avoid the Kratom taste altogether.
Kratom tablets have the same advantages as capsules. However, their effects set in much sooner since there is no capsule digestion taking place. Sadly, if you are taking high dosages, you’ll have to swallow quite a lot of tablets.
Finally, we have Kratom leaves which can be consumed in various ways. First, you can chew the raw leaves. This is what native Southeast Asia residents have been doing for centuries. However, not everyone can handle the bitter and unpleasant taste of Kratom.
The other option is learning how to make Kratom tea and using the leaves to brew a soothing tea. This is another ancient method that has worked really well for many people. The beauty of Kratom tea is you can enhance it with flavors to improve the taste. The entire procedure of preparing and sitting in the garden to enjoy a cup of Kratom tea with a novel is also very exciting for some people.
Final Thoughts: Is Kratom Good for Anxiety?
Yes, Kratom is good for anxiety, and the above strains have proved to be the best for treating the condition.