Anxiety is a common illness — statistics show it affects roughly 40 million adults every year. The stress and fear brought on by anxious thoughts can be so debilitating that you start avoiding life.
Depression and anxiety go hand-in-hand. When anxiety causes you to miss out on important events, it can lead to depressive episodes. It can be difficult, if not unmanageable, for those suffering to live their lives to the fullest.
Prescription medications, practicing mindfulness (via yoga and meditation), and even therapy can help, but these are not the only ways to combat this illness. You might want to try kratom — a herbal medicine that has been used in Southeast Asia since the 19th century. Despite its longevity of use in Asia, you may not have heard of it before now, so we’re here to fill in the gaps.
Kratom is making headway worldwide by helping those who suffer from anxiety and depression to feel calmer and more relaxed. It can significantly mitigate anxiety symptoms such as poor sleep, high heart rate, shortness of breath, and poor concentration.
There are many kratom plant strains, but we’ve narrowed down a list of the best kratom for anxiety and depression. Here are the three best strains you should know.
Which Kratom Strain is the Best for Anxiety & Depression?
Kratom is making some serious strides in the world of alternative medicine. Not only can it be used to help those withdrawing from opioid addiction, but it is also proving useful in alleviating anxiety and depression.
The best strains for anxiety and depression are Maeng Da, Green Malay, and Red Bali kratom. We’ve gone ahead and explained what these strains do, how they work, and where to find them.
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the best kratom for anxiety and depression relief.
Maeng Da Kratom
Maeng Da (which means “pimp grade” when translated from Thai) is not a strain to take lightly. Maeng Da kratom is one of the most potent varieties available due to its abundance of 7-Hydroxymitragynine, an alkaloid necessary for its anti-anxiety benefits.
It comes in a red, green, and white form, all of which provide unique and powerful effects.
Benefits of Maeng Da Kratom:
- Provides potent and long-lasting effects
- Has stimulant properties
- A useful pain-killing strain
While these are the overarching benefits of Maeng Da, as we said, there are three varieties of this strain that entail different effects, which we’ll detail below:
Red Maeng Da Kratom
Red Maeng Da is a potent full-body relaxant. Some thought it was genetically modified — that’s how powerful it is (but don’t worry, it’s all-natural). It’s ideal for helping you settle down after a long, strenuous day.
It is known for making consumers drowsy, so definitely use this before bed. Your racing thoughts at night will settle with this strain.
Benefits of Red Maeng Da Kratom:
- Powerful muscle relaxer
- Eases bodily tension
- Promotes a good night’s rest
White Maeng Da Kratom
This Maeng Da strain acts as a stimulant and is also renowned for being a pain killer (without those awful side effects). It can benefit those experiencing depression, allowing the body and mind to relax while providing a euphoric boost.
Note that you may be more inclined to do something social and not too keen on sleeping when consuming White Maeng Da kratom. It’s best for the daytime.
Benefits of White Maeng Da Kratom:
- Boost in mood
- Mental stimulation
- Potent pain killer
- Energy to socialize
Green Maeng Da Kratom
This strain provides a happy medium between Red Maeng Da and White Maeng Da effects. You’ll add some pep to your step, but remain calm, cool, and collected.
Green Maeng Da is an excellent introduction to this alternative medicine. Its stimulating effect overpowers the drowsy impact found in the red strain, so make sure to use Green Maeng Da kratom during the day.
Benefits of Green Maeng Da Kratom:
- Stress, anxiety, and tension relief
- Improves confidence in social settings
If you’re looking for something that’ll pack a powerful punch, then try any Maeng Da kratom strain. Its pure strength earned its spot on our list of the best kratom for anxiety and depression.
If Maeng Da ends up being your favorite, just know not all vendors have access to this particular strain. Check our recommendations further in this guide to see who does.
Green Malay Kratom
Green Malay kratom is a Malaysian strain and is considered one of the best for anxiety relief. This strain relaxes the mind and soothes the soul, providing a daylong euphoric feeling. All the varieties listed in our guide are top dogs in the relaxation field, but this may be the very best kratom for anxiety and depression.
While Malay kratom has three forms (green, white, and red), this particular strain is excellent for daytime use. Green Malay is an ideal strain for productivity and social situations due to its lack of drowsy effects. Should you be experiencing a bout of social anxiety, this may be the one for you.
Benefits of Green Malay Kratom:
- Great boost of energy
- Long-lasting euphoric mood
- Much needed relief from anxious thoughts
- Feeling of calmness
Green Malay kratom is perhaps the best day-to-day strain, giving you a welcomed boost of energy and squashing your anxious thoughts. It balances both stimulating and relaxing side effects. Not only is it one of the best strains for anxiety and depression, but it’s one of the best ways to start your journey with kratom.
Green Malay is great for office workers or those with high-focus careers. It provides mental clarity and helps manage your thoughts and feelings, all of which are essential for a healthy lifestyle.
Red Bali Kratom
Red Bali kratom is an Indonesian strain and is one of the most popular in the United States. It’s easy to access and incredibly powerful, especially if your anxiety keeps you up at night. Many people turn to Redi Bali for its soothing nature.
