Kratom has emerged as a natural analgesic with pain-relieving properties throughout the world. Kratom has various medical uses, one of which includes the Kratom’s ability to treat pain.
It has euphoric effects, improves sex, has little potential for dependence and addiction along with these it provides energy.
We can use Kratom for pain as well. Chronic back pain is one of the severe pains which is treated with Kratom.
Pain is a complicated feeling which can make one’s life sad and unhappy.
Opiates are the most common medications prescribed for pain-killing effects which result in severe side effects and high levels of dependence.
However, these days kratom is trending to relieve the pain symptoms.
The primary factor in identifying the kratom which results in painkilling effects is to search for kratom strains which are useful for reducing pain.
Once you select the best kratom strain for pain-relieving effects, then you do not need to bear the harmful effects of opiates and addiction.
There are many alternatives available for managing the pain effects. However, the most efficient alternative is kratom.
Kratom is a native tree of Southeast Asia, found in countries like; Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo, and Malaysia. Mitragyna speciosa is its botanical name, and it belongs to the same family as Rubiaceae. Since ancient times the people of Southeast Asia used Kratom leaves as a herbal drug to treat various illnesses.
Kratom is used in low doses as a stimulant in folk medicine. At high doses, Kratom is consumed as a sedative, and along with that, Kratom is used to treat opiate addiction, as a painkiller, as a medicine for diarrhea and as a recreational drug.
Kratom is a potent blend which includes the synergistic alkaloids.
These alkaloids result in a high therapeutic index which makes it free from the adverse side effects.
All kratom strains have different alkaloids, so all of them have different effects on pain relief.
It is a debate in today’s world that which strain is the best for relieving pain. However, scientists have proven some strains to be highly effective.
The pain killing property of kratom strain depends on the levels of alkaloids such as 7-hydroxy mitragynine and Mitragynine.
The Mitragynine is an opioid agonist rather than the opiate which helps in complete pain management.
How To Use Kratom For Pain?
Dealing with chronic pain is a constant battle for those who suffer from it. Even though a lot of medicines are available in the market to treat chronic pain, they come with unwelcoming side effects.
Drugs like opioid risk causing addiction to the consumer, and Lyrica and Cymbalta come with several adverse side effects. So looking at all of these drugs we see Kratom as a natural drug for treating chronic pain.
It was found in several pieces of research that Kratom targets the exact part of the brain which response to morphine, fentanyl, and codeine. But drugs like morphine, fentanyl, and codeine can cause specific adverse side effects such as constipation, respiratory depression, and physical dependence.
In contrast, Kratom does not cause these adverse side effects. It has been reported that opioid overdose deaths are mainly caused due to respiratory depression whereas Kratom does not cause this side effect.
Kratom consists of alkaloids, which function by attaching themselves to the opioid receptors. Once this attachment is completed, it sends signals to the body’s neurons.
This, in turn, increases the level of enkephalins and endorphins.
These two agents that contribute to the analgesic pathways of the body.
This pathway is responsible to suppresses the transmission of pain signals at various points such as spinal cord level and anterolateral Spinothalamic tract.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism explains these opiate receptors of enkephalins and endorphins in detail.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics has published a study on nature’s best atypical opioids that is Kratom and mitragynines.
It tells that typical opioid is usually analogs of substances derived from the poppy plant. The analgesic and adverse effect is through the primary opioid mechanism.
However, two latest analgesics are naturally developed for an opioid mechanism and, a non-opioid mechanism of action. Non – opioid mechanism of Kratom is the inhibition of monoamine neurotransmitter reuptake.
It also analyses the potential use and abuse by Kratom, which has conflicting and often contradicting opinions. But the view of the underlying pharmacology of Kratom tells that Kratom has both opioid and non-opioid properties.
This is very fascinatingly to find a natural pain reliever like Kratom with fewer risks and safe working, research says.
So you see that by increasing the level of natural neurotransmitters in the body Kratom helps in eliminating the pain.
To understand how Kratom eases the pain. First, the pain management system has to be known.
