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Depression is a prevalent mental disorder. It's estimated that 16.2 million adults in the US experience a serious depressive episode every year. Worldwide, more than 264 million people suffer from depression. In some cases, individuals experience severe and long-term depression leading to medical complications.
There are many ways of dealing with depression. Kratom is one of the newer remedies. While the herb is not comprehensively studied, preliminary data shows it can reduce symptoms such as stress, anxiety, sadness, and mood disorders.
Some people are already using the herb and reporting decent anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
The following Kratom strains are the best for depression:
1. Malay Kratom
Green Malay Kratom
Malay Kratom has one of the strongest relaxation effects making it an excellent choice for individuals with anxiety and depression. The strain originates from Malaysia, where it has traditionally been used to promote tranquility and peace.
The strain is also effective for mood enhancement.
Malay Kratom is available in white, green, and red varieties. These strains have different alkaloid compositions, so they produce relatively different effects. The green Malay strain is the most effective for depression and anxiety. It tackles the condition through mood enhancement, sedation, and stress, sadness, worry, and anxiety relief.
In addition to tackling symptoms of depression, Green Malay Kratom is also famous for boosting productivity. The fact that it combats depression is enough to improve your brain’s performance. It also expands your physical capabilities. Your personal and professional life will benefit hugely from this.
2. Borneo Kratom
Green Borneo Kratom
Red Borneo Kratom is very often confused with Red Indo Kratom. In fact, some Kratom vendors sell both strains as the same thing. However, a few reports show the alkaloid composition of the two strains and especially 7-Hydroxymitragynine concentration can be different.
That said, if you get the strains in high-quality, the difference in results between them shouldn’t be very drastic.
But Red Borneo is the favorite for most people. It is effective, and it provides additional benefits like pain relief and improved sleep quality.
You can use Red vein Borneo in the morning or during daytime to treat depression and anxiety. You can also take it in the evening to improve the quality of your sleep.
In low dosages, Red Borneo can cause stimulation. This is good news if you want a mental and physical energy burst. However, stimulation can be a problem if it happens at night when you need to fall asleep. Be extra keen on the doses you are taking at night. Alternatively, you can avoid using the strain at night altogether.
3. Green Maeng Da
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da Kratom is not like other Kratom strains. For one, it's not named after any country or region in particular, as is the case with other strains. Second, it did not grow naturally. Maeng Da Kratom was made by grafting the best Kratom tissues resulting in one of the most potent commercially available Kratom strains.
Green Maeng Da Kratom has a very high concentration of 7-Hydroxymitragynine. The alkaloid is responsible for some of the benefits of the strain. It assists with anxiety and pain relief. It also has mood uplifting properties which support the treatment of mental disorders like depression.
Due to its extreme potency, users are cautioned against abusing Maeng Da Kratom. New Kratom users must start with low doses to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
How Does Kratom Work for Depression?
Scientists believe the alkaloids present in Kratom interact with various receptors in the brain to treat the symptoms of depression. These alkaloids stimulate sedation, mood enhancement, and pleasure.
Opioid and pain receptors are some of the target areas of Kratom alkaloids. By interacting with the opioid receptors, Kratom instills peace and pleasure, and that's why it is also used to treat opioid addiction. The herb can even induce euphoria when taken in extremely high dosages.
Kratom alkaloids also target pain receptors, and that's how the strain is also effective for pain relief. Some of the strains like Maeng Da Kratom can numb chronic pain caused by medical conditions like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
Researchers looked at trials done on Kratom use and mental health between 1960 and 2017. They consistently observed that Kratom relieves anxiety and enhances mood in most users. It was also reported to be suitable for opioid withdrawal. This meant Kratom could be good for mental health and other conditions. However, it has to be used correctly because it can also induce gastrointestinal side effects.
We’d recommend consulting a licensed physician first before self-treating chronic depression with Kratom.
Kratom works best for depression when consumed in medium to slightly high dosages. Sadly, there is no specific dosage that guarantees results. Every user reacts differently to Kratom, so you have to experiment a little to find your ideal dosage. But keep in mind that low dosages cause stimulation while extremely high dosages can mess your tolerance and produce severe adverse effects.
How to Take Kratom for Depression?
Kratom is available in capsule and powder form. You can also get raw Kratom leaves, but they are usually very hard to find and can be pretty expensive.
Capsules are a great way of consuming Kratom because they save the users from the infamous Kratom taste. However, the effects of Kratom are usually delayed when taking capsules instead of the powder. Also, if you are using high doses of Kratom, you'll have to take large or many capsules, which can be very distressing.
On the other hand, Kratom powder ensures the effects set in much sooner. It also allows you to take larger doses more easily. You can consume Kratom powder through toss n wash or by mixing the powder with other drinks. Toss n Wash is the most efficient method, but it requires a bit of practice. And be prepared to handle the unpleasant Kratom taste.
Mixing Kratom with drinks like yogurt helps to mask the taste of Kratom.
Kratom is well-tolerated by most users. However, it can produce some GI adverse reactions when used incorrectly. The herb can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach upset. High dosages can also cause sweating, fatigue, and drowsiness.
Where to Buy?
Kratom is available in many online stores, but we encourage users to buy the powder from the highest-rated Kratom vendors. Remember, the quality of Kratom directly affects the results and side effects. A contaminated Kratom powder is the last thing you want.
Golden Monk is our favorite Kratom supplier. The overall quality of their Kratom strains is consistently high. All their products go through 3rd party lab tests, and the certificates of analysis are published for everyone to see. All orders are also covered with a money-back guarantee.
Conclusion: Should You Use Kratom for Depression?
The above Kratom strains have been very helpful for individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. They reduce the symptoms of depression and improve the overall quality of life of the users.
In closing, Kratom has the potential to treat depression and anxiety disorders, so it's definitely worth a try but make sure you use it correctly.