What you Need to Know About Maeng Da kratom

Maeng Da kratom has a reputation for being highly potent – and for good reason! It’s widely accepted that this is the strongest kratom strain on the market. And interestingly, Maeng Da tends to have slightly different effects to other forms of kratom.

People take kratom for a variety of reasons, from pain relief to combating opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, please note that kratom is not approved for medical use in the United States, and there is no clinical evidence supporting the use of Maeng Da for any condition. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate kratom, so make sure you do your own research before choosing a vendor.

In this comprehensive guide to Maeng Da kratom, we’ll cover the five types of this strain available on the US market: Red, White, Yellow, Green and Gold. We’ll also look at how Maeng Da effects vary depending on how much you take, and we’ll also explore the most popular ways to take kratom products. But first, for kratom newbies, let’s discuss what kratom actually is!

Get to know Maeng Da kratom

Kratom (mitragyna speciosa) is a tree from the coffee family that grows wildly in Southeast Asia. Kratom has been used for centuries in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, where the world’s best-known strains originate from. Historically, kratom has been taken by laborers for its stimulatory properties, and also as a relaxant and painkiller.

‘Maeng Da’ or ‘pimp-grade’ kratom does not describe a single kratom strain but a blend, designed for maximum potency. Maeng Da has made a huge impact in the West, especially among those seeking an alternative to opioid painkillers, or a supplement that can help tackle opiate withdrawal symptoms. Nowhere is this more pertinent than the United States, which has been ravaged by the opioid crisis. Alkaloids in kratom interact with mu-opioid receptors, the same mechanism that compounds like codeine in opioids work on.

But the main difference between kratom alkaloids and synthetic opioids is the potency. Alkaloids like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine do not bind as strongly to mu-opioid receptors, and hence pose less of an addictive and overdose risk. However, kratom still has dangers, particularly if abused – we’ll touch more on the risks and side effects, and how to minimize them, later in this post.

Scientific understanding of kratom alkaloids is still in its infancy. However, with recent estimates suggesting that millions of people are using kratom products like Maeng Da in the United States alone, expect much more interest and research over the next few years.

Why choose Maeng Da kratom?

With such a huge variety of kratom strains on the market, why should you choose Maeng Da, especially when the likes of Bali offer lovely relaxation, while Thai provides powerful and invigorating effects? The appeal of Red Maeng Da kratom and others all comes down to the potency.

Mixing multiple strains together makes for a unique and high-strength experience, which is exactly what many Western kratom users are seeking! These special effects can help to put Maeng Da a class above the rest. For example, some kratoms are too relaxing for daytime use, but Maeng Da strains have a noticeable energizing kick, and deliver relief without fatigue.

Now let’s explore, in detail, the effects of Red, White, Gold, Green and Yellow Maeng Da!

White Maeng Da kratom

For maximum energy, there’s no better strain than White Maeng Da kratom. This stimulating offering goes even further than other popular white vein strains such as the Thai. A hit of this kratom will heighten your concentration levels, so you can stay focussed on tasks for hours. And if you have a highly physical job, the long-lasting effects will help keep fatigue at bay.

However, if you experience anxiety, it’s possible that the strong, stimulating effects of White Maeng Da may be a little bit too much. White vein kratoms of any kind are often too powerful for first-time users, although are a great option for the more experienced. Moreover, some find that White Maeng Da produces pleasant mood-boosting effects, which may be great for breaking out of a slump!

Red Maeng Da kratom

In sharp contrast, Red Maeng Da has much more relaxing and sedating effects, and is comparable to opioids. Users typically choose this strain for pain, stress and anxiety relief, and the euphoric effects may potentially have benefits for mood. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, you might also consider seeing a chiropractor in Boca Raton, FL to complement the natural relief from kratom.

However, relative to other red vein strains, this Maeng Da kratom is notable for its mild energizing effects. Therefore, this strain could perhaps be useful during the day if you want pain relief without feeling tired. Meanwhile, this strain may be helpful in the evenings when you want physical relaxation, without adverse effects to your mental clarity.