In the case of a physical injury such as an accident or wound, the body immediately senses it.
The human body has a network of nerves which picks up the signal and send this message to the central nervous system into the spine.
Once the CNS receives the message, the next response is a result of brain signals.
One of the primary responses is to release endorphin to reduce the pain perception. The endorphin attaches itself to the Mu, delta, and kappa which are opioid receptor sites. The result is relaxation and suffering relief.
When anyone uses Kratom in place of chemical based analgesic medicines, the alkaloids start taking action.
The major alkaloids i.e. 7-hydroxy mitragynine and mitragynine work exactly like endorphins for the body.
They attach themselves to the receptors and reduce the same perception of pain which medicines do. The function of chemically modified drugs and Kratom is same. However, using Kratom for pain is safer for the health.
What Types of Pain Can Kratom Ease?
Kratom is helpful for almost all types of pain. Regardless of the severity of pain, it is effective most of the times.
Even if it is a physical injury or an internal pain such as joint pain, Kratom helps for all. It is exceptionally useful for the below-listed pains.
- Minor injuries; cuts, scars, burns
- Significant injuries: accidents, post surgical pain
- Stretched muscles
- Migraine
- Neuropathy
- Osteoarthritis
- Inflammation of joints
- Sore Tendons
- Backache
- Acute Pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis.
The 4 Best Kratom Strains to Relieve Pain
Start searching in Sunda islands; it is the area found in Indonesia where most of the kratom strains are present.
In Indonesia, kratom strains have a great blend of alkaloids with sedation effect.
However, if you want mild sedation and complete pain management, then you should choose Malaysian kratom strain which is also effective.
1. Indo Kratom Strains For Pain
The traditionally available Indo strains include Bali and Borneo. These strains are considered the best strains for pain management.It is because they contain high amounts of Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine which are present in the plant’s leaves.These strains lack the stimulating alkaloids, due to which they result in sedation. However, these kratom strains are less sedating than other standard medications.
The Bali White Vein has high amounts of 7-hydroxy mitragynine which is used for pain management. The Bali White Vein produces the analgesic effects due to these alkaloids and suppresses the symptoms of pain by releasing endorphins and enkephalins.
The Borneo kratom has noticeable analgesic effects and should be used carefully to produce the results instead of sedation. The analgesic effects of Borneo are generated by the consumption of small dosage,i.e., around 2 grams, but increased analgesic effects can be produced by high doses,i.e., 7-10 grams.
The Borneo kratom strain is often used by patients who are suffering from chronic pain due to joint disease and cancer.It is a useful strain for analgesic effects. Both these Indo strains have similar alkaloid composition.
2. Maeng da Kratom For Pain
This strain is useful for relieving the pain and discomfort in cases with osteoarthritis, backache, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. It is a potent strain with pain-relieving property and does not result in sedation.
The Maeng Da kratom is considered as the strongest and most euphoric strain with a perfect combination of stimulating and pain-killing alkaloids.
The finest kratom among the Maeng da family includes the White Vein Maeng Da for analgesic effects. White Indo vein helps in pain reduction and is utilized for the treatment of fatigue and chronic pain. It is a perfect strain for patients suffering from CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) or fibromyalgia.
3. Malaysian Kratom Leaves For Pain
The most commonly used Malaysian strain includes Green Malaysian varieties. These strains are useful for pain management and are less sedating when compared to the Indo strains such as Bali and Borneo. It is the only reason that users prefer these strains who want the treatment to not interfere with their energy levels.
These strains have a mild analgesic effect which relieves joint stiffness and pain. It is an energy stimulating strain which is ideal for pain management without adverse effects.
Kratoms are sufficient for pain-killing effects, but every individual possesses a different type of brain chemistry. The only way to sort out the best kratom strain for pain management is by testing the best strain.
If you do not want to search for a particular strain, then opt for Red Vein kratom which is overall effective for pain management.
Among all these strains Red Vein kratom is the best strain for analgesia and soothing effects which result in ingestion.
