Green Vein Kratom 101
Kratom is typically divided into three distinct strain colors: white, green, and red. Green kratom is widely considered the best “all-rounder” — offering both stimulating, sedating, and pain-relieving qualities depending on dose.
Kratom is typically divided into three distinct strain colors: white, green, and red.
Each color is said to provide unique effects and be useful for different purposes.
In this guide to green-vein strains, we’ll discuss what they are, how they’re made, how they differ from the other colors, and what they’re most commonly used for.
What Is Green Vein Kratom?
Green-vein kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is indigenous to a variety of countries in southeast Asia.
The leaves from the tree contain alkaloids — predominantly mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine — both of which offer powerful analgesic, stimulant, and psychoactive properties.
Kratom is typically categorized into three strain varieties or colors: white, green, and red.
There’s some debate about whether or not these colors are truly distinct from one another.
The general consensus is that green-vein kratom comes from leaves that are harvested when they first reach maturity. White-vein strains are harvested before this time, and red-vein strains are harvested after reaching maturity.
The time of harvest affects the levels of alkaloids in the kratom. Green-vein strains are a middle ground between the stimulative and mood-boosting white vein strains and the sedative and pain-relieving red strains.
What Is the Right Dose of Green Vein Kratom?
Most users take between 2 and 12 grams of kratom powder at a time, depending on the desired effects. The higher the dose, the stronger the sedative, euphoriant, and painkilling effects. Lower doses are much more energizing — similar to the effects of coffee or coca leaf.
The dosing guidelines below should provide a better idea of what amount of powder is right for your purposes:
| Intended Effects | Recommended Dose |
| Mild stimulation | 1 to 2 grams |
| Increased focus and attention | 1 to 3 grams |
| Mood enhancement/euphoria | 2 to 3 grams |
| Relaxation and stress reduction | 4 to 6 grams |
| Relief from mild to moderate pain | 4 to 5 grams |
| Intense relaxation/sedation | 5 to 6 grams |
| Relief from moderate to severe pain | 5 to 8 grams or more |
Remember that the dose that works for one user may not be ideal for another, so it’s best to start with a lower volume and increase until you find your desired effects.
What Are the Effects of Green-Vein Kratom?
Generally speaking, green-vein strains can carry any or all of the below effects:
- Increased focus and attention span
- Mild euphoria
- Mild to moderate sedation
- Mild to severe stimulation
- Mood enhancement
- Relief from anxiety and stress
- Relief from mild to moderate pain
The effects you feel when consuming green-vein kratom depend heavily on your dose. However, some experiences and feelings seem universal among kratom users.
Most users report increased alertness and focus about five to fifteen minutes after consuming kratom. The effect is often compared to what you’d expect from drinking a few cups of coffee, although many people note that the stimulation is “smoother” than what you feel from caffeine and not likely to cause jitters or an energy crash.
Others report a warm and fuzzy feeling spreading through their bodies and feelings of mild euphoria. These effects are compared to what you’d feel when taking opioids.
At lower doses, the euphoria typically morphs into feelings of positivity and motivation, which can help increase productivity. At higher doses, the euphoric feelings can turn into deep relaxation and, eventually, sedation. Higher doses also tend to melt away feelings of pain at this point.
These effects usually last about two hours and get less intense as time goes by.
Is Green Vein Kratom Safe?
Kratom’s safety is debated. Some users say that they have consumed kratom regularly for long periods with no ill effects and no signs of addiction or dependency. Others advocate banning kratom, as they have experienced mild to moderate addiction and have struggled to cope with withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.
Kratom’s main alkaloids are opioid receptor agonists and are considered atypical opioids. This means they act on other receptors and are generally safer [1].
Although kratom has been used in Southeast Asian countries for centuries, its use only recently became globally available. There hasn’t been enough research on kratom — especially long-term studies — to confirm its safety.
However, research generally agrees that kratom use is generally safe, especially if users take regular breaks to avoid dependency [2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed kratom and does not see it as dangerous or in need of being banned.
In general, kratom seems to be very safe when used responsibly.
Side Effects of Green Vein Kratom
The most common side effects of all forms of kratom are nausea and dizziness. Taking too much kratom can cause a syndrome known as “kratom wobbles,” — which is a combination of dizziness, poor muscle coordination, and nausea. It’s very uncomfortable but will go away as the effects of the plant wear off.
Other side effects may include:
- Anxiousness
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Mental fog
How to Avoid Kratom’s Side Effects
The best way to limit the side effects of kratom (or any active plant medicine, for that matter) is to be conscious of your relationship with it and limit your dosage (both frequency of dose and actual dose).
The problems that arise from kratom generally stem from patterns of abuse. People who take kratom compulsively for its’ ability to sedate or numb the body or those who over-rely on it as a tool for focus tend to have the most issues.
When used responsibly in moderation, kratom poses little risk.