You’ll find your racing thoughts diminished as Red Bali sends you into the ultimate state of relaxation. Fans of Red Bali also report it helps alleviate chronic pain, making it a prime choice for those suffering from physical discomfort. Anyone who spends their day working hunched over a desk will significantly benefit from its usage. The sedative effects of Red Bali makes it best for evening consumption.
The strain is abundant with an alkaloid known as 7-hydroxymitragynine, which is essential for the relaxing and pain-relieving effects.
Benefits of Red Bali Kratom
- Relief from chronic pain or discomfort
- Calms your mind
- Perfect for helping you get the sleep you need
- Mood boost if taken in low doses
If you’re seeking out a strain that allows you to wind down and relax after a long day, you’ll find Red Bali may be your answer. The full-body relaxation produced by this strain will give you a good night’s sleep time and time again.
It’s a little less potent than Red Maeng Da, so if it’s your first time trying these products, this may be a good start. Once again, be sure to take Red Bali at night time.
How Does Kratom Work for Anxiety?
The active alkaloids in this plant (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine) interact with your body’s opioid system receptors. It acts similarly to morphine or codeine but without the high risk of addiction. The natural abundance of these alkaloids makes these strains the best kratom for anxiety and depression.
The calm, serene feeling that comes from the alkaloids binding to your opioid receptors allows you to enjoy life without the debilitating effects of your anxiety, whether it is long-term or only in social situations. Additionally, it can help with mental clarity and general mood, keeping you grounded and at peace.
How to Know Your Dose
Despite its low chance of addiction, always use these products responsibly. It is not a recreational plant, and you should only use it for health purposes.
We recommend taking this alternative medicine under the following conditions:
- At a medium dosage
- Only two to three times a week
Low doses may act as a stimulant (no matter the strain), while high dosages will accelerate the body’s tolerance and render benefits ineffective. Yes, even too much of the best kratom for anxiety and depression can be a bad thing.
As of now, there are no set guidelines for ingestion. You’ll have to experiment, starting with lower doses and gradually increasing until you achieve the desired outcome. Keep a written record of how much you take and how it affects your body. The strain’s potency matters as well. If you find one too powerful or too underwhelming, try switching varieties altogether.
How to Take Kratom
There are plenty of ways to ingest kratom and receive its benefits. It all depends on your preference and what’s available through your vendor. Kratom can provide relief from anxiety and depression when taken in the following ways:
- Chew leaves: Provides immediate relief, but it will leave a bitter taste.
- Brew tea: Use leaves or powder. The tea is earthy, like a strong green tea. Mix milk or honey if desired.
- Mix powder into a drink: Any drink of choice will do. Hot or cold, you’ll still receive the desired anxiety and depression-relieving benefits.
- Drink liquid kratom: Although rare, it does exist.
- Take capsules: Capsules offer a convenient (and flavorless) option, perfect for people always on-the-go.
Where to Buy the Best Kratom for Anxiety?
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There are plenty of vendors with a wide range of Kratom available, but we’ve narrowed it down to our top three.
These three vendors are ready and eager to provide you with the best kratom for anxiety and depression.
Read more about some of our vendors below and know you can’t go wrong with whatever choice you make.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom specializes in Southeast Asian strains. It offers a wide variety of strains to try, many of which are known as the best kratom for anxiety and depression relief.
Not every kratom vendor will have Maeng Da, but Kona does. Its products are both top-notch and affordable. Kona Kratom provides free shipping within the U.S. and also offers a money-back guarantee. Feel free to order products at your convenience because you can return them if unsatisfied.
2. Star Kratom
Star Kratom is unique because it offers these strains in a rare liquid form. This American Kratom Association-approved vendor provides 100% organic products of the highest quality. If you prefer liquid kratom to powder, make Star Kratom your choice.
The store contains eight distinctive labels and exceptional pricing. You’ll be making a solid investment when purchasing the best kratom for anxiety and depression from Star Kratom.
3. VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom is a no-nonsense vendor that presents its product by the name of the strain. The store has no marketing gimmicks or fancy product names, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. VIP Kratom uses custom quality factors to sell its stock.
This vendor is one of the best options for consumers that want their favorite products quickly and conveniently. If you’re looking to buy the best kratom for anxiety and depression in bulk, VIP Kratom offers free U.S. shipping for orders over $49.99.
Conclusion — Using Kratom for Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety can feel like it’s ruining your life. Without an effective way to fight back, you may slip into a deep depression. However, kratom as an alternative option to medication continues to make impressive headway fighting anxiety and depression. There’s a reason it’s been used for centuries in Southeast Asia.
A comforting red or green strain will tackle your stress, while a white strain will provide you with the energy you’ve been missing all this time.
The strains discussed above are some of the best for anxiety and depression, but there are even more strains out there to explore. It’s about finding what’s right for you.
Overall, we think these strains make anxiety relief easy and accessible. With such a wide variety of options, you’ll come across one that’ll meet all your needs at one of our recommended stores.
So, what are you waiting for? Start the journey to a soothed mind and relaxed body by incorporating this alternative medicine into your life.
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