4. Red Bali Kratom For Pain
It is a blend of strains derived from Borneo and Sumatra. It is harvested from the Mitragyna tree. The Mitragyna Speciosa tree grows very fast and produces massive amounts of Red Bali kratom, due to which this strain is cheaper than other strains. The amazing benefits of Red Bali kratom include uplifting mood, pain-relieving property, and stimulation of basal metabolic rate.
Effects Produced By Red Bali Kratom For Pain:
This strain produces both negative and positive effects.
Benefits:
The benefits include the following:
- The painkilling effect due to many alkaloids. It has mild effects when compared to other strains,i.e., Thai, Borneo, and Malay.
- It results in sedation which leads to a pain-relieving effect, with reduced depression, stress, anger, and other issues.
- Anti-anxiety and relaxation
- Appetite changes
- Helps in opiate addiction and withdrawal
- Mood boost
- Stress reducer
These effects can be enhanced if consumed in moderate amounts.
The strain helps the patients suffering from Attention deficit disorder and enables them to focus and concentrate on their work actively.
It also helps in treating insomnia or sleeping issues.
Adverse effects:
The harmful effects of the Red Bali kratom strain occur when consumed at high dosages.
These effects include the following:
- Severe dependency
- Headache
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Mild stomach pain
- Addiction if used repeatedly
Preparation Methods of Kratom Strains to Achieve Maximum Pain Management
Do not dissolve the kratom leaves in the tea because the alkaloids are soluble.
The reason for not making the tea is that the alkaloids do not adequately absorb water, which reduces the effectiveness of these alkaloids.
To achieve the maximum benefits users have utilized other methods such as capsule intake, blend of leaf powder with yogurt or juice, or you can also use the toss and wash method which includes washing the kratom powder as a whole with a liquid.
If you have no issues with a slight reduction in effectiveness, then use the tea recipes for kratom use.
The alkaloids of Kratom leaves play all the functions of pain management. So, one has to keep them intact for the body to absorb them.
If the purpose of Kratom is to ease the pain, it is not a good idea to make a tea of it. Alkaloids may not be fully absorbed in the water. It means the body will not be able to get maximum alkaloids.
How Much Dosage is Sufficient For Treating Pain With Kratom?
Kratom strains are highly dosage-dependent. The effects of each strain hidden behind the usage techniques.
Sometimes pain management is not possible without taking the right dosage of a certain strain. A few strains start working in as small as 0.5 g dose.
That is because they are so powerful by composition. Some other stains may take more quantity. Also, it takes less dosage to affect a beginner level user. For regular users, a relatively high amount works better.
A general guideline as per the required effects is as follows.
Quantity | Nature | Effect | User Guide |
2.0- 4.0 | Mild | Stimulant effects | Beginner level |
4.0- 6.0 | Intermediate | Stimulant, sedation, analgesia | Early user level |
6.0-8.0 | Medium | Analgesic, sedation | Experienced level |
8.0 + | High | Sedative analgesic | Not recommended |
** Caution: The up-listed table is only for leaves or simple Kratom powder form. It doesn’t apply to extracts and tinctures as they have different concentrations. A user may have a sensitivity to Kratom, and it is at this moment advised to take a test dose of Kratom before taking it regularly.
For pain, Kratom requires a reasonable level dosage. It is not suitable to jump to a medium quantity of Kratom powder on first Kratom interaction. To gain all the benefits, it is better to start with a small dose i.e. 1g and then carefully increase it daily.
If the desired Kratom effects exhibit in the high amount only, make the dosage a step by step process from low to high.
Also, take a little test dose in case anyone switches Kratom vendor. It is helpful to avoid any side effect which might hit in the form of dizziness, nausea or sedation.
Additional Tips
Here are a few useful tips for the users who want to try Kratom for pain control.
- Select the most appropriate strain as per your requirement and tolerance level. Everybody is different so anything which works on any other person may not function the same for everyone.
- Always start with the small dose. Small doses of Kratom are more beneficial than high doses most of the time.