Small amounts of Red Maeng Da are best for bringing out these energizing effects, with larger quantities producing a more classic red vein kratom effects. As with any strain, you should start small, and only increase your intake when completely comfortable.

Green Maeng Da kratom

This strain gives a beautiful balance of the White and Red Maeng Das, and is the perfect option if you’re seeking a mixture of stimulation and sedation. Green vein kratoms are just like hybrid strains of cannabis in that sense, and work a treat whether it’s morning, afternoon or evening. Green Maeng Da provides the energy you need for focus and concentration, while keeping you relaxed and free from pain and anxiety.

This strain is the perfect introduction to Maeng Da kratom, and will give you a manageable taster if you’re uncertain about the stronger effects of the Red and White. With Green Maeng Da, you can be sure of a balanced and consistent experience time after time.

Yellow/Gold Maeng Da kratom

This is a peculiar form of kratom, since there’s no such thing as yellow kratom leaves. Companies suggesting that there is any such thing as yellow leaf kratom are being disingenuous, but yellow Maeng Da powder does indeed exist!

The yellow coloring is generated by fermenting the kratom, which transforms the alkaloids in the leaves and subsequently the color. Some users claim that Yellow (or Gold Maeng Da) produces more desirable effects than other forms of kratom.

Reported effects include increased energy levels and mood, making Yellow Maeng Da an ideal morning strain. This kratom doesn’t seem to cause as much sedation as other strains, so you may want to steer clear of this one in the evenings!

5 ways to take Maeng Da kratom

Part of kratom’s appeal is its impressive versatility. There are many different products available and ways to enjoy them, with each boasting benefits. Much comes down to personal preference when deciding on a favored way to take kratom. Here are five ways you could take Maeng Da.

Kratom tea

This is a popular consumption, both in the West and in Southeast Asia. An infused kratom brew maximizes alkaloid absorption and delivers fast-acting effects, while neutralizing kratom’s bitter flavor. Traditionally, kratom tea is brewed with the leaves, although this may be more difficult in the West, where it’s difficult to find raw leaves.

However, kratom powder is just as effective for brewing instant kratom tea. Simply mix the powder into hot water, and sprinkle in some sugar to minimize the harsh taste. And if that’s still too much effort, some vendors now stock kratom tea bags to make the process even easier!

‘Toss and wash’ Maeng Da powder

‘Toss and wash’ describes scooping kratom powder into your mouth, and washing it down with water. This is a popular intake method if you need convenience and efficiency, with kratom’s effects taking hold quickly, while producing a potent experience.

For best effects, vigorously swill Maeng Da kratom around in your mouth before swallowing. This is essential to getting all the clumps out of the powder, making it easy to swallow. The ‘toss and wash’ approach is ideal for beating back acute symptoms, although be prepared for some inconsistency in the effects as it’s very difficult to get exactly the same amount each time. However, with experience, you’ll soon get it just right!

If there’s one downside of ‘tossing and washing’ Maeng Da powder, it’s the bitter flavor. Unfortunately, since you’re consuming the powder as it is, there’s not much you can do about this. You’ll either have to tough it out, or find a more preferable product!

Maeng Da kratom capsules

An effective way of eliminating the bitter taste is with Maeng Da capsules. These beauties neutralize the flavor completely, while giving you the same amount of kratom each time, and therefore an experience you can trust. Many vendors sell kratom capsules, although you could also make your own with some empty shells and powder – this works well if you want to combine kratom with other extracts.

However, kratom capsules tend to work more slowly than other kratom products. This is because the capsule must first be broken down before the alkaloids can be released into the bloodstream and through the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, you may need several capsules for an effective experience. If you have difficulty swallowing large capsules, this product may be a non-starter for you.