Tips for limiting the side effects of kratom:
- Limit your kratom consumption — Use the smallest amount possible and only when necessary.
- Avoid increasing your dose — Only take kratom five days a week and three weeks a month to prevent building up a tolerance.
- Drink plenty of water — This helps reduce the risk of dehydration and ease stomach issues.
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs, medications, and herbs — Combining kratom with other compounds can increase the risk of adverse reactions, some of which can be very dangerous.
Is Green Vein Kratom Legal?
Green-vein kratom and all other strain colors are currently legal on a federal level in the United States, although some states, cities, and other countries have banned kratom use and possession.
Below is a list of all of the areas in the U.S. where kratom is currently prohibited:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Indiana
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Some other municipalities and states have age restrictions on kratom possession and use, including:
- Illinois — Must be over 18
- New Hampshire — Must be over 18
- Tennessee — Must be over 21
Below is a list of all countries that have a total ban on kratom:
- Australia
- Denmark
- Finland
- Israel
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Myanmar
- Malaysia
- New Zealand (approved for medical use only)
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Vietnam
How to Use Green Vein Kratom
In Southeast Asia, the leaves are eaten either fresh or after drying out. The preferred method is to dry the leaves and then crush them into a fine powder.
Here are the most common ways kratom is consumed:
- As Tea — Fresh or dried kratom leaves can be immersed in hot water to make a tea.
- As a Capsule — Kratom capsules provide a convenient way to take kratom that doesn’t expose you to the bitter flavor of raw kratom powder.
- The “Toss and Wash Method” — This is the most common way of using kratom powder. It involves placing your kratom powder in your mouth and quickly swishing it down with some water or juice. It tastes horrible but is over quickly.
- Kratom Extracts — Tinctures and concentrated extract tablets can be mixed with water or knocked back on their own to provide a high dose of kratom alkaloids with minimal bitter taste.
What Are the Most Popular Green Vein Kratom Strains?
There are dozens of green kratom strains available, all providing different effect profiles. Below, we’ll include information on some of the most popular and widely used green-vein strains.
1. Green Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da is a title reserved for the strongest kratom. A “true” Green Maeng Da is considered the most potent of the green vein strains — however, there isn’t anything stopping a company from listing any kratom as “Maeng Da grade.” This is why it’s essential to order kratom from reputable brands that take the naming conventions of their kratom products seriously.
By virtue, Green Maeng Da is very strong — so it might not be the best option for beginners who aren’t used to the effects or dosage of kratom yet. It also tends to be the most expensive.
Green Maeng Da is an excellent all-rounder when it comes to kratom. It’s great for managing pain, mood, sleep, and focus (depending on the dose, of course). Many users rely on Green Maeng Da as their go-to for daytime use and something like Red Maeng Da at night.
2. Green Malay Kratom
Green Malay is a great option for people looking for some serious bang for their buck. It’s not as expensive as Maeng Da but offers comparable (albeit lesser) potency.
As the name implies, Green Malay comes from plants grown in Malaysia.
Many users choose this strain for daytime pain relief and even find that the energy boost they get can replace other stimulants, like caffeine.
Low or medium doses (2 to 5 grams) may be a good option for users looking to relieve anxiety which is one of the most common reasons people turn to kratom.
It also helps that Green Malay is widely available. This, of course, contributes to its popularity and relatively low cost.
3. Green Bali Kratom
You’ll see a trend among the top green strains, as Green Bali is another rare occurrence in the kratom industry that is ideal for daytime pain relief. It excels at improving focus, attention, and energy while minimizing the pain signals traveling to the brain. It is a common strain for those who need to reduce pain to get through school or work but want to stay away from opioids or other prescription painkillers.
Green Bali kratom can also reduce anxiety and provide a mild euphoria for many users that never becomes overwhelming; hence, it can be a good mood enhancer or social lubricant for some people. It is also known to reduce anxiety — a common reason people take kratom.
Wrapping Up: Why is Green Vein Kratom So Popular?
Green-vein kratom is the most popular, primarily because it’s a good balance of white and red strains. Depending on the strain you take, you could experience energy or sedation, pain relief, anxiety reduction, mood improvement, and other desirable effects.
Green strains like Green Maeng Da, Green Malay, and Green Bali are popular primarily because they are potent without being overwhelming and can relieve mild to moderate pain.
Best of all, provided you take kratom according to the recommended guidelines and limit your daily, weekly, and monthly intake, green-vein kratom is considered generally safe for consumption.
References
- Raffa, R. B., Pergolizzi, J. V., Taylor, R., Ossipov, M. H., & NEMA Research Group. (2018). Nature’s first “atypical opioids”: Kratom and mitragynine. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics, 43(3), 437-441.
- Garcia-Romeu, A., Cox, D. J., Smith, K. E., Dunn, K. E., & Griffiths, R. R. (2020). Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa): User demographics, use patterns, and implications for the opioid epidemic. Drug and alcohol dependence, 208, 107849.