- Kratom starts working in 5-10 minutes after consumption; the effects may last up to 8 hours, as per specific strains. Some strains last for shorter times.
- Higher doesn’t mean better in Kratom. Always take a moderate dose.
- People usually mix Kratom strains for more effects. However, this is a specialized technique and is not advisable for a beginner level.
- Always trust an official Kratom vendor for a quality product. Never trust on random sellers.
Stories of People Who Have Benefited From Kratom For Pain
Pain News Network surveyed to study the effectiveness of Kratom in treating pain and other medical illnesses. 6,150 Kratom users participated in this survey, and it was found that 90% of the users said that Kratom is useful for treatment. To further strengthen their study, the PNN spoke to several Kratom consumers so they can know what people had to say about Kratom:
“Honestly, I was blown away at how good it was for my pain and also had the benefit that it lifted my mood, which was important because of the depression I had been experiencing from the chronic pain.”
“I have acute, chronic migraines that, unmediated, result in pain that is completely debilitating, and at times have landed me in the emergency room with stroke symptoms. Multiple doctors have approved my use of Kratom for pain management, as over-the-counter medicine simply does not work and I cannot take opiates.”
The survey also concluded that Kratom is 100% effective for cancer, 97% for multiple sclerosis, 94% for irritable bowel syndrome, 93% for a migraine and fibromyalgia and 92% for rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and acute pain.
Jeanell had suffered from anxiety throughout her life. She did not like to socialize and only interacted with people who understood her feelings and were not judgmental. Soon after giving birth to her son she suffered from an increased level of anxiety for which she was prescribed Xanax, an anti-anxiety medicine.
This treatment made her feel distant from her loved ones, which mainly involved her son. This distance was the turning point when she was suggested to use Kratom and decided to go with this suggestion.
Jeanell found the results to be incredible after which she also encouraged her husband to use it for the treatment of anxiety disorder. Jeanell and her husband are now living happy and fulfilling lives.
They enjoy interacting with people and feel that with the help of Kratom they have become quite active and good at parenting. Now since the anxiety disorder is under control, Jeanell occasionally takes Kratom thus helping her to avoid developing Kratom tolerance.
Scientific Evidence of Kratom Being Effective in Treating Pain
Research conducted in 2011 in Universiti Putra Malaysia experimented with the effect of Kratom on mice as an antidepressant. It was seen that Kratom significantly reduced the immobility time with no significant impact on the locomotor activity. Along with that, it was understood that Kratom exerts an antidepressant effect in the animal behavior model of depression.
A study published in The Journal of American Osteopathic Association in 2012 suggested that Kratom is an emerging botanical agent, which comprises stimulant, analgesic and opioid-like effects.
The study concluded that Kratom consists of a variety of active compounds that produces a pharmacologic impact on opioid and other receptors. So Kratom may potentially be consumed for treating pain and opiate withdrawal.
Hence we can see that the use of the Kratom is an efficient way of dealing with pain and anxiety and it will not cause any severe side effects.
We expect to see that shortly Kratom will become one of the ‘on the counter’ herbal drug so that patients suffering from anxiety and chronic pain can get easy access to it.
Conclusion
The most unusual characteristic feature of kratom is that it is a plant.
It allows us to quickly breed different kratom strains with distinct characters and qualities, which makes it an effective treatment plan with reduced side effects.
Many users have gotten rid of the opioid use and have lived happily with the unusual properties of kratom strains.
To find out the most potent and active kratom strain for analgesia effects, you need to experiment with different strains.
Choose the kratom strain which matches perfectly with your body type,i.e., your body weight, age, tolerance and other factors.
However, it is time-consuming to find out the best kratom strain according to your body type.
Maeng da kratom is considered as the most potent and active strain for pain management, but you need to choose accordingly.
Some users also blend the two strong kratoms which include Borneo strains and Maeng Da.
Follow a proper diet plan with a workout regime and add kratom in your daily routine. This combination works well for your body allowing you to live happily and pain-free.
Kratom has lesser side effects than other medical drugs. Kratom is a cheap analgesic that is readily available without any severe side effects.