Using Maeng Da powder and paste in recipes

Kratom alkaloids have a very high boiling point, which makes it easy to add powder or paste to your favorite recipes, while masking the flavor in the process. If you do decide to cook with kratom, remember that you’ll need some other potent ingredients to ensure the bitter kratom doesn’t overwhelm your palate.

Chewing kratom leaves

This is the most traditional way to get kratom’s effects, and is likely how you’ll see the manual laborers in Southeast Asia consuming it. Chewing kratom leaves efficiently delivers the alkaloids into the bloodstream, and allows for maximum sublingual absorption.

However, chewing kratom isn’t that popular, especially in the West. One, it’s difficult to find kratom leaves. And two, chewing rough leaves is an arduous process, and leaves you fully exposed to kratom’s pungent, bitter flavor. However, since Maeng Da isn’t a strain, sadly you won’t find any Maeng Da leaves.

Combating opioid dependence with Maeng Da kratom

Nowhere has been hit harder by the opioid epidemic than the United States. The overprescribing of addictive opioid painkillers has wreaked havoc across the nation, with more than 200,000 deaths attributed to these drugs since the late 1990s. Many patients have found themselves being prescribed stronger and stronger opioids due to tolerance, a serious problem given the high risk of overdose with these drugs. But due to the addictive nature of opioids, they can be frightfully hard to quit.

However, many people are crediting kratom products like Maeng Da for helping them to reduce their dependence on opioids, or even to quit completely. The key alkaloids in kratom are mu-opioid receptor agonists, just like morphine, codeine and many synthetic opioids. However, kratom alkaloids do not bind as strongly to these receptors, and are subsequently not as addictive. That said, kratom does still carry some risk of addiction and overdose.

But for severe opioid addicts, Maeng Da kratom may offer a lifeline, and help bridge the gap between an addiction and being completely clean. If you are thinking about trying kratom to help lower your opioid dependence, always speak with a doctor. Kratom may not be suitable for you, and mixing kratom with other drugs may cause adverse effects.

Does Maeng Da kratom produce euphoria?

We can’t ignore the fact that some people take Maeng Da kratom for recreational purposes. Red-vein kratom strains are most associated with the opiate-like euphoria recreational users are seeking. However, because kratom needs to be taken in higher quantities for these perceived euphoric effects, this increases the risk of addiction and overdose.

Kratom should never be abused, and can cause short and long-term problems if you do so. Taking kratom to improve mood is acceptable, but monitor your intake on a regular basis to ensure you stay safe with Maeng Da and any other kratom product.

Staying safe with Maeng Da kratom

Whether it’s Red, White, Green, Yellow or Gold Maeng Da, kratom consumption comes with the risk of side effects. We touched on white-vein strains being linked to anxiety due to intense stimulation, and red-vein kratom causing sedation and drowsiness. But there are also some more general side effects to keep in mind.

Kratom may cause dizziness, drowsiness, low appetite, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and a loss of motor control. More serious side effects include slowed breathing, seizures, coma and death. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has attributed more than 40 deaths to kratom use.

However, there are steps you can take to minimize your kratom risk. Firstly, ensure that you are buying from a respectable company. With no FDA regulation, kratom vendors are not legally required to conform to a certain standard, leading to a risk of impurities in products, and especially powder. These concerns are more pertinent with Maeng Da powder, which is marketed as high-strength. Always buy products that have been independently tested and verified by third-party laboratories.

And secondly, new kratom users should always start with caution – and all users should be cautious when experimenting with a new strain. Begin with low amounts, and journal the effects so you can build a record of how your body responds to kratom.

Is kratom legal in the United States?

Kratom is legal in the United States. The federal government has not enacted any prohibitive legislation on kratom products of any kind. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) did attempt to ban kratom in 2016, a move that was quickly rebuffed by kratom users. The government could, in theory, move to ban kratom in the future, but there are no active efforts to do so as of April 2020.

Some states, cities, and counties across America have banned kratom, complicating matters somewhat. Kratom is currently banned in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as Sarasota County, Florida, and San Diego, California. Check the kratom laws in your region before purchasing products